The prince charming of Armenian pop - Armenian Reporter

fucked up.” He pauses to catch upwith his thoughts, it seems, anddecides, “Yes, we’re different...and that’s where the music starts.That’s where everything starts.”Never singleminded in theirart or their endeavors, the boysare all experimenting with sideprojects in the art world, both ontheir own and for the band. Arik,for example is venturing into theelectronic vibe, mixing tranceand rock. “I want to do some newprojects,” he says before a show atStop Club in Yerevan, where theboys regularly perform. “I’m intothe idea of trance-Caucasian rock,”he laughs.But in the end its all about rockand this music that’s been created– this legendary sound and this legacyof a name and so much more.“Rock was a faraway thing forthis type of nation,” Nareg musesover a cigarette, reflecting on hisfather’s time. He pauses and inhales,“People were looking at it askind of an unnormal thing. I don’tknow . . . maybe they still are.” Buttoday, when this new generationof Bambir takes the stage, its impossibleto imagine rock in thiscountry without them. fconnect:www.myspace.com/bambirBambir LiveStop Club, Yerevan,Thursday, September 20They open the set with greatenergy. The club is tiny and thecrowd is almost on top of them,creating an interesting dynamic;everyone is a part of this showtogther. Arik goes into a riff onthe shvi and his flutters and trillsring over the bass line and thehigh-hat and even Nareg’s guitaras they jam.Gyumri, Monday,September 24Bambir comes homeI am seeing a completely differentband. Two of the original Bambirmembers are on stage, includingJag – Nareg’s father – and thevibe is completely unpretentiousand almost touching. You cansense the connection and the inspirationbetween them all. Thecrowd is completely in love andthe energy is corporeal.Club 12, Yerevan,Wednesday October 3Tonight they’re having fun again.Nareg is dressed up like a doctorand is dancing around like ajointless doll. Arik is like a spriteon stage – wailing and playing airdrums and smiling into the crowd.Their stage theatrics are at a pleasanthigh. Arman plays an entiresong sitting at the back of thestage with his head hidden behindthe projection screen. The crowdis in love again. At the end of theshow they come out and dancewith everyone and for a momentwe all feel a part of something pivotalin the music world.Avant Garde Folk MusicClub, Yerevan, TuesdayOctober 9 (JohnLennon’s birthday show)Tonight is a crowd like I’ve neverseen before at any Bambir show.Easily over 150 (but lost countat that), bobbing, throbbing, rollickingfans who are all in blissfulstates of drink and dance. Theband is in its element. Armansings most of the songs tonightand it’s like a gem in the set, hisvoice has a melancholy hopefulnessthat’s enchanting. Theymove seamlessly and humbly inand out of the spotlight with arhythmic modulation that seemsdecades in perfection – and maybeit is, or maybe it’s just theirdeep friendship and love foreach other that gives them thisconnection that pours into andout of their music.fThere were noempty seats in theGyumri theaterduring the band’shomecomingconcert.C6 Armenian Reporter Arts & Culture 11/10/2007