Biography

The band's icon, depicting a kid urinating, comes from the Hebrew idiom, loosely translated as, "Where does the fish piss from?" meaning something akin to, "Where did that come from?"

Hadag Nahash was formed in Jerusalem in 1996. After touring Israel for more than four years and, in the process, gathering a large following, they released their first album The Groove Machine in September 2000. The album was very successful, had two #1 hits, and proved that excellent music can go along with important ideas. The band plays a unique style of music that blends Hip-Hop, Funk, Jazz, Electro and Rock, all combined with a touch of Middle Eastern influence. Most of the lyrics deal with life in Israel and include a critique of social, political, racial and gender oriented issues. The lyrics express both pain and pleasure and are spiced up with a sarcastic sense of humor and a groovy sound.
In 2003 the band released its second album titled To Move (Lazuz). The album, produced by internationally acclaimed musician Yossi Fine, included four big hits and exposed the band to a wider audience then ever before. Within a few months of its release the album sold gold. A song on this album called The Secret of Success (Sod Ha-Hatzlacha) is considered one of their best songs.

In 2004 Hadag Nahash released their third album Local Stuff (Homer Mekomi). This album, produced by Mr. Fine as well, went gold within a few weeks and established the band as one of Israel's leading bands ever. The album included one of their most famous hits The Sticker Song (Shirat Hasticker), written by Israeli novelist David Grossman. The lines in the song are all direct quotes or plays on slogans that actually appeared at some time on bumper stickers in Israel, but the unique collage of opposing political slogans juxtaposed against apolitical slogans, parodies and so forth creates an angry irony.
At the end of 2004 Hadag Nahash were awarded prizes for "band of the year", "album of the year" and "song of the year" by virtually every newspaper, internet site, radio and TV station in Israel.

After performing all over Israel for more then 7 years, Hadag Nahash was invited to perform in England in December 2003. The shows proved very successful and paved the way to Hadag Nahash's first US tour, which was held in October-November 2004. During this tour, the band performed all over the US in universities, clubs and Jewish congregations. The tour was very successful and nearly all the bands shows were sold out. During the course of the tour the band received extensive media coverage, including articles in The New York Times, The Rolling Stone Magazine, The San Francisco Chronicle etc. In April 2005 the band was invited to the US for a second tour which was also very successful. The band has scheduled performances in France, Hungary, England and Australia in the upcoming year.

Over the years Hadag Nahash has collaborated with many established Musicians from Israel and abroad. The band is always happy to cooperate with local talent and add some flavor to its show.

Hadag Nahash has a minor rivalry with the famous Israeli hip-hop star Subliminal, as is shown in the lyrics of the song Gabi Ve Debi (Gabby and Debi).

Band Members:

Sha'anan Street / Microphone
David Klemes / Keyboards
Yaya Cohen-Ahronov / Bass guitar
Shlomi Alon / Saxophone and microphone
Moshe Ashraf / Drums
Guy Margalit / Turntables and microphone
Amir Ben-Ami / Guitars


References:
Official Website Hadag Nahash
Wikipedia Hadag Nahash

News

Related Articles:

1. Hadag Nahash: No Suckers!