T-Slam
Encyclopedia
T-Slam was an influential Israel
i rock
band, founded in 1978 by Dani Bassan, Izhar Ashdot
and Yair Nitzani
. The band dissolved on October 23, 1983, but has reunited at least three times since then.
They released their second album, "T-Slam2" (תיסלם2), a year after, having enlarged their band with drummer Sami Avzardel and bassist Tzuf Philosof. Their last album, LeAsfanim Bilvad (For Collectors Only), was released in 1983; it included newer versions for some of their songs, covers for other bands, and a few songs made with the band Benzin.
On October 23, 1983, after a gig in Beer Sheba, the band announced that that was their last show, and that they did not intend to work on new songs.
In the Summer of 1990, T-Slam produced a comeback tour, which filled stadiums all over Israel. The band recorded two new songs and released a compilation album, Nagnu Achshav (Play Now), which went platinum.
In 1994 the band performed at the opening of the Hard Rock Cafe
in Tel Aviv
. A video news item reporting the show was added as one of the special bonuses on the live DVD released in 2003.
In March 2002, following rumors in the media, T-Slam played at the Barbi Club in Tel Aviv under the name Gold Fingers.
The evening's success, together with the demand for further concerts and the great fun the guys had playing together, led T-Slam to start a tour that culminated in a show January 2003 at Tel Aviv Hangar with guest artists Muki
, Monica Sex
and Israeli rapper Subliminal
. The live show was recorded and was released as a double CD and DVD named Or Shel Kokhavim (Star Light).
On September 14, 2006, the band played a one-off reunion show with Rami Fortis
and Berry Sakharof
in Jerusalem.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i rock
Israeli rock
Israeli rock is rock music created by Israeli bands and singers.-The development of Israeli rock in the 1960s:Israel's initial attitude toward rock music was extremely negative. Israeli musicians of the time believed it was a trend that would soon pass...
band, founded in 1978 by Dani Bassan, Izhar Ashdot
Izhar Ashdot
Izhar Ashdot is an Israeli singer-songwriter, guitarist, and a record producer. He is a co-founding member of the Israeli rock band T-Slam.-Start of his Career:...
and Yair Nitzani
Yair Nitzani
-Biography:Yair Nitzani was born in Beersheba in 1958. After serving in the Israel Defense Forces as a broadcaster on Galei Zahal in the 1980s, he joined the rock group T-Slam as a keyboardist and vocalist...
. The band dissolved on October 23, 1983, but has reunited at least three times since then.
History
T-Slam began in 1978 with the collaboration of Danni Bassan (vocalist), Izhar Ashdot (guitarist) and Yair Nitzani (keyboardist). In 1981, with the addition of another guitarist, Yoshi Sadeh, the band recorded its first song, Tnu Li Rokenrol (Give Me Rock N' Roll), in the Israeli Army Radio studios, and released their first album, Radio Hazak (Loud Radio), titled after their hit single.They released their second album, "T-Slam2" (תיסלם2), a year after, having enlarged their band with drummer Sami Avzardel and bassist Tzuf Philosof. Their last album, LeAsfanim Bilvad (For Collectors Only), was released in 1983; it included newer versions for some of their songs, covers for other bands, and a few songs made with the band Benzin.
On October 23, 1983, after a gig in Beer Sheba, the band announced that that was their last show, and that they did not intend to work on new songs.
Post-disbandment era
After the band dissolved, the six members started solo careers. Danny Bassan released three solo albums, Tsoof Philosof became a top session bass player and a member of the Local Band, Yoshi Sadeh spent a few years working in America, and Sammy Avzardel had his own working band. Yair Nitzani joined one of Israel's biggest record companies, Hed Arzi, and ended up managing it. Nitzani and Izhar Ashdot, who became a top record producer, were both responsible for Ofra Haza's 1988 European No. 1 single, Im Nin'alu. Izhar started his successful solo career in 1992.In the Summer of 1990, T-Slam produced a comeback tour, which filled stadiums all over Israel. The band recorded two new songs and released a compilation album, Nagnu Achshav (Play Now), which went platinum.
In 1994 the band performed at the opening of the Hard Rock Cafe
Hard Rock Cafe
Hard Rock Cafe is a chain of theme restaurants founded in 1971 by Americans Peter Morton & Isaac Tigrett. In 1979, the cafe began covering its walls with rock and roll memorabilia, a tradition which expanded to others in the chain. In 2006, Hard Rock was sold to the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and...
in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
. A video news item reporting the show was added as one of the special bonuses on the live DVD released in 2003.
In March 2002, following rumors in the media, T-Slam played at the Barbi Club in Tel Aviv under the name Gold Fingers.
The evening's success, together with the demand for further concerts and the great fun the guys had playing together, led T-Slam to start a tour that culminated in a show January 2003 at Tel Aviv Hangar with guest artists Muki
Muki
Muki was an English acid jazz duo, consisting of Luke Mullen and Jules Evans. Their first single, "Jahbar", was released in 1996. This was followed by two albums on the Mantra Recordings label, both of which combines funk drumming , jazz keyboards , electronic programming and guest vocals...
, Monica Sex
Monica Sex
Monica Sex is an Israeli rock band that is very popular among young fans and the contemporary music scene. Their music is generally characterized by its alternative rock sound and catchy lyrics, which led many of their songs to become radio hits and greatly recognizable in Israeli culture.One of...
and Israeli rapper Subliminal
Subliminal (rapper)
Ya'akov "Kobi" Shimoni , generally known by his stage name Subliminal , is an Israeli hip hop artist and music producer.-Background:...
. The live show was recorded and was released as a double CD and DVD named Or Shel Kokhavim (Star Light).
On September 14, 2006, the band played a one-off reunion show with Rami Fortis
Rami Fortis
Rami Fortis , often Fortis, is an Israeli rock singer.-Biography:Rami Fortis is of Iraqi and Italian origin. He served in the 1973 Yom Kippur war and was influenced by his experiences at the front. He began his musical career in 1975 as a lighting-man in the shows of Tamuz - one of Israel's...
and Berry Sakharof
Berry Sakharof
Berry Sakharof is an Israeli rock guitarist, songwriter and singer.-Biography:Sakharof was born in Izmir, Turkey in 1957. His family immigrated to Israel when he was 3 years old.-Start of career:...
in Jerusalem.
Band members
- Danni Bassan - lead vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration... - Izhar AshdotIzhar AshdotIzhar Ashdot is an Israeli singer-songwriter, guitarist, and a record producer. He is a co-founding member of the Israeli rock band T-Slam.-Start of his Career:...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Yoshi Sadeh - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Yair NitzaniYair Nitzani-Biography:Yair Nitzani was born in Beersheba in 1958. After serving in the Israel Defense Forces as a broadcaster on Galei Zahal in the 1980s, he joined the rock group T-Slam as a keyboardist and vocalist...
- keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists... - Tzuf Philosof - bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists... - Sami Avzardel - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
.
Discography
- 1981 - Radio Hazak (Loud Radio, רדיו חזק)
- 1982 - Tislam2 (T-Slam2, תיסלם2)
- 1983 - LeAsfanim Bilvad (For Collectors Only, לאספנים בלבד)
- 1990 - Nagnu Achshav (Play Now, נגנו עכשיו)
- 2003 - Or Shel Kohavim (Light of the Stars, אור של כוכבים)
External links
- T-Slam official website, English-language page. Retrieved 2010-05-26.