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Virus (Argentine band)

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Virus
Background information
OriginLa Plata, Argentina
GenresNew wave, synthpop, post-punk, rock en español
Years active1979–1990
1994–present
LabelsSony Music
MembersMarcelo Moura
Julio Moura
Daniel Sbarra
Ariel Naon
Fernando Monteleone
Nicolás Ménde
Past membersFederico Moura
Ricardo Serra
Pablo Mugica
Enrique Mugetti
Mario Serra
Aitor Graña
Ludo Isod
Patricio Fontana

Virus is an Argentine new wave music band founded in 1979, led by Federico Moura until his death on December 21, 1988, from AIDS-related complications. His brother Marcelo then became lead singer, until the band gave its final performance on September 29, 1990, in a support slot to David Bowie. An instant hit, they represented along Soda Stereo and other upcoming bands from the moment the New Wave sound which contrasted with the previous staple rock genres of the preceding decades.[1]

Roberto Jacoby wrote the group's lyrics from its beginning. Some of their best-known songs are "Amor Descartable," "Wadu Wadu," "Hay que salir del agujero interior," "Una luna de miel en la mano," "¿Qué hago en Manila?," "Sin Disfraz," "Imágenes paganas," and "Mirada Speed."

History

Virus with Pappo at backstage, c. 1985

Beginnings

The history of the Virus band dates back to 1979, when the Marabunta band decided to merge with the Las Violetas band to create a new group called "Duro", a band made up of Laura Gallegos (vocals), Julio Moura (guitar and backing vocals), Ricardo Serra (guitar), Marcelo Moura (percussion and backing vocals), Mario Serra (drums) and Enrique Mugetti (bass).[2]

While they were satisfied with the sound of their music, they believed that they should have a male singer, so they started looking for a new singer. They finally asked Federico Moura to be the new singer and leader of the group, a request that Federico Moura accepted. Later Federico, decided to return to Argentina.[3] Laura Gallegos left the position of singer in the band, and Marcelo Moura went from percussion to keyboards, however Mario Serra continued to be the band's drummer. Before going to look for Federico Moura in Brazil, Julio and Moura worked as qualified painters in the more affluent area of City Bell.[4]

With Federico as singer, the band decided to change the name "Duro" to "Virus". The new name arose because Julio Moura had contracted a strong flu on a trip and his friends joked with him, saying "Virus". The band rehearsed intensively for a year, and officially debuted on January 11, 1980, at a club in the city of La Plata, just the same day that Marcelo turned 20.

On September 21, 1981, Virus made their first public presentation at the Prima Rock Festival,[5] in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires.[6] At that festival, the sound and aesthetics of Virus were not well received by the audience that attended (who were almost entirely hippies). The attendees began to throw oranges at them and turned their backs on them. As Federico kicked the oranges aimed at him, he provoked the audience by saying, "I'll lift' my ass off the floor, and we danced a bit. Show how you make your legs shake!".[3] According to Marcelo Moura's stories, I walk down the stage crying Federico told him: "Boludo (phrase commonly used in Argentina), didn't you realize that while they threw oranges at us they were dancing?."[7]

Virus reunited in 1994 and has had some sporadic activity, without recovering its previous popularity. Their latest album, Caja Negra (2006) features live versions of their classics, together with five new studio tracks, with invited artists influenced by the band: Ale Sergi (Miranda!), Adrián Dárgelos (Babasónicos), Pity Álvarez (Intoxicados) and Ciro Pertusi (Attaque 77).

Members

Current members
  • Marcelo Moura — lead vocals (1987–present), keyboards, synthesizers, piano, percussion, vocals (1980-2004), bass, guitar (1995-2006)
  • Julio Moura — guitar, percussion, vocals (1980–present), keyboards (1980-2009)
  • Daniel Sbarra — guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, percussion, backing vocals 1984–1988, 1994–present)
  • Ariel Naon — bass, contrabass, backing vocals (2006–present), guitar, keyboards (2009–present)
  • Fernando Monteleone — keyboards, synthesizers, programming, backing vocals (2006–present)
  • Nicolás Méndez — drums, percussion (2009–present)
Former members
  • Federico Moura — lead vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, synthesizers, percussion (1980-1987, died 1988)
  • Ricardo Serra — guitar, backing vocals (1980-1984)
  • Pablo Mugica — bass, percussion, backing vocals (1989-1990)
  • Enrique Mugetti — bass (1980-1989, 1994–2004), keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals (1980-2004), guitar (1995-2004)
  • Mario Serra — drums, percussion, backing vocals (1980-1995)
  • Aitor Graña — drums, percussion, programming (1995-2006)
  • Ludo Isod — drums, percussion (2006-2009)
  • Patricio Fontana — keyboards, synthesizers (1994-1995), bass, guitar (1995-2004)

Discography

  • Wadu-Wadu (1981)
  • Recrudece (1982)
  • Agujero interior (1983)
  • Relax (1984)
  • Locura (1985)
  • Virus vivo (1986)
  • Superficies de placer (1987)
  • Tierra del fuego (1989)
  • Virus vivo 2 (1997, recorded 1986)
  • Nueve (1998)
  • Obras cumbres (2000). Compilation.
  • Caja negra (2006). Live collaborations + five new studio tracks

References

  1. ^ Silencio (2021-05-22). "Cuando Virus sacó al rock argentino de su propio agujero interior". Silencio (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  2. ^ Máscolo, Tomás (11 January 2021). "Transgresores: a 41 años del primer show de Virus". La Izquierda Diario - Red internacional (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Se cumplen 30 años de la muerte de Federico Moura, una de las voces más exquisitas del rock nacional". Infobae (in European Spanish). Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  4. ^ Jalil, Oscar (16 September 2011). "Virus: operación Wadu Wadu". rock.com.ar (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  5. ^ Zumbo, Marcelo (25 September 2021). "Prima Rock: el día que Virus inauguró los '80". La Izquierda Diario - Red internacional (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  6. ^ "Federico Moura: El Rock disfrazado de Pop". MariskalRock.com (in Spanish). 21 May 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Mientras nos tiraban naranjas bailaban". La Capital (in Spanish). 30 May 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021.

Sources

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