Timpuri Noi is a

Romania Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern and Southeast Europe. It borders Ukraine to the north and east, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, Bulgaria to the south, Moldova to ...

alternative rock Alternative rock (also known as alternative music, alt-rock or simply alternative) is a category of rock music that evolved from the independent music underground of the 1970s. Alternative rock acts achieved mainstream success in the 1990s w ...

band.

History

Timpuri Noi was formed in 1980, and remained an underground act up until 1989 when a split album with the Contrast group was released (n.11 of the Formatii Rock series). This was mainly due to what was perceived as "

subversive Subversion () refers to a process by which the values and principles of a system in place are contradicted or reversed in an attempt to sabotage the established social order and its structures of power, authority, tradition, hierarchy, and socia ...

lyrical content" in the Ceauşescu era. Incidentally, the name derives from a

cliché A cliché ( or ; ) is a saying, idea, or element of an artistic work that has become overused to the point of losing its original meaning, novelty, or literal and figurative language, figurative or artistic power, even to the point of now being b ...

of the period: its literal meaning is "New Times" (in the sense of "New Age"), used to signify

Marxist Marxism is a political philosophy and method of socioeconomic analysis. It uses a dialectical and materialist interpretation of historical development, better known as historical materialism, to analyse class relations, social conflic ...

Socialism Socialism is an economic ideology, economic and political philosophy encompassing diverse Economic system, economic and social systems characterised by social ownership of the means of production, as opposed to private ownership. It describes ...

. The

tongue-in-cheek Tongue-in-cheek is an idiom that describes a humorous or sarcastic statement expressed in a serious manner. History The phrase originally expressed contempt, but by 1842 had acquired its modern meaning. Early users of the phrase include Sir Walte ...

reference is somehow associated with the

Bucharest Bucharest ( , ; ) is the capital and largest city of Romania. The metropolis stands on the River Dâmbovița (river), Dâmbovița in south-eastern Romania. Its population is officially estimated at 1.76 million residents within a greater Buc ...

metro station of the same name (see: Timpuri Noi). The name is also the Romanian translation of Modern Times, the title for

Charles Chaplin Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin (16 April 188925 December 1977) was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film. He became a worldwide icon through his screen persona, the Tramp, and is considered ...

's classic 1936 film. In the early nineties, up to around 1995, the band was arguably the top Romanian act. Around the time, they had the opportunity to be the opening act for rather prestigious (albeit musically different) foreign acts during concerts in Bucharest:

Ian Gillan Ian Gillan (born 19 August 1945) is an English singer who is best known as the lead singer and lyricist for the rock band Deep Purple. He is known for his powerful and wide-ranging singing voice. Initially influenced by Elvis Presley, Gillan ...

and Uriah Heep in 1992,

Scorpions Scorpions are predatory arachnids of the Order (biology), order Scorpiones. They have eight legs and are easily recognized by a pair of Chela (organ), grasping pincers and a narrow, segmented tail, often carried in a characteristic forward cur ...

in 1993,

Saxon The Saxons, sometimes called the Old Saxons or Continental Saxons, were a Germanic people of early medieval "Old" Saxony () which became a Carolingian " stem duchy" in 804, in what is now northern Germany. Many of their neighbours were, like th ...

Paradise Lost ''Paradise Lost'' is an Epic poetry, epic poem in blank verse by the English poet John Milton (1608–1674). The poem concerns the Bible, biblical story of the fall of man: the temptation of Adam and Eve by the fallen angel Satan and their ex ...

and Jethro Tull in 1994,

Iron Maiden Iron Maiden are an English Heavy metal music, heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris (musician), Steve Harris. Although fluid in the early years of the band, the line-up for most ...

and

Kreator Kreator is a German thrash metal band from Essen, formed in 1982. Their current line-up consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Mille Petrozza, Miland "Mille" Petrozza, drummer Jürgen Reil, Jürgen "Ventor" Reil, lead guitarist Sami Yli- ...

in 1995,

Eros Ramazzotti Eros Walter Luciano Ramazzotti (; born 28 October 1963) is an Italian Pop music, pop singer and songwriter. He is popular in Italy and most European countries, and throughout the Spanish-speaking world, as he has released most of his albums in bo ...

Joe Cocker John Robert "Joe" Cocker (20 May 1944 – 22 December 2014) was an English singer known for his gritty, bluesy voice and dynamic stage performances featuring expressive body movements. Most of his best-known singles, such as "Feelin' Alright ...

and

Rod Stewart Sir Roderick David Stewart (born 10 January 1945) is a British singer and songwriter. Known for his distinctive raspy singing voice, Stewart is among the List of best-selling music artists, best-selling music artists of all time, having sold ...

later in the same year. 1994 also signified an important event in both Timpuri Noi's career and

Romanian music Romania has a multicultural music environment which includes active ethnic music scenes. Traditional Romanian folk music remains popular, and some folk musicians have come to national (and even international) fame. History Folk music is the ...

in general: Timpuri Noi gives the very first

unplugged Unplugged may refer to: *Acoustic music, music not produced through electronic means * "Unplugged" (B.A.P song), 2014 * "Unplugged" (''Modern Family''), a 2010 episode of ''Modern Family'' Albums and EPs * ''Unplugged'' (5'nizza album), 2002 * '' ...

performance in this country, recorded as an album in the same year (see below). In 1997, the band was presented with one of th
MCM

French French may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France ** French people, a nation and ethnic group ** French cuisine, cooking traditions and practices Arts and media * The French (band), ...

music television and

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"Decouvertes de Rock a l'Est" (Eastern European New Acts) Awards, performing in a special gala concert. (The previous year, Timpuri Noi had been interviewed for

MTV Europe MTV Global (formerly MTV Europe) is the international version of the American TV channel MTV as 24-hour music video and entertainment pay television network officially launched on 1 August 1987 as part of the worldwide MTV network. Initia ...

during the

Golden Stag Festival The Golden Stag Festival () is an international pop song contest, festival, and award show, held annually in the Piața Sfatului of Braşov, Romania. First held in 1968, the festival honors musical talents both in Romania and abroad. Non-Roman ...

in the Romanian city of Braşov.) The band split in 2001, with members becoming involved in personal projects - Partizan for Artan, ZIDD (sometimes mentioned as "Zid" - Romanian for "wall") for Dan Iliescu. These projects were short-lived, since Timpuri noi re-united in 2005, releasing a new record called "Back in Business". In 2009, Artan leaves the group, due to disagreements with Dan Iliescu. As of 2020, the group is still active, playing live sporadically throughout the country. They released a new full-length called "Moldova Mon Amour". Felix Sfura

Lineup

Original lineup

* Adrian Pleşca (Artan) – lead vocals * Dan Iliescu – guitar, backing vocals *

Răzvan Moldovan Răzvan is a Romanian-language male given name. It may refer to: People Arts and sciences Military Politics Sports Association football * Răzvan Andronic — (–) midfielder * Răzvan Avram — (–) footballer * Răzvan B ...

– drums

Current lineup

* Dan Iliescu – guitar and vocals * Vlad Apotrosoaei – bass guitar, backing vocals * Felix Sfura – drums and percussion, backing vocals

Other band members over the years

*1982: Sorin Petroianu – guitar *1982:

Sorin Tirichiţă Sorin may refer to any one of the following: People *Sorin (given name), a Romanian masculine name *Edward Sorin (1814–1893), American priest, founder of the University of Notre Dame and St. Edwards University * Herbert I. Sorin (1900–1994), Ne ...

– bass guitar *1984 – 1985, 1990:

Marian Ionescu Marian Ion Ionescu (21 August 1929 – 12 October 2023) was a Romanian-born British cardiac surgeon. His interest in heart surgery covered several aspects of this specialty. He was an inventor of surgical devices, mostly artificial heart valves ...

– bass guitar *1984 – 1985, 1990: Luminita Mihaescu – keyboards, vocals *1986 – 1988, 1990: Radu Cartianu – bass guitar *1983, 1990 – 1991: Sorin (Croco) Badea – bass guitar *1991:

Marian Mihăilescu Marian may refer to: People * Marian (given name), a list of people with the given name * Marian (surname), a list of people so named Places * Marian, Iran (disambiguation) * Marian, Queensland, a town in Australia * Marian, a village in toe co ...

– bass guitar *1991:

Costel Joiţa Costel is a Romanian male given name, a diminutive of Constantin (other Romanian diminutives of ''Constantin'' are Costin, Costi, Costinel, Costică, Titi). It is also a Spanish given name. Costel may refer to: *Costel Busuioc *Costel Câmpeanu *Co ...

– drums *1992 – 2001:

Cătălin Neagu Cătălin () is a Romanian male first name, the masculine form of Cătălina ("Catherine"). It may refer to: *Alexandru Cătălin Neagu (born 1993), Romanian footballer * Cătălin Albu (born 2004), Romanian footballer * Cătălin Anghel (born 19 ...

– drums *1992 – 1995: Marian Moldoveanu – guitar *1992 – 1998:

Adrian Borțun Adrian is a form of the Latin given name Adrianus or Hadrianus. Its ultimate origin is most likely via the former river Adria from the Venetic and Illyrian word ''adur'', meaning "sea" or "water". The Adria was until the 8th century BC the main ...

– bass guitar *1998 – 2000: Cătălin Răsvan – bass guitar *2000 – 2001:

Florin Barbu Florin Barbu (born 6 April 1974 in Sibiu, Romania) is a bass player. Florin played in Romanian bands Arca, Timpuri Noi, Proconsul, Blazzaj, Partizan and Cargo. Florin Barbu was awarded with Cultural Merit Order, as Knight. In 2017 he became Ho ...

– bass guitar *2005 – 2010: Silviu Sanda – bass guitar *2005 – 2010: Andrei Barbulescu – drums *2007 – 2008: Victor Rivalet – keyboards, samplers, groove machine *2009 – 2010: Vladimir Sateanu (Vlady) – bass guitar * Florin Tuliga – programming * Aurel Parocescu – samplers and drum machines In some concerts, the band would add two backing female singers to its lineup (whether vocalists or violinists): the official site mentions Denis Iliescu, Crina Godescu and Maria Radu as its main collaborators.

Discography

*''Formații rock nr. 11'' (Electrecord, 1989; split LP along with the band Contrast from

Suceava Suceava () is a Municipiu, city in northeastern Romania. The seat of Suceava County, it is situated in the Historical regions of Romania, historical regions of Bukovina and Western Moldavia, Moldavia, northeastern Romania. It is the largest urban ...

), last 3 tracks (LP)The featured songs were: 'Albele furtuni' ('White Storms'), 'Seară de mister' ('Mystery Night'), and 'Am să rămân cu tine' ('I Will Stay With You'). *'' Timpuri Noi'' (Cartianu SRL & Eurostar, 1992) (LP, MC) *'' Unplugged în concert'' (Vivo, 1994) (CD, MC) *'' De regiune superior'' (Vivo, 1995) (CD, MC) *''

Basca abundenței The Ivors Academy (formerly known as British Academy of Songwriters Composers and Authors – BASCA) is one of the largest professional associations for music writers in Europe. The academy works to protect and support and also campaigns the int ...

'' (MediaPro Music, 1998) (CD, MC) *'' Lucky Nights Unplugged'' (MediaPro Music, 2000) split, last 7 tracks (CD, MC) *'' Back in Business'' (MediaPro Music, 2006) (CD, MC) *''Ediție specială – Live in Studio'' (self-produced/promo, 2010) (CD) *'' Deschide-ți mintea!'' (MHO Marketing Highest Option, 2012) (CD) *'' Moldova mon amour'' (Luna PR & Events, 2020) (CD)

Notes and references

External links

*
Fan site
{{Authority control Musical groups established in 1983 Romanian alternative rock groups