Franja de Gaza
Encyclopedia
Franja de Gaza is an Argentine band formed in 2003 that has achieved wide success in the local underground scene since the release of Abyss Falling, its first album.
covers
, taking advantage of Javier Griner’s voice and Marcos Farhat’ Les Paul
skills. The first three original songs performed by Franja de Gaza were "Day", "Shadow" and "Dark Bridges". The band immediately achieved mild success giving several interviews and unplugged shows in different radios, most importantly Mario Pergolini
's Rock & Pop.
After Griner emigrated to Canada, the band entered into a one year hiatus looking for a good replacement for the vocalist. After several failed trials the band came upon Facundo Arias, Marcos’ life-long friend, to help with the vocals. Matías Guerisoli also replaced Alejandro Filippini as the drummer. This second formation faced several problems due to Arias' heavy addiction to heroin. During this period only the hit "Loosing My Only Star" made it to the debut album.
During 2005, unable to cope with Arias' addiction, rhythmic guitar
ist Esteban Aguilera decided to leave the band. Moreover, Arias entered rehabilitation and the three members left (Tajman, Farhat and Guerisoli) took the vocals job to themselves.
Halfway through 2006, musical prodigy Martín Toblli joined as a drummer (thus the fourth band formation), and together Franja de Gaza finalized the arrangements for the songs written for the first album. The songs were recorded by Julián Barrett, guitarist of the successful local power metal
band Lörihen between 2006 and 2007. Barrett also produced the album.
Over the next six months, the band worked on a year-old idea, a jam session
that would result in the song "Black River". What at first looked like a simple and short song culminated in a song that passed the 11-minute marker, evolving into a series of rhythmic variations. After recording this last song, Martín quit the band. The members told the press that "creative differences" had been the reason for his departure, however it was later admitted that Toblli had received a better offer by local punk stars Matterhorn
.
Through the last few months of the year 2007, the band recorded "What Came Along", a song that required only guitar, voice and cello
(executed by Mariana Levitín). At the start of 2008 Franja de Gaza recorded "Loosing My Only Star" with the help of Martín Toblli in drums and Alejandro Corres in vocals, who is still working alongside the band. With the exception of "Jump" and "Walking", all other songs were recorded in Mataco Studios by Marcelo Valerga.
Having the 8 songs that would make up the first record, Franja masterized with Grammy Award
winner Andrés Mayo. The result was Abyss Falling, widely acclaimed by critics and the local audience. Franja is actually touring Latin America
and will be playing also in Spain in the upcoming season.
After the album's success Toblli left Matterhorn, who was struggling with government censorship, and re-joined Franja.
History
The band's first formation dedicated its first few months of 2003 to rehearse and present a show performing Guns N' RosesGuns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
covers
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
, taking advantage of Javier Griner’s voice and Marcos Farhat’ Les Paul
Les Paul
Lester William Polsfuss —known as Les Paul—was an American jazz and country guitarist, songwriter and inventor. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which made the sound of rock and roll possible. He is credited with many recording innovations...
skills. The first three original songs performed by Franja de Gaza were "Day", "Shadow" and "Dark Bridges". The band immediately achieved mild success giving several interviews and unplugged shows in different radios, most importantly Mario Pergolini
Mario Pergolini
Mario Daniel Pergolini is an Argentine journalist, media producer and businessman, best known as the former main host of the television programme Caiga Quien Caiga broadcast on Argentina's Telefe....
's Rock & Pop.
After Griner emigrated to Canada, the band entered into a one year hiatus looking for a good replacement for the vocalist. After several failed trials the band came upon Facundo Arias, Marcos’ life-long friend, to help with the vocals. Matías Guerisoli also replaced Alejandro Filippini as the drummer. This second formation faced several problems due to Arias' heavy addiction to heroin. During this period only the hit "Loosing My Only Star" made it to the debut album.
During 2005, unable to cope with Arias' addiction, rhythmic guitar
Guitar
The 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...
ist Esteban Aguilera decided to leave the band. Moreover, Arias entered rehabilitation and the three members left (Tajman, Farhat and Guerisoli) took the vocals job to themselves.
Halfway through 2006, musical prodigy Martín Toblli joined as a drummer (thus the fourth band formation), and together Franja de Gaza finalized the arrangements for the songs written for the first album. The songs were recorded by Julián Barrett, guitarist of the successful local power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band Lörihen between 2006 and 2007. Barrett also produced the album.
Over the next six months, the band worked on a year-old idea, a jam session
Jam session
Jam sessions are often used by musicians to develop new material, find suitable arrangements, or simply as a social gathering and communal practice session. Jam sessions may be based upon existing songs or forms, may be loosely based on an agreed chord progression or chart suggested by one...
that would result in the song "Black River". What at first looked like a simple and short song culminated in a song that passed the 11-minute marker, evolving into a series of rhythmic variations. After recording this last song, Martín quit the band. The members told the press that "creative differences" had been the reason for his departure, however it was later admitted that Toblli had received a better offer by local punk stars Matterhorn
Matterhorn
The Matterhorn , Monte Cervino or Mont Cervin , is a mountain in the Pennine Alps on the border between Switzerland and Italy. Its summit is 4,478 metres high, making it one of the highest peaks in the Alps. The four steep faces, rising above the surrounding glaciers, face the four compass points...
.
Through the last few months of the year 2007, the band recorded "What Came Along", a song that required only guitar, voice and cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
(executed by Mariana Levitín). At the start of 2008 Franja de Gaza recorded "Loosing My Only Star" with the help of Martín Toblli in drums and Alejandro Corres in vocals, who is still working alongside the band. With the exception of "Jump" and "Walking", all other songs were recorded in Mataco Studios by Marcelo Valerga.
Having the 8 songs that would make up the first record, Franja masterized with Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
winner Andrés Mayo. The result was Abyss Falling, widely acclaimed by critics and the local audience. Franja is actually touring Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
and will be playing also in Spain in the upcoming season.
After the album's success Toblli left Matterhorn, who was struggling with government censorship, and re-joined Franja.