Indochine (band)
Encyclopedia
Indochine is a French new wave
/rock
band, formed in 1981. The band was very successful in France in the 1980s, as well as other parts of continental Europe and Latin America, with songs like L'Aventurier and Canary Bay. Following the release of several critically acclaimed, but commercially unsuccessful, albums in the 1990s, the group returned to stardom with the release of Paradize
in 2002. The band has sold over 10 million albums and singles, making them the best selling French band.
) was formed in 1981 by two Frenchmen in their early twenties, Nicola Sirkis
and Dominique Nicolas, in Paris. They soon added Dimitri Bodianski, the cousin of one of Nicola’s friends.
They gave their first concert at Le Rose Bonbon, a café in Paris on 29 September 1981. This brief performance on stage earned them their first contract with a record company.
They recorded their first single in November 1981. It included two songs, Dizzidence Politik and Françoise, but drew more attention from critics than from the mainstream media and only reached a limited audience.
Stéphane Sirkis, Nicola’s twin brother who had already performed with the band on stage, officially joined the band, and in April 1982 the group recorded their first album, L'Aventurier
, which sold more than 250,000 copies. The album was well received by the press and by an emerging new wave
audience.
In 1983, Indochine released a second album entitled Le Péril Jaune
("Yellow Peril
") which sold 225,000 copies. Indochine had by this stage become a major act in French music. In 1984, the band toured France. They were also successful in Scandinavia
, most notably in Sweden
.
By 1985, they had achieved a large following, reflected by the success of such songs as "Troisième sexe" ("third sex"), "Canary Bay", and "Trois nuits par semaine". Their third album, 3
, sold 750,000 copies in Europe. Serge Gainsbourg
directed the video to "Tes yeux noirs", one of the group's most successful songs.
In 1986, to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the band, Indochine decided to release the recording of the concert given at the Zénith in Paris.
Their fourth album, 7000 Danses
, produced by Joe Glasman
, was released in 1987. It sold about 320,000 copies making it a successful album though far less so than its predecessor, 3. This is partly due to the band's efforts to produce a less mainstream, commercial album. 7000 Danses was also released amidst a polemic stemming from rock critics claiming that Indochine were a mere copy of British band The Cure
. In spite of the polemic, the public continued to support the group.
In March 1988, Indochine began their world tour going to Montreal
, Canada and Lima
, Peru.
was released in early 1990. Fans were shocked to discover that Dimitri Bodianski was no longer part of the group, having decided to leave the band in January 1989 . His departure can be attributed to a number of reasons. First of all, Indochine’s sound had evolved over the years and Dimitri found he had less and less to do as a saxophonist. He was also feeling pressure at home having recently become a father. All this contributed to tension between him and the rest of the band. Dimitri remains a much loved member of the original Indochine line-up and since his departure has guest starred with the band on stage.
1991 marked Indochine’s tenth anniversary. To celebrate the occasion, Le Birthday Album was released. It was a best of compilation, including one new track, "La Guerre Est Finie" ("The War Is Over"), which was released as a single. The album’s success was considerable (it sold 600,000 copies across Europe) and rekindled interest in the group. However, the single’s title proved unfortunate in light of the fact that the Persian Gulf War
had just started at the time. For this reason, many radio stations opted not to play the track.
Un jour dans notre vie
, their sixth studio album, was released in 1993. It proved unsuccessful, both commercially and critically.
On 27 February 1999, Stéphane Sirkis, guitarist, keyboardist and Nicola's twin brother, died at the age of 39 of hepatitis
. He had requested that the band continue after his death.
album which sold 1,000,000 copies, including the chart topper
"J'ai demandé à la lune
".
In December 2005, Indochine returned with Alice & June, featuring a collaboration with Placebo
frontman Brian Molko
. On 6 and 7 June 2006, the group had a concert in Hanoi Opera House
to celebrate their 25th anniversary.
In December 2007, Indochine released a triple live DVD and double CD album entitled Alice & June Tour. The album featured the full concert recorded in Lille, France in March 2007.
Their 11th studio album, La République des Meteors
, was released on 9 March 2009. Indochine is the first French band to perform a concert in the Stade de France
, on 26 June 2010.
Past Members
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
/rock
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
band, formed in 1981. The band was very successful in France in the 1980s, as well as other parts of continental Europe and Latin America, with songs like L'Aventurier and Canary Bay. Following the release of several critically acclaimed, but commercially unsuccessful, albums in the 1990s, the group returned to stardom with the release of Paradize
Paradize
Paradize is a 2002 album recorded by French band Indochine. It was its ninth studio album and was released on May 14, 2002. It achieved great success in francophone countries and even topped the albums chart in Belgium...
in 2002. The band has sold over 10 million albums and singles, making them the best selling French band.
1980s
Indochine (French for IndochinaIndochina
The Indochinese peninsula, is a region in Southeast Asia. It lies roughly southwest of China, and east of India. The name has its origins in the French, Indochine, as a combination of the names of "China" and "India", and was adopted when French colonizers in Vietnam began expanding their territory...
) was formed in 1981 by two Frenchmen in their early twenties, Nicola Sirkis
Nicola Sirkis
Nicola Sirkis Nicola Sirkis Nicola Sirkis (born 22 June 1959 in Antony, Hauts-de-Seine, is the frontman and singer of the French rock band Indochine. He is the only remaining member of the original line-up of the band which he formed in 1981 with a friend, Dominique Nicolas, soon to be joined by...
and Dominique Nicolas, in Paris. They soon added Dimitri Bodianski, the cousin of one of Nicola’s friends.
They gave their first concert at Le Rose Bonbon, a café in Paris on 29 September 1981. This brief performance on stage earned them their first contract with a record company.
They recorded their first single in November 1981. It included two songs, Dizzidence Politik and Françoise, but drew more attention from critics than from the mainstream media and only reached a limited audience.
Stéphane Sirkis, Nicola’s twin brother who had already performed with the band on stage, officially joined the band, and in April 1982 the group recorded their first album, L'Aventurier
L'Aventurier
L'Aventurier is the first studio album by French new wave band, Indochine. It was released in 1982.-Track listing:# L'Aventurier - 3.53# L'Opportuniste - 2.26# Leila - 3.56# Docteur Love - 2.32...
, which sold more than 250,000 copies. The album was well received by the press and by an emerging new wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
audience.
In 1983, Indochine released a second album entitled Le Péril Jaune
Le Péril jaune
Le Péril Jaune is the second studio album by French new wave band, Indochine. It was released in 1983 in France, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands and Spain.-Track listing:# Le Péril Jaune - 0:48# La Sécheresse Du Mékong - 3:28...
("Yellow Peril
Yellow Peril
Yellow Peril was a colour metaphor for race that originated in the late nineteenth century with immigration of Chinese laborers to various Western countries, notably the United States, and later associated with the Japanese during the mid 20th century, due to Japanese military expansion.The term...
") which sold 225,000 copies. Indochine had by this stage become a major act in French music. In 1984, the band toured France. They were also successful in Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
, most notably in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
.
By 1985, they had achieved a large following, reflected by the success of such songs as "Troisième sexe" ("third sex"), "Canary Bay", and "Trois nuits par semaine". Their third album, 3
3 (Indochine album)
3 is the third studio album by French new wave band, Indochine. It was released in 1985 in France, Germany, Canada, Japan and Sweden."3eme Sexe" was the inspiration for Mylène Farmer's song "Sans contrefaçon". Miss Kittin covered "3ème Sexe" for her album I Com.-Track listing:-External links:*...
, sold 750,000 copies in Europe. Serge Gainsbourg
Serge Gainsbourg
Serge Gainsbourg, born Lucien Ginsburg was a French singer-songwriter, actor and director. Gainsbourg's extremely varied musical style and individuality make him difficult to categorize...
directed the video to "Tes yeux noirs", one of the group's most successful songs.
In 1986, to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the band, Indochine decided to release the recording of the concert given at the Zénith in Paris.
Their fourth album, 7000 Danses
7000 Danses
7000 danses is the fourth studio album by French new wave band, Indochine. It was released in 1987 in France, Germany, Canada, Spain and Peru.-Track listing:...
, produced by Joe Glasman
Joe Glasman
Joe Glasman is a British musician, record producer and composer. He produced the album 7000 Danses by French rock band Indochine, as well as the 1983 single 'Foreign Land' by the Techno Twins. He now works as a composer for film and television....
, was released in 1987. It sold about 320,000 copies making it a successful album though far less so than its predecessor, 3. This is partly due to the band's efforts to produce a less mainstream, commercial album. 7000 Danses was also released amidst a polemic stemming from rock critics claiming that Indochine were a mere copy of British band The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
. In spite of the polemic, the public continued to support the group.
In March 1988, Indochine began their world tour going to Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Canada and Lima
Lima
Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima...
, Peru.
1990s
Drained after many months touring, the band took a break. Their fifth studio album, Le BaiserLe Baiser
Le baiser is the fifth studio album by French new wave band, Indochine. It was released in 1990 and is the follow-up album to 7000 Danses .-Track listing:# Le baiser - 4:10# Des fleurs pour Salinger - 3:14# More - 7:03...
was released in early 1990. Fans were shocked to discover that Dimitri Bodianski was no longer part of the group, having decided to leave the band in January 1989 . His departure can be attributed to a number of reasons. First of all, Indochine’s sound had evolved over the years and Dimitri found he had less and less to do as a saxophonist. He was also feeling pressure at home having recently become a father. All this contributed to tension between him and the rest of the band. Dimitri remains a much loved member of the original Indochine line-up and since his departure has guest starred with the band on stage.
1991 marked Indochine’s tenth anniversary. To celebrate the occasion, Le Birthday Album was released. It was a best of compilation, including one new track, "La Guerre Est Finie" ("The War Is Over"), which was released as a single. The album’s success was considerable (it sold 600,000 copies across Europe) and rekindled interest in the group. However, the single’s title proved unfortunate in light of the fact that the Persian Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
had just started at the time. For this reason, many radio stations opted not to play the track.
Un jour dans notre vie
Un jour dans notre vie
Un jour dans notre vie is the sixth studio album by French new wave band, Indochine. It was released in 1993 and is the follow-up album to Le baiser...
, their sixth studio album, was released in 1993. It proved unsuccessful, both commercially and critically.
On 27 February 1999, Stéphane Sirkis, guitarist, keyboardist and Nicola's twin brother, died at the age of 39 of hepatitis
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is a medical condition defined by the inflammation of the liver and characterized by the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissue of the organ. The name is from the Greek hepar , the root being hepat- , meaning liver, and suffix -itis, meaning "inflammation"...
. He had requested that the band continue after his death.
2000s
In 2002 they enjoyed renewed success with the ParadizeParadize
Paradize is a 2002 album recorded by French band Indochine. It was its ninth studio album and was released on May 14, 2002. It achieved great success in francophone countries and even topped the albums chart in Belgium...
album which sold 1,000,000 copies, including the chart topper
Chart topper
Chart topper may refer to:*Record chart, a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time**Billboard charts, a ranking of the relative popularity of songs or albums in the United States...
"J'ai demandé à la lune
J'ai demandé à la lune
"J'ai demandé à la lune" is the most popular song from the 2002 album Paradize which allowed Indochine to reconnect with the media that had abandoned the band a decade earlier...
".
In December 2005, Indochine returned with Alice & June, featuring a collaboration with Placebo
Placebo (band)
Placebo are a British rock band from London, England, formed in 1994 by singer and guitarist Brian Molko and bass guitarist Stefan Olsdal. The band was joined by drummer Robert Schultzberg, who was later replaced by Steve Hewitt after conflicts with Molko. Hewitt left the band in October 2007 and...
frontman Brian Molko
Brian Molko
Brian Molko is a songwriter, lead vocalist, and guitarist of the band Placebo. He is known in particular for his high-pitched vocals, androgynous appearance, and unique, Sonic Youth-influenced guitar style and tuning.-Early life:Born to an American father of French-Italian heritage and a Scottish...
. On 6 and 7 June 2006, the group had a concert in Hanoi Opera House
Hanoi Opera House
The Hanoi Opera House is an opera house in central Hanoi, Vietnam. It was erected by the French colonial administration between 1901 and 1911. It was modeled on the Palais Garnier, the older of Paris's two opera houses, and is considered to be one of the architectural landmarks of Hanoi.The Hanoi...
to celebrate their 25th anniversary.
In December 2007, Indochine released a triple live DVD and double CD album entitled Alice & June Tour. The album featured the full concert recorded in Lille, France in March 2007.
Their 11th studio album, La République des Meteors
La République des Meteors
La République des Meteors is the eleventh studio album by French band Indochine. It was released on March 9, 2009, in France.-Track listing:#"Republika meteor ouverture"#"Go Rimbaud, Go!"#"Junior Song"#"Little Dolls"...
, was released on 9 March 2009. Indochine is the first French band to perform a concert in the Stade de France
Stade de France
The Stade de France is the national stadium of France, situated just north of Paris in the commune of Saint-Denis. It has an all-seater capacity of 80,000, making it the fifth largest stadium in Europe, and is used by both the France national football team and French rugby union team for...
, on 26 June 2010.
Band members
Current Members- Nicola SirkisNicola SirkisNicola Sirkis Nicola Sirkis Nicola Sirkis (born 22 June 1959 in Antony, Hauts-de-Seine, is the frontman and singer of the French rock band Indochine. He is the only remaining member of the original line-up of the band which he formed in 1981 with a friend, Dominique Nicolas, soon to be joined by...
(vocals, guitar, synthesizer and harmonica, from 1981 to present) - Marc Eliard (bass since 1992)
- Boris Jardel (guitar since 1998)
- Mr Shoes (François Soulier) (drums since 2002)
- François Matuszenski (Matu) (keyboards on stage since 2006)
- Oli de Sat (Olivier Gérard) (keyboards and guitar since 2002)
Past Members
- Stéphane Sirkis (guitar and keyboards from 1982 to 1999 → death)
- Dominique Nicolas (guitar from 1981 until 1994)
- Dimitri Bodianski (saxophone from 1981 until 1988)
- Arnaud Devos (drums from 1985 until 1986)
- Diego Burgar (bass on stage in 1988)
- Jean-My Truong (drums from 1988 until 1994)
- Philippe Eidel (accordionAccordionThe accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
in 1992) - Jean Pierre Pilot (keyboards from 1994 until 2001)
- Alexandre Azaria (guitar from 1995 until 1997)
- Monsieur Tox (guitar from 1996 until 1997)
- Monsieur Yann (drums from 1996 until 1998)
- Matthieu Rabaté (drums from 1999 until 2002)
- Monsieur Frédéric (Frédéric Helbert) (keyboards from 2002 until 2004)
Studio albums
- 1982 – L'AventurierL'AventurierL'Aventurier is the first studio album by French new wave band, Indochine. It was released in 1982.-Track listing:# L'Aventurier - 3.53# L'Opportuniste - 2.26# Leila - 3.56# Docteur Love - 2.32...
- 1983 – Le Péril JauneLe Péril jauneLe Péril Jaune is the second studio album by French new wave band, Indochine. It was released in 1983 in France, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands and Spain.-Track listing:# Le Péril Jaune - 0:48# La Sécheresse Du Mékong - 3:28...
- 1985 – 33 (Indochine album)3 is the third studio album by French new wave band, Indochine. It was released in 1985 in France, Germany, Canada, Japan and Sweden."3eme Sexe" was the inspiration for Mylène Farmer's song "Sans contrefaçon". Miss Kittin covered "3ème Sexe" for her album I Com.-Track listing:-External links:*...
- 1987 – 7000 Danses7000 Danses7000 danses is the fourth studio album by French new wave band, Indochine. It was released in 1987 in France, Germany, Canada, Spain and Peru.-Track listing:...
- 1990 – Le BaiserLe BaiserLe baiser is the fifth studio album by French new wave band, Indochine. It was released in 1990 and is the follow-up album to 7000 Danses .-Track listing:# Le baiser - 4:10# Des fleurs pour Salinger - 3:14# More - 7:03...
- 1993 – Un jour dans notre vieUn jour dans notre vieUn jour dans notre vie is the sixth studio album by French new wave band, Indochine. It was released in 1993 and is the follow-up album to Le baiser...
- 1996 – WaxWax (Indochine album)Wax is the seventh studio album by French new wave band Indochine. It was released in 1996.-Track listing:# Unisexe - 5:03# Révolution - 4:50# Drugstar - 3:30# Je n'embrasse pas - 5:32# Coma, coma, coma - 4:36# Echo-Ruby - 5:10...
- 1999 – DancetariaDancetariaDancetaria is the eighth studio album by French new wave band, Indochine. It was released in 1999 and is the follow-up album to Wax .- Track listing :# "Dancetaria" - 7:26...
- 2002 – ParadizeParadizeParadize is a 2002 album recorded by French band Indochine. It was its ninth studio album and was released on May 14, 2002. It achieved great success in francophone countries and even topped the albums chart in Belgium...
- 2005 – Alice & June
- 2009 – La République des MeteorsLa République des MeteorsLa République des Meteors is the eleventh studio album by French band Indochine. It was released on March 9, 2009, in France.-Track listing:#"Republika meteor ouverture"#"Go Rimbaud, Go!"#"Junior Song"#"Little Dolls"...
- 2012/2013 - coming soon
Live albums
- 1986 – Indochine au ZénithIndochine au ZénithIndochine Au Zénith is the first live album by French new wave band, Indochine, and fourth album overall. It was released in 1986.-Track listing:# Ouverture - 0:33# A L'Assaut - 4:12# Canary Bay - 5:19...
- 1994 – Radio IndochineRadio IndochineRadio Indochine is the second live album by French new wave band, Indochine, and eighth album overall. It was released in 1994.-Track listing:# Savoure le rouge - 5:26# 3 nuits par semaine - 6:05# Canary Bay - 5:56# Un jour dans notre vie - 6:22...
- 1997 – INDO LIVEIndo LiveINDO LIVE is the third live album by French new wave band Indochine. It was released in 1997.-Track listing:Disc One# Ouverture - 1:49 # Mire-Live - 4:58 # Unisexe - 5:31# Les tzars - 4:53# 3 nuits par semaine - 7:10# La main sur vous - 4:51...
- 2001 – Nuits intimesNuits intimesNuits intimes is the fourth live album by French new wave band, Indochine. It was released in 2001.-Track listing:# Nuit intime - 1:24# Les plus mauvaises nuits - 2:01# Tes yeux noirs - 4:40# Atomic Sky - 3:51...
- 2004 – 3.6.33.6.33.6.3 is the fifth live album by French new wave band Indochine. It was released in 2004.-Track listing:...
- 2007 – HanoïHanoï (album)Hanoï is the sixth live album by French new wave band Indochine. It was released in February 2007. It is a recording of a performance that took place on 6 June 2006...
- 2007 – Alice & June Tour
- 2010 – Le Meteor sur Bruxelles
- 2011 – Putain de Stade
Compilation albums
- 1991 – Le Birthday Album
- 1996 – Unita
- 1996 – Les versions longues
Biography
- Indochine (1986) by Jean-Eric Perrin
- Le Septennat (1988) by Marc Thirion
- Indochine de A à Z (2003) by Sébastien Bataille
- L'Aventure Indochine (2004) by Christian English and Frédéric Thibaud
- Insolence Rock (2004) by Sébastien Michaud
- Le Roman Vrai d'Indochine (2005) by Jean-Claude Perrier
- Sur la Muraille d'Indochine (2007) by Phillipe Crocq
- Indochine Story (2009) by Anouk Vincent
- Kissing my song (2011) by Agnès Michaux
External links
Official Indochine website- Biography of Indochine, from Radio France InternationaleRadio France InternationaleRadio France Internationale was created in 1975 as part of Radio France by the Government of France, and replaced the Poste Colonial , Paris Mondial , Radio Paris , RTF Radio Paris and ORTF Radio Paris...