Viza

Viza
Viza
Background information
Also known as	Visa (2000–2009)
Origin	Los Angeles, California
Genres	Alternative metal; experimental rock; hard rock; gypsy punk; world music;
Years active	2000–2014; 2017–present;
Labels	Serjical Strike Records, Architects of Melody Records, SoundsUP records
Members	K'noup Tomopoulos; Shant Bismejian; Andrew (Antranig) Kzirian; Alexan Khatcherian; Chris Daniel; Jivan Gasparyan Jr.
Website	experienceviza.com

Viza (stylized as VI·ZA; formerly known as Visa) is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2000. The band is inspired by traditional Armenian and Greek music, which includes instruments like the oud and duduk. The band has released various EPs and albums. The band has recorded and performed with Serj Tankian of System of a Down, who managed the band.

Performances and releases

Viza was associated with Serjical Strike Management, headed by Serj Tankian from System of a Down from 2009 to 2012, also featuring Tankian as a guest vocalist on their song "Viktor". In August 2010, Viza embarked on a series of introductory performances in Europe, opening for Serj Tankian's "Imperfect Harmonies" Tour in the cities of Yerevan, Athens, Hamburg, Cologne, Paris, Zurich, and Bologna. Viza accompanied Serj Tankian again during his "Harakiri" World Tour in the fall of 2012, as the main support act for 19 shows throughout North America and Europe.

Discography

Studio albums

2006 – Maktub (as Visa)
2008 – Eros (as Visa)
2010 – Made in Chernobyl
2011 – Carnivalia
2014 – Aria

EPs

2001 – Visa (as Visa)
2007 – De Facto (as Visa)
2018 – The Unorthodox Revival I
2018 – The Unorthodox Revival II

Singles

2011 – "Bake Me in Clouds"
2012 – "Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)" (Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill)
2013 – "In Coins2
2014 – "Midnight Hour"
2014 – "Fuego"
2014 – "When Doves Cry" (Prince)
2014 – "Naive Melody" (Talking Heads)
2019 – "Eros"
2020 – "Loyal Tea"
2022 – "Yesterday"
2023 – "Ms. Information"
2023 – "Thunderbolt"
2023 – "Maggie Mae's Tavern"
2023 – "Avec Toi" (From Paris with Love)
2023 – "Llama"
2023 – "Dingle"

Band members

K'noup Tomopoulos – vocals, guitar
Shant Bismejian – electric guitar
theoudplayer (Andrew Kzirian) – oud, electric oud, saz, vocals
Alex (Alexan) Khatcherian – bass, vocals
Chris Daniel – drums, percussion, vocals
Jivan Gasparyan Jr. – duduk

Former

Johnny Nice – guitar, keyboards
Carlos Alvarado – guitar
Danny Shamoun – percussion
Suguru Onaka – keyboards, accordion
Hiram Rosario – drums
Orbel Babayan – electric guitar, tar, saz, vocals

References

↑ "SerjicalStrike.com Artist Profile". Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
↑ "SerjTankian.com News & Announcements". Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2012.

External links

[1] "SerjicalStrike.com Artist Profile". Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved March 1, 2011.

[2] "SerjTankian.com News & Announcements". Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2012.