Ipanema (band)
Ipanema are a British three piece rock band from Farnborough, Hampshire. They have released two singles and one mini album. The band is currently finalising the recording and production of nine tracks that will form part of an anthology to be released in early 2008.
History
Early Days
Ipanema was formed in early 2002 from the debris of the much revered globe-trotting band Mega City Four and Farnborough band Serpico. The band's original line-up consisted of Wiz (Vocals, Guitar), Simon Dorey (Bass), Paddy (Drums).
Baseball Bat Single
The band recorded their debut double a-side single, Je Suis Un Baseball Bat/Skull with producer Chris Potter in 2003 which was released on the Boss Tunage record label on both CD and Vinyl formats.
In August 2003 after the single was recorded Simon decided to leave the band. Colin Renton from local band Melaleuca temporarily stepped in but left after 6 weeks. He was replaced by ex-Mega City Four bassist Gerry Bryant who Wiz asked to fill in for a while. Gerry subsequently decided to stay on.1 Later in October 2003 the track "Skull" was included on a the compilation album "Public Service Broadcast #1" on the SmallTown America Record label.2
In late 2004 original drummer Paddy also left the band. He was initially replaced by Jamie Johnson from Servo. However Jamie left the band shortly after joining. Wiz and Gerry then auditioned several drummers until they finally decided on Lawrence Arnold. They then began writing and rehearsal of tracks for a new recording.
Me Me Me
At the beginning of 2005 the band went into Stakeout Studios with producer Jason Wilcock to record their first album entitled Me Me Me. The Title was taken from a song that Wiz had written that did not make the final record. A video was also filmed and produced by Karina Fraser in the band's rehearsal studios "The Rooms" in North Camp for the song "Nervosa" which was included on the album. The album was released in the latter half of 2005 the band went on tour in the UK, France and Spain to promote it.
Early in 2006 Gerry decided to leave the band due to other work commitments shortly before another tour of France was scheduled. Lawrence suggested that a friend (Rauf Jordan) might be able to fill in and after several quickly booked rehearsals they were back on track for the tour. After the tour it was decided that Rauf would remain on as bassist. 3
On return from France the band continued to write new material for the planned New album to be released early in 2007. After demoing nine songs for the planned album they took a break from writing and went on A Tour of the East Coast of the USA in September.
On returning from the tour of the United States, Wiz collapsed at a band rehearsal. It was announced on December 7, 2006 that Wiz had died at St Georges Hospital, Tooting, South London from a blood clot on the brain on December 6, 2006.
2007 - Present
After Wiz's death the remaining members of the band decided to finish the work they had started for The New album in honour of Wiz's memory using the demos they had recorded before the USA tour. The previous year the band had talked AbOUT a split single with French band Atomic Garden for which each band would record one new song and one cover of the other bands music4. They decided to go ahead with this and the single was released on the 7th July 2007.5. The band is currently working on the production and release of the Ipanema Anthology scheduled for release in Early 2008.
Discography
- 2003 - Je Suis Un Baseball Bat/Skull Single
- 2003 - Various Artists - Public Service Broadcast #1 (released on SmallTown America)
- 2005 - Me Me Me
- 2007 - Ipanema/Atomic garden untitled split single
- Future Release - Ipanema Anthology
Band Members
- Wiz - Guitars, Vocals (2002-2006)
- Lawrence Arnold - Drums (2004-present)
- Rauf Jordan - Bass, Backing Vocals (2006-present)
- Gerry Bryant - Bass, Backing Vocals (2003-2006)
- Simon Dorey - Bass (2002-2003)
- Paddy - Drums (2002-2004)