The Friends of Natasha
Encyclopedia
The Friends of Natasha or Natasha's Friends is a former Israeli rock band, highly regarded by critics,http://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/18/arts/pop-music-israeli-pop-finds-a-harder-edge-for-its-voice.html?pagewanted=all which was one of the most popular Israeli bands during the 1990s. The band released five albums.http://www.israstage.co.il/Hachaverim-Shel-Natasha
The band was formed by Micha Shitrit, who was born in Yokneam, Israel
to a Jewish Moroccan
family, and Arkadi Duchin
, who emigrated with his family from the former Soviet Union
and returned to Yokneam to look for employment after serving in the Israeli army. Shitrit wrote lyrics
and vocals, and Duchin dealt with the music. Once they had achieved some minimal economic stability, they began to look for new band members. This is also when they coined their band name: Hachaverim shel Natasha, "Natasha's Friends".http://www.wzo.org.il/en/resources/view.asp?id=459
Hachaverim shel Natasha was the name of the band's first record, which debuted in Israel at the close of 1989. It did not reap any economic benefits for them, but did gain them artistic recognition. In 1991 they released "Shinuim be herguelei hatzricha" ("Changes in Screaming patterns"), and in 1994 "Achlazaurim". Their fourth work, 2-CD "Radio bla bla", was their most important. Their fifth disc, a live concert recording, was their last. Following the split, both members pursued their solo careers with success.http://www.wzo.org.il/en/resources/view.asp?id=459
Their song "Daddy's and Mommie's Punching Bags," a song about child abuse
, highlighted an issue that had not been openly acknowledged in Israeli society.http://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/18/arts/pop-music-israeli-pop-finds-a-harder-edge-for-its-voice.html?pagewanted=all
Friends of Natasha also addressed its political concerns indirectly. "We're not singing the news," said Shitrit. "If you want to say something, you go to the backs of people's heads, to the subconscious -- not between the eyes." The lyrics of the songs he co-wrote with Duchin are surrealistic and subversive in a quiet way. "The Idiot" is an allegory
that pokes fun at military men, kings, and power grabbers, while "Keep Moving" urges listeners to maintain their individuality while remaining sensitive to the welfare of others. "First, we have to open people's feelings," Shitrit said. "We have to be the pumice
that wears down the callus
. After that, we can talk about everything directly."http://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/18/arts/pop-music-israeli-pop-finds-a-harder-edge-for-its-voice.html?pagewanted=all
The band was formed by Micha Shitrit, who was born in Yokneam, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
to a Jewish Moroccan
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
family, and Arkadi Duchin
Arkadi Duchin
Arkadi Duchin is an Israeli singer-songwriter and musical producer.-Early life:Duchin was born in Babruysk, Belarus. He immigrated to Israel at the age of 15.-Music career:...
, who emigrated with his family from the former Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and returned to Yokneam to look for employment after serving in the Israeli army. Shitrit wrote lyrics
Lyrics
Lyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
and vocals, and Duchin dealt with the music. Once they had achieved some minimal economic stability, they began to look for new band members. This is also when they coined their band name: Hachaverim shel Natasha, "Natasha's Friends".http://www.wzo.org.il/en/resources/view.asp?id=459
Hachaverim shel Natasha was the name of the band's first record, which debuted in Israel at the close of 1989. It did not reap any economic benefits for them, but did gain them artistic recognition. In 1991 they released "Shinuim be herguelei hatzricha" ("Changes in Screaming patterns"), and in 1994 "Achlazaurim". Their fourth work, 2-CD "Radio bla bla", was their most important. Their fifth disc, a live concert recording, was their last. Following the split, both members pursued their solo careers with success.http://www.wzo.org.il/en/resources/view.asp?id=459
Their song "Daddy's and Mommie's Punching Bags," a song about child abuse
Child abuse
Child abuse is the physical, sexual, emotional mistreatment, or neglect of a child. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Children And Families define child maltreatment as any act or series of acts of commission or omission by a parent or...
, highlighted an issue that had not been openly acknowledged in Israeli society.http://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/18/arts/pop-music-israeli-pop-finds-a-harder-edge-for-its-voice.html?pagewanted=all
Friends of Natasha also addressed its political concerns indirectly. "We're not singing the news," said Shitrit. "If you want to say something, you go to the backs of people's heads, to the subconscious -- not between the eyes." The lyrics of the songs he co-wrote with Duchin are surrealistic and subversive in a quiet way. "The Idiot" is an allegory
Allegory
Allegory is a demonstrative form of representation explaining meaning other than the words that are spoken. Allegory communicates its message by means of symbolic figures, actions or symbolic representation...
that pokes fun at military men, kings, and power grabbers, while "Keep Moving" urges listeners to maintain their individuality while remaining sensitive to the welfare of others. "First, we have to open people's feelings," Shitrit said. "We have to be the pumice
Pumice
Pumice is a textural term for a volcanic rock that is a solidified frothy lava typically created when super-heated, highly pressurized rock is violently ejected from a volcano. It can be formed when lava and water are mixed. This unusual formation is due to the simultaneous actions of rapid...
that wears down the callus
Callus
A callus is an especially toughened area of skin which has become relatively thick and hard in response to repeated friction, pressure, or other irritation. Rubbing that is too frequent or forceful will cause blisters rather than allow calluses to form. Since repeated contact is required, calluses...
. After that, we can talk about everything directly."http://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/18/arts/pop-music-israeli-pop-finds-a-harder-edge-for-its-voice.html?pagewanted=all