HaYehudim (Hebrew: היהודים‎, lit. The Jews) is an Israeli hard rock band, formed in 1992 by married couple Tom Petrover and Orit Shachaf, who share guitar playing and vocal duties. The band has achieved tremendous success in Israel despite commercial disregard in its first years, and has sold over 200,000 albums in Israel.

The band is known for its energetic, upbeat songs and loud vocals. Many of their songs are charged with political and ideological flavor, though since none of their songs are clearly political in nature, much room is left for interpretation.

The band sings mostly in Hebrew, although in later albums they had several songs in English.

[edit] History

The band's first album, Metziut Nifredet (Hebrew: מציאות נפרדת‎, Separate Reality) was released in 1995 through Hed Arzi Music. Several music videos from the album were often played on Israeli television, but not on the radio and initially the album sold poorly. However the band continued playing live shows all over Israel, gaining a cult following. The debut album went gold in 1998, just a month before the release of the band's second and self-titled album.

The second album, titled HaYehudim and released in 1998, was an immediate success despite continuing disregard from mainstream media, making HaYehudim one of the leading rock bands in Israel.

In July of 1999 Hayehudim opened the Metallica concert in Israel, and in 2000 the band opened the Rage Against the Machine concert in Israel as well.

[edit] The name

The name 'HaYehudim' was offered ^[1] to the band by Eldad Ziv, an Israeli theatre director and musician, and by Roy Zu-Arets, the music producer who produced the band's debut album Metziut Nifredet. Despite being a provocative name the band's members liked it and decided to use it.

[edit] Current lineup

• Tom Petrover (guitar, vocals) (1995-)
• Orit Shachaf (lead vocals, backing guitar) (1995-)
• Adam Perry (keyboards) (2007-)
• Yahav Lipinski (drums) (1995-)
• Guy Be'er (guitar) (2003-)
• Daniel Brecher (guitar) (2003-)

[edit] Former members

• Avi Yifrach (bass) (1992-?)
• Smulik Bogdov (guitar) (1992-1995)
• Asher Pedi (drums) (1992-1995)
• Elad Keren (bass) (1995-?)
• Itzik Sulam (guitar) (1992-1998)
• Yiftach Shachaf (guitar) (1998-2003)
• Eitan Veksler (guitar) (1992 and 1995 for 10 live shows)
• Avi Strool (bass guitar) (1995-2008)
• Eran Mitelman (keyboards) (1992-2007)

[edit] Discography

[edit] Studio albums

• Metziut Nifredet ("Separate Reality") - 1995
• HaYehudim - 1998
• Pakhad Mavet ("Fear of Death") - 2002
• Forte - 2007

[edit] Live albums

• HaYehudim LIVE (Live CD and DVD) - 2003
• HaYehudim Unplugged (An unplugged concert) - 2004

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official website
• HaYehudim at MOOMA (Hebrew)