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Viza

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Viza
Background information
Also known asVisa (2000–2009)
OriginLos Angeles, California
Genres
Years active
  • 2000–2014
  • 2017–present
LabelsSerjical Strike Records, Architects of Melody Records, SoundsUP records
Past membersK'noup Tomopoulos
Shant Bismejian
Andrew (Antranig) Kzirian
Alexan Khatcherian
Chris Daniel
Jivan Gasparyan Jr.
Websiteexperienceviza.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, that include instruments like the oud and duduk. The band has released various EPs and full-length albums.[1] The band has recorded and performed with Serj Tankian of System of a Down, who managed the band.

Performances and releases

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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.[2]

Discography

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Studio albums

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

EPs

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

Singles

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  • 2011 – Bake Me in Clouds
  • 2012 – Alabama Song (Whisky Bar) (Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill)
  • 2013 – In Coins
  • 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

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  • 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 members

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  • 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

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  1. ^ "SerjicalStrike.com Artist Profile". Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2011-03-01.
  2. ^ SerjTankian.com News & Announcements