CONCERT

Tonya, one more thing HE IS

Tonya, one more thing

HE IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOT.
Sorry, I can't handle this anymore, I might pass out.

Tonya.. Where to begin. -

Tonya..
Where to begin.

- Why does he wear that vest all the time. it must be stinky. But I am still ready to make love to him with that thing on

- In all his interviews, he wears the same communist style khaki shirt, notice that?

- He has a bump on his knows...i will die for that

- have you noticed when he gets nervous, he has a half smile...kill me now

- HE IS THE HOTEST THING ON THE FACE OF THIS EARTH.

em..i never noticed anyone else in the band.

to Someone

Now isn't that just like a woman (intentional pun on Dylans words)... reduce this whole article to a discussion of how hot Arash is!  I say.... WHY NOT!  Their abilities and creativity have been discussed ENOUGH!  Let's focus on how cute they are.  Ladies of iranian.com... let's hear it!

Tonya, I would be lying if I

Tonya, I would be lying if I said I haven't dreamed of him. HE IS HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT

so so so so so so so so so so HOT

Arafizad

You're exactly right.  And that's why I wish Kiosk would translate the songs themselves.  My Farsi is NOwhere good enough to do so. And my husband tends to translate a little too literally, therefore missing the very VERY subtle nuances.  But it actually made for a very fun debate with him as he's trying to explain the literal Persian words and I'm able to provide the more....hmmm... generic intention of the words.  So we both were able to take more from the songs than either one of us would have individually.  Certainly they arent the Beatles... or Dylan... but I love to listen to them.  Now... as a purely female observation... that Arash is damn good looking!  So I'm not going to try to analyize any further, I'm just going to have fun!  I'll let y'all determine the merits of originality, etc.

Tonya

Sourena brings up a very good point. There is a specific context for Kiok's songs. If you haven't lived in Iran you don't know SHAHRAK (AN UPSCALE NEIGHBORHOOD OF NORTHWEST TEHRAN) AND JORDAN (A STREET IN ANOTHER UPSCALE AREA OF TEHRAN). Also, you don't know about young boy and girls who drive around for hours, almost everyday, in their nice cars beween SHAHRAK AND JORDAN to flirt and pass phone numbers! Therefore "Shahrak beh baala, Jordan beh paeen" in Roozmaregi talks about pointless and carefree life style of some rich Iranian kids. It's not easy to translate Kiosk in any language because you appreciate the lyrics if you can read between the lines. Something even Afshin -who is Iranian- can't do!

Let's be fair!

I am not saying Kiosk is as big as Beatles but they reflect Iran’s complicated and frustrating society with smart lyrics and fine music that calls for a round of applause, at least. It is not fair to compare Kiosk with a Chinese band using Iranian instrument singing Chinese. Western music with English lyrics and pop culture influenced the music and culture of many countries during the past 50 years leading to western influenced Iranian –as well as Chinese musicians! We are living in a global village and there is nothing wrong with adopting or being inspired by other musicians. You can hear Eric Clapton pouring out of John Mayer’s works and U2 from so many new bands. My hat’s off to them for their great music. At least, when Eric Clapton retires in a few years, I will have John Mayer to listen to. Let’s look at the bright side of things…

as a loyal downloader and

as a loyal downloader and listener of Iranian music I can say these guys were revolutionaries simply because they started something new. However, like any other revolution, the dust settles.

Evoking Memories

Your comments made me write a post about Kiosk's music here:
//iranian.com/main/blog/sourena/kiosks-mu...

Ba Ba Calm Down!

People, people, people.. the Beatles, Dire Straits?? Talk about drama Persian style. These folks are good. They are G O O D.. but PLEASE do not compare them to rock legends! I have both albums and would like to see them live,but have some respect, "Persian Beatles" poor John and George are rolling over in their graves..

OK folks

OK folks,

I guess I need to clear up a couple of points here.

First off, as I said in my initial comments, not only do I not have anything against these guys, but I wish them all the best. Mainly because they’ve had the courage to start an underground rock band in a repressed society. Also, as a lover of art (in any category) I sincerely believe that any music is better than no music.

I’m sure these guys are wonderful people and great human beings and I’m glad for their success. I personally will buy their CDs and probably attend their concerts just to support them.

Revolutionary poets and magnificent rock band, however, they are not. Those are some huge titles, and my comment was mainly regarding their music and the lyrics. Unfortunately, we Iranians are so used to mediocre music coming out of Tehrangeles that when a band comes along and actually has social and political points in their lyrics, we get a tad overexcited.

The problem is not being inspired by other artists. That’s actually quite normal and that’s how all artists (in all categories) start off. Truly talented and gifted ones, however, eventually develop their own style, technique and create their own signature.  

I bet you anything that the lead singer of Kiosk really doesn’t sound like that. Most likely someone told him that he sounds LIKE Mark Knopfler or may be he’s just such a big fan, that now he’s becoming him on the stage. This is very common in pop music and culture but not in real Rock & Roll or in anything that claims to be an original. An example would be the band Creed. They came along and they sold millions of albums, but because Scott Stapp sang and sounded exactly like Pearl Jam’s Eddi Vedder, critically they never became more than a top 40 band and now they are forgotten.

I just hope Kiosk have the passion, or develop it, to be trendsetters instead of worrying about filling out stadiums. That will happen if they are good and can create great music.

Vaghean ke Who cares about

Vaghean ke

Who cares about Harvard or Stanford or University of Rafsanjan?! We Iranians love to tarof to boost our self esteem. Who cares is some doctor thinks their lyrics are a cultural revolution? I don't and I would hope most of their other fans don't either. They are great because they have great lyrics to fantstic music. Now, if Dylan or Banaan has influenced them...great. You think Dylan or Dire estraights were never influenced by anyone?

My disappointment with this band is that they are now mainstream. Which means not underground anymore. It was only fun when only a hand full of us knew who they were. Now, everyone knows. It's almost pop.

6666

You're absolutely right about the lyrics.  And I had no idea there was already so much media attention on them.  I'll be researching the web all night long.  But your comment about the lyrics is so funny because my husband tried to translate some of the songs for me and I just looked at him like "what the hell are you talking about".  Alot IS lost if Kiosk doesnt translate them themselves.  But (and I can't remember what song it is) the one he loves the most is the one where they almost end the sentence in a cuss word but stop just short.  They invited the crowd on Saturday to fill in and it was great.  The words to "My Bad"... yeah, it might sound like some old stuff... but so what!  It's still extremely pertinent today. 

Afshin, You need to

Afshin,

You need to understand their lyrics, it is very clear that you just dont get most of their jokes and dont understand what they are talking about.
Dr Abbas Milani sets up a panel in Stanford and calls their lyrics "A cultural renaissance in Iran", and Harvard has invited them to talk on a panel on "Underground Music and Art in Iran". That should give you some clue. It is not about what or who they sound like, Kiosk's popularity is all about the impact it has had on Persian Pop culture and the
alternative style of music they have created to broadcast their social messages. This is something that LA Irooni musicians have not been able to do during the past 20 years with all the freedom of expression they enjoyed in the US.

Afshinme

No... I'm not going to attack you at all.  I might disagree though...lol.  I AM a rock 'n roller in America and not only do I like Dire Straits, I'm a huge Dylan fan... and have been for over 35 years.  Please don't try to do the math, I AM in my 50's...lol.  My husband is Persian and has always enjoyed the music of Ebi, Dariush and Googoosh.  But this IS something new and different.  While it's true they are imitating (I prefer "respecting") some musical styles of the West, it's also a fact that virtually all of the modern Western music has followed the path of previous artists.  Ie... modern Blues is arguably based on the old African American (I have NO idea what the current PC term is) music.  Even the new Blues artists are imitating old rock and roll.  It is inevitable.  I'm not sure that there really IS such a thing as new music.  I also have to disagree with the talent comment.  Believe me, I'm no expert but I think these guys are extremely talented. I heard one young lady say that she compared Farah to Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page (I'm not sure which one) and obviously that is just an adoring fan... but he was damn good!!! 

Now... as far as Persians not being able to relate to rock and roll.  According to my husband just last night... he was telling me that he listened to CCR, the Stones, BeeGees (apology goes out to rock and roll for putting them in that catagory) when he was a young man, especially while in the service.  You might not have HAD any rock bands but its absolutely true that Persians in the 60's and 70's were exposed to it.  I hope you're not saying that Persian music today MUST sound Persian!  Hasn't the West borrowed from many many cultures in our musical history.  I'd like to think that it's a compliment, not simply copying.  In short, I respect your opinion.  I think I understand where you're coming from.  But I think these guys are absolutely wonderful.  You just had to have been there to see the enthusiam they had.  Meaningful words in today's musical format. 

So... what kind of music do you enjoy?  I'm always happy talking music with new people!!!

Nothing original or even new

I mean no disrespect by this, and since I don’t know these guys personally my opinion is simply an opinion and nothing personal. I have to ask however, what has happened to our sense of creativity as a culture? Sounding like Dire Straits (Mark Knopfler to be exact) and trying to write lyrics in Bob Dylan’s style (failing at it of course) is nothing to brag about. The problem here is that most of us Iranians cannot relate to real Rock & Roll, so when something comes along that sounds Persian we are all over it.

This makes as much sense as a group of say Chinese, Vietnamese, or Germans pickup Tar, Setar, Santoor and a Tonbak or Daf and sing poetry by Hafez or Saadi is Dastgah Mahoor in their native tongue.

These Kiosk guys are like a tribute band who sing Karaoke.

I know I’m going to be attacked because of my comments, but after listening to them I found no originality or creativity. As far as musical abilities, they are considered a third rate rock band at best. If you think I’m wrong, have some of your western musician friends who are familiar with rock music listen to them, I DID. I do wish them success but, I just hope they become more of innovators instead of imitators.  

Arafizad

My words exactly.  This is the last time you're going to be able see them in such an intimate venue.  It was the best experience I've had in a long time!

Stairway to heaven!

My younger brother sent me Kiosk's first album 2 years ago, from Iran. He knew, I don't have a taste for DANBALI-DEEMBOOL music but, he said: "you're gonna like this album". He was damn right. I loved "Adameh mamooli" and loved "Eshgheh Sorat", even more. I told all my friends about Kiosk and made sure to go and see them if they tour in U.S. Last Saturday, they performed live in Orange County and I don't think I had ever seen a better show, period. All the band members shined "like a crazy diamond"! Ardeshir Farah was the icing on the cake.
If kiosk commits itself to continue what it had been doing so far, next time they will be performing in a major metropolitan arena. Where they truely belong..

Dire Straits: Sultans Of Swing (Lyrics)

Title: Dire Straits - Sultans Of Swing lyrics

Artist: Dire Straits

You get a shiver in the dark
It's raining in the park but meantime
South of the river you stop and you hold everything
A band is blowing Dixie double four time
You feel alright when you hear that music ring

You step inside but you don't see too many faces
Coming in out of the rain to hear the jazz go down
Too much competition too many other places
But not too many horns can make that sound
Way on downsouth way on downsouth London town

You check out Guitar George he knows all the chords
Mind he's strictly rhythm he doesn't want to make it cry or sing
And an old guitar is all he can afford
When he gets up under the lights to play his thing

And Harry doesn't mind if he doesn't make the scene
He's got a daytime job he's doing alright
He can play honky tonk just like anything
Saving it up for Friday night
With the Sultans with the Sultans of Swing

And a crowd of young boys they're fooling around in the corner
Drunk and dressed in their best brown baggies and their platform soles
The don't give a damn about any trumpet playing band
It ain't what they call rock and roll
And the Sultans played Creole

And then the man he steps right up to the microphone
And says at last just as the time bell rings
'Thank you goodnight now it's time to go home'
and he makes it fast whith one more thing
'We are the Sultans of Swing'

The hottest songs from Dire Straits

Persian Beatles ...

Their music reminds me of Dire Straits but their popularity and looks remind me of the Beatles.

GO GO KIOSK !

"bi tarbiat" !

I LOVE this song "bi tarbiat".........LOL

I swear to GOD!  I listened to it at least 20-25 times in past week  and I can not stop laughing everytime ! Words so cleverly chosen that......MAN !! Guys listen to this song please, it's funny ,adresses lots of issues, great music and just AWESOM !!!

Long live KIOSK ! It was GREAT

P.S. Ardeshir Farah was as perfect as they come ! And sure enough he showed us that "when you're good, you're good" !! 

Right on!

So glad to see this posting back online.  We posted to it first thing Sunday morning but apparently it got offline somehow.  So I'll repeat what I said yesterday morning... this concert ROCKED!  They were great and I'm not sure I've had a better time at a concert than this.  Being an old-school rock n' roller and a true disciple of Bob Dylan, this was a refreshing vision of today's youth.  Their message was delivered in a new and exciting format for most Persians and I think I can speak for my husband when I say that "it's about time!".  Extremely talented... obviously passionate... and damn cute to boot!  These guys will go far, mark my words.  Support them.. but more importantly, LISTEN to what they're saying.  You'll be glad you did.