History
The story of IRIS began in 1977 with Nuţu Olteanu, Emil Lechiteanu, Nelu Dumitrescu. Through the years, the band has experienced many line-up changes.
In 29 years of activity, IRIS became one the best names in Romanian music history. At the beginning of the 1980s, the pair Cristi Minculescu - Nelu Dumitrescu, who are still present in the current line-up, played with Nutu Olteanu (guitar), Florin Ochescu (guitar) and Marty Popescu (bass guitar). Together they released a debut-album (IRIS I), which included songs that became some of the most popular Romanian rock songs: Doar Pentru Voi (Only for You), Trenul Fără Naş (The Train without a Ticket-collector), Pe Ape (On Water), Cei Ce Vor Fi (The Ones to Come).
In 1987 IRIS II was released with an extravagant cover for those times during the communist regime, a cover who represented one of Cristi's idols, Angus Young, "in action". The band's line-up was Cristian Minculescu (vocal), Nelu Dumitrescu (drums), Mihai Alexandru (solo guitar, vocal) and Doru "Boro" Borobeica (bass guitar). On this album, notable songs included: Strada Ta (Your Street), În Parc (In the Park), Zi Si Noapte (Day and Night).
One year later, IRIS released its third album, called Nu Te Opri (Don't Stop), recorded with the same line-up as IRIS II. The Disc contained 8 tracks, but the most important are Floare De Iris (Iris Flower), Uită Tot Ce-a Fost (Forget all that was), Eu Şi Cu Tine (Me and You), Ploaia De Vise (The Rain of Dreams).
In December 1989, when the downfall of the Romanian communist regime began, IRIS recorded the album IRIS IV in Tomis Studio, without Mihai Alexandru, but with Cristi, Nutu, Boro and Valter. The hits from this album include: De Ce Oare Ai Plecat? (Why Did You Leave Me?), Vino Iar (Come Again), Rock And Roll, Cine Mă Strigă În Noapte? (Who Is Calling Me in the Night?).
In 1992, IRIS held an anniversary concert, called IRIS 15 ANI (IRIS 15 years), at Sala Polivalenta in Bucharest in front of 10,000 people. This was a record audience for a Romanian band, unequalled since that time. That same year, at the Cannes Festival, IRIS won second place in the rock section and they appeared on MTV.
The 5th Iris album was named 1993 and was recorded with the same line-up as IRIS IV, but with one more guitarist, Dan Alex Sârbu. This disc contains 3 dedications: Harley Davidson (for Marco), Valuri (for Adrian Ilie), Iris Nu Pleca (for Roberta). IRIS played in Italy and on the Malboro Tour, in the big cities of Romania. In July 1996, following Dorian Ciubuc's idea, IRIS signed a contract with Polygram for 6 years. In this time, IRIS recorded 6 albums.
In October 1998 they released Mirage, an album with a union of tracks and orchestration. The album was co-authored with Mihai Godoroja.
On 17 October 1997 IRIS celebrated 20 years of existence with a concert at Sala Polivalenta in Bucharest. At the anniversary concert, active members of IRIS and former members delighted the audience. For over 2 hours and 30 minutes in front of 5000 people they played songs including: "Corabia cu pînze", "Floare de Iris", "Călătorul", "Trenul fără nas", "Speranţa", "De ce oare ai plecat?", "Sa nu crezi nimic", "Baby, Baby".
Three weeks late after the 20 years concert Iris released "20 DE ANI" (20 years). The album has 13 tracks from the live concert, like "Pamîntul îl cuprind", "Călătorul", "Trenul fără nas", "Speranta", "Iris, nu pleca", "Pe ape", "Mirage", "Cine ma striga în noapte", "Valuri", "Floare de iris", "Tot zbor", "Baby", "Somn bizar".
In 2000 the band took the largest tour ever undertaken by a Romanian band. The "mega-tour", as it was known, was named ATHENAEUM. The band also released an album of the same name. Two years later, the first DVD of a Romanian band, DIGITAL ATHENAEUM, which has recordings from concerts during the history, was released.
In 2002, the "IRIS 25 Years" concert gathered thousands in the biggest concert hall in the country. The next album, "Matase Alba" (White Silk) featured ballads, such as "Iubire fara de sfarsit" (Endless Love) and a cover version of "Lady in Black" by Uriah Heep, sang with them, which won an MTV Music Award. This album was followed by "4Motion" and, in 2005, "Iris Maxima". The most notable ballad on "Iris Maxima" is "Vino pentru totdeauna" (Come back for always).
On the 5th of October 2007, the band has been decorated by the Romanian President Traian Basescu, for 30 years of cultural activity. In the same day the band sustained a live show in the front of over 15,000 fans.
