Virus (Argentine band)

Virus
Background information
Origin	La Plata, Argentina
Genres	New wave, synthpop, post-punk, rock en español
Years active	1979–1990 1994–present
Labels	Sony Music
Members	Marcelo Moura Julio Moura Daniel Sbarra Ariel Naon Fernando Monteleone Nicolás Ménde
Past members	Federico Moura Ricardo Serra Pablo Mugica Enrique Mugetti Mario Serra Aitor Graña Ludo Isod Patricio Fontana

Virus is an Argentine new wave music band founded in 1979, led by Federico Moura until his death on December 21, 1988, from AIDS-related complications. His brother Marcelo then became lead singer, until the band gave its final performance on September 29, 1990, in a support slot to David Bowie. Virus reunited in 1994 and has had some sporadic activity, without recovering its previous popularity. Their latest album, Caja Negra (2006) features live versions of their classics, together with 5 new studio tracks, with invited artists influenced by the band: Ale Sergi (Miranda!), Adrián Dárgelos (Babasónicos), Pity Álvarez (Intoxicados) and Ciro Pertusi (Attaque 77).

Moura was a talented frontman, regarded as one of the best voices in Argentine rock . This, together with an ensemble of talented musicians, allowed the band to revolutionize Argentine rock. Roberto Jacoby wrote the group's lyrics from its beginning. Some of their best-known songs are Wadu Wadu, El rock en mi forma de ser, Hay que salir del agujero interior, Una luna de miel en la mano, Amor descartable, Imágenes paganas and Mirada Speed.

Members

Current members

• Marcelo Moura — lead vocals (1987-present), keyboards, synthesizers, piano, percussion, vocals (1980-2004), bass, guitar (1995-2006)
• Julio Moura — guitar, percussion, vocals (1980-present), keyboards (1980-2009)
• Daniel Sbarra — guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, percussion, backing vocals (1984-1988, 1994-present)
• Ariel Naon — bass, contrabass, backing vocals (2006-present), guitar, keyboards (2009-present)
• Fernando Monteleone — keyboards, synthesizers, programming, backing vocals (2006-present)
• Nicolás Méndez — drums, percussion (2009-present)

Former members

• Federico Moura — lead vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, synthesizers, percussion (1980-1987, died 1988)
• Ricardo Serra — guitar, backing vocals (1980-1984)
• Pablo Mugica — bass, percussion, backing vocals (1989-1990)
• Enrique Mugetti — bass (1980-1989, 1994-2004), keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals (1980-2004), guitar (1995-2004)
• Mario Serra — drums, percussion, backing vocals (1980-1995)
• Aitor Graña — drums, percussion, programming (1995-2006)
• Ludo Isod — drums, percussion (2006-2009)
• Patricio Fontana — keyboars, synthesizers (1994-1995), bass, guitar (1995-2004)

Discography

• Wadu-Wadu (1981)
• Recrudece (1982)
• Agujero interior (1983)
• Relax (1984)
• Locura (1985)
• Virus vivo (1986)
• Superficies de placer (1987)
• Tierra del fuego (1989)
• Virus vivo 2 (1997, recorded 1986)
• Nueve (1998)
• Obras cumbres (2000). Compilation.
• Caja negra (2006). Live collaborations + five new studio tracks

Sources

• Argentine Rock Website (in Spanish)