Indochine -

Indochine are a French new wave band that released five studio albums and a live disc between 1982 and 1990 on Ariola, followed by nine further albums into the 2020s.

Members: Nicola Sirkis (vocals, guitar), Dominik Nicolas (guitar, 1981-95), Stéphane Sirkis (keyboards, 1981-99), Dimitri Bodianski (saxophone, 1981-89), Alexandre Azaria (guitar, 1996)

Background

Indochine formed on May 10, 1981, in Paris when singer Nicola Sirkis and guitarist-composer Dominik Nicolas established a new group following a stint with Les Espions. The musicians met in late 1980 through an advertisement in Rock & Folk, which sought a singer and bassist for the Parisian group. Les Espions recruited Sirkis and (as bassist) Nicolas.

Nicolas bought a guitar and drum machine in 1978 and played with several rock groups after attending concerts by French and British punk bands.

Sirkis sang in a prior group associated with his twin brother Stéphane, who in 1976 founded the progressive-rock band Light. Stéphane introduced Nicola to The Clash at a May 1978 concert in Pantin. Nicolas played his own demos for Sirkis on car journeys from Les Espions rehearsals. The pair developed songs together, including “Françoise,” and adopted a name inspired by the Indochina-set fiction of French novelist Marguerite Duras.

The founders recruited saxophonist Dimitri Bodianski, a 17-year-old novice who joined their initial May 1981 rehearsals. Stéphane Sirkis assisted with electronic sequences and sound equipment. Marc Barrière, manager of Trust and co-founder of the Paris rock club Le Rose Bonbon, arranged the first Indochine concert on September 29, 1981, at the venue beneath the Olympia. The quartet performed a set of approximately 20 minutes, which included “Dizzidence Politik.” Representatives from several record companies attended the concert. Indochine signed with producer Didier Guinochet of Clémence Melody, a label established by French singer Gérard Lenorman. In November 1981, the group recorded “Dizzidence Politik” and “Françoise” at Studio de Hauteville.

Clémence Melody issued “Dizzidence Politik” in February 1982 (b/w “Françoise (Qu’est-ce qui t’a pris ?)”). Indochine played further concerts at Le Rose Bonbon and expanded to other venues in Paris and Lyon. Stéphane Sirkis became a full member on keyboards and guitar. On April 2, the quartet opened for Depeche Mode at Le Palace in Paris. Indochine also supported Taxi Girl on French and European dates that spring. The concerts established a wider audience for the group and prompted plans for a longer recording. In September 1982, Indochine entered Studio d’Aguesseau in Paris with five additional song demos for a session originally booked to remake “Dizzidence Politik.”

Discography:

L’aventurier (1982)
Le péril jaune (1983)
3 (1985)
Au Zénith (live, 1986)
7000 Danses (1987)
Le baiser (1990)

Sources

Indochine — IndoBio — Official chronology covering the May 1981 formation, Rose Bonbon concerts, Clémence Melody contract, November 1981 sessions at Studio de Hauteville, and spring 1982 performances. (Indochine)
Indochine — Tournée 1982 — Archival concert itinerary identifying the original quartet, February appearances, and April 2 support performance for Depeche Mode at Le Palace. (Indochine)
Stéphane Sirkis — Étoile filante du groupe Indochine — Biographical account of the twin brothers, Stéphane’s 1976 group Light, the 1978 Clash concert, the first Indochine rehearsals, and his early electronic contributions. (Musée SACEM)
Interview — Dominik Nicolas — Nicolas discusses his introduction to punk in 1978, the purchase of his first guitar and drum machine, and his early participation in rock groups. (Indochine Perú)
Indochine — Notre singles collection, la bande son de notre vie — Nicola Sirkis recalls the first Rose Bonbon concert, its approximate duration, the subsequent label interest, the Depeche Mode and Taxi Girl support dates, and his literary interests. (LePetitJournal.com)
Indochine — L’anecdote derrière la naissance du groupe — The Rock & Folk advertisement, auditions for Les Espions, relationship between Sirkis and Nicolas, and development of early demos, including “Françoise.” (Nostalgie)
Cabarets, clubs, théâtres — Ces grands artistes y ont fait leurs débuts — Historical account of Le Rose Bonbon, its creation by Marc Barrière and associates, and the September 29, 1981 Indochine concert. (Ville de Paris)
Indochine — Dizzidence Politik — Official February 1, 1982 single listing, original A- and B-side titles, songwriting credits, and distinction between the single and album recordings. (Indochine)
Dizzidence Politik — Single — Early formation chronology, the initial three-member recording lineup, February 1982 release, and mislabeling of the original single pressing. (Indoprisme)
Qui était l’Aventurier du tube d’Indochine ? — September 1982 Studio d’Aguesseau session, the original plan to remake “Dizzidence Politik,” and the five additional demos that led to the debut mini-album. (Europe 1)