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Red Band is an Israeli-American puppet band that uniquely incorporates music and comedy. The band was formed in 2005 by Ari Pfeffer, Micha Duman, and Ami Wizel as a street act called "The Puppet Folk Revival". In 2008, the band was picked up by the Israeli network “HOT” as a TV show called “Red Band”. In 2013, the band leader, Red Orbach, hosted a late night talk show named “The Red and Dvir Show” on Israeli Channel 2. The band has toured extensively in Israel and has performed at festivals, rock clubs, and street performances around the world, playing cover versions of well-known rock music and American folk songs. The band was formed in 2005 under the name "The Puppet Folk Revival". Beginning as a humble street performance, the act consisted of an ever growing cast of puppet characters, including Red, Poncho, and Phillip, singing and playing folk music. The band staged street performances on Rothschild Boulevard, Nahlat Benyamin Street, and at cultural events and clubs in Tel Aviv, quickly gaining cult status. In 2006, the band went on an international busking tour during which they played the "Tárrega" Festival and staged street performances in Amsterdam, Barcelona, New York, and more. In 2008, the band and MyTV productions developed “Red Band” a mockumentary-style TV show following the characters as they attempt their big come-back. The show was broadcast on the "HOT" cable network and marked the beginning of VOD service in Israel. Each episode featured a musical collaboration with a famous musician. Following the success of the show, the band officially became known as Red Band. Throughout 2008-2010, the band toured Israel extensively, selling out large scale venues such as the Barby Tel-Aviv and the Hangar 11. Following Season 2, a soundtrack was released and reached number one on the sales charts. Musically, the band continued to expand and its sound became more Electric Rock-oriented, culminating in 2010’s Hanger 11 Show. Throughout 2011-2013, the band continued to perform rigorously, touring Israel, India, Germany, and Costa Rica. They played clubs, colleges, international festivals, and charity events. In 2013 the band returned to television with the Red and Dvir Show on Israel’s Channel 2. The late-night talk show also featured a musical collaboration with a guest artist. In 2014, Red Orbach took part in the fashion campaign of the clothing company "HOODIES" alongside Israeli and international supermodel Bar Refaeli. The commercial had explicit sexual content and, for this reason, was broadcast only at night. The Characters Each puppet is a character with a complete personality that coincides with its role in the band. Red Orbach – The band's lead singer. Puppeteer: Ari Pfeffer. The purple band leader was born in the United States and therefore speaks and sings in English. The band is named after him. Red's personality is of a stereotypical aging rock star who was famous in the 60's and is having a hard time accepting the new social, musical, and technological reality. He swears a lot and is basically an egocentric guy who doesn’t care much for anything other than Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll. His name is similar to that of legendary Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach. Poncho – The rough and tough guitarist. Puppeteer: Micha Duman. Poncho is a gritty guy, a lone wolf, and a motorcycle enthusiast. In his old age, he's trying to steer away from the reckless and wild ways of his youth. Lefty – The keyboard player, drummer, and bass player. Puppeteer: Ami Wizel. Lefty is an aging rocker that has undergone a spiritual metamorphosis and now believes in peace, love and unity. He has the personality of an old, easy-going hippy. The names Poncho and Lefty were inspired by folksinger songwriter Townes van Zandt's song "Poncho and Lefty". In the first episode of the second season, Red points out that these are not actually their real names. When he first met them, one of them was wearing a poncho and the other was standing to his left and so he never bothered to learn their names. However everyone seems to call them by those names. Philip – Friend of the band. Puppeteer: Micha Duman. Philip's character appears on the live show and in the TV show. Philip is a rat and he is basically the band's drug dealer. He is a music enthusiast and Red's Number One fan and he's usually extremely stoned or tripping. The TV Show The TV show's 18 episodes were broadcast on HOT's VOD service from July 2008 to April 2011, and was the first show in Israel to be broadcast that way. Season One was written by Ari Pfeffer, Yaron Niski, Doron Tzur, Sharon Kantor and Dror Nobleman. Season Two was written by Dror Nobleman and Ari Pfeffer. Both seasons were directed by Eitan Tzur and Karen Hochma. Like other puppet shows, "The Muppets" being the most well known, there is no reference to the fact that characters are puppets and they are regarded throughout as human characters. Camera angles and directions in internal and external shots are geared towards the clandestine operation of the puppets. Furthermore, in all PR appearances, the characters are regarded as real rock stars and Red was even interviewed on the Einav Galili and London and Kirshenbaum talk shows. In August 2009 the show won the Israeli TV Academy Award for Best Comedy. First Season The show is a mockumentary musical comedy with the look and a feel of a documentary. It follows the band's attempts at a comeback after a short successful spell in the 60's and a breakup in 1973. The band comes back together when the lead singer, Red, returns to Israel from the US and they start rehearsals with various Israeli artists. The show is filmed from the point of view of the cameraman who follows the band members in rehearsals and in their private lives. Real actors star in the show alongside the puppets. Zvi Shisel as band impresario Albert, Dorit Bar-Or as PR girl Dafna, and Shai Avivi as the band's therapist Doctor Neuman. Artists appear as themselves and every episode features at least one musical number, a cover version of a well known rock song. Some of the artists who appeared on the show are: Shalom Hanoch, The Nehama Girls, Marina Maximilian, Mosh Ben Ari, Maor Cohen, Shlomi Saranga, Tislam, Miri Aloni and Avi Toledano (who appeared on the trailer). Second Season The second season started airing on the Comedy Central network in February 2011 and was written by Dror Nobleman and Ari Pfeffer. It featured: Mashina, Ninet Tayeb, Rami Fortis, Berry Sakharof, Mercedes Band, Hadag Nahash, Matisyahu, Yehudit Ravitz, Shlomi Shabat, and Asaf Avidan and the Mojos. The Red and Dvir Show On October 2013, Red hosted a satirical late night show with Israeli comedian Dvir Benedek. Every episode featured interviews with celebrity guests and a musical artist that played a song with Red Band, as well as a humoristic “behind the scenes” segment directed by Eitan Tzur. The show received high ratings and critical acclaim. Discography • Red Band – The best of the TV show cover versions (2011) • The Red and Dvir show – The best of the late night show cover versions (2014)