Foje
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1983 in Vilnius, Lithuania |
| Founder | Andrius Mamontovas, Arnoldas Lukošius, Darius Tarasevičius |
| Defunct | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Vilnius , Lithuania |
| Products | Music albums |
Foje ranked as one of Lithuania's most prominent and successful rock ensembles.
History
Established in 1983 at the institution now known as Antakalnis Secondary School in Vilnius, the group originated under the name Sunki Muzika ("Hard Music") by founders Andrius Mamontovas, Arnoldas Lukošius, and Darius Tarasevičius. Shortly thereafter, Algis Kriščiūnas became a member. The band adopted the name Foje (translating to "foyer") in 1984. Throughout its existence, despite numerous personnel shifts, Foje produced more than ten albums.
Their musical style was shaped by influences such as the Stranglers and the post-punk wave of the 1980s, particularly evident in their 1989 electronica release Žodžiai į Tylą, which bore stylistic similarities to Depeche Mode. These sonic elements were paired with predominantly melancholic lyrics authored by frontman Andrius Mamontovas.
Foje disbanded in 1997 after performing three farewell concerts across Lithuanian cities, culminating with a final event on May 17 at Vingis Park in Vilnius that attracted an audience of 60,000. Post-breakup, Mamontovas embarked on a solo musical path.
In the year 2000, two tracks by Foje—"Laužo šviesa" ("The Light of the Bonfire") from 1986 and "Meilės nebus per daug" ("There will not be too much love") from 1994—were selected by media experts as among the Top 20 Lithuanian songs of the twentieth century.
Members
- Andrius Mamontovas (1983–1997) – Vocals, guitar, drums, keyboards
- Arnoldas Lukošius (1983–1989, 1992–1997) – Keyboards, accordion
- Algis Kriščiūnas (1983–1985, 1992–1997) – Drums
- Darius Burokas (1986–1988, 1990–1997) – Bass, keyboards
- Darius Tarasevičius (1983–1985) – Bass
- Romas Rainys (1985–1988) – Bass, guitar
- Eugenijus Pugačiukas (1985–1991) – Drums
- Saulius Valikonis (1986–1988, 1989–1991) – Saxophone
- Gediminas Simniškis (1988–1989) – Bass
- Jaunius Beinortas (1988–1989) – Guitar
- Robertas Meržvinskas (1988–1989) – Saxophone
- Robertas Griškevičius (1989–1990) – Keyboards
Discography
- 1989 - Geltoni krantai (Yellow Shores) (MC)
- 1990 - Žodžiai į tylą (Words Into Silence) (LP, MC)
- 1991 - Gali skambėti keistai (It Might Sound Strange) (LP, CD, MC)
- 1992 - Kitoks pasaulis (A Different World) (LP, CD, MC) – recognized as the first Lithuanian music album released on CD
- 1993 - Vandenyje (In The Water) (LP, CD, MC)
- 1994 - Tikras garsas (The Real Sound) (MC)
- 1994 - M-1 (dancemixes) (CD, MC)
- 1994 - Aš čia esu (I Am Here) (MC, LP Picture Disc)
- 1995 - Kai perplauksi upę (When You Swim Across The River) (CD, MC)
- 1995 - Live On The Air (MC)
- 1996 - 1982 (MC, CD)
- 1997 - The Flowing River EP (CD)
- 1997 - Mokykla (School) (MC)
- 1999 - Vilnius - Kaunas - Klaipėda (CD, MC)
- 2002 - Paveikslas (The Picture) (CD, MC)
- 2006 - Kita paveikslo pusė (The Other Side of the Picture) (CD)
- 2013 - AM+FOJE=30 (AM - Andrius Mamontovas) (CD)