Eurovision's only non-European country has won
the contest on three occasions, but since hosting the competition
in 1999, the only highlight has been a Top 5 result in Kyiv in
2005. This year Israeli broadcaster IBA decided to to have a
selection show on the same lines as that organised by RTÉ, by
picking the act going to Helsinki, and then letting the public
chose the song from four potential entries. The choice of
performers surprised many people; the group Teapacks have been
going for almost ten years, but would not be among the bands that
many Israelus would have considered suitable for the Eurovision
Song Contest.
In a rather surprising move the Israeli
selection was held on February 27th in Kibbutz Dorot, a collective
farm famous for its garlic production and located in the
northern Negev away from the major Israeli cities. Teapacks sang all
four songs and the winner was chosen by televoting, text voting, internet voting and
a jury. In one of the biggest anti-climaxes in any final, all four
votes went in favour of one song "Push The Button",
written and composed by Teapacks lead-singer Kobi Oz.
Teapacks was formed in 1988 in a southern
Israeli city of Sderot. The band normally consists of seven
members: Kobi Oz (lyricist, composer, music producer, and lead
singer), Gal Pereman (bass), Rami Yosifov (guitar and mandolin),
Meir Amar (computer programming and sound effects), Motti Yoseff
(drums), Dani Aberjel (guitar) and Noam Yankelevich (keyboards and
accordion). Unfortunatly Eurovision rules dictate that only six
performers can appear on stage and Yankelevich is the one missing
out. in Helsinki.
Originally the band was named after the
correction fluid Tipp-Ex, but the name was then changed so as not
to infringe on the brand. Teapacks gained popularity by bringing
forward traditional Middle-Eastern music combined with humour. The
band's frontman, Kobi Oz, is well known in the country for his
eccentric looks and style. The band has released so far seven
albums and a greatest hits collection, which collectively have sold
over 300,000 copies. Teapacks were chosen “Band of the Year”
numerous times by Israeli radio stations.
Teapacks are also well known for their live
shows and to date, the band has performed thousands of shows, both
in concert halls, festivals, and a host of high-profile events in
Israel and around the world. In the '90s, Teapacks successfully
increased awareness of Middle Eastern Levantine music and
legitimized it, allowing it to be considered worthy of heavy
rotation on Israeli radio. Teapacks is known for its contribution
to deepening social awareness in Israel. Their lyrics bring daily
situations from the Israeli street into public consciousness,
inspiring considerable identification among their audiences.
Descipting their music the Israeli broadcaster
says of Teapacks "Rock mixed with ethnic elements, rap rhymes
and pop choruses. Arabic and East European music, blended with a
live disco ambiance. Tel Aviv sophistication and a North African
temperament, infused with Israeli humor and Jewish chutzpa."
The band's debut album "Shvil Klipot Hagarinim" (The
Trail of Sunflower Seed Husks) was released in 1992 and as well as
its own albums Teapacks also contributed to the soundtrack of
"“Klavim Lo Novchim B’yarok” (“Dogs are Colorblind”)
in 1996.
Within a few days of having their song
chosen to represent Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest",
Teapacks and "Push The Button" were making the news all
over the world. The lyrics of the song mention the nuclear threat
posed unspecified "crazy rulers" who have their fingers
on the nuclear button. Many thought the this was a thinly veiled
reference to the leaders of Iran and thought that such an overtly
political mesage might lead to the song being disqualified from the
contest. However Teapacks denied that the lyrics were aimed at an
paricular person or country and in March the EBU sanctioned the
song as the 2007 Israel entry.
Whether it was the
publicity generated by the widely speculated disqualification or
something more intrinsic within the song, "Push The
Button" is among the bookmakers favourites to qualify from the
Eurovision semi-final, despite getting the worst possible draw
position. The song is doing less well in internet polls and is
dividing Eurovision fans more than most other entries in this
year's contest.
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ISRAEL @ EUROVISION