Russian rock 1233441 222539805 2008-06-29T22:01:31Z Garret Beaumain 2626512 your translation readed "russian cliff" ))) {{Infobox Music genre |name=Russian rock |bgcolor=red |color=blue | stylistic_origins= [[Rock music]], [[Bard (Soviet Union)|Bard music]] | cultural_origins=1960s, [[Russian SFSR]] | instruments=[[Vocals]] - [[Guitar]] - [[Bass guitar|Bass]] - [[Synthesizer|Keyboards]] - [[Drumkit|Drums]] - Often [[violin]] and [[wind instruments]]. Not rarely traditional [[Ethnic Russian music|Russian instruments]]. | popularity=Became popular in the '70s, but its "golden age" is considered to be the '80s. Stays popular since then. | subgenrelist= | subgenres= | regional_scenes=[[Saint Petersburg|Leningrad]] (today [[Saint Petersburg]]), [[Yekaterinburg|Sverdlovsk]] (Today [[Yekaterinburg]]), [[Moscow]], [[Siberia]] ([[Omsk]], [[Novosibirsk]]) | other_topics= }} '''Russian rock''' ('''Pусский рок''') refers to [[rock music]] made in [[Russia]] and/or in [[Russian language|Russian]]. [[Rock and roll]] became known in the [[Soviet Union]] in the 1960s and quickly broke free from its western roots. According to many music critics, its "golden age" years were the 1980s (especially the era of [[perestroika]]), when the [[Soviet]] underground rock bands could release their records officially and were no longer banned by the media ([[television]] and [[radio]]). == History == === The early '60s: Local bard music and first western influences === Prior to the late sixties, music in the [[Soviet Union]] was divided into two groups: music published by [[Melodya]], and everything else<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/380/#r1 History of Rock Music in Russia :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. Under this second group were the [[Bard (Soviet Union)|bards]], underground folk [[singer-songwriter]]s. Bards such as [[Vladimir Vysotsky]]<ref>[http://www.russmus.net/band.jsp?band=Vladimir_Vysotskiy Владимир Высоцкий (Vladimir Vysotskiy ): Russian modern:bards Artist<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and [[Bulat Okudzhava]]<ref>[http://www.russmus.net/band.jsp?band=Bulat_Okudzhava Булат Окуджава (Bulat Okudzhava): Russian modern:bards Artist<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> created the style which is referred to as "author's song" (avtorskaya pesnya), mostly played on unaccompanied acoustic guitar and characterized by a strong accent on lyrics that sometimes carried a subversive meaning. Their music was often suppressed by the government, and yet enjoyed massive popularity, with Vysotsky becoming a highly popular movie actor and an iconic figure of the times. Meanwhile, some Western music was either being smuggled across the border or released by Melodya as part of what essentially was state-run pirating of records, with [[the Beatles]] taking a firm place in Soviet popular culture, and artists such as [[The Rolling Stones]] and [[Deep Purple]] completing a somewhat distorted picture of Western music<ref>[http://www.krugosvet.ru/articles/76/1007652/1007652a1.htm Рок-Музыка В России<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. The first rock bands in the [[Soviet Union]] appeared on the scene in the early- and mid-sixties in [[Moscow]], and they were heavily influenced by [[the Beatles]]<ref>[http://www.krugosvet.ru/articles/76/1007652/1007652a1.htm Рок-Музыка В России<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. === The late '60s and '70s: First signs === The native bands grew popular in spite of governmental restrictions. This continued into the 1980s, when native bands gained some success, but were still hampered by state regulators who would not allow them to be officially recorded, and placed restrictions on lyrical content. Underground bands evolved during this time, including [[Pojuschie Gitary]] (''the singing guitars''), and almost at the same time [[Mashina Vremeni]] and [[Akvarium]]. These bands started the VIA (Вокально-Инструментальный Ансамбль Vokal'no-Instrumental'nyy ansambl' -- Vocal-Instrumental Ensemble) movement, and were followed by [[Tcvety]], [[Golubiye Gitary]] and [[Sinyaya Ptica]].<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/380/#r1 History of Rock Music in Russia :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> <ref>[http://www.krugosvet.ru/articles/76/1007652/1007652a1.htm Рок-Музыка В России<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In the early 1970s [[Yuri Morozov (Russian singer)|Yuri Morozov]] invented a kind of Russian [[psychedelic rock]], using elements of [[progressive rock]] and [[Ethnic Russian music]] as well. His sound influenced [[DDT]], [[Aquarium (group)|Aquarium]], [[Chizh & Co]], and many others, while he worked with them as a [[sound engineer]] . Another notable artist who started his activity at the same time is [[Alexander Gradsky]], who created [[Bard (Soviet Union)|bard]] music using [[Rock (music)|rock]] elements and sold millions of records all over the country. === The '80s: "Classic" Russian rock === In the 1980s an underground scene of rock artists emerged that based their style on a mix of Western rock music (particularly the Beatles) and the [[Russia]]n [[Soviet bard|bard]] tradition. Such bands as [[Alisa]], [[Agata Kristi]], [[Autograph (Russian band)|Autograph]], [[Kino (band)|Kino]], [[Mashina Vremeni]], [[Nautilus Pompilius]], [[Aquarium (group)|Aquarium]], [[Krematorij]], [[Grazhdanskaya Oborona]], [[Voskreseniye]], [[Secret (band)|Secret]], [[Piknik]], [[Chizh & Co]] and [[DDT (band)|DDT]] were influential in the development of the genre, with the consequent artists copying their style<ref>[http://www.krugosvet.ru/articles/76/1007652/1007652a1.htm Рок-Музыка В России<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. Big influence on the development of Russian rock made movements such as [[mitki]], [[hippie]] and others. In 1980 a big [[Rock festival]] was held in [[Tbilisi]], [[Georgian SSR]], named [[Tbilisi Rock Festival (1980)|Spring Rhythms. Tbilisi-80]]. Almost all the performers and prize-winners at the festival were [[rock music|rock]] groups from the [[Russian SSR]]. It was the first official [[rock festival]] in the [[Soviet Union]]. The lyrics of the [[Soviet]] rock bands often dealt with the darker sides of the 80s [[Soviet]] life such as domestic violence, alcoholism (an infamous song by [[Nautilus Pompilius]] contained the lines "[[Alain Delon]] drinks a double bourbon/Alain Delon doesn't drink eau de cologne" as a sarcastic contrast to the alcoholic daughter-raping father described in the song and an indictment of the escapist attitudes of state-run media) and crime, and often carried a hidden political message. These bands were consequently ignored by the mainstream radio and television, often reaching audiences only through word of mouth. Many of the 80s bands are still active and popular among [[Russia]]n youth. The term ''Russian rock'' is often used to refer to the particular sound of these bands.<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/380/#r6 History of Rock Music in Russia :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ====Various music scenes==== In the early- to mid-80s, several so-called "rock-clubs" were founded in [[Moscow]], [[Saint Petersburg|Leningrad]] (now [[Saint Petersburg]]) and [[Yekaterinburg|Sverdlovsk]] (now [[Yekaterinburg]]). These three cities had their own rock music scene, with friendly collaborations between artists commonplace. The [[Saint Petersburg|Leningrad]] scene was probably the biggest one<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/380/#r7 History of Rock Music in Russia :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, featuring "classic Russian rock" by [[Aquarium (group)|Aquarium]]<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/381/#r1 The legends of Russian Rock Music :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, [[Kino (band)|Kino]]<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/381/#r3 The legends of Russian Rock Music :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, [[Zoopark]], [[Piknik]], [[Chizh & Co]]<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/381/#r14 The legends of Russian Rock Music :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, [[Alisa]]<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/381/#r6 The legends of Russian Rock Music :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and [[DDT (band)|DDT]]<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/381/#r5 The legends of Russian Rock Music :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. It also included the nascent Russian art rock movement, typified by such bands as [[Auktyon]]. Bands from [[Yekaterinburg|Sverdlovsk]], such as [[Nautilus Pompilius (band)|Nautilus Pompilius]]<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/381/#r11 The legends of Russian Rock Music :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, [[Chaif]]<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/381/#r10 The legends of Russian Rock Music :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and [[Agata Kristi]]<ref>[http://www.clinus.org/kurssit/whoswho.htm Russian Studies<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, produced more melodic music making heavy use of keyboards and synthesizers. [[Moscow]] rock bands, such as [[Aria (band)|Aria]]<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/381/#r9 The legends of Russian Rock Music :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, [[Mashina Vremeni]]<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/381/#r2 The legends of Russian Rock Music :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, [[Voskreseniye]], [[Center (band)|Center]], [[Krematorij]]<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/381/#r12 The legends of Russian Rock Music :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and [[Zvuki Mu]], were rather different from the others and sometimes more discreet.<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/380/ History of Rock Music in Russia :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The [[Siberia]]n rock scene began in the 1980s, with such songwriters as [[Egor Letov]] ([[Grazhdanskaya Oborona]]<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/381/#r8 The legends of Russian Rock Music :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, [[Omsk]]), [[Kalinov most]], [[Alexander Bashlachev]] and [[Yanka Dyagileva]]. Their music varied from simple lo-fi punk to indie rock (sometimes unplugged), and the core of their songs were the lyrics. Many albums were first self-released and distributed among the fans via trading, then officially re-released years later. Lyrics were often obscene, and the musicians had major problems with the Soviet administration and [[KGB]]. Notable acts that weren't members of any of the three Rock-Clubs but were highly popular are [[Igor Talkov]], the [[Rock N' Roll]] band [[Secret (band)|Secret]], and the band [[Lubeh]]. At that time the Russian [[Heavy Metal]] scene was created thanks to bands like [[Aria (band)|Aria]]<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/381/#r9 The legends of Russian Rock Music :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, [[Chorny Kofe]] and [[Master (Russian band)|Master]] (formed by a few ex-members of [[Aria (band)|Aria]]).<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/380/#r5 History of Rock Music in Russia :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The [[glam metal]] band [[Gorky Park (band)|Gorky Park]] reached high popularity in the west and was even aired on [[MTV]]. ====From underground to publicity==== The 1980s were the years of breakthrough for the soviet rock music artists to the wide public. Political and social changes in the country were very important for this process. The censorship was still present, but not as rigid as it was in the 1970s. It took years for the first Soviet rock bands to enter the media, tour in major concert halls over the [[USSR]], and to release their albums officially. The monopoly for the music publishing in the [[USSR]] belonged to [[Melodiya]], the "one and only" soviet record label, and Melodiya's policy concerning soviet "protest rock" was clear. Some of the artists ([[Yuri Shevchuk]]<ref>[http://www.newizv.ru/news/2007-05-16/69218 Brief biography] of [[Yuri Shevchuk]] (in Russian)</ref>, [[Yegor Letov]]<ref>[http://gr-oborona.ru/pub/pub/1056113700.html History] of [[Grazhdanskaya Oborona]] (in Russian), ''«Музыкальная Газета»'', Minsk, 1998</ref> and many others) even had problems with [[KGB]] due to their artistic activities. The situation around rock music changed during the [[perestroika]] era. Many Russian rock bands were able to tour and record in [[Europe]] and [[USA]] for the first time. As a result, in 1989-1991 the situation was completely different from that of 1985. [[Moscow Music Peace Festival]] with western rock stars was held in Moscow, [[Mikhail Gorbachev|Gorbachyov]] accepted [[Scorpions (band)|Scorpions]] in Kremlin<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4191/is_20020719/ai_n10009201 Old-time rock 'n' roll/ The Scorpions are sweeping across America]</ref>, and [[Brian Eno]] produced an album by [[Zvuki Mu]] for the release in the western world. With [[Joanna Stingray]]'s initiative, in 1986 the "[[Red Wave]]" compilation was released in the [[United States of America|USA]]. It was a double [[split album]] with four bands from [[Saint Petersburg|Leningrad]]: [[Aquarium (group)|Aquarium]], [[Kino (band)|Kino]], [[Alisa]], and [[Strannye Igry]]. One side of vinyl for each band. This compilation was the first official Russian rock release in the west. Stingray sent copies of the release to [[Ronald Reagan]] and Gorbachov, supplied with a statement saying musicians already did what both presidents couldn't do diplomatically. [[Melodiya]]'s reaction was an official release of a record by [[Aquarium (band)|Aquarium]] in order to create an illusion that recordings of the band are also widely released in the [[USSR]].<ref>[http://handbook.reldata.com/handbook.nsf/Main?OpenFrameSet&Frame=Body&Src=1/9DFC40EB1123BD45C325679D006ACCAB%3FOpenDocument Aqaurium Guide, 1986/06/27, "Red Wave"] (in Russian)</ref> Another important contributor for the breakthrough of Russian rock to the public in the 1980s were [[television]] and [[film]]. New musical television shows, such as "Muzykalny Ring" (''Музыкальный ринг'') and "Programma A"(''Программа "А"''), invited national rock artists for interviews and live shows. Several popular films were created in the second half of the 1980s, featuring Russian rock musicians as actors: "[[Igla (film)|Igla]]" and "[[Assa (filma)|Assa]]" featuring [[Viktor Tsoi]], "[[Taxi-Blues]]" featuring [[Pyotr Mamonov]]. === The '90s: Post-Soviet era === The beginning of the '90s are considered to be the end of the "classic" Russian rock era. The two events that mark its end are the death of [[Viktor Tsoi]] in 1990, and the collapse of the [[Soviet Union]] in 1991. Nevertheless, the Russian rock sound continued to live and the new Russian rock sound of the '90s was based on it. In the mid-late 1990s the radiostation [[Nashe Radio]]("Our Radio") has been created to promote Russian rock artists, broadcasting in all major Russian cities. Nashe Radio notably influenced the auditory taste and helped many artists to gain popularity. The radiostation founded [[Nashestvie]], the largest open-air rock festival of Russian rock music performed yearly since 1999 and always headlined with famous rock acts. Often aired by [[Nashe Radio]], bands like [[Splean]]<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/381/#r18 The legends of Russian Rock Music :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, [[Nochniye Snaiperi]]<ref>[http://www.russmus.net/band.jsp?band=Nochnye_Snaypery Ночные Снайперы (Nochnye Snaypery): Russian modern:rock/pop Artist<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and [[Bi-2]]<ref>[http://www.last.fm/music/%D0%91%D0%B8-2 Би-2 – Music at Last.fm<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> <ref>[http://www.russmus.net/band.jsp?band=Bi-2 Би-2 (Bi-2): Russian modern:rock/pop Artist<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> have created a refreshed Russian rock sound which adopted many elements from [[Alternative Rock]]. At that time the band [[Korol i Shut]]<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/381/#r16 The legends of Russian Rock Music :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> created a unique style which combined [[alternative rock]] and [[punk rock]]. The band became very popular and many other groups were influenced by its style. At the same time, numerous [[punk rock|punk]], [[pop-punk]] and [[grunge]] bands, including [[Pilot (Russian band)|Pilot]], [[Lumen (band)|Lumen]], [[7Rasa]], [[Naiv]], [[Tarakany]] and [[Nogu Svelo!]]<ref>[http://www.clinus.org/kurssit/whoswho.htm Russian Studies<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> also gained major popularity. Many of them developed an original sound and involvement of unconventional instruments like [[violin]]. The [[Russia]]n [[instrumental rock]] artist [[Victor Zinchuk]] reached international success with his solo career, and by that brought the [[Russia]]n [[instrumental rock]] scene into a bigger audience.<ref>[http://www.zinchuk.ru/zin-eng/Biography-eng.htm Victor Zinchuk::Biography<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Ska punk]] was brought to popularity mainly by the band [[Leningrad (band)|Leningrad]]<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/381/#r17 The legends of Russian Rock Music :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. The western [[Pop Rock]] sound was introduced by Ilya Lagoutenko's [[Mumiy Troll]]<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/381/#r15 The legends of Russian Rock Music :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, who made their records in the UK under the guidance of UK producers. This less lyrically loaded and more energetic style frequently referred to as '''rockapops''', which was also used by other notable bands such as [[Zemfira]], became prevalent among the younger public. The 1997 Russian extremely-popular films [[Brother (1997 film)|Brat]] (brother), with its soundtrack featuring the classic Russian rock band [[Nautilus Pompilius (band)|Nautilus Pompilius]], and its sequel [[Brother 2|Brat 2]], whose soundtrack was compiled from music of many Russian rock artists, brought many young fans to Russian rock.<ref>[http://www.zavtra.ru/cgi//veil//data/zavtra/98/214/72.html Зоил __ Где Брат Твой?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> === The 2000s: Further Development - Current Activity === The 2000s in Russian Rock are marked by both a continuance of the '90s and something of a comeback of the classic 80s sound. In the years following the renaissance of Russian cinema and rock, rock in Russia seems to gain enough ground to differentiate widely in various genres. [[Alternative metal]] and [[metalcore]] gained wider popularity at that time. In mid-2000s bands like [[Amatory]], [[Psychea]], [[Jane Air (band)|Jane Air]] were established and soon arose in fame, being intensively promoted by [[A-One channel]]. The channel awarded many of them with [[Russian Alternative Music Prize]]. [[Russia]]n [[Alternative rock]] and [[Electronic music]] gained world recognization with the band [[t.A.T.u.]], which used elements from those styles, gaining international success.<ref>[http://www.infoplease.com/biography/var/tatu.html t.A.T.u. Biography (Rock Musicians) — Infoplease.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> <ref>[http://tatu.my1.ru/news/2006-12-26-4-0- п═п╬п╨-пЁя─я┐п©п©п╟ "п╒п╟я┌я┐" п╫п╣ я│п╬п╠я─п╟п╩п╟ п╦ п©п╬п╩п╬п╡п╦п╫я▀ п╥п╟п╩п╟ - 26 п■п╣п╨п╟п╠я─я▄ 2006 - All about group t.A.T.u - Site<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Russian [[Heavy metal]] scene continued its development with [[power metal]] bands like [[Shadow Host]], [[Catharsis (band)|Catharsis]] and [[Epidemia]], founded in 90's, received more attention. In 2002 [[Valery Kipelov]] split from [[Aria (band)|Aria]], and with more ex-members of [[Aria (band)|Aria]] he formed a new band called [[Kipelov]], which soon compared itself to [[Aria (band)|Aria]] in popularity. The underground [[pagan metal]] scene, based on [[Slavic mythology|Slavic]] pagan traditions, had grew wide with such bands as [[Temnozor]], [[Arkona (band)|Arkona]] and [[Butterfly Temple]] being noted by auditory outside [[Russia]].<ref>[http://metal.nightfall.fr/index_4925_temnozor-folkstorm-azure.html Metal-Nightfall review] for [[Temnozor]] {{ref-fr}}</ref> [[Folk rock]] music had a revival following [[Pelagea]]'s and [[Melnitsa]]'s rise from underground acts to constantly radio-aired bands. <ref>Moscow Times: [http://www.go-magazine.ru/articles/detail.php?ID=11796 Russian Revival] 22.03.2007 by Vladimir Kozlov</ref> Though the Russian [[Progressive rock]] scene had existed since the '70s, it was the 2000s when it entered the public eye of Russian rock fans, with bands like [[Little Tragedies (Band)|Little Tragedies]]<ref>[http://www.avtozvuk.com/az/Az_0404/htm/143-147.htm журнал "Автозвук"<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> its most obvious representatives. Since 2001 a [[progressive rock|prog]]-music festival named [[InProg]] was held almost yearly in [[Moscow]]. Its popularity constantly grew and in 2005 it turned from a local [[festival]] into an international one. The Russian [[instrumental rock]] scene with bands like [[EXIT project]], [[Disen Gage]], [[Dvar]] and [[Kostarev Group]] also received more recognition at that time.<ref>[http://www.avtozvuk.com/az/Az_0404/htm/143-147.htm журнал "Автозвук"<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The '''rockapops''' phenomenon from the 90's continued to gain popularity in the 2000s with new bands like [[Zveri]] arriving. Nevertheless, unlike the classic '''rockapops''' [[Mumiy Troll]] and [[Zemfira]], who were more [[rock music|rock]] than [[pop music|pop]], the new bands were by some blamed for being more [[pop music|pop]] than [[rock music|rock]].<ref>[http://www.guruken.ru/rock/seks_i «Звериный» секс и русский рок | Гуру Кен Шоу::: все о шоу бизнесе<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> <ref>[http://popsa-must-die.narod.ru/Zveri.html Официальный сайт противников ПОПСЫ!!!<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> == Characteristics == Fans of Russian Rock would frequently refer to most of the music on Russian MTV dismissively as "popsa", a dichotomy that appeared in the '80s when government controlled radio and TV stations would air only politically harmless music by performers such as [[Alla Pugachova]] and [[Filipp Kirkorov]]<ref>[http://www.ytime.com.ua/ru/17/2007/40/295 "ВРЕМЯ Z" - журнал для интеллектуальной элиты общества<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. The lines are still quite clearly drawn, with bands such as [[Nogu Svelo]] - who recorded a song with pop-singer Nataliya Vetlitskaya - being an anomaly. In contrast to Western rock, Russian rock is often said to have less drive; it is characterized by different rhythms, instruments and more involved lyrics. Unconventional instruments have often been used in addition to the standard electric guitars and drums (very often [[violin]] and [[wind instruments]])<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/380/#r5 History of Rock Music in Russia :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. Another characteristic of Russian Rock is being partly [[Folk rock]]. Very often Russian Rock songs, especially the once of the classic 80s bands, talk about national themes and feature elements from [[Russians|Russian]] [[folk music]]. [[Aquarium (group)|Aquarium]], [[DDT (band)|DDT]] and [[Yuri Morozov (singer)|Yuri Morozov]] could be used as examples for that.<ref>[http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/380/#r5 History of Rock Music in Russia :: Music :: Culture & Arts :: Russia-InfoCentre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Considering its poetic roots ([[Russian literature]], [[Bard (Soviet Union)|bard music]]), it is not a big surprise that lyrics play a far larger role in Russian rock than Western rock. Vocal melody is sometimes eschewed in favor of a more impassioned delivery ([[Viktor Tsoi]], the lead singer of [[Kino (band)|Kino]], pioneered a characteristically strained, monotonous style of singing that has been imitated by many). [[Russia]] has always been facing both East and West with its double-headed Eagle on the coat-of-arms. The Eastern derivative in the [[Russia]]n rock came with soundtracks from movies like [[Day Watch]] that had Tamerlan's legend of the Chalk of Destiny at its roots. [[Russia]]n rock expressively used and integrated elements from culture, as well as Western and Eastern (especially countries of the [[USSR]]). Yngvar Bordrewich Steinholdt<ref>[http://www.hf.uib.no/i/russisk/steinholt/ Yngvar Bordewich Steinholt´s homepage - Yngvar Bordewich Steinholts hjemmeside<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> (University of Tromsø, [[Norway]]) has written a PhD thesis titled "Rock in the Reservation" (2004) about [[Leningrad]] Rock Club. It also touches upon the history of rock in [[Russia]] and its countercultural tendencies. The thesis is in English, a printed edition available from The Mass Media Music Scholars Press. ==References== {{reflist}} == External links == * [http://www.clinus.org/kurssit/whoswho.htm List of Russian bands] '''(English)''' * [http://russmus.net/genre.jsp?g=rock/pop Russian Music on the Net: Site about Modern Russian music with lots of Rock bands] '''(English)''' * [http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/380/ History of Rock Music In Russia] '''(English)''' * [http://kikiat.com/russia/russian_radio.html Russian Radio. Many Russian rock radio stations] * [http://www.krugosvet.ru/articles/76/1007652/1007652a1.htm A quick overview about Russian rock] '''(Russian)''' * [http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/music/381/ A list of Russian rock bands who reached a legendary status] '''(English)''' * [http://www.sras.org/library_russian_music Annotated library of modern Russian music - including Russian rock] '''(English)''' {{World rock}} {{Russianmusic}} [[Category:Rock music by nationality]] [[Category:Russian music]] [[Category:Russian rock|*]] [[fr:Rock russe]] [[nl:Russische rock]] [[uz:Rus rock]] [[ru:Русский рок]]