1.
Can you explain what your band is?
We
are team joined by the same musical preferences and love to the
Ukrabilly movement.
Elektronik
(double bass, vocals):
I heard psychobilly at the age of 17 and this was it – honest music
without politics and other fuss.
Marina
(aka Rebelene - drummer):
I knew about psychobilly occasionally in 2006, loved it immediately
and since 2008 became active party-goer of Ukrabilly events.
Oleg
(aka Papanya - guitarist):
I’ve been in the Ukrainian psycho-movement for a long time, started
as a member of punkabilly band "Halepa" in 2003, also
played in the surf band "Polar10".
2.
Where are you from?
Ukraine,
Kyiv
3.
When did the band start?
Elektronik:
My musical activity began with "LOUD & DIRTY" in 2009
(https://www.facebook.com/loudndirty)
– speedrock band where I was guitarist, vocalist and songwriter.
When the drummer left us, Marina who then was a newcomer in drumming,
replaced him.
Me,
Marina and Eugene (aka SKB) on bass guitar started writing new songs
in a slightly different style and it was decided to make the new band
closer to the -billy sound.
So,
in November 2014, we created the band “Evil Bobblehead”
(https://www.facebook.com/evilbobblehead).
Over 4 years of band's existence, the team has changed a bit: SKB
left in 2016, I instead changed guitar to bass guitar, and camed new
guitarist Dmytro (aka Stajor).
With
time, new ideas led me to switch to slap-bass and eventually the
sound of the band needed evolvement. New songs didn't fit for “Evil
Bobblehead”, this is why, at the end of 2018, we together decided
to give our last concert at the party "Psycho-Yolka" by
Ukrabilly.
The
new band got name "Dementix", and in March 2019 Oleg joined
us on the guitar. Over the past few months, we together produced and
recorded live demo and created few more songs. All songs ready for
now are available on SoundCloud.
4.
What is the musical genre of your group?
We
like to balance between simplicity and melody. The genre of our music
has absorbed lots of influences which came in -billy music before.
From traditional psychobilly (Batmobile, Swampys, Meteors, Krewmen) –
we inspired by riffs, beats and mood; from speedrock, rock'n'roll and
garage punk (Peter Pan Speedrock, Motörhead, Sonics, Monsters) –
energy and drive, sound density. This whole mix came to be called as
"punkabilly".
5.
Influences?
Elektronik:
Musically, I was influenced by styles such as punk'77 (Ramones,
Clash, Toy Dolls) and psychobilly (Demented Are go, Klingonz, Mad
Sin, Nekromantix, Meteors), in general I listen to a very large
library from reggae to thrash.
Rebelene:
I am into rock’n’roll since I was a kid, preferences in styles
varied: different metal and, of course, pop punk. In 2006, I heard
“Reverend Horton Heat” and fall completely in love with –billy
style since then.
Oleg:
Psychobilly, punkabilly, punk, garage, rocknroll in the spirit of
Motörhead and many other groovy music.
6.
What are your favorite bands?
Including
but not limited to: Demented Are Go, Nekromantix, Scum Rats,
Klingonz, Mad Sin, Monsters, Motörhead.
7.
Do your members have other parallel bands?
Nope.
8.
What do you think about Psychobilly scene in the world? And in
Ukraine?
Elektronik:
Psychobilly
and punkabilly is a wide spread style of performing music on the
-billy stage in the World. Oldschool psycho absorbed country music,
bluegrass and other styles of the 50's. Most foreign bands of
nowadays continue the style by adding horror themes and heavier
sound.
In
Ukraine, there is an interest in dance mid-50's rockabilly, blues,
swing and so on. But the punkabilly is not so developed, few bands
play it, however, the psychobilly as well.
Rebelene:
More recently, we can see a rise in this direction, which proves
event “Wicked party” in Lviv, where will be presented at once
three
new Ukrainian bands that define their own style as psychobilly.
9.
Upcoming events/past events?
Today
we have a couple of confirmed events:
06/09/2019
– Ukrabilly party in Kyiv
(https://www.facebook.com/events/748102888983257
). Here we will present our band for the first time with a short
program of 6 songs.
21/09/2019 – “Wicked Party” in Lviv (https://www.facebook.com/events/875300566178752), mentioned above. Here we will give the full performance of 13 songs. And hope to make some videos from there.
21/09/2019 – “Wicked Party” in Lviv (https://www.facebook.com/events/875300566178752), mentioned above. Here we will give the full performance of 13 songs. And hope to make some videos from there.
10.
You know if there are good bands of Pychobilly / Neo Rockabilly In
Ukraine? Which ones?
Rebelene:
Ukraine has a big Billy scene. You can find bands from different
cities of the country. Some of them are famous abroad. We have
regular local events and festivals and one annual International
festival organized also by the Ukrabilly Crew called “Ukrabilly
Bang” (https://www.facebook.com/UkrabillyBang).
It exists already for 15 years.
I
counted 24 active bands (and I hope I didn’t miss anyone). As
mentioned above, we all – bands and public – are gathered under
name Ukrabilly. Bands of Ukrabilly also play related styles: country,
surf, blues, swing and other. Every of them make tours over Ukraine,
some are touring abroad. They record cool music and videos, make
vinyls on foreign labels, make innovative moves in music, make dance
shows and different cultural events.
Here
is the list:
- Ot Vinta (ukrabilly, rock’n’roll)
Fathers.
Band, which created the name “Ukrabilly”. Started in 1993, their
style changed since then but still is rocking.
- Outer Space (psychobilly)
One
of the oldest and the most beloved Ukrainian psychobilly band – in
June 2019 celebrated 14 y.o.
- The Troubled (psychobilly, rock-n-roll, punk rock)
Trendy
and very active band. Has melodically unique sound. Recently
celebrated 5 y.o. Had several European tours.
- Strait Jacket (punkabilly)
Band
from Odessa, organizers of the festival “Blaxie Rumble”. Loud and
energetic band.
- The Twilighters (oldschool psychobilly)
Authentic
atmospheric psychobilly from Chris (The WiseGuyz). In 2019 played on
the “Psychobilly Meeting” festival.
- The Hypnotunez
Dudes
are moving their musical philosophy called jazz punk and swing core.
It turns out to be fiery, fun and danceable. Were in the final of
Ukranian “X Factor” show.
- Mr. Hypno & His Lo-Fi
Side
project of the leader of band “The Hypnotunez”. Dark, creepy,
hoarse, soulful and very sweeping in a dirty anti-commercial sound
and emphasized minimalism. The feeling that the musicians were tired
of being in demand and decided to get loose – and it looks like it
happened!
- Dementix (psychobilly, punkabilly, rock’n’roll)
Founded
in 2019 by former slap-bass player and drummer of the band "Evil
Bobblehead" and former guitarist of the band "Halepa".
First demo is already available on the “SoundCloud”.
- Pest Control (psychobilly)
New
band from Lviv, founded 2019 by former drummer of the band "Poltva
Rats". Will present their music 21/09/2019 in Lviv on the
“Wicked Party”.
- The Sneekers (psychobilly)
One
more fresh band. Mysteriously doesn’t give any information about
themselves except that they will play psychobilly also on the “Wicked
Party” mentioned above.
- RvB (R&B, rock-n-roll, jump blues)
Very
talented and cool band making beautiful shows going beyond
expectations. Best for dancers.
- Shaking Guts (neo-rockabilly)
One
of the first rockabilly groups in Ukraine – appeared in 1993.
Atmosphere of true rock’n’roll and energetic drive from the very
first notes without letting go.
- Smokin 'A (rhythm-n-blues)
Original
rhythm-n-blues artist and his band. The sound is a smooth perfect
groove with vintage roots.
- DJanGoBeat (swing, jazz, gipsy swing)
Bombshell
gipsy swing project by Kharkiv virtuosos. This is music of the soul,
a holiday that is always with you.
- Hot Midnight Combo
Traditional
and classic jazz + own compositions’ genres are travelling in time
from 20’s to 50’s. Gipsy swing, swing, roots music, jump blues,
early be bop, western swing, blues, rock'n'roll... all this have
found the place in “Hot Midnight Combo”.
- Mozes Dick
Variety
of rhythms – from latin, billy to rock’n’roll. Strange, wild,
but interesting.
- Screamin Meemies
A
girl with a slap-bass and cool vocals is always a thrill.
- Black Cat Bone
Wild
rockabilly guys are actively touring Ukraine.
- Dandies
Extremely
soulful and pleasant people and musicians from Chisinau.
- Rude Jokes
Rockabilly
mix on blues sound, perform original material. Beautiful guitar and
charismatic front man.
- SPTP (Space PsychoTropic Plank-Tone)
Surf
project of Chris from “The WiseGuyz”. At first they gave
brainstorming shows with flying saucers, sounds of other planets,
space go-go-dancer. It’s a trance, pulsation with outer space,
positive minor, psychedelics trip – all at the show and at your
fingertips.
- Kraken Landau
Surf-rock
with balls. Their performance you will not forget. Great sci-fi,
b-movie horror show.
- Waikiki Makaki
Guys
who know what classic means. Professionaly played traditional surf.
- Amphibian Man
Modern
interpretation of surf. Instrumental mix of hot surf beats and metal
guitar riffs.
Bands
which are not active anymore but deserve attention:
- Mad Heads
The
first rockabilly & psychobilly band of Ukraine, founded in 1991.
Quite famous among psychos of the World. Festival “Psychobilly
Meeting” once used their song “Psycholella” as an official
hymn. Beginning from 2004, they went beyond the scope of -billy
style. Name of band became “Mad Heads XL” and old musical ideas
were replaced by the style of ska and Ukrainian folk music.
- The WiseGuyz
Leaders
of the European rockabilly scene. The most famous Ukrainian –billy
band ever. Now considered one of the best cotemporary rockabilly
bands, not only in Eastern Europe but in whole World.
In
2019 band would celebrate 19 y.o., but unfortunately
18/08/2019 Cris, the leader of the band, wrote on the official page
that The
WiseGuyz stop
their shows.
- Тomato Juice
If
you like country and psychobilly and rock’n’roll – here is the
mix. Flavored with Ukrainian attitude.
- Freno de Pedales
The
charisma of the front man and the professionalism of his team
captures from the first sounds and hold you the whole set. Youth,
rage – the life itself.
- Dillberriezz
The
punkabilly band that forced an entrance. In the first year of their
existence, guys won the hearts and minds of not only Ukrainian
public, but also the entire CIS. They became famous in the near
abroad. They played at international festivals, local events, went to
Russia with concerts. Their songs are heavy, energetic and danceable
at the time.
- Evil Bobblehead
Punkabilly
band, which existed from 2014-2018. Played original material, recored
demo, EP, and 2 albums.
¡Sigue a DEMENTIX en las siguientes redes sociales y apoya las bandas emergentes!
