"Mumiy Troll" (Mumiy Troll) is a legendary Russian rock band, which is known not only in their native country, but also far beyond its borders. Their original style of performance makes them easily recognizable among other bands. They have created a unique musical handwriting, which was used to write dozens of hit songs. The group toured the farthest corners of Russia, and also made a round-the-world trip, becoming a conductor of their creativity in other states.
History of the formation of the band and its composition
Ilya Lagutenko is the lead singer, inspirer and founder of "Mumiy Troll". He was drawn to music from an early age. At the age of 13 he had pen pals from Japan who sent him records and cassettes of Japanese artists. Ilya listened to foreign singers with rapt attention and was already planning his future musical career. In 1981 he created his first band. It was called "Boney P" and performed in the genre of psychedelic punk, singing in English. At that time he was joined by his classmates and friends: Kirill Babiy (keyboard player), Pavel Babiy (drummer), Igor Kulkov (guitarist) and Andrey Barabash (bass guitar). The young guys worked hard to create something new on the music platform. And they succeeded. In their native Vladivostok the band became popular quite quickly.
In 1982 the guys got acquainted with producer Leonid Burlakov. With him they changed the name to "Shock", and the repertoire became Russian-language. Vladimir Lutsenko (bass-guitarist) and Alik Krasnov (instrumentalist) join the band. With the renewed line-up the guys recorded "Chains" and "You are the Cross".
1983 became the year of foundation of the band "Mumi Troll" (the letter "y" at the end appeared a little later). They start working on the creation of their debut album. This period of creativity was marked by a loud scandal: the name of the record, and the song "New Moon of April" (release date - 1985), became the reason for their inclusion in the list of "the most socially dangerous bands". The authorities smelled in the chorus the political subtext of the theme of the April Plenum of the CPSU Central Committee. But despite this, all Vladivostok's discotheques went crazy with this composition, joining the ranks of Mumy Trolls' fans. They began to perform at festivals and clubs, although many organizers of events called them "unformat" and claimed that such creativity "does not correspond to the ideas of the concert".
In 1987 Ilya joined the Pacific Fleet and was in military service until 1990. In this period in the musical biography of the band there is a lull.
Having done his duty to the Motherland, Lagutenko starts to create with new strength. In 1990, the guys add "y" and become the same "Mumiy Trolls", which listen to more than one generation.
Having reunited, the collective releases the second album "Do Yu-Yu". But it does not bring the expected success. Due to the fact that the beginning of the 90's was difficult for all artists, the band members decide to take a break, to deal with their personal lives and careers. Ilya goes to China, then to London, where he works as a commercial advisor. All this time he suffers from the lack of music in his life. And in 1996 he comes back, gathers a band, saves money and goes to a London recording studio to create the next album. Thus was born the record "Sea", which brought them super success. From this moment, the "Mumiy Trolls" begin the "golden period of creativity".
Peak of popularity
1997 was a turning point for the group. If earlier they were not allowed on stage because of the "unformat", now the organizers were lining up to get the consent to perform. In their songs critics heard some emotionality and deep philosophical undertones. Alexander Shulgin, who engaged in the promotion of the group, achieved their release on radio and television. "Mumiy Trolls" sounded all over the country. Then the group went on its first all-Russian tour.
The line-up changed at that time: Olesya Lyashenko came on backing vocals (she had been performing with them for only a year), Eugene Zvidenny became the bass-guitarist, Oleg Pungin sat down for drums, Denis Taransky was responsible for keys and saxophone, Yuri Tsaler was the guitarist.
In the same year another album "Caviar" was released. Musicians bathed in the rays of fame, their songs sounded literally from everywhere, fans did not give a pass. On this wave of popularity they went on a tour "So it is necessary", which lasted a year and a half. During this period the guys gave 150 concerts in 100 cities.
Despite such a busy schedule, the band members had time to write new compositions. So, in 1998 the record "Shamora" was released, and in the beginning of 2000 - one of the most successful albums - "Aloe Mercury Exactly".
In the spring of 2001 the band presented Russia at the International Eurovision Song Contest. There they took the 12th place, but got a whole army of foreign fans, as well as profitable cooperation with some European companies.
Until today, "Mumiy Troll" holds the title of the leading rock collective in Russia, the musicians are considered to have one of the richest discographies of domestic artists. The band's history has many interesting pages worthy of attention: a round-the-world trip on a sailing ship, shooting a music video in a volcano crater in Kamchatka, the documentary "SOS to the Sailor", a free concert at the airport on New Year's Eve, and dozens of performances in Africa, Asia and even in South Africa.They carry out projects in cooperation with Google, Gibson, represent all continents, organize their own festival VladivostokRocks (V-ROX).Frontman Ilya Lagutenko runs the Amur Tigers and Leopards Protection Fund, writes books and takes part in international conferences.
The current line-up of Mumiy Trolls includes permanent lead singer, songwriter, musician Ilya Lagutenko, drummer Oleg Pungin, arranger Alexander Kholenko, guitarist, backing vocalist Artem Kritsin and bass guitarist Pavel Vovk. These guys do not lose enthusiasm and are full of new ideas. About what other achievements of their creativity will please us musicians, read in the catalog of artists on the website kontramarka.de.
Discography:
1985 - "New Moon of April"
1990 - "Do Yu-Yu"
1997 - "Sea"
1997 - "Caviar"
1998 - "Shamora"
2000 - "Mercury Aloe"
2002 - "Memoirs"
2004 - "Book Snatchers"
2005 - "Merger and Acquisition"
2007 - "Amba"
2008 - "8"
2010 - "Rare Lands"
2012 - Vladivostok
2013 - "SOS to a Sailor"
2015 - "Pirate Copies"
2016 - MalibuAlibi
2018 - "East X Northwest"
