Cheboza: Rostov Zipcode, Manchester Spirit

With increasing frequency the influence in Russia of bands from the UK is referred to as a “British Wave.”  The phrase has been employed with sufficient insistence over the last year and a half to suggest that history will remember it.

And, when people look back on this period of Anglo-amour, they’ll no doubt mention Cheboza from the southern river port of Rostov-na-Donu; this trio is one of Russia’s most ardently pro-Brit bands.

They began their work together is somewhat difficult circumstances in 2003; having produced a cover version of the Eminem number “Stan,” they were both amazed and unnerved to discover that the song soon became almost too popular.  It swiftly reached the charts of nationally syndicated rock station “Our Radio” (Nashe radio), but – because the track started enjoying the kind of rotation known only to rock chanteuse Zemfira – it also attracted the attention of several legal firms…

The issue of copyright abuse started to loom large and the track was taken down from the airwaves.  In the band’s own promo-materials these events have been afforded the status of “2003’s biggest music scandal!”

Undaunted by such troubles (or priceless PR) Cheboza went on in the following year to produce a debut album: the importance of the UK’s music scene was noted immediately.

Even now it is not denied:  “Cheboza’s distinguishing factor is a real understanding of English rock music – and a boundless enthusiasm for it, too!  The band members themselves admit that they always wanted to play top-quality Western-style music… in the middle of Russia’s grim musical environment.”

“On one hand, we need to avoid the dangers of blind imitation, and – on the other! – not confuse the British spirit of melancholy with Russian ‘yearning’!”  This balancing act found expression in the band’s second (eponymous) outing that was published early last year.  Yet again, UK outfits (plus the occasional American) were flattered by Slavic imitation; the members of Cheboza even listed them for us!  Coldplay, Hard-Fi, BRMC, Kasabian, and The Killers were all thanked.

The band’s biggest influence, however – by a long margin – is Oasis.  Yes, you guessed it – Cheboza have no qualms about letting us know, either.  “The band Oasis are Cheboza’s main idols.  In their new material, you can hear how these Russians are continuing the Gallagher brothers’ good deeds!”

In essence, despite the dangers of admitting one’s influences in public, the band has met with praise in high places.  The nation’s best-known music critic, Artemii Troitskii recently declared that “Cheboza make music for smart kids.”  Radio producer Mikhail Kozyrev has added in more specific and depressing terms:  “Given the general drought in modern music today, anybody who still shows sign of life deserves respect…”

And – both in closing and with greatest pride – Cheboza often quote the opinion of Starsailor’s James Stelfox:  “This is a cool band; I like the way they sound.  Shame they sing in Russian, though!”  The wrong language… but all the right moves: this is the kind of behavior seen only at wet English football grounds on a Saturday afternoon.

The stage dive becomes a drop-kick…

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