So far, So good, So-viet band KRUIZ . All the European magazines are read avidly here.
KERRANG #225 (№2 1989) « So far, So good, So-viet band KRUIZ . All the European magazines are read avidly here».
Their debut album has gone deco-platinum, and on their first tour they pulled in 10 000 punters a night, yet until recently nobody in the West had even heard of Russian rockers KRUIZ. Crazy innit? But now, thanks to Glasnost and Dave Reynolds you can read their amazing story-and thanks to WEA, you can buy their eponymous second bone-biting Thrash masterplece LP. In the Soviet Union there is, believe it or not , a massive , rabid underground metal scene. By hook or by crook, the kids in cities like Moscow, Leningrad and Kiev manage to obtain copies of the latest releases from the likes of Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax-procure prized copies of Western rocks magazines ., and –hold on to those hats –even go to show. As you might imagine, all this it plain sailing. No way, albums and magazines are only on the black market or via penfriends in America, Germany or Britain ., the shows are few and, until breakthrough tours by Uriah Heep and the Scorpions recently, only homegrown bands. Things are beginning to change in many ways, due to the sweeping peforms made by the Soviet leader Gorbachev. So far as the Metal scene is concerned , Glasnost has meant that the kids into the same music we hold in such high esteem have been able to enjoy much more freedom in the pursuit of metal Mayhem and kerrangin good times. Its done absolute wonders for the Soviet music scene too, as were about to find out. You might remember that when the LIVE AID shows were in full swing, the USSR offered Autograf to the world. Not a bad little bands as it happened, and it their appearance sent the (now defunct) American band of a similar name scurrying into the studio to record a cover of Grand Funks (Were An) American band in a bid to halt any confusion that may have surrounded the two acts, proving just how incredibly stupid the Yanks can be sometimes. Anyway the appearance of Autograf proved that rock DID exist within the Soviet Union and over the next few years all sorts of interesting stories began to emerge about the scene over there, climaxing with the knowledge that there were two pretty talented bands based in Moscow. The first, Gorky Park, were tearing at the nations hearts with a cute amalgam of Bon Jovi and Motley Crue ideas, whilst the other, KRUIZ, aimed their musical sights at a much heavier direction. Here we had the Soviet Unions answer to Metallica and Slayer. KRUIZ released their first vinyl album a couple of years ago on a state owned label . It wasnt bad, but it wasnt that good either. A power trio led by guitarist/vocalist –Valery Gaina, the band sang in Russian and seemed a little confused at just what whey were trying to do. Sure, they had the power and the riffs but, at the end of the day possibly due to the ridiculously lame production- it all sounded more skin to Shout at the devil, period Motley Crue than Motorhead. I threw the copy of the album id found lying in a second hand store into the section of my record collection and left it to gather dust. Then news emerged that WEA in Europe had snapped the band up, put them in a recording studio, and were about to release the results. Instantly grabbing a cassette of the new album I found that the liaison with a Western record label had done wonders for KRUIZ. The trio (completed by bassist F.Wassiliev and drummer S.Efimov) had come up with a bone-biting thrash masterpie –sung in English this time-they could compete in the marketplace amongst their idols. The opportunity to speak with KRUIZ then, in the light of that really is a strong album wasnt to be wasted. But there was a problem., band leader Valerys English isnt quite up to scrate yet (although he can Im told speak German), so I would have to communicate with the man through an interpreter. No problem there folks! Valerys girlsfriend Olga Chaiko (who happens to manage and co-write lyrics for KRUIZ) speak excellent English, as I found when I called Mr. Gaina at home in Moscow. How did it feel to be the first Soviet metal band who an album available in Western Europe? « It feels great. People in Europe think what we are young, new band. Well never forget, though, thats played for eight years to crowds of between 12000 to 20000 people.» Obviously the deal with WEA has done wonders for the bands confidence, but how did it happen? « Many people had tried to get in touch with us since our first album was released but none of the deals offered were serious. But when some label representatives came Russia to see us, we began to realise that we should go abroad because we really were wanted there. We had both indie and major comparues wanting to sign us. In fact, it was a German producer who interested us with the WEA deal which we were happy to go for». How did your first album do? « That was recorded in an eight-track studio and released in 1987 on a state owned label. Its still selling. Recent sales figures have shown that its sold 10 millions copies! Bloody hell! But now we have a crazy situation with the WEA album because our Russian fans cant buy it! I think that some of our fans think we are ignoring them now we have a record available abroad, but that isnt the case. Were hoping that the album will be released in Russia very shortly. In the meantime we recently played a huge festival here that involved 75 bands with us headlining. It was very successful»! With your new album you ve certainly developed a heavier edge- was that entirely due to recording in a proper studio? « Yes, maybe. The sound we acquired for the new record was actually found by accident. Its a kind of digital garage sound with a rock-n-roll edge. It could be that we ve found the distinctive KRUIZ sound. I feel that in the past our style has changed because of an unstable line-up, but since the current trio got together, its been much more stable musically». The songs on the record owe much to the likes of Metallica and Anthrax. Have these bands been big influences on KRUIZ sound? « Not really, we listen to them sure, but were professional musicians first, teenage fans second». How easy it is to obtain the US and European stuff in Russia? « Well you cant buy the records in the stores yet. Only those who really love their music know how to get the records. Soviet kids are actually very loyal to the bands they like, and they like, and they try to get everything they can find on them. All the European rock magazines are read avidly here, including Kerrang!» Has Glasnost helped the metal scene in anyway? More to the point, has it helped KRUIZ? « Yes very much so. Glasnost and Perestroyka have made it more possible for the people to expose their talents to the whole world, but we were all ready for it came so we suffered a lot of frustration for quite some time, as you can imagine. We would relish the opportunity to play in Britain, wed love to play places like the Marquee. At the moment people are working very hard for us to be able to do so. We ve already played shows in Germany and Spain and we ve got plans to tour in Scandinavia shortly». What were your your first shows outside Russia like? Enjoy em? « Definitely. The first show we ever played was in Munich. There were around 800 people there plus plenty a very crazy gig”. Did you experience any trouble at all ? « Only in Spain. The crowds were good but at one show there were a few people who thought they could cause trouble. There are still some people who are very prejudced against Russian people. In Spain there were some people in Nazi outfits who tried to start a riot so there was a heavy police presence for the rest of the tour. Its all down to remnants of old thinking». What does the future hold for KRUIZ then, Valery? « At the moment our schedule isnt too clear, although well be touring for nearly two months over the next six. If they happen, the British dates will be the highlight of the tour. Well be recording a new album later this year, as well as saying thanks to all our fans here by playing a big tour of Russia. Our first tour of the country pulled in 10000 people to each gig, so this one will be amazing. KRUIZ are getting heavier and harder each year and we want to play to as many people as we can. That just because were Russian it doesnt mean we come from another planet!!!!!»
