Russkaja

An Austrian ensemble drawing on multinational roots, Russkaja specializes in ska delivered with Russian inflections and stands out above all as a live act renowned for igniting fervent, frequently vodka-charged reactions among concertgoers. That reputation as a stage draw eventually opened the door to broader Austrian recognition in 2008, when the group’s independently issued first album entered the Top 20. Headquartered in Vienna, the lineup comprises Georgij Makazaria on vocals (born September 5, 1974, in Moscow, Russia), Hans-Georg Gutternigg on trumpet, trombone, tuba, and vocals (May 11, 1973, Linz, Austria), Manfred Franzmeier on saxophone, clarinet, and vocals (January 16, Wels, Austria), Antonia-Alexa Georgiew on violin and vocals (June 20, 1985, Hamburg, Germany), Zebo Adam on guitar and vocals (August 2, Vienna, Austria), Dimitri Miller on bass and vocals (November 2, 1980, Uzhhorod, Ukraine), and Titus Vadon on drums and vocals (May 25, Vienna, Austria).

Vocalist Georgij Makazaria launched Russkaja in 2005 after settling in Vienna in 1992, where he had earlier belonged to the Austrian metal outfit Stahlhammer. Several other members likewise arrived with prior credits: guitarist Zebo Adam from Die Hallucination Company, saxophonist Manfred Franzmeier from Hot Pants Road Club and Madrid de los Austrias, trombonist Hans-Georg Gutternigg from associations with Franz Welser-Möst and Joe Zawinul, drummer Titus Vadon from Drahdiwaberl, and bassist Dimitri Miller from assorted Ukrainian groups.

Released on the independent Austrian imprint Chat Chapeau, Russkaja’s opening four-track EP, Dawai, appeared in 2006 and illustrated the band’s brisk ska approach together with Russian- and English-language lyrics. The full-length debut album Kasatchok Superstar followed in 2008, after the maxi-single Dope Shit in 2007. Kasatchok Superstar reached number 15 on the Austrian charts in its second week. While supporting the record, the group toured Austria and Germany and added sporadic dates across Western and Eastern Europe.