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Boney NemRussian parody rock band
Date of Birth: 01.01.1993
Country:  Russia |
Content:
- Origins of the Parody Band
- "Cardan Shaft": Unraveling the Concept
- Publicity and Popularity
- The Unmasking of "Svishch"
- Transformation into "Nemolyayev & Guklenhoff"
- Album Debut: "Melodii i Ritmy Zarubezhnoy Estrady"
- "Boney Nem": The Final Evolution
- Challenges and Changes
- "Babie Leto" Music Video: A Breakthrough
- Expanding the "Nemolyayev Show"
Origins of the Parody Band
1993: The Birth of "Cover"During a rehearsal of the band "Trizna," Vladimir Bazhin, a music editor at the TV company "Vid," witnessed their unique performance. Inspired, he proposed to feature the nascent collective on the popular music show "Muzoboza." Thus, in late 1993, the multi-million viewer audience of "Muzoboza" discovered the band "Cover."
"Cardan Shaft": Unraveling the Concept
The band's initial concept was conceived by Kirill Nemolyayev, who hosted the TV program "Nerzhaveyechka" on the St. Petersburg channel. Combining extreme death-grindcore with the lyrics of the most notorious pop songs and television clichés, the band sought to satirize the excesses of both musical genres.
Publicity and Popularity
During its second rehearsal, "Cover" changed its name to "Cardan Shaft," a reflection of their heavy and absurdist style. With the addition of Vasya, a proficient grindcore drummer, the band's popularity surged. They appeared on "Nerzhaveyechka" with six rehearsed music videos, garnering further attention through their use of subtitles.
The Unmasking of "Svishch"
The secret of Nemolyayev's true identity as the band's frontman remained short-lived, and the revelation only boosted their popularity. The band's momentum propelled them to create more material, including a full-fledged video for the song "Afisha."
Transformation into "Nemolyayev & Guklenhoff"
The band's success, however, presented a dilemma. Some audiences took their performances too seriously, undermining their comedic intent. Nemolyayev decided to discontinue "Cardan Shaft" and establish "Nemolyayev & Guklenhoff" instead.
Album Debut: "Melodii i Ritmy Zarubezhnoy Estrady"
The band recorded their debut album, "Melodii i Ritmy Zarubezhnoy Estrady," or "Melodies and Rhythms of Foreign Pop Music," in 1994. Featuring Nemolyayev on vocals and a diverse group of musicians, the album showcased their unique interpretations of disco hits. Despite some initial dissatisfaction, Nemolyayev acknowledged the album's success, which sold 7,000 copies.
"Boney Nem": The Final Evolution
The band evolved into "Boney N" (later "Boney Nem"), a nod to the popular 1970s group Boney M. This name change better reflected their satirical approach and hinted at Nemolyayev's artistic direction.
Challenges and Changes
After the album's release, "Boney Nem" faced lineup changes. Guitarist Konstantin Seleznev's alcohol abuse led to his departure, along with the rest of the band except drummer Stas Voznesensky. A new lineup was assembled, featuring talented young musicians.
"Babie Leto" Music Video: A Breakthrough
In 1995, the band released the iconic music video for "Babie Leto" (Summer Woman), directed by Fedor Horgstens. The low-budget but successful video became a catalyst for their popularity, frequently aired on television. The video's visuals effectively captured the band's energy and comedic style.
Expanding the "Nemolyayev Show"
During the "Babie Leto" shoot, the band met Yuri Mikhelson, who subsequently became a fixture of the "Nemolyayev Show," joining the cast of eccentric characters including Raspai and Semashko. Mikhelson's artistic contributions extended to his role as Harmsen in an avant-garde film and his performances with the band, demonstrating his unique physicality and dramatic flair.
