CHerniuj Lukich Alternative group Date of Birth: . Country: Russia

1. Early Career: Birth of "Spinki Menta"
2. Encounter with the Siberian Underground
3. Collaboration with Letov
4. "Promyshlennaya Arkhitektura" and "Muzhskoy Tanec"
5. Partnership with Novosibirsk Musicians
6. Reconnection with Letov and New Collaborations
7. Solo Career and "Tihiy Teatr"
8. "Cherny Lukich" and "Taiga"

Early Career: Birth of "Spinki Menta"

In the mid-1980s, in the industrial city of Novosibirsk, two engineers, Vadim Kuzymin (later known as "Cherny Lukich") and Ronik Vakhid, banded together to form the punk rock group "Spinki Menta" (literally "Cop's Backs"). Joined by bassist Dyuper and drummer Andrei Budanov, the group honed their skills, fueled by unyielding enthusiasm and a desire to play.

Encounter with the Siberian Underground

Fate intervened when the group befriended members of the influential Siberian punk collective "Bomzh." Through them, they discovered the enigmatic Egor Letov and his band "Grazhdanskaya Oborona" ("Civil Defense") from Omsk. Inspired by their energy and prolific output, Spinki Menta embarked on a pilgrimage to Omsk, where they recorded their first acoustic album in 1987.

Collaboration with Letov

In 1988, Letov invited Lukich to his studio in Omsk to record three albums: "Erekciya Leytenanta Kireeva" under the Spinki Menta moniker and "Kuci v Nochi" and "Konchilis' Patroni" under the alias "Cherny Lukich." These albums showcased Lukich's raw and introspective songwriting, blending elements of punk, psychedelia, and Russian folk music.

"Promyshlennaya Arkhitektura" and "Muzhskoy Tanec"

Following his collaboration with Letov, Lukich returned to Novosibirsk, where he met Dima Selivanov. Together, they founded the experimental group "Promyshlennaya Arkhitektura" ("Industrial Architecture"). After Selivanov's untimely death in 1989, Lukich joined the remaining members as a guitarist and renamed the band "Muzhskoy Tanec" ("Male Dance").

Partnership with Novosibirsk Musicians

In the early 1990s, Muzhskoy Tanec achieved recognition as a leading musical force in Novosibirsk. They released three albums and secured a record deal with the prestigious "Melodiya" label. However, the project was cut short due to logistical and financial constraints.

Reconnection with Letov and New Collaborations

In the mid-1990s, Lukich reconnected with Letov. They collaborated on Letov's album "Solntsevorot" and "Nevynosimaya Legkost' Bytiya," contributing several songs that showcased Lukich's lyrical depth and emotional intensity. Additionally, Lukich embarked on a fruitful partnership with musicians from Tyumen, primarily Igor Zhevtun and Sasha Andryushkin.

Solo Career and "Tihiy Teatr"

In 1996, Lukich initiated his solo career, performing alongside Evgeny Kargopolyov. They released the cassette album "Doroga Zhizn'i" (1996), which captured the essence of their intimate and moving live performances. Lukich also joined the independent music collective "Tihiy Teatr" ("Silent Theater") and became an active participant in the "Planetary Art: Place of Action - Siberia" movement.

"Cherny Lukich" and "Taiga"

In 1997, Lukich formed the band "Cherny Lukich" with members of the group "Taiga." This incarnation of the band showcased a more traditional rock sound, influenced by Russian folk and blues. They debuted at a tribute concert for the late Tyumen musician Dmitry Kolokolov and went on to perform at various festivals and concerts.