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FreskiRock band
Date of Birth: .
Country:  Russia |
Content:
- The Early Days: Formation and First Performances
- The Search for a Guitarist and Club Affiliation
- First Public Performances and Building a Reputation
- Involvement in the "Samolet" Club and Festival Success
- Roster Changes and Continued Success
- "Acoustic Youth" and the Departure of Lech Ivanov
- Studio Recordings and Label Interest
- The Search for a Permanent Guitarist and Lineup Transitions
- The "No. 1" Single and the Search for a Sound
- The "Iz Amsterdama" Maxi-Single
- New Collaborations and Live Performances
The Early Days: Formation and First Performances
In the summer of 1998, the rock band "Fresky" (featuring Dimych, Roma, and Dave) emerged on the music scene. They had just finished a festival performance, "Acoustic Youth," where their meticulous rehearsals paid off.
Their debut performance marked the New Year's celebration at the University of the Urals' philosophy department. The band played three songs: "Русское поле" ("Russian Field"), "Зима" ("Winter"), and "Валентина" ("Valentina"). Despite the lack of rehearsals, their sound, while raw, had a certain charm.
The Search for a Guitarist and Club Affiliation
Fresky was determined to expand their lineup and add a guitarist. Through contacts, they discovered Aleksandr Ivanov, an aspiring guitarist who was eager to join a band. With Ivanov's addition, the band became a quartet.
The band aspired to establish a music club at the university, but their proposal received limited support. They were advised to approach the existing Youth Club, which was open to creating a music section. After meeting with its directors, Sergey Durachenko and another official, Fresky found an enthusiastic supporter in Durachenko. Durachenko became the director of the club, and its primary focus became music promotion.
First Public Performances and Building a Reputation
On February 7, 1997, Fresky, consisting of Roman (bass, vocals), Lech (guitar, vocals), Dimych (drums), and Dave (synthesizer, vocals), made their debut performance at the "Sphynx" club. While the performance did not make a major impact on the city's music scene, it garnered constructive feedback regarding their image and playing skills.
Involvement in the "Samolet" Club and Festival Success
Fresky, along with other bands such as "Zhertvy Aliny" and "NTTA," played an active role in the establishment of the "Samolet" club. Despite its humble setup and lack of a bar or smoking allowance, "Samolet" quickly gained a following. It provided Fresky with a valuable platform for rehearsals and performances.
In the summer of 1997, Sergey Durachenko secured Fresky and "Zhertvy Aliny" a spot at the "Drugba" cinema's "Put Bez Durmana" ("Path Without Intoxication") festival. With only one night to prepare, they rehearsed tirelessly, resulting in an outstanding performance. They qualified for the second day of the festival, where they showcased the songs "Я еще буду!" ("I Will Still Be!"), "Тишина" ("Silence"), and "Прыщ" ("Pimple"). Although they ultimately finished second to "Zhertvy Aliny," the experience was incredibly positive.
Roster Changes and Continued Success
As Lech left for personal reasons, Fresky organized a celebratory concert titled "Farewell to Lech." They continued to perform, and Alexey Kaganovich assisted them on the guitar. They also adopted the label "ArtAlternative," conceived and implemented by Sergey Durachenko.
In December 1997, the band participated in the "Nachalo" ("Beginning") festival and earned recognition for Roma as the best bassist and Dimych as the best drummer.
"Acoustic Youth" and the Departure of Lech Ivanov
Fresky returned to the "Acoustic Youth" festival in early 1998 with another strong performance. Lech Ivanov left the band after that appearance.
Arcady Ivanov from "Zhertvy Aliny" agreed to help out temporarily and ultimately became a permanent member, elevating the band's sound. Fresky performed at several ArtAlternative concerts and made a second appearance at the "Nachalo" festival in November.
Studio Recordings and Label Interest
Despite the jury's bewildering assessment, awarding Fresky only two nominations (best keyboardist and best arrangements), their performance led to an encounter with Bogdan from SuperTrio Madchen Boys'я Nichts. He offered them a recording opportunity at the "Vavilon" studio, where they produced their debut single, "Budda." The experience marked a significant milestone in the band's history.
Fresky's "Gnomik" ("Gnome") was included in the compilation album "Gostie Iz Budushchego-2" ("Guests from the Future-2"). They performed at the album's presentation, leaving a lasting impression on the audience. The band also booked shows at the "Tyani-Tolkai" club.
The Search for a Permanent Guitarist and Lineup Transitions
With Kai's departure, Fresky embarked on a search for a new guitarist. They auditioned numerous candidates and settled on Slava Kulakov. The band performed at the Ural-Rock festival as guests, but Kulakov's attitude proved problematic, leading to his departure.
Fresky briefly reunited with Kai for a one-off performance with "Psiheya." After a series of short-lived collaborations with male guitarists, the band decided to experiment with female guitarists. They invited Dmitry Lavrentyev from "Plomba" and "Devilry" to contribute to their second single, "No. 1."
The "No. 1" Single and the Search for a Sound
The "No. 1" single showcased a heavier sound and confident vocals, signaling a shift in the band's musical direction. Fresky continued their search for a permanent guitarist while working on new songs.
The "Iz Amsterdama" Maxi-Single
The band completed their maxi-single, "Iz Amsterdama" ("From Amsterdam"), which featured a diverse tracklist including "Tyulpany" ("Tulips"), "Korzina" ("Basket"), "Budda," and "Zhal" ("Pity"). The album title underwent revisions before settling on its final form, a nod to the band's connection with the city of Yekaterinburg.
New Collaborations and Live Performances
Fresky joined forces with Misha Korunov from the band "Propiller" and prepared a 15-song setlist. They organized a joint concert with "Sansara" and "Acid Umbrellas." A concert titled "Vtroem Legche" ("Easier Together") was held on December 2, 2002.
