Mongol Shudan Group Date of Birth: 01.01.1988 Country: Russia

Content:

1. Mongol Shuudan: The Anarchic Force in Russian Rock
2. Musical Identity: A Genre-Bending Tapestry
3. Political Stance: "Against All, for Vodka"
4. Band History: From Infancy to Enduring Legacy
5. 1990-1992: European Tour and Acoustic Album
6. 1993: Tragedy and Rebirth
7. 1994-2009: Stability and Chart Success
8. 2003-2006: New Lineup and Acoustic Experiments
9. 2009-2015: Political Controversy and Continued Creativity
10. 2018-Present: Anniversary and New Releases

Mongol Shuudan: The Anarchic Force in Russian Rock

Roots in Siberian Philately

Mongol Shuudan, a Soviet and Russian anarchic rock band, owes its name to a surprising source: a Mongolian postage stamp. The band's frontman, Valery Skoroded, recalls the chance encounter: "We were at a bus stop, next to a 'Soyuzpechat' kiosk, and there were these beautiful stamps that said 'Mongol Shuudan,' meaning 'Mongolian Post.' It was just a matter of chance, no Mongolian roots."

Musical Identity: A Genre-Bending Tapestry

Mongol Shuudan defines their music as "anarchist rock." Their repertoire spans a wide range of genres, including punk, ska-punk, hardcore, hard-and-heavy, hard-and-roll, rhythm-and-blues, grunge, chanson, and various hybrids. The dominant theme throughout their work is the Russian Civil War of 1917-1923. While the band acknowledges the influence of DK, they maintain a distinct and self-coined style, capturing the spirit of the "Makhnovshchina," an anarchic movement that fought against both the Whites and the Reds during the Civil War.

Political Stance: "Against All, for Vodka"

In response to inquiries about their political and religious affiliations, Skoroded declared, "We are against all - we are for vodka." This statement encapsulates the band's anti-establishment ethos and their belief in personal liberty.

Band History: From Infancy to Enduring Legacy

1989: Genesis and Early Success

Founded by Skoroded in 1989, Mongol Shuudan remains under his unwavering leadership. Their debut concert took place on April 1, 1989, and in October of the same year, they gained entry into the prestigious Moscow Rock Laboratory without an audition.

November 1989 marked the release of their debut album, "Parovoz-Anarkhiya" ("Anarchy Locomotive"), hailed as the best album of 1989 by renowned music critic Artemy Troitsky.

1990-1992: European Tour and Acoustic Album

Following the release of their second album, "Gulyay-Pole" ("Walkabout"), Mongol Shuudan embarked on a tour of Germany and the Netherlands. Upon their return, Skoroded recorded one of the first acoustic albums in the Soviet Union, titled "Banditsky Al'bom" ("Bandit Album").

1993: Tragedy and Rebirth

In 1992, bassist Alexei Polyakov joined the band, opening the first rock cafe in Moscow, "Otradnoye." However, tragedy struck when Polyakov was fatally stabbed before a performance, leading to the cafe's closure and the temporary dissolution of the band.

Regrouping in 1993, Mongol Shuudan recorded "Sobachya Chush" ("Dog's Nonsense"), which garnered international acclaim during their European tour, where they shared the stage with The Exploited and L7.

1994-2009: Stability and Chart Success

The album "Chereschur" ("Too Much") featured the hit song "Moskva," which became the band's signature tune. This era saw the departure of some members and the arrival of Alexander Rikonwald (guitar) and Vladimir Dyagel (drums).

2003-2006: New Lineup and Acoustic Experiments

With a new lineup, Mongol Shuudan recorded "Zhertva" ("Victim") and "Splosh i Ryadom" ("Everywhere and Nowhere"). They participated in tribute albums for the bands Naiv and Sektor Gaza, showcasing their versatility. In 2005, they released their second acoustic album, "Vechnaya Merzlota" ("Permafrost").

2009-2015: Political Controversy and Continued Creativity

In 2009, the band faced controversy when one of their songs was included in the Federal List of Extremist Materials. Nevertheless, they continued to release new music, including the album "Estestvenny Otbor" ("Natural Selection") in 2011.

2018-Present: Anniversary and New Releases

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of their debut album, Mongol Shuudan released a re-recorded version titled "Parovoz Anarkhia. Reinkarnatsiya" ("Anarchy Locomotive. Reincarnation") in 2019. They also re-released "Gulyay Pole" as "Gulyay Pole Reanimatsiya" ("Walkabout Resuscitation") in 2020.

The band continues to perform and release new music, including singles and cover songs. Their contributions to Russian rock have solidified their status as one of the most influential and enduring bands in the genre.

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