NeGruzoviki Rock band Date of Birth: 01.01.1997 Country: Ukraine

1. The Origins of "...And My Friend the Truck"
2. Rise to Fame
3. Evolution and Expansion
4. A New Era: "...And My Friend the Truck"
5. The Emergence of "NeGruzoviki"
6. Independent Distribution
7. A Legacy of Authenticity

The Origins of "...And My Friend the Truck"

In 1997, a trio of young musicians emerged in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, forming the band "...And My Friend the Truck" (initially known as "I and My Friend the Truck"). Rostislav Chaban (bass guitar and vocals), Anton Antonov (vocals), and Vladimir Busel (drums) initially came together for a local rock festival, "Kar'yer," with no expectations of long-term success.

However, their electrifying performance ignited a roaring reception, and the band's life extended beyond that fateful day. Elena Belentyeva joined the group as manager, and a second performance at a rock festival in Zaporizhia proved equally impactful.

Rise to Fame

Within a year, "...And My Friend the Truck" became renowned for their драйв (enthusiasm and energy), spreading their name through word-of-mouth and organic promotion to cities across Ukraine and beyond. Their performances graced the stages of Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhia, Sevastopol, Simferopol, and Kyiv, generating buzz and attracting a growing fan base.

Concert adventures, press articles, television segments, and an ever-expanding following ensued. Amidst a surge of offers, the band participated in the Sevastapol festival "Motorrock," Dnipropetrovsk's "Session Station," and the legendary "Kazaнтип" music festival.

Evolution and Expansion

Over the following years, "...And My Friend the Truck" ventured to Moscow, participated in Dmitry Dibrov's television program "Anthropology," and crossed paths with Eduard Gorshkov, a renowned concert sound engineer. The band continued to perform at music festivals, appeared on television, released music videos, and debuted their first album in 2001.

In 2002, they independently released their sophomore album, "Volanchik," showcasing their signature sound and captivating lyrics. "Volanchik" achieved commercial success, selling well at concerts, via the internet, and through select distributors. The Ukrainian band not only gained recognition on local channels but also expanded their reach to Moscow's TVC.

Subsequently, in 2003, they performed at the groundbreaking Russo-French-Ukrainian festival, "25 Hours Non-Stop," as well as at Ufa's "Nash Format," Helsinki's "Tussovka-Festival," and Samara's "Otkrytaya Reka."

A New Era: "...And My Friend the Truck"

Following a brief hiatus, Vladimir Busel, the band's drummer, departed in the summer of 2003, leading to the band's name being shortened to "...And My Friend the Truck." Vladimir Nestrishenko, a former drummer from various Kharkiv and Saint Petersburg bands, filled the vacant position.

After several months of rehearsals, the band performed a concert for their loyal fanbase in December 2003 and appeared at Moscow's "Nashe Pravo na Rok" festival. The following year marked a series of live tours, even amidst Nestrishenko's health challenges.

"...And My Friend the Truck" became a headliner at the Yekaterinburg festival "Stary Novy Rok," expanded their reach to Western Ukraine and Belarus, and found a new drummer in Yuri Zhigarev. They organized the mini-tour "Protivostoyanie Letnemu Vremeni," performed alongside Kyiv's "Quadragesima," and forged a creative partnership with the band "Deti Picasso."

In 2005, the creative duo released the split single "Takaya Vot Zhivopis" under the moniker "MoyGruzovikDetiPicassoDruG." In March, "...And My Friend the Truck" debuted their album "Yeshche Malenkiy" and embarked on a series of concerts, including their beloved festival appearances.

Building on their successful collaboration with "Deti Picasso," "...And My Friend the Truck" connected with the Krishna-core band "Nebo Zdes" and performed with the indie group "Moi Rakety Vverkh."

The Emergence of "NeGruzoviki"

In 2006, the band once again headlined the Belgorod hardcore festival "Meet the Spring" and performed as special guests at the album presentation of the group "QuaziModa." They embarked on a concert tour spanning Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Israel.

Over a decade of existence, the band had navigated name changes, two drummers, and four album releases, solidifying their reputation as one of the most enigmatic funk groups. And now, a new project emerged from the Dnipropetrovsk collective, dubbed "NeGruzoviki" (Not the Trucks).

The new group's debut album, "Ne Ulybayutsya" (They Don't Smile), was released in 2008, featuring a mature and reflective sound. Composed and recorded by vocalist Anton Antonov and bassist Rostislav Chaban, the album showcased 17 tracks that diverged significantly from their previous material.

Independent Distribution

"Ne Ulybayutsya" was distributed free of charge, as the band believed in the democratic nature of music dissemination. Commenting on their decision, they stated:

"We are tired of bowing to publishers and begging. Every time we record a new album, we face the same obstacles—we are told that we are 'excellent musicians' and that we 'sound great and are well-recorded,' but that our 'music is too complex,' we have 'no hits,' and we do not fit into the mainstream. Thus, publishing our album becomes an arduous and disheartening task. The terms offered by labels are unacceptable to us. We have compromised enough, and we are proud of our music. This is not arrogant bragging, but it is an unusual album, and we refuse to entrust it to the feeble hands of the record industry."

A Legacy of Authenticity

The well-crafted and introspective album "Ne Ulybayutsya" paved the way for a promising future for "NeGruzoviki." The band's commitment to authenticity and artistic integrity ensured enduring success for their innovative and thought-provoking music.