Trollejbus
RussiaThe Outdated Gems: The Rise of "Trolleybus"
Genesis and Evolution (2001-2004)In 2001, "Trolleybus" emerged in St. Petersburg, an unfashionably old-fashioned band that embraced their anachronism as a beacon of originality. The quartet initially rehearsed, searching for their musical identity. By the end of the year, a second bassist joined, followed by a lead guitarist in 2002.
Their first concert, held on Geologist's Day, marked their lively and smoky debut. From then on, their performances consistently drew hundreds of fans, and their online presence expanded their reach. Throughout 2002, "Trolleybus" played in various clubs, establishing their presence.
In 2003, the band's music incorporated an accordion, and in 2004, a saxophone. The lineup by this point included Artemy Mutchnik (vocals, guitar), Andrey Ivanov (keys), Evgeny Timoshin (bass), Vasily Bondarets (drums), Oleg Khatuntsev (lead guitar), Alexei Borodin (bass), Gosha Dubrovin (accordion), Roman Belousov (saxophone), and Oleg Karachun (manager).
High-Profile Performances and Studio Debut (2004)
"Trolleybus" celebrated their third anniversary with a live concert on St. Petersburg's "STO" TV channel. They also recorded a concert for Channel 5, aired in June as part of the "Pure Sound" program. The band had developed an extensive repertoire, showcased alongside well-known acts such as "Billi's Band" and "Pilot."
In June 2004, Artemy Mutchnik and Sergey Shnurov recorded a duet, included in the "Formula of Russian Rock" compilation, released by Zhenya Gluck's "Russian Rock" program on Radio Roks. The album featured artists such as Chizh, Nogu Svelo, and Uмка.
"Trolleybus" performed at the Petersburg Beer Festival in July, gaining recognition from local television channels. In October, the band released their debut album, "Eхали," containing 11 tracks, including the bonus track "Iz Doma Vyshel Chelovek" with Shnurov. The album received positive feedback from both existing and new listeners.
