Vopli Vidoplyasova
UkraineBiography of Vopli Vidopliassova
Vopli Vidopliassova, also known as VV, is a Ukrainian folk-pop group with a distinct punk style. The name of the band was inspired by Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel "The Village of Stepanchikovo and Its Inhabitants," but their connection to classic literature ends there.
The band was formed in 1986 in Kyiv, Ukraine. The group was founded by Oleg Skripka, who had a dark past. Skripka was born on May 24, 1964, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, as the descendant of Ukrainian immigrants. He also spent some time in Murmansk Oblast from 1972 to 1981 before unexpectedly returning to his ancestors' homeland, the capital of the then-Soviet Ukraine, at the age of 17.
Skripka, an accordionist, initiated the questionable project together with his comrade from Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, a bassist named Shura Pipy, known for his eccentric behavior. They were later joined by Yuri Zdorenko, a guitarist with a metal reputation who had returned from the army after graduating from a vocational school. The group was then completed by Sergei Sakhno, a professional drummer from Chernobyl with a diploma in conducting but never having worked in the field.
The further history of the folk-punk quartet is well-known. They won the first Kyiv Rock Festival in the fall of 1987 and had successful performances at the "Rock Forum" in Vilnius in the spring of 1988. They held concerts in Kyiv, Moscow, and St. Petersburg, and toured Poland. In 1989, they released their album "Zvyazok" (Connection) and gained popularity after performing at the "Syrok" festival alongside Kino, Auktyon, and Zvuki Mu. They were also invited to perform in France.
In 1992, guitarist Yuri Zdorenko left the band and was temporarily replaced by Alexey Degtyar, who is now a well-known DJ in Kyiv. Since 1993, VV has been working successfully in France, with two French musicians, guitarist Philippe Moja (formerly of VRP) and drummer Stefan Mouflie, joining them. In 1997, Oleg Skripka and Alexander Pipy returned to Ukraine, much to the delight of their Ukrainian fans.
Sergei Sakhno rejoined the band, and Evgeniy Rogachevsky, the former leader of the bands "Yitsky Aun" and "Imperator," took Yuri Zdorenko's place as the guitarist. Sound producer Sergei Popovich (former leader of Rabboty Ho) took on the responsibility of ensuring high-quality sound for the band.
Currently, Vopli Vidopliassova continues to perform and tour extensively in Ukraine, Russia, and abroad. They collaborate with the concert agency "Group-Y" and release albums under the label "GALA Records." The band serves as a successful example of applying their natural talents to their lives.
Members:
- Oleg Skripka (vocals, showmanship, guitar, brass, accordion)
- Alexander Pipy (bass, vocals)
- Evgeniy Rogachevsky (guitar, vocals)
- Sergei Sakhno (drums, vocals)
