biographical info
Leaping out of the urban landscape with the ferocity of a group of inebriated dancers, Ukrainia is a band with the hearts of giants. Their traditionally-based Ukrainian music has been pumped up and electrified. Jangly guitars punctuate the arrangements with metal-pop power, ranging from power chords to expedited strumming, to warbly twang-bar flexing – often sounding like a soundtrack to a frenetic Tarantino film. These four men make a big sound with guitar, bass, drums and no banduras.
Often subversive in tone, their songs are full of secrets. They take what may sound like Iron Curtain anthems full of marching rhythms, and harmonies of workers singing praises of the motherland, into the realm of pop, where bodies are compelled to move, jump, dance to the syncopated beats, while the stone-faced men in fedoras listen without comprehension. This is the music for bygone embassy halls where stilettos clicked and dresses swirled, and men held their hands over hearts brimming with nationalistic fervour. The music also works just as well on an open-air stage in the cool evening air.
Ukrainia aren’t your grandmother’s wedding dance band. Their music holds the old country passions, but their sound is clearly 21stcentury. Songs fuelled by the sweet breath of vodka are intense to the edge of mania. Their music will light your spirit, lift your body and transport you to another time in a surreal place – have your passports stamped, you are entering Ukrainia.
lineup
Damian Sawka vocals, guitar
Dave Martindale bass, vocals
Paul Granger guitar, vocals
Tom Werbowetski drums