Chaif
Russian rock band / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chaif (Чайф) is a Russian rock band formed in 1984 in Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg), Russia, by Vladimir Shakhrin and Vladimir Begunov.[1] Their name is derived from the word chai, meaning tea, and kaif (slang word), meaning pleasure.[1] The band became known in 1992 with songs such as Ne Speshi (Don't Hurry) and 17.[1] By 1997, the popularity of rock music had declined and they were playing smaller venue.[2] They have released several albums. Their musical styles range from rock and roll to Blues and some songs which feature a strong reggae influence. The band in 2008 was still touring and releasing albums occasionally.[3]
Chaif (Чайф) | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Sverdlovsk (Yekaterinburg), USSR (Russia) |
Genres | rock, blues rock, reggae, rock and roll, punk rock(early) |
Years active | 1985 (1985)–present |
Labels | Nikitin |
Members | Vladimir Shakhrin, Vladimir Begunov, Valery Severin, Vyacheslav Dvinin |
Past members | Vadim Kukushkin, Silas Warren, Vladimir Nazimov, Igor Zlobin, Alina Nifanteva, Anton Nifantev, Vladimir Privalov, Vladimir Zheltovskih, Pavel Ustyugov |
Website | chaif |
After the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, Chaif took part in cultural meeting between delegations from Crimea and Sverdlovsk Oblast.[4] The lead singer of the band, Vladimir Shakhrin, was critical of Andrei Makarevich for supporting Ukraine's position in the conflict.[5] In 2022, the band released a statement blaming both sides for the Russian invasion of Ukraine[6] while providing material support to Russian troops in Ukraine and expressing distaste towards musicians that had left Russia following the start of the conflict.[7]