You're reading: Skryabin on the edge of split?

Plus: Political prisoners picket Valeria concert; VV to perform with Gypsy band

kers Skryabin are on the verge of breaking up. The band has been together for more than 11 years. But it’s no secret that Skryabin has been rejecting all propositions to appear at concerts lately. The band last performed in August at the Tavria Games.

Rostik Domishevsky, the band’s musician-manager hasn’t appeared on stage for a while. Domishevesky, also known as Shura (not to be confused with the Russian toothless pop star), is working on solo projects and helping young electronic bands. Vocalist Kuzma recently made his debut as the host of a musical hit parade, which apparently came as a shock to the rest of the band. Skryabin signed a recording contract with Nova to produce a new album by December, but fans are wondering if that will even happen.

Political prisoners picket Valeria concert

When Russian pop star Valeria performed in the western Ukrainian town of Ternopil, she was met by a plethora of protesters. The Ternopil gig was part of her all-Ukraine tour that started on Oct. 1.
Several nationalist groups picketed Valeria’s concert to protest the invasion of tacky Russian pop into Ukraine. The protesters appealed to local authorities to stop supporting Russian pop music and pay more attention to Ukrainian culture.

As if the picketers weren’t enough to unnerve Valeria, who is launching a comeback, the 30-something star also had to contend with distractions caused by a local fire brigade practicing drills at her hotel. During the night she was woken up by persistent fire alarms, smoke and elevator shutoffs.

VV to perform with Gypsy band

Vopli Vidoplyasova front man Oleh Skrypka was so impressed by the Gypsy Brass Ensemble from Yugoslavia that he even arranged for them to perform at the Prosto Rock festival slated for Oct. 13. Due to organizational and visa problems, the Gypsy Brass Ensemble won’t be making the festival. But the group is expected to return to Kyiv at a later date to sing with VV. Skrypka became acquainted with the Yugoslavian Gypsies last month in Kyiv at the First International Gypsy Festival.