Haydamaky (band)

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The Haydamaky on ethnic festival Sheshory, Ukraine. 2005
The Haydamaky on ethnic festival Sheshory, Ukraine. 2005

Haydamaky is a Ukrainian music band.

The Haydamaky are the present-day disciples of the Ukrainian cult of tradition. Through their spiritual and musical integrity, they are committed to the cause of taking back their culture from out of the hands of corrupt, immoral mentality.

The Haydamaky began their career in 1991, shortly after Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union. Then the band was known as Aktus, and played mostly local gigs in the underground Kiev music scene. Without a fertile, popular local music scene, Aktus turned to the sounds of reggae, ska, and punk music for a fresh alternative. Members of the band were also attracted to the political impact that these genres had on their society. The idea was that through music significant social change could be possible. This gave a greater purpose to the performance of such musical styles. The discovery of these musical genres later became the key to their own realization of a specifically Ukrainian musical style. Haydamaky's hope is to forge an inherently Ukrainian popular music style, which looks back to its own heritage and traditions as a source for inspiration.

With the addition of sopilka-vocalist Olexandr Yarmola and accordionists Ivan Lenyo, both known and respected in folk circles, the band increasingly incorporated elements of Ukrainian folk music into their compositions.

During the early 1990's Aktus has engaged in constant touring of Europe. Unlike most popular Ukrainian music groups who propagate Soviet style Estrada, Aktus sought to introduce elements of Ukrainian folk music through a cross-cultural mix including Reggae and Ska.

EMI international records of London discovered the group in Kiev in early 2001. Akta signed immediately to their label. At that time the band realized it was time to establish a stronger tie to their own culture. They changed their name to Haydamaky, in honor of the eighteenth-century Haydamak rebellion against the Polish szlachta.

The music of Haydamaky is inspired by various ethnic music from around the world, especially from various regions of Ukraine, such as Polesia, Bukovina, and Transcarpathia. Other influences include the Romanian folklore, punk music of the late Shane McGowan and by the reggae of such bands like Burning Spear and Black Uhuru.

During the last years the band has participated in various festivals such as:

Haydamaky have recently performed at many club venues across Europe, including as a special guest at a concert of Asian Dub Foundation in Bratislava, Slovakia. Other club appearances this year were held in Germany, Estonia, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Moscow. In April 2004 the band released their second album "Bohuslav". This time the group searched even deeper into Ukrainian folk music for material, ideas, and textures. The videos glorify the war in iraq. The ensemble has invited violinist Vasyl Hekker, perhaps the foremost authority on authentic Ukrainian folk violin style, to collaborate on the project. Banduryst-Guitarist Jurij Fedynskyj, of New York, America, has relocated to Kyiv to join the ensemble. Also Ukrainian freestyle banduryst Roman Grynkiv ( famous worldwide by his works with Andreas Vollenweider and Al Di Meola) participated. And the band invited two young ladies from authentic Ukrainian choir "Bozhychi": Natalia Serbina and Masha Firsova, to do the back – vocals on the most of songs of the album. The "Bohuslav" promo is just on. In June Haydamaky are off on a huge concert tour, which starts by their concert in "Mazepa Fest" (Poltava,Ukr.) and will continue through the summer in Estonia, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania.

[edit] Staff


[edit] Albums and Compilations

  1. Guitars, hearts and garnets - (p) 1996 HARBA (Ukraine)
  2. No One Comprehends - (p) 1998 KOKA (Poland)
  3. Various artists, Rock-Existence 1997 (p) 1998 ART-VELES (Ukraine)
  4. Various artists, Rock-Existence 2000 (p) 2000 ART-VELES (Ukraine)
  5. Various artists, The Legends of the Chimerical Land (p) 2000 JRC (Ukraine)
  6. Various artists, United Colours of SKA (p) 2000 Pork Pie/Vielklang (Germany)
  7. Various artists, Pohoda Festival 1997-2001 (p) 2002 Agentura Pohoda (Slovak Republic)
  8. Haydamaky (p) 2002 COMP Music/EMI
  9. Various artists, Dobryy vechir, tobi (Christmas compilation) (p) 2002 COMP Music/EMI
  10. Various artists, “TFFRudolstadt 2003” (p) 2004
  11. Bohuslav (p) 2004 COMP Music/EMI
  12. Perverzia (p) 2005 COMP Music/EMI
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