The Ukes

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The Ukes is a British Ukrainian band formed by Stepan "Ludvig" Pasicznyk former accordionist and co-songwriter (Vorony & Kultura) of British band The Ukrainians.

The Ukes play traditional Ukrainian music, in a folk rock style, and also traditional Ukrainian dance music. Concert appearances to date have been in the UK, Canada, France, and Germany. As well as having recorded more traditional Ukrainian music and original songs in Ukrainian and English since leaving The Ukrainians, Stepan Pasicznyk also works as a session musician, having recorded on projects produced by Justin Sullivan of New Model Army, Phil Manzanera, guitarist of Roxy Music, and on "Swill" Odgers (of British Punk/Folk Group The Men They Couldn't Hang) latest release "Elvis Lives Here" with his "Swagger Band". He sessioned on the last release by Ukrainian American duet Darka and Slavko before they parted company. Other Ukrainian musical activity included playing accordion for Reading based traditional dance ensemble Metelyk,a year with Ukrainian choir Bulava and occasional dance function work with Ukrainian dance band Zhnyva. His main instrument is accordion, but he also plays guitar and mandolin.

He has translated songs from Ukrainian into English for Ukrainian artist Lessia Horova (Atlantic Records), and recorded an English version of Razom Nas Bahato, Ukraine's Orange Revolution anthem by Greenjolly. Some of his other musical and media exploits include incidental music for BBC TV's Soccer enthusiasts show Row Z, preparing musical accompaniment for a London Theatre production "Husbands and Lovers" by Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnar, and recording introductory music for Canadian British Columbia's longest running Ukrainian radio show, Nash Holos. In late 2007 he played accordion for Welsh Folk Rock band Here Be Dragons in Italy, and for their US gig and ABC TV debut for the Chicago Celtic Festival.

Stepan is from a musical family of Ukrainian and Irish decent. His second cousin on his maternal Irish side was Eddie Rabbitt, Nashville country music star who's song Kentucky Rain was a hit for Elvis Presley.