Chaif (Чайф) is a Russian rock band formed in 1984 in Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg), Russia, by Vladimir Shakhrin and Vladimir Begunov. Their name is derived from the word chai, meaning tea, and kaif (slang word), meaning pleasure. The band became known in 1992 with songs such as Rocknroll etoi nochi (Rock'n'roll this night) and Nikto ne uslishit (Nobody will hear). By 1997, the popularity of rock music had declined and they were playing smaller venue. 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.
After the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, Chaif took part in cultural meeting between delegations from Crimea and Sverdlovsk Oblast. The lead singer of the band, Vladimir Shakhrin, was critical of Andrey Makarevich for supporting Ukraine's position in the conflict. In 2022, the band released a statement blaming both sides for the Russian invasion of Ukraine while providing material support to Russian troops in Ukraine and expressing distaste towards musicians that had left Russia following the start of the conflict.
Discography Magnitoalbums Year Original title Translated title 1985 Жизнь в розовом дыму Life in a pink smoke 1986 Субботним вечером в Свердловске Saturday evening in Sverdlovsk 1988 Лучший город Европы The best city in Europe
Studio albums Year Original title Translated title 1987 Дерьмонтин Leathercrap 1987 Дуля с маком Nuts to you 1989 Не беда It doesn't matter 1990 Давай вернёмся Let's return 1991 Четвёртый стул The Fourth chair 1993 Дети гор Children of mountains 1995 Пусть всё будет так, как ты захочешь Let everything be as you want 1996 Реальный мир Real world 1999 Шекогали Shekogali 2000 Симпатии Sympathies 2001 Время не ждёт Time doesn't wait 2003 48 48 2004 Изумрудные хиты (с ансамблем "Изумруд") Emerald hits (collaboration with Izumrud ensemble) 2006 От себя From myself 2009 Свой/Чужой Friend/Foe 2013 Кино, вино и домино Cinema, wine and dominoes2017Теория струнString theory2019Слова на бумагеWords on paper2025Вот такJust like that
The Oranzhevoye Nastroenie series Year Original title Translated title 1994 Оранжевое настроение Orange mood 1996 Оранжевое настроение — II Orange mood — II 2002 Оранжевое настроение — IV Orange mood — IV 2008 Оранжевое настроение — V Orange mood — V 2021 Оранжевое настроение — III Orange mood — III
Live albums Year Original title Translated title 1995 Концерт Concert 2000 Чайф 15 лет Chaif 15 years 2005 Чайф 20 лет Chaif 20 years 2010 Чайф. 25 лет выдержки Chaif. 25 years old 2011 Зимняя Акустика. Снежные сны Winter acoustic. Snow dreams
Compilations Year Original title Translated title 1997 Акустические версии Acoustic versions 1998 Best of ЧАЙФ Best of Chaif 1998 Легенды русского рока. Чайф Legends of Russian rock. Chaif 1998 Избранное Selected 2009 25 лет выдержки 25 years old 2009 Лучшие песни (2CD) Best songs
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