Alisa (Russian analogue to the female name Alice) is a Russian hard rock band.
History Alisa was formed in November 1983 by bassist Svyatoslav Zadery. The band's name originated from Zadery's nickname. The band's lineup was finally completed in 1984, when new vocalist Kostya Kinchev (real name Konstantin Panfilov) and guitarist Petr Samoylov joined. Their debut album Energia was recorded between 1985 and 1986. Energia was released by the state publishing monopoly Melodiya in 1988.
The relations between Alisa's two leaders, Kinchev and Zadery, deteriorated, and Zadery left the band. This occurred just one hour before Alisa was to perform at a concert. Kino bassist Igor Tihomirov was asked to replace Zadery for one concert. Later, Zadery created his own band Nateh! (). Zadery died on 6 May 2011 due to complications from a stroke at the age of 50.
Alisa had a fan community called the Army of Alisa, known for their rough behaviour at concerts. It led to animosity between the band and Soviet officials. In 1987, the newspaper Smena accused Alisa's leader Kinchev of Nazi propaganda and worshiping Hitler. Kinchev filed a suit for calumny and moral damage compensation.
In 1988, guitarist Igor "Chuma" Chumychkin joined the band. This change was followed by the heavier sound of next two albums, Shabash and For those Who Fell From the Moon. Alisa toured through Europe and Israel together with fellow Russian heavy metal band Aria. The album Black Mark, released in 1994, was dedicated to the memory of Chuma, who committed suicide by jumping from a window.
In the new millennium, with albums such as Seychas Pozdnee Chem Ty Dumaesh (It is Later Than You Think, 2003) and Izgoy (Exile, 2005), Alisa's sound became heavier.
Alisa ranked among the top ten most popular Russian rock bands according to a Romir survey from 2005, and ranked first in the list of the most influential Russian rock groups according to a Komsomolskaya Pravda readers' poll from 2004.Группы, которые изменили наш мир — Комсомольская правда
Lyrical themes Kinchev was baptized in 1992 after a series of concerts in Jerusalem. Although early Alisa lyrics were typical for Russian rock - social protest and rock 'n' roll hype - since the late 1990s their main theme has been ideas of Christianity, as well as Russian patriotism and nationalism.
Kinchev's fairly conservative religious-patriotic shift was viewed unfavourably by some old fans that liked Alisa for their original "rock" message.
Band members
Current line up Konstantin Kinchev – vocals, additional guitar (1985–present) Petr Samoylov – bass, backing vocals (1986–present), vocals (1983), guitar, backing vocals (1985–1986) Dmitri Parfyonov – keyboards, programming, backing vocals, additional guitar (2000–present) Andrey Vdovichenko (ru)– drums (2003–present) Pavel Zelitskiy (ru)– guitar (2018–present) Alexander Pyankov – guitar (2019–present)
Former members Boris Borisov – vocals, saxophone (1983) Lyudmila "Teri" Kolot – vocals (1986) Svetoslav "Alisa" Zadery – bass, vocals (1983–1986) Pavel "Pol Khan" Kondratenko – keyboards (1983–1988) Alexander Zhuravlev – saxophone (1987–1988) Igor "Chuma" Chumychkin – guitar (1988–1993) Andrey Korolev – keyboards (1989–1993) Alexander Ponomarev – guitar (1996–1998) Andrey Shatalin – guitar (1983–1985, 1986–1988, 1989–2003) Mikhail Nefedov – drums (1983–2003) Igor Romanov – guitar (2003–2018) Evgeniy Lyovin – guitar (1998–2019)
Timeline
Discography
Studio albums Original title Transliterated Title Translation Year of release Energiya Energy 1985 Blok Ada Block of Hell / Blockade 1987 Shestoy Lesnichy Sixth Ranger 1989 Shabash Sabbath 1991 Dlya Tekh, Kto Svalilsya s Luny For Those Who Fell from the Moon 1993 Chyornaya Metka Black Mark 1994 Statya 206 chast 2 Article 206 part 2 1994 Jazz Jazz Jazz 1996 Krivozerkalye Through the Crooked Glass 1997* Duren' Stupid 1998 Solntsevorot Solstice 2000 Tantsevat' To Dance 2001 Seychas Pozdnee, Chem Ty Dumayesh It Is Later Than You Think 2003 Izgoy Exile 2005 Stat Severa Grace of the North 2007 Puls Khranitelya Dverey Labirinta The Pulse of Labyrinth's Doors Keeper 2008 Ъ (Tverdii Znak) Ъ ( The Hard Sign - Russian Letter) 2010 20.12 (Dvadtsat Dvenadtsat) 20.12 (Twenty Twelve) 2011 Sabotazh Sabotage 2012 Tsirk Circus 2014 Ekstsess Excess 2016 Posolon Sunwise 2019 Dudka Pipe 2022 Recorded with Svyatoslav Zadery on vocals, before Kinchev joined
Live albums Original title Translation Year and venue Year of release Sabbath 1990, Moscow, Luzhniki Stadium 1991 At Shabolovka 1995, Moscow, Shabolovka 1995 Acoustics vol.1 1988, Perm 1995 Acoustics vol.2 1985, Leningrad 1997 Dance of Siberia on Neva Shores 1997, St-Petersburg, Jubileiny 1998 Acoustics vol.3 1988, Pskov 2000 Acoustics vol.4 1986, Novosibirsk 2002 We Are Together XX years 2003, St-Petersburg, Jubileiny 2005 Star Called Rock 2005, Moscow, Luzhniki Stadium 2007
Compilation albums Original title Translation Year of release Red Wave: 4 Underground Bands from the USSR 1986 Legends of Russian Rock 1997 Encyclopedia of Russian Rock 2000 13 2003
References
External links
Official Alisa website , in Russian Fan website, in Russian Alisa pictures, in Russian , short history in English Pravda 17 December 2003, in English
Alisa on RussMus.Net: English translations to lyrics and more, in English