Russkaja

Russkaja are an Austrian ska band from Vienna. The group centres on vocalist Georgij Alexandrowitsch Makazaria, who is an ex-member of Stahlhammer, alongside Engel Mayr on guitar, Dimitri Miller on bass and vocals, Mario Stübler on drums, Hans-Georg “H-G” Gutternigg on trombone and trumpet, Rainer Gutternigg on trumpet, and Ulrike Müllner on violin.

Style and name

The band plays a blend of Russian folk music, ska and ska punk. Their sound also draws on Austrian polka, trash metal, world jazz, funky elements and Frank Zappa-like rock. The name is a wordplay: “Russkaja” refers to “Russian” in Russian, while also being read as “Rus” for Russia, “Ska” for the style of music, and “Ja” as the German word for yes.

Line-up history

Former members include Titus Vadon on drums and vocals, who is also an ex-member of Drahdiwaberl and Das Balaton Combo; Zebo Adam on guitar and vocals, formerly of Hallucination Company; Antonia-Alexa Georgiew on violin and vocals; Werner Köck on guitar; Manfred Franzmeier on saxophone, who is a member of Hot Pants Road Club and an ex-member of Madrid de los Austrias; and Christoph Schödl on drums.

Releases

Their discography includes the Dawai, Dawai EP, the single Dope Shit, the album Kasatchok Superstar, the single More, the single Kasatchok Superstar the Song, the album Russian Voodoo, and the download single Hammer Drive.