Korol i Shut
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Korol i Shut | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Saint Petersburg, Russia |
| Genres | Horror punk, folk punk, shock rock, art punk |
| Years active | 1988–2014 |
| Labels | Misteriya Zvuka (Russian: Мистерия Звука) Melodiya (Russian: Мелодия) Manchester Files Nikitin (Russian: Никитин) |
| Past members | Mikhail Gorsheniov Andrei Kniazev Aleksandr Balunov Dmitrii Riabchenko Aleksei Gorsheniov Maria Nefiodova Dmitrii Rishko Yakov Tsvirkunov Aleksandr Shchigoliev Pavel Sazhinov Aleksandr Leontiev Sergei Zaharov |
| Website | www.korol-i-shut.ru |
Korol i Shut (Russian: Король и Шут, lit. 'King and Jester') were a Russian horror punk band from Saint Petersburg that took inspiration and costumes from tales and fables.
History
[edit]The band was formed in 1988 by a group of school friends in Leningrad (current day Saint Petersburg). The founding members were Mikhail "Gorshok" Gorsheniov (Russian: Михаил "Горшок" Горшенёв), Aleksandr "Balu" Balunov (Russian: Александр "Балу" Балунов), and Aleksandr "Lieutenant" Shchigoliev (Russian: Александр "Поручик" Щиголев). Singer Andrei "Kniaz" Kniazev (Russian: Андрей "Князь" Князев) joined the band in 1990 and guitarist Yakov Tsvirkunov (Russian: Яков Цвиркунов) joined in 1996. The band's name, which means "The King and the Jester," was adopted in 1992.[1][2] Previously, the band was called Kontora (Russian: Контора, lit. 'Bureau').[3]
Korol' i Shut's lyrics are written by Kniazev and feature horror stories and folk tales about pirates, trolls, ghosts and vampires, as well as Slavic mythology.
The band recorded their music for the first time in 1991 in a semi-professional studio. Their music was broadcast on the radio soon after and they began to tour around Saint Petersburg's clubs. They began rehearsing in the club TaMtAm,[4] in which the bands Chimera and Tequilajazzz also started performing.[5]
In 1994, the band released a few copies of a tape named "Bud' kak doma putnik" (Russian: «Будь как дома путник», lit. 'Make Yourself At Home, Wayfarer').
The band's first official album was 1996's "Kamnem po golove" (Russian: «Камнем по голове», lit. 'Rock To The Head') which was distributed by Melodiya. Many other albums were released since then. The first music video was released in 1998 for the song "Yeli miaso muzhiki" (Russian: «Ели мясо мужики», lit. 'Men Were Eating Meat').
The band's lead singer, Mikhail Gorsheniov, died of heart failure during the night from 18 to 19 July 2013. After a farewell tour during the fall and winter of 2013, Korol' i Shut officially broke up in January 2014. The surviving members formed a new band named Severny Flot (Russian: Северный флот).[6][7]
However, due to the numerous requests of the fans, the former band members decided to keep the name Korol' i Shut exclusively for the release of the unfinished rock musical TODD.[8]
Posthumous Recognition
[edit]In 2023, a TV miniseries titled Korol i Shut was released, combining the band's biography with adaptations of their folk horror stories, leading to a resurgence in their popularity.[9][10]
Musical Style and Themes
[edit]Korol i Shut's music is characterized by a fusion of horror punk, folk punk, and art punk. Their lyrics, primarily written by Andrei Kniazev, often depict horror stories and folk tales involving pirates, trolls, ghosts, vampires, and elements of Slavic mythology. Despite the macabre themes, many songs incorporate humor, sarcasm, and irony.
The band's theatrical performances, complete with costumes and makeup inspired by horror punk aesthetics, contributed to their distinctive image.
Legacy and Influence
[edit]Korol i Shut holds an iconic status in Russian rock music, known for bringing punk rock to mainstream audiences. Their unique blend of storytelling and punk aesthetics influenced numerous artists and bands within Russia and the broader post-Soviet space. The band's approach to integrating folklore into music has been cited as pioneering, contributing to a distinct subgenre within Russian rock.
Former members
[edit]- Mikhail "Gorshok" Gorshenyov (Михаил «Горшок» Горшенёв) - vocals, acoustic guitar (1988-2013)
- Andrei "Kniaz" Kniazev (Андрей «Князь» Князев) - vocals, lyrics (1989-2011)
- Aleksandr "Balu" Balunov (Александр «Балу» Балунов) — bass guitar, guitar (1988-2006)
- Dmitry "Ryabchik" Ryabchenko (Дмитрий «Рябчик» Рябченко) — bass guitar
- Aleksei "Yagoda" Gorshenyov (Алексей «Ягода» Горшенёв) — drums (1993-1995)
- Maria "Masha" Nefyodova (Мария «Маша» Нефёдова) — violin (1998-2004)
- Dmitry "Casper" Rishko (Дмитрий Ришко) - violin (2006-2011)
- Yakov "Yasha" Tsvirkunov (Яков «Яша» Цвиркунов) - guitars, backing vocal (1995-2013)
- Aleksandr "Poruchik" Shchigolyev (Александр «Поручик» Щиголев) - drums (1988-2013)
- Pavel "Pakhan" Sazhinov (Павел Сажинов) - keyboards (1998-2013)
- Aleksandr "Renegat" Leontyev (Александр «Ренегат» Леонтьев) — guitar (2001-2006; 2011-2013)
- Sergei "Zakhar" Zakharov (Сергей «Захар» Захаров) - bass guitar (2006-2013)
Discography
[edit]| Date of Release | Title | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Камнем по голове | Stone to the Head |
| 1997 | Король и Шут | King and Jester |
| 1999 | Акустический альбом | Acoustic Album |
| 1999 | Ели мясо мужики (live) | Men Were Eating Meat |
| 2000 | Герои и злодеи | Heroes and Villains |
| 2001 | Собрание | Gathering |
| 2001 | Как в старой сказке | Like in an Old Tale |
| 2002 | Жаль, нет ружья! | Alas, I Have No Rifle! |
| 2003 | Мёртвый анархист (DVD) | Dead Anarchist |
| 2004 | Бунт на корабле | Mutiny on the Ship |
| 2006 | Продавец кошмаров | Trader of Nightmares |
| 2007 | Страшные Сказки | Scary Tales |
| 2008 | Тень Клоуна | The Clown's Shadow |
| 2010 | Театр демона | Demon's Theatre |
| 2011 | TODD. Акт 1. Праздник крови | TODD. Act 1. Feast of Blood |
| 2012 | TODD. Акт 2. На краю | TODD. Act 2. At the Edge |
| 2018 | Концерт в Олимпийском | Concert at the Olympic Stadium |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Award | Year | Category | Nominee/work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cactus Award (Клуб "10") |
1994 | Best Punk Band | Korol i Shut | Won |
| Chart Dozen (Чартова Дюжина) | 2000 | Song of the Year | "Прыгну со скалы" ("I’ll Jump Off a Cliff") |
Won |
| Fuzz Magazine Awards | 2001 | Best Band of the Year | Korol i Shut | Won |
| Ovation (Овация) | 2002 | Best Rock Band | Korol i Shut | Nominated |
| RAMP Award (Rock Alternative Music Prize) |
2006 | Album of the Year | Yevolutsia | Won |
| MUZ-TV Music Awards | 2009 | Best Rock Band | Korol i Shut | Won |
| Nashe Radio Awards | 2013 | Best Vocalist (posthumous) | Mikhail Gorshenyov | Won |
Controversies
[edit]Cultural and Religious Criticism
[edit]Korol i Shut’s macabre lyrical themes and theatrical horror-punk aesthetic drew frequent condemnation from conservative and religious groups in Russia. Songs like "Танец злобного гения" ("Dance of the Evil Genius") and "Кукла колдуна" ("Witch’s Doll") were criticized for allegedly promoting "anti-Christian" values and glorifying themes like alcoholism and black magic. In 2007, a coalition of Orthodox Christian organizations petitioned the Ministry of Culture to cancel their Moscow concert, claiming their performances "corrupted youth".
The band’s 1999 single "Ели мясо мужики" ("Men Were Eating Meat")—a graphic allegory about societal decay—sparked debates about artistic freedom. Critics accused the band of "mocking traditional morality," while supporters praised its satirical critique of post-Soviet Russia.
Internal Conflicts and Gorshok's Death
[edit]Frontman Mikhail "Gorshok" Gorshenev’s struggles with substance abuse became a public controversy. His erratic behavior during concerts and documented alcohol addiction led to tensions with co-founder Andrei "Knyaz" Knyazev, who temporarily left the band in 2008. Gorshenev’s death in 2013 from heart failure, linked to long-term alcohol abuse, prompted discussions about the destructive lifestyles associated with Russian rock culture.[11][12]
Posthumous Depictions and Legacy Debates
[edit]The band’s legacy faced scrutiny after their 2014 disbandment. Surviving members were criticized for authorizing the posthumous album *TODD* (2018), which featured unfinished recordings of Gorshenev. In 2023, the TV series reignited controversy for fictionalizing band history, including portraying Gorshenev’s first wife as a villain. Former bassist Alexander "Balagan" Shchigolyev called the series "a distorted mirror of our past."[13]
References
[edit]- ^ Балунов, Александр (2016). Король и Шут. Между Купчино и Ржевкой [King and the Clown. Between Kupchino and Rzhevka]. АСТ. p. 384.
- ^ Карев, Игорь (2021-05-08). "Без Горшка, но с «Тоддом». Как живут участники группы «Король и Шут»". AiF (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ Chekinev, Ilya (2013-11-20). "Пять любопытных фактов из истории "КиШ"". Rossiyskaya Gazeta (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2013-11-23. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
- ^ Gakkel, Vsevolod (2007). Akvarium kak sposob ukhoda za tennisnym kortom (in Russian). Saint Petersburg: Amfora. ISBN 978-5-367-00331-4. OCLC 162154853.
- ^ Stogov, I. Yu. (2007). Greshniki (in Russian). Saint Petersburg: Amfora. p. 250. ISBN 978-5-367-00586-8.
- ^ "Группа «Король и шут» прекратила существование". Lenta.ru (in Russian). 2014-01-02. Archived from the original on 2020-08-30. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
- ^ "Группа "Король и Шут" превратилась в "Северный флот"". Vesti.ru (in Russian). 2014-01-02. Archived from the original on 2021-03-31. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
- ^ Nedelko, Yekaterina (2013-12-23). "Зонг-опера сохранит "Король и Шут"". 5uglov.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2014-03-02.
- ^ "This Russian band mixed folk tales with punk rock in the 1990s. Why is it popular now?". GW2RU. 2 April 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ "Сериал «Король и Шут»: какой вышла сказка про сказочников | Обзоры сериалов | Мир фантастики и фэнтези".
- ^ "Умер солист группы «Король и Шут» Михаил Горшенёв" [Singer of Korol i Shut Mikhail Gorshenev Dies]. Lenta.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-10-01.
- ^ Kozlov, Vladimir (2013-07-25). "St Petersburg rock legend 'Gorshok' dies at age 39". Russia Beyond. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
- ^ "Рецензия на сериал «Король и Шут» — мрачную сказку об отвязных панках".
External links
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