Most of you know the Red Elvises from their hit “Boogie on the Beach”, made famous by the hit classic in its own time, independent film Six String Samurai, but what you don’t know is that the Red Elvises are the hottest ass-kickingest, Elvis named rock-a-billy band to come out of Siberia ever! I do mean ever. Though similar to El Vez, the Mexican Elvis, the Red Elvises set themselves apart from other foreign Elvis named bands not by relying on a body of tired Elvis covers, but by producing original works such as “Closet Disco Dancer” and “The Sad Cowboy Song”, which remind us that sometimes we must do thing just because they feel right and that the cowboy life isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.

The Red Elvises are more than just their ass kicking, booty bumping songs, each of which is must have for every record collection. They put on an amazing performance. There’s nothing like five people in animal print suits, an accordion/keyboard player with water filled platform shoes, and a big, red balalaika to heat up even the coldest Siberian night. They are the only band whose stage show includes a five-person drum solo, and a handful of the most unattractive belly dancers I have ever seen, in “I Wanna See You Belly Dance”. One of the best aspects of the Red Elvises stage show is the facial expressions of the members of the band. Guitarist/singer Igor Yuzov’s expressions range from sly smiles of some one with a secret to smiles of nervous anticipation. While balalaika player Oleg Bernov managed to pull off playfully lurid grins artfully arching his eyebrows in a comically suggestive manner. Bernov’s eyebrows should have gotten their own billing. Keyboardist/accordionist Oleg “Schramm” Gorbunov, the one with the water filled platform shoes, does an impressive job of looking like an over grown Cabbage Patch Kid.

Look for them in your favorite record store and watch for them at your favorite venues, they are the Red Elvises, and they will be your favorite band.To Music Main...