The Leeds Gig Guide

Band Biography for red rum:

St Petersburg-based band Red Rum creates an inventive kind of music that would be easiest categorised as experimental rock, but this vague description is hardly adequate for such a special sounding formation. The songs have bits of classic American rock-school, psychedelic breaks, the more adventurous side of indie, alternative, electronics, art-rock and other quirky/surreal elements that seem to come from no outside influence. An ever-present and important part of Red Rum’s appeal is the mystic lyricism and emotive vocals which are direct, punchy and drives each song to its conclusion often as juxtaposition to the chaos of the band. One of the critics supposed that Red Rum sounds like «if De/Vision would set their mind to arrange King Diamond songs, while Alphaville and Das Ich collaborate to play ‘Galactica’ by Rockets». Rather tangled description, isn’t it? Anyway something is better than nothing.

The key persons of the band are multi-instrumentalists and constant songwriters/producers NDK and Eugene Byrd. Their studio recordings including 3 EPs and one full-length album feature Red Rum’s 2004-2009 live lineup. For the stage show the duo assemble a collective of various session musicians: drummers, keyboardists and percussionists. A massive array of equipment, original video projections and multimedia installations are permanently involved in the process to provide a powerful and spectacular performance.

Red Rum’s most refined work to date was released on their own label in 2009. Moving from harder metal tracks the «Recognito» LP has its moments of “calm within the storm” and creates dark visions of life and loss. The lyrics draw you in while the guitars and keyboards spiral off into the rock groove that pushes the tracks further onwards. «Recognito» has drawn together many of the elements guys have experimented with on previous releases and is very much a pinnacle for Red Rum, who have been together since 2004.

Eugene Byrd: “Over the past few years the band has finally got its own face. We grew stronger spiritually and transformed into the entire organism. These goals are stimulating us and give us a chance to progress as musicians.” ”We are always interested in artistic explorations and usage of different means of self-expression,” NDK added, concluding: “Our music is definitely not afraid of anything. Check it out for yourself.”


Red Rum main highlights over the last six months of 2009/2010:

- Airplays on 102.0 FM Saint-Petersburg (Radio Roks)
- Summer 2009 Russian mini-tour
- Unplugged show presentation
- ‘Audioformat’ magazine cover appearance (June 2009)
- Release of the independent video on ‘Paranormal’
- Special prize for originality on dm.yatalant.ru (National Depeche Mode covers challenge)
- Special gig series with DJ Bardo (trip-hop)