Arguably Ukraine's best rock group, Haydamaky, make Saskatoon the 3rd stop on their North American debut tour this September 24th at Louis Pub (University of Saskatchewan campus).  Fusing an original blend of modern rock with Ukrainian folk music, and mixing punk, reggae and ska influences to create a sound comparable to few.  The band has toured Europe extensively, headlining festivals in Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Germany, but have waited until now to come to Canada.

Haydamaky began in 1991, playing Kyiv’s fledgling underground music scene.  Keen for creativity, in 1993 they experimented with creating a specifically Ukrainian music style.  The name Haydamaky is after a band of 18th century Kozaks who led a popular Ukrainian rebellion.  The rebellious spirit of the band evokes their namesake in their energetic stage show and Haydamaky seeks their own rebellion with the social commentary hidden in the double meaning of their lyrics.

  

In fact, Haydamaky’s desire for social commentary drew the band toward music with roots in folk music and with messages of social rebellion.  Direct inspiration came from bands each aware of the impact of their music on society, such as The Pogues’ folk-punk rock, as well as the reggae sounds of Black Uhuru and Burning Spear.  More specifically, Burning Spear’s reggae is a part of African cultural rebirth and self-reliance movements, so too, is Haydamaky’s music part of Ukrainian social and cultural rebirth after 69 years of Soviet rule. 

While drawing on cross-cultural sources for inspiration, Haydamaky’s sound remains Ukrainian with innovative blending of traditional instruments into modern rock arrangements.  For example, these instruments include sopilka (wooden recorder-like flute), bandura (a 20-60 metal stringed zither-like lute), tsymbaly (Ukrainian hammered dulcimer) and a traditional Bukovynian wedding band brass section.  The influence of Bukovynian and gypsy/roma music in Haydamaky comes from its accordionist, Ivan Lenyo, himself claiming this as his family heritage.  Together, the band weaves these sounds together to create their high energy ska/rock cabaret style. 

Haydamaky brings their style of high energy folk rock to Saskatoon on September 24th at 9pm at Louis' Pub at the University of Saskatchewan.  

This is a once in a lifetime show not to be missed.

-Yakym Oneschuk

president

university of saskatchewan

ukrainian student association