Splean
Encyclopedia
Splean is a popular Russian
rock
band. They were formed and released their first album in 1994. Since then, they have remained one of the most popular rock bands in Russia
and the former Soviet Union
. The band's name is derived from "spleen" (in the sense of "depression
"), and the "ea" spelling in English is a pun on the spelling of the Beatles. It was borrowed from a short poem by Sasha Cherny
, which the band reformed into song.
The band was formed when lead singer Alexander Vasilyev, while working in a theatrical institute, was introduced to keyboardist Nikolay Rostovsky. The two formed a band, and risking Vasilyev's job, began recording their first album "Pylnaya Byl" in one of the institute's studios at night. After the release of Splean's second album, the band moved to Moscow. Their growing popularity was proved by Boris Grebenshchikov
's support. Splean had a string of hit songs including "Sugar Free Orbit ", "New People", "Backwards Time", and "We Were Just Sitting and Smoking".
Despite rumours that the group is on the verge of breaking up, Splean continues performing throughout Russia and the world. The band frequently experiments and evolves, so that the current version of Splean is quite different from its original version.
In 2004, the band garnered international attention for the inclusion of their song "Be My Shadow" ("") in the movie based on Sergey Lukyanenko
's bestselling novel Night Watch
.
Splean was a headliner of the 2005 Krylya Rock festival. In that same year, the group started recording another album, which was released in February 2007 as Split Personality (""). The single Tell Her topped song and video charts on the radio and MTV, and the video for this song was awarded the MTV Russian Music Award
for Best Video.
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band. They were formed and released their first album in 1994. Since then, they have remained one of the most popular rock bands in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and the former Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. The band's name is derived from "spleen" (in the sense of "depression
Depression (mood)
Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behaviour, feelings and physical well-being. Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, or restless...
"), and the "ea" spelling in English is a pun on the spelling of the Beatles. It was borrowed from a short poem by Sasha Cherny
Sasha Cherny
Sasha Chorny , real name Alexander Mikhailovich Glickberg, was a Russian poet, satirist and children's writer.-Early years:...
, which the band reformed into song.
The band was formed when lead singer Alexander Vasilyev, while working in a theatrical institute, was introduced to keyboardist Nikolay Rostovsky. The two formed a band, and risking Vasilyev's job, began recording their first album "Pylnaya Byl" in one of the institute's studios at night. After the release of Splean's second album, the band moved to Moscow. Their growing popularity was proved by Boris Grebenshchikov
Boris Grebenshchikov
Boris Borisovich Grebenshchikov also known as Boris Purushottama Grebenshikov, is one of the most prominent members of the generation which is widely considered the "founding fathers" of Russian rock music...
's support. Splean had a string of hit songs including "Sugar Free Orbit ", "New People", "Backwards Time", and "We Were Just Sitting and Smoking".
Despite rumours that the group is on the verge of breaking up, Splean continues performing throughout Russia and the world. The band frequently experiments and evolves, so that the current version of Splean is quite different from its original version.
In 2004, the band garnered international attention for the inclusion of their song "Be My Shadow" ("") in the movie based on Sergey Lukyanenko
Sergey Lukyanenko
Sergei Vasilievich Lukyanenko is a science fiction and fantasy author, writing in Russian, and is arguably the most popular contemporary Russian sci-fi writer...
's bestselling novel Night Watch
Night Watch (Russian novel)
Night Watch is a fantasy novel by Russian writer Sergei Lukyanenko published in 1998...
.
Splean was a headliner of the 2005 Krylya Rock festival. In that same year, the group started recording another album, which was released in February 2007 as Split Personality (""). The single Tell Her topped song and video charts on the radio and MTV, and the video for this song was awarded the MTV Russian Music Award
MTV Russian Music Awards
The MTV Russia Music Awards made its debut in 2004 and have celebrated local Russian talent as well as International. The MTV Russia Music Awards features local and international acts and music celebrities being honoured by Russian viewers.-Host Cities:...
for Best Video.
Members
- Alexander Vasilyev - lead vocals, guitar
- Vadim Sergeyev - guitar
- Dmitriy Kunin - bass-guitar
- Nikolay Rostovsky - keyboards
- Alexey Mesherekov - drums
Discography
- "" (Dusty FactDusty FactDusty Fact is the first album by well-known Russian rock group Splean. It was recorded onto audio cassette at night, in the secrecy of the studio in the St. Petersburg Buff Theatre...
), 1994 - "" (Arms CollectorArms Collector- Track listing :#Будь моей тенью #Любовь идет по проводам #Чёрный цвет Солнца #Самовар #Жертва талого льда #Что ты будешь делать?...
), 1996 - "" (Black Eye, lit. Lamp Under the Eye), 1997
- "" (Pomegranate Album), 1998
- "" (Altavista), 1999
- "" (Denomin@tor (collection of songs for the radio)), 1999
- " live" (Altavista live), 2000
- "" (25th Frame), 2001
- "" (Unplugged), 2002
- "" (New People), 2003
- "" (Reversed Chronicle of Events), 2004
- "" (Split Personality), 2007
- "" (Signal From Space), 2009