HISTORY

"The Haydamaky are the present day disciples of the Ukrainian cult of tradition. Through their spiritual and musical integrity, they are committed to the cause of taking back their culture from out of the hands of corrupt, immoral mentality."

The Haydamaky began their career in 1991, shortly after Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union. At that time the band was known as Aktus, and played mostly local gigs in the underground Kyiv music scene. In the absence of a fertile, popular local music scene, Aktus turned to the sounds of reggae, ska, and punk music for a fresh alternative. The group was also attracted to the political impact that these genres had on their society. The idea that through music, significant social change is possible, gave greater purpose to the performance of such musical styles. The discovery of these musical genres later became the key to their own realization of a specifically Ukrainian musical style. Haydamaky's hope is to forge an inherently Ukrainian popular music style, which looks back on its own heritage and traditions as a source for inspiration.

In 1993 with the addition of sopilka-vocalist Olexandr Yarmola and accordionist Ivan Len'o, both well-known and respected in folk circles, the band increasingly incorporated elements of Ukrainian folk music into their compositions.

Since the early 1990's Aktus was engaged in constant tours about Europe. Unlike most popular Ukrainian music groups who propagate Soviet style Estrada, or copies of Western and American styles, Aktus sought to introduce elements of Ukrainian folk music through a cross-cultural mix including Reggae and Ska.

As of early 2001, the group was discovered in Kyiv by EMI Records out of London, England, and was immediately signed contractually to their label. It was time to establish an even firmer tie to their own culture, through changing their name into Haydamaky, in honor of the historical Haydamaky rebellion revolution which took place in Ukraine in the 18th century. This rebellion was a reaction of Ukrainian peasants and serfs against repressive foreign occupation.

Right after getting proper name for truly Ukrainian group, the album of the same name was released. That was the first album of the group, nevertheless there can be found one of the greatest kobza singers – Taras Kompanichenko – on the vocals. The curious and the attentive can also hear Pylyp Yarmola, the son of Olexandr Yarmola, on the vocals too. Among other invitee musicians there can be found Eugen Goryslavsky - trumpet and Vitaliy Panc’o – cymbals. Moreover, the album was supported by video for one of the tracks named “Polissya”. “Haydamaky” was quite an event for that time Ukrainian music stage. Since then Haydamaky - the pure warriors of light - have been constantly striving for the sophistication of the souls and music tastes of Ukrainians and the whole humankind.

The music of Haydamaky is inspired by various ethnic musics from around the world, especially from various regions of Ukraine, such as Polissya, Bukovyna, and Zakarpathia. Other influences include the punk music of Shane McGowan and such reggae bands like Burning Spear and Black Uhuru.
During 2001–2006 the band participated in various festivals.
Most important:

„Litomerzickyj Korzen"-2002, 2003 (Litomerice, Czehia),
"Parismuusika festival" - 2003 (Viljandi, Estonia),
"Viljandi Folk"- 2003, (Viljandi, Estonia),
"Pohoda" festival - 2001, 2002 (Trencin, Slovakia)
"Asian Dub Foundation" in Bratislava - 2004 (Slovakia Tour),
"Mazepa Fest" - 2004, 2006, 2007 (Poltava, Urkaine),
"Sheshory" - 2004, 2005, 2006 (Sheshory, Ukraine),
"Kraina Mriy" - 2005 (Kyiv, Ukraine),
"Rock Ekzistencia" - 2004, 2005 (Kyiv, Ukraine),
"Оrcestra Swjatecnej Pomochy" - 2004, 2005 (Stalowa Wola, Poland),
"Przystanek Woodstock" - 2005 (Kostrzyn, Poland),
"World Cup Football" - 2006 (Germany Tour),
"Mundial" - 2007 (Tilburg, Netherlands),
"AmsterdamRootsFest" - 2007 (Amsterdam, Netherlands),
"Musicas do Mundo" - 2007 (Sines, Portugal),

In April 2004 the band released their second album "Boguslav". This time the group searched even deeper into Ukrainian folk music for material, ideas, and textures. The ensemble invited violinist Vasyl Hekker, perhaps the foremost authority on authentic Ukrainian folk violin style, to collaborate on the project. Bandurist-Guitarist Jurij Fedynskyj, of New York, America, relocated to Kyiv to join the ensemble. Also Ukrainian free-style bandurist Roman Grynkiv (famous worldwide by his works with Andreas Vollenweider and Al Di Meola) participated in the recording of Haydamaky' album "Boguslav". And the band invited two young ladies from authentic Ukrainian choir "Bogychy": Natalia Serbina and Masha Firsova, - to do the back - vocals on the most of songs of the album. In a couple of months, when the proper director was found, a video was shot. Sanin, who is also the director of Mamaj, managed to show both the beauty of Ukrainian village with its people and the way how deeply musicians feel for their brothers and sisters, for their beloved and for their Motherland. They say one can hear the near Carpathians and the far away Jamaica, dances and sorrow, love and internecine battle in the music of Haydamaky performed in that album.

The whole summer of 2004 Haydamaky spent on tour about Estonia, Poland, Czech Rep., Slovakia and Romania.

In autumn there happened some changes to the membership of the band. Two of them - Ruslan Troshchynsky the trombonist and Vlad Grymalsky the dub-master - left and two new members - Eugeniu Didic the trumpeter and Sergiy Bravarniuk the percussionist - were adopted. With their coming a new stage of the development of the group got started.

In late 2004 those not indifferent to the future of their country and appreciating democratic values, were engaged in Orange Revolution. And, for sure, Hadamaky were among the artists performing at Independence Square (Maidan Nezaleznosti) – the main square of the country – supporting “people of the Maidan” (some 100’000 to 500’000 people present at a time) with their out bursting energy and infinite love to Motherland. And what is noteworthy and unexampled is that no one was injured and no crime or even hooliganism was registered by the police. They say, it’s all owing to the peaceful effect of music upon people.

Democracy is worth fighting for it and the pure warriors of light – Haydamaky- did everything possible through their music to give it the way in Ukraine.

The year 2005 was highly fruitful for the group. Haydamaky made an energetic start of the year (more than 30 concerts tour about Poland, 12 of which were performed in January) and went on participating in festivals and making up new material for their 3rd album through the year.

During the year the band participated in various festivals such as: “Sheshory – 2005” (Ukraine), “Kraina Mrij” (Ukraine), “Przystanek Woodstock” (Poland), “Rock Existencia”(Ukraine) etc.

Haydamaky performed at “Przystanek Woodstock” before some 250’000 to 400’000 people. They were the headliners of the final day at the folk stage and also performed that day at prime-time at the main stage. It was the very first time that Ukraine was presented at the biggest stage in Europe! With lots of trust to reviews of the event we may state that the number of Ukrainian folk music and Carpathian Ska lovers increased.

Moreover, in a month after the fest Haydamaky were informed of being nominated for “Plebiscyt Z?otego B?czka 2006” contest provided by Polish charity organization “Wielka Orkiestra ?wiatecznej Pomocy”. In April 2006 the jury is to name the winner.

Autumn was the time to work hard at the studio, for to realize the 3rd album in time. The group took part only in the most significant home events.

In January 2006 Haydamaky signed contact with EastBlock and shortly after “Ukraine Calling” was presented in Berlin at the release party on the 21st of February. To promote the album and to give some joy of live sound to the listeners Haydamaky made one more tour about Europe. Carpathian Ska seems to win more and more of attention and admiration, now not only with youth, but also with all the other age groups.

In a couple of weeks Haydamaky found themselves at the 7th place at World Chart Music Europe. Moreover, their song "Behind Our Barn" was included into the play list of Charley Gillett, who is one of the world key radio presenters in the realm of “Songs of the World” and also the most acknowledged BBC presenter at this beat. His program "The Sound of the World" is aired all over the world and plenty of other radio presenters in different countries are guided by its play lists. 3

See http://www.charliegillett.com/playlist.php?date=14January06 to feel the prominence of the moment more deeply

October 2006 was signal for new album, as owing to "Ukraine Calling" Geman label "Eastblok" became one of the 20 „Top Label Award winners for 2006” (WOMEX / World Music Charts Europe). The ceremony was held in Sevilla, Spain, where the authors of the highly estimated product were present.

P.S. “Ukraine Calling” was much inspired by and to a certain extent dedicated to Yuriy Andruhovich, the Ukrainian writer, now living in Berlin. In March 2006 at the grand opening of Leipzig book fair the public clapped standing after the speech he had delivered when receiving the prize for European common understanding

As one of the critics said: “The Haydamaky music is the Europe we haven’t known yet”