Korol I Shut

Korol i Shut () were a Russian horror punk band from Saint Petersburg that took inspiration and costumes from tales and fables.

History

The band was formed in 1988 by a group of school friends in Leningrad (current day Saint Petersburg). The founding members were Mikhail "Gorshok" Gorsheniov (), Aleksandr "Balu" Balunov (), and Aleksandr "Lieutenant" Shchigoliev (). Singer Andrei "Kniaz" Kniazev () joined the band in 1990 and guitarist Yakov Tsvirkunov () joined in 1996. The band's name, which means "The King and the Jester," was adopted in 1992. Previously, the band was called Kontora ().

Korol' i Shut's lyrics are written by Kniazev and feature horror stories and folk tales about pirates, trolls, ghosts and vampires, as well as Slavic mythology.

The band recorded their music for the first time in 1991 in a semi-professional studio. Their music was broadcast on the radio soon after and they began to tour around Saint Petersburg's clubs. They began rehearsing in the club TaMtAm, in which the bands Chimera and Tequilajazzz also started performing.

In 1994, the band released a few copies of a tape named "''Bud' kak doma putnik"'' ().

The band's first official album was 1996's "''Kamnem po golove"'' () which was distributed by Melodiya. Many other albums were released since then. The first music video was released in 1998 for the song "Yeli miaso muzhiki" ().

The band's lead singer, Mikhail Gorsheniov, died of heart failure during the night from 18 to 19 July 2013. After a farewell tour during the fall and winter of 2013, Korol' i Shut officially broke up in January 2014. The surviving members formed a new band named ().

However, due to the numerous requests of the fans, the former band members decided to keep the name Korol' i Shut exclusively for the release of the unfinished rock musical ''TODD''.

Posthumous Recognition

In 2023, a TV miniseries titled ''Korol i Shut'' was released, combining the band's biography with adaptations of their folk horror stories, leading to a resurgence in their popularity.

Musical Style and Themes

Korol i Shut's music is characterized by a fusion of horror punk, folk punk, and art punk. Their lyrics, primarily written by Andrei Kniazev, often depict horror stories and folk tales involving pirates, trolls, ghosts, vampires, and elements of Slavic mythology. Despite the macabre themes, many songs incorporate humor, sarcasm, and irony.

The band's theatrical performances, complete with costumes and makeup inspired by horror punk aesthetics, contributed to their distinctive image.

Legacy and Influence

Korol i Shut holds an iconic status in Russian rock music, known for bringing punk rock to mainstream audiences. Their unique blend of storytelling and punk aesthetics influenced numerous artists and bands within Russia and the broader post-Soviet space. The band's approach to integrating folklore into music has been cited as pioneering, contributing to a distinct subgenre within Russian rock.

Former members

* Mikhail "Gorshok" Gorshenyov (Михаил «Горшок» Горшенёв) - vocals, acoustic guitar (1988-2013)
* Andrei "Kniaz" Kniazev (Андрей «Князь» Князев) - vocals, lyrics (1989-2011)
* Aleksandr "Balu" Balunov (Александр «Балу» Балунов) — bass guitar, guitar (1988-2006)
* Dmitry "Ryabchik" Ryabchenko (Дмитрий «Рябчик» Рябченко) — bass guitar
* Aleksei "Yagoda" Gorshenyov (Алексей «Ягода» Горшенёв) — drums (1993-1995)
* Maria "Masha" Nefyodova (Мария «Маша» Нефёдова) — violin (1998-2004)
* Dmitry "Casper" Rishko (Дмитрий Ришко) - violin (2006-2011)
* Yakov "Yasha" Tsvirkunov (Яков «Яша» Цвиркунов) - guitars, backing vocal (1995-2013)
* Aleksandr " Poruchik" Shchigolyev (Александр «Поручик» Щиголев) - drums (1988-2013)
* Pavel "Pakhan" Sazhinov (Павел Сажинов) - keyboards (1998-2013)
* Aleksandr "Renegat" Leontyev (Александр «Ренегат» Леонтьев) — guitar (2001-2006; 2011-2013)
* Sergei "Zakhar" Zakharov (Сергей «Захар» Захаров) - bass guitar (2006-2013)

Discography

Awards and nominations

Controversies

Cultural and Religious Criticism

Korol i Shut’s macabre lyrical themes and theatrical horror-punk aesthetic drew frequent condemnation from conservative and religious groups in Russia. Songs like "Танец злобного гения" ("Dance of the Evil Genius") and "Кукла колдуна" ("Witch’s Doll") were criticized for allegedly promoting "anti-Christian" values and glorifying themes like alcoholism and black magic. In 2007, a coalition of Orthodox Christian organizations petitioned the Ministry of Culture to cancel their Moscow concert, claiming their performances "corrupted youth".

The band’s 1999 single "Ели мясо мужики" ("Men Were Eating Meat")—a graphic allegory about societal decay—sparked debates about artistic freedom. Critics accused the band of "mocking traditional morality," while supporters praised its satirical critique of post-Soviet Russia.

Internal Conflicts and Gorshok's Death

Frontman Mikhail "Gorshok" Gorshenev’s struggles with substance abuse became a public controversy. His erratic behavior during concerts and documented alcohol addiction led to tensions with co-founder Andrei "Knyaz" Knyazev, who temporarily left the band in 2008. Gorshenev’s death in 2013 from heart failure, linked to long-term alcohol abuse, prompted discussions about the destructive lifestyles associated with Russian rock culture.

Posthumous Depictions and Legacy Debates

The band’s legacy faced scrutiny after their 2014 disbandment. Surviving members were criticized for authorizing the posthumous album *TODD* (2018), which featured unfinished recordings of Gorshenev. In 2023, the TV series reignited controversy for fictionalizing band history, including portraying Gorshenev’s first wife as a villain. Former bassist Alexander "Balagan" Shchigolyev called the series "a distorted mirror of our past."

References

External links

Official site

Unofficial forum

RussMus.Net: Korol i Shut Lyrics and English translations

{{DEFAULTSORT:Korol i Shut

Musical groups from Saint Petersburg
Russian punk rock groups
Musical groups established in 1988
Horror punk groups
Soviet punk rock groups
Musical groups disestablished in 2014
Russian rock music groups