Aquarium (band)

Aquarium, or Akvarium, is a foundational Russian rock group.

The band was formed in Leningrad in 1972. It is considered one of the primary founders of Russian rock music. The group has experienced many lineup changes over its long history. Boris Grebenshchikov is the only remaining original member of the band. He founded the group with Anatoly Gunitsky, a playwright and poet. Together, they helped shape a new musical identity in the Soviet Union.

In the early 1970s, the band's formation involved several key individuals. Grebenshchikov was a student of applied mathematics at Leningrad State University. Gunitsky played the drums. Other early members included Alexander Tsatsanidi on bass and Vadim Vasilyev on keyboards. Valery Obogrelov served as the sound specialist. The name "Aquarium" has several possible origins. One popular story says it was inspired by a Leningrad pub. Grebenshchikov has also suggested it came from word association sessions. Another theory links the name to a building that looks like a glass aquarium.

Performing rock music in the Soviet Union required great creativity. The government strictly regulated rock and roll during this era. Most artists had to be approved by the state label, Melodiya. Because of these restrictions, Aquarium often performed in private apartments. These events were known as "kvartirniki," or apartment concerts.

These shows were usually acoustic to avoid disturbing neighbors. If the music was too loud, the Militsiya, or police, might be called. These intimate settings created a unique bond between the musicians and their audience.

Aquarium's musical style was shaped by many different influences. They were inspired by Western rock artists like The Beatles and Bob Dylan. They also drew from David Bowie and progressive rock acts like Jethro Tull.

This influence resulted in complex compositions and wide-ranging lyrical themes. The band even incorporated references to Celtic and Indian cultures into their work. Members like Andrew Romanov even changed their training to play the flute. This helped the band achieve a varied and interesting musical program.

In 1980, the band reached a major turning point at the Tbilisi Rock Festival.

Their performance was considered bizarre and shocking by the festival jury. Grebenshchikov performed provocative movements on stage while playing the guitar. This caused the jury members to leave the hall in protest. The band faced accusations of indecency and was banned from the festival. These incidents caused Grebenshchikov to lose his job and be expelled from the Komsomol. However, the scandal turned the band into a symbol of Soviet alternative culture.

During the late 1980s, the era of Glasnost changed everything for the group.

The new political climate allowed underground musicians to gain public recognition. Aquarium moved from private apartments to large concert halls. They even appeared on state-owned television. In 1987, they recorded their first album for the Melodiya label. This album was a massive success and sold over one million copies in a few months. They also began recording soundtracks for films, such as the movie Assa.

Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, Aquarium has continued to evolve. Grebenshchikov has released music under different names, such as The BG-Band. The band has toured extensively across Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. They have also performed for Russian-speaking communities in Germany, Israel, and the United States. In 2007, the group reached a major milestone by performing at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Even with frequent lineup changes, the band remains a highly successful and influential force in Russian music.