Q. Who are Punk TV?

Alex – keys, guitar

Konstantin – drums

Vladimir – vocal, bass

Q. Where does the name Punk TV come from?

No concept. We just believe that it's catchy and funny name.

Q. Is it true you are from Siberia? If so is it as cold and desolate as it is portrayed? What sort of music scene, if any, does it have?

This is absolutely true – we are Siberians. All of us were born in Novosibirsk, and we started the project there in 2004. Well... it could be bloody cold - -40 C (or even -50C) in the winter, but... it is terribly hot in the summer also. And it is really beautiful when it is snowing. Can't say much about Siberian music scene - just metal and Russian pop-rock bands.

Q. We believe you are now based in Moscow, what is Moscow like? What's good and bad about it?

Moscow is a vampire – "Bright light, big city, cool, cool people" – Spaceman 3. The good and the bad things are the same:-) We had to move here – if you wanna play music in Russia, you should go to Moscow. Probably, this is not our final destination. We don't belong to this city and can go anywhere in future if we feel that it's good for the band.

Q. Do people in Moscow drink as much Vodka as it's portrayed in movies?!

Sometimes YES. But, speaking truthfully – people in the UK and Ireland drink more alcohol than Russians.

Q. What are the current feelings towards Russian's communist past?

Young people can't even remember those days. They are lucky to live in New Russia, but we think that it's very important to know what happened with our country in 20th century (and what were the reasons for that) if we don't want to waste another 70 years.

Q. Do you sing just in English or do you sing in Russian too? Is there many bands that sing in Russian and is there any pressure for you to do so?

We sing in English only. We believe, that English is natural for that kind of music we play, and it sounds cool. At the same time we have never being a part of old-school Russian pop/rock scene. Today more new Russian bands sing in English too.

Q. You have an album out, what's it called & what's it sound like?

Our first self titled album was released in Russia in 2005 and re-released in US 2006. The second one "Music for the broken keys" came out in 2007 in Russia. Our biggest influences are: My Bloody Valentine, Death In Vegas, M83, Primal Scream... Well, we are putting rock music into electronic landscape or playing techno on guitars.

Q. How can we get hold a copy / download it?

Go to our myspace page for all info: http://www.myspace.com/MUSICPUNKTV

Q. What do you think myspace has to offer bands & artists? Do you think the internet is more important in a vast country like Russia? How many friends have you got and how many are actual friends?

Myspace offers a good communication – it is very important for unknown bands. We use it a lot and it helps us to get concerts in the places we've never heard about before (Alitus, Lithuania for example). And yes – we DO like travel:-) We have more than 5000 "digital" friends – and just a couple of real one, and it's OK. I prefer someone I can touch than click.

Q. Have you got a website too (you can blatantly plug it), what's it got on it and is it worth a visit?

Our website is under construction.

Q. What is you favorite song you've written & why? What song would you have love to have written?

I like "Day By Day" – first track from our first album. It is really rocky on stage and has a good lyric: "Day by day, night by night, love and hate under discolight":-)

Q. How would you describe your live gigs? What's your favourite gig and have you one would you like to forget?

Our live sound is very different from the records. I mean, that on the concerts we sounds like rock band with some electronics, when in studio it's like electronic band with some guitars. Sometimes we go bloody rocky – our friends with guitars and termenvox join us on stage. Last time in Moscow (2 weeks ago) we used two drum sets and changed instruments on stage between each other – it was brilliant! Don't think I would like to forget any gig – well... there was one in a small club – it was my birthday party – and I can't remember the gig in itself, so I can't forget it actually:-)

Q. Where have in the world have you played gigs? Is there anywhere you'd not go back to!

We've played in Baltic States, Finland, UK, Ukraine and more than 20 cities in Russia. I wish we never go to Altai again – it's really hard to play when there is no electricity!

Q. What's your favourite place in the world and what does it say about you?

London – I never get bored in this city. I've spent months and months in London already but can't say I know even a half of it.

Q.What song gets you dancing every time & why?

"Unbelievable" by EMF – this is an ideal pop song and it sounds fantastic - fresh and groove even 18 years back.

Q. What was the last CD / download you bought and was it any good?

A few days ago I bought a couple of 7"s: Semifinals "Last Pretending", Primal Scream "Can't Go Back", Das Pop "Underground", Joy Division "Warsow", The Raveonettes "You Want The Cand" and some more - and I'm very happy with them. My last download was Curve's "Weekend" as a free mp3 from they site. Curve is one of the biggest influences for Punk TV ever.

Q. What's your view on Radiohead allowing fans to pay what they want for their new album? Do you think it's just a marketing ploy? What would you pay for it? Is it anything you've considered doing?

I won't pay a penny for this as I'm not interesting in Radiohead much. Well, I can say that this is not my favourite band definitely. And it's all about marketing play for me. Anyway – they gave a freedom of choice – this is good, and they sold millions of vinyl LPs – this is also good for the market. Wise guys!!!

Q. What's the best and worst thing you've ever seen written about you?

I don't remember anything that disappointed me much, and the best words were: "Punk TV is trio of gay/alcoholics that can't play music at all!!!":-) Sounds great!!!

Indie Tracks
Venue – Midland Railway Centre
Now this has to be the strangest festival in the calendar as it's home is a steam / heritage railway. Yes that's right a railway, in fact the main stage is actually in the engine shed! In fact it's not as weird as it sounds, in fact it actually works really well which is why they are back for their second year. Along with the engine shed stage there's an outdoor stage (basically the back of a lorry – which we believe is common place and how the Truck Festival got it's name) on a large, neat grassed area and then there's a further stage in a church. The church stage looks really cool in fact, it's a tin church, which looks, like it would be well at home in the badlands of America.

We arrive at Butterley in deepest Derbyshire to find we have just missed one of the many train shuttles to the site at Swanwick, we ask the 'station staff' when the next one will be and there's a shrug of the shoulders and an answer of 'whenever'! Well it's a nice day so we walk, it only takes about ten minutes and we beat the train by a country mile, bit laid back these preserved railways. We are greeted by a pleasant young lady who give us our wristbands and we spend a few minutes chatting to the promoter, a nice chap by the name of Stuart, which kind of sets the tone for the day. It's just so damn friendly, a real breathe of fresh air. If you've been to big mega festivals like V, Leeds or T in the Park there is always a bit of an edge, an element of the attendees that aren't there for the music but just to get hammered, like a provincial town's Saturday night only in a field!

We amble over to the main stage inside the engine shed, which actually is pretty new and looks a bit like a mini B&Q but that said the sound is pretty good so no problems there. We walk into the final song by (we think) Pocketbooks and there seems to be as many people on stage as in the crowd, turns out they've been invited onto the stage for a good old fashioned dance and as they rejoin the crowd there's smiles aplenty. As we walk out into the bright summer sun I find a quid on the floor; things just keep getting better, well for me anyway.

We take a pleasant stroll around the site, we take a look at the church stage which is rammed and looks really cool, however, as it's bloody hot outside and it's a tin church you can feel the heat as you stand next to the door. We give it a miss and wander over to the outdoor stage, an all girl band are on, seem pleasant enough and again we have no idea who they are! There's plenty sat around enjoying the set and they seemed to be enjoying it too. We continue onto the railway buffet so a member of the shadders team can get some snap, he elects to have an ice cream sundae and we have a chat to a couple he knows, again how very civilised.

We decide once ice cream has been scoffed to make our way back over to the main stage to see Airport Girl, not that we have any idea who they are but that's not the point. As we enter the building there's a well-stocked and reasonably priced bar so I invest the found quid (and a bit more) on a bottle of Twaites beer, now you don't get that at Carling Weekender or T in the Park! I later find out they have real ales straight from the barrel, now that's a bit of a result. Anyhow there's a fair crowd for Airport Girl who to be fair sound pretty good, kind of obvious indie guitar pop with a bit of an alt country edge, oh and a pretty cellist too. About halfway through their set the bassist makes a comment on how they are going to get a bit rockier so anyone of a twee disposition should leave the building, he laughs and then says better not as they'd be nobody left! And that's the other point about the majority here, The Smiths were probably a bit mainstream for them and Belle and Sebastion are sell outs for actually selling more than ten albums (on coloured vinyl no doubt)! All jolly nice to a man though! Airport Girl hardly get 'rocky' but they do get plenty of feet moving and for their final song they end up as a kind of indie super group with three lovely backing singers and a guest vocalist.

Back out into the sunlight we kind of bump into Dave Gedge who is the real reason why we are here for their headline set. He jokes that he charges a fiver a pop for a photo but let's us take a few snaps anyway. We then have a few minutes discussing the fact he likes playing unusual venues (this fit's that bill) and then the antics of Doctor Beeching (who to the uninformed shut down hundreds of railways like this one during the 1960's).

The next hour or so is a blur of sunshine, The Lodger and bloke from Derby playing an acoustic session in a herbal tea tent, a few lagers / beers and a bit of heritage train spotting. Our ambling means we miss all bar the final song of the set by Comet Gain who pack the main stage and get a splendid reception after their finale.

We know that there's a bit of time before the Wedding Present take the stage for their headline slot so we head back out to the outdoor stage for a bit of air and see who is on. It transpires that Punk TV the headliners of that stage are on, we have a bit of time so we decide to give them a few minutes. Turns out that they are from Siberia via Moscow but Punk TV definitely bring Russian music in from the cold. They look the part, always like the long hair and hooped shirt look (takes me back to my shoegaze youth) but Punk TV have quite a bite to them. They also have quite a beat about them too, comparisons are made between them and Soup Dragons whilst they cite New Order as an influence. It's a bit of shock to the system to see a Russian band in the middle of Derbyshire on the back of a truck but it works and they are sensational.

Unfortunately time moves on we have to head back over to the main stage as The Wedding Present draw ever closer. In fact as we get a quick beer Gedge and co are already making their way onto the stage. There's quite some history between us and The Wedding Present, in fact our first Weddoes gig is nearly seventeen years ago (Wakefield Rooftop Gardens if you are interested) and the album 'Seamonsters' is an ever present in our top three albums since it's release (we invested in the American version for the single B sides!). Throughout the years they have never, ever disappointed live neither and they aren't going to make an exception tonight, it's a blinder. Gedge is in top form with plenty of banter with the crowd and they play an eclectic mix from throughout the vast catalogue and long career. Gedge even throws in an old Cinerama song, his other band when he took a Wedding Present hiatus. As we able towards the front the first of many old 'uns are banged out 'Suck' is an emotional bombshell and true Wedding Present gem. We love the fact that a member of the crowd asks (well shouts) for 'Montreal' and he says he'll see if he can learn it in twenty minutes. About twenty minutes later he's playing it, obviously on the setlist all along but what a star response. Musically The Wedding Present verge from frenzied guitar murder to the twee indie pop but it's the former we love. Nobody can argue that 'Brassneck' isn't a true indie classic and gets a welcome outing but it's the finale that really is the highlight. After Gedge traditionally announces that they don't do encores they blast through first 'Dalliance' and the 'Dare' what an ending. These two 'Seamonster' classics are a right beating to the senses, hardly easy listening but lyrically and musically second to none. What a way to end, they be some sore limbs and bruises to those down the front but it's always well worth a bit of physical pain to go with Gedges emotional musical onslaughts. Simply stunning.

бренд CHESTERFIELD, агентство RIFF Entertainment и клуб "КРИЗИС ЖАНРА"
представляют:

1 июня
ЦСИ "Винзавод"
Blast Fest

Состав участников:

Supergrass (UK)
Бретт Андерсон (UK)

Blast (Россия)
Punk TV (Россия)
Мои Ракеты вверх (Россия)
Vinny Vinny (UK)
My Silver Revolver (UK/USA)
Bajinda Behind the Enemy Lines (Россия)

1 июня на территории Центра Современного Искусства "Винзавод" состоится первый масштабный опен-эйр этого сезона: фестиваль "Blast Fest", хэдлайнерами которого станут не нуждающаяся в представлениях английская группа Supergrass и Бретт Андерсон.

"Blast Fest" - своеобразная выставка достижений современной и актуальной рок-музыки, он объединит как грандов, так и совсем молодых музыкантов.
Группа Supergrass - икона брит-попа, в рамках "Blast Fest" музыканты впервые выступят в России. Экс-вокалист Suede Бретт Андерсон - также герой брит-поп-сцены. Относительно недавно он был в Москве, и его визит стал настоящей сенсацией. Молодая и талантливая английская группа Vinny Vinny уже покорила клубную аудиторию и стала желанным гостем на крупных фестивалях. My Silver Revolver - команда экспатов, их драйвовая музыка пользуется огромной популярностью среди посетителей столичных клубов.
Российские участники фестиваля опровергают заезженный тезис, гласящий, что "русские группы должны петь по-русски". Англоязычные команды, участники "Blast Fest" популярны не только в России, но и за рубежом, и по праву считаются частью мировой инди-культуры. Идейный вдохновитель фестиваля, брит-поп группа "Blast", собирает аншлаги в российских клубах и с завидной регулярностью ездит в европейские туры. Новосибирцы Punk TV называют свой стиль "electrodream", разогревают заезжих звезд вроде Happy Mondays и Rapture, и успешно гастролируют по Великобритании. "Мои ракеты вверх" - одна из главных групп российской независимой сцены, на их счету - регулярные туры по России и несколько успешных поездок в Европу. Молодая самарская группа "Bajinda behind the enemy lines" уже удостоилась восторженных отзывов от музыкальных критиков и готова к покорению крупных площадок.
"Blast Fest" - это не просто музыкальный опен-эйр с сильным составом участником, "Blast Fest" - это полноценный фестиваль культуры, искусства и отдыха. Концертная площадка будет находится под навесом - а это значит, что никакие погодные условия не смогут омрачить радость посетителей фестиваля. Кроме этого, на фестивале будет комфортная VIP-зона, чилл-аут, продажа эксклюзивного мерчандайзинга, а также интересные конкурсы. Всех пришедших ждет выставка от фотографа Лоуренса Уотсона (http://lawrencewatson.net/),  на протяжении многих лет снимавшего суперзвезд, работы которого будут проданы в присутствии самого автора на аукционе. И это еще не все: организаторы готовят супер-сюрприз, который обязательно порадует всех пришедших на "Blast Fest". Не пропустите!

Начало в 14:00
Внимание! Мероприятие только для лиц, старше 18 лет! Пожалуйста, захватите с собой паспорт.

You can leave your voice for Punk TV at Russian Alternative Music Prize 2007 in many different nominations !!! www.ramp2007.ru