Korol i Shut
{{Short description|Russian punk rock band}}
{{Refimprove|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| image = Logo of the Korol i Shut.svg
| image_size = 200px
| background = group_or_band
| alias =
| origin = Saint Petersburg, Russia
| genre = Horror punk, folk punk, shock rock, art punk
| years_active = 1988–2014
| label = {{ill|Misteriya Zvuka|ru|Мистерия Звука}} ({{Langx|ru|Мистерия Звука}})
Melodiya ({{Langx|ru|Мелодия}})
{{ill|Bomba-Piter|lt=Manchester Files|ru|Бомба-Питер}}
Nikitin ({{Langx|ru|Никитин}})
| associated_acts =
| website = [http://www.korol-i-shut.ru/ www.korol-i-shut.ru]
| past_members = Mikhail Gorsheniov
Andrei Kniazev
Aleksandr Balunov
Dmitrii Riabchenko
Aleksei Gorsheniov
Maria Nefiodova
Dmitrii Rishko
Yakov Tsvirkunov
Aleksandr Shchigoliev
Pavel Sazhinov
Aleksandr Leontiev
Sergei Zaharov
| name = Korol i Shut
}}
Korol i Shut ({{langx|ru|Король и Шут|lit=King and Jester}}) 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 ({{Langx|ru|Михаил "Горшок" Горшенёв}}), Aleksandr "Balu" Balunov ({{Langx|ru|Александр "Балу" Балунов}}), and Aleksandr "Lieutenant" Shchigoliev ({{Langx|ru|Александр "Поручик" Щиголев}}). Singer Andrei "Kniaz" Kniazev ({{Langx|ru|Андрей "Князь" Князев}}) joined the band in 1990 and guitarist Yakov Tsvirkunov ({{Langx|ru|Яков Цвиркунов}}) joined in 1996. The band's name, which means "The King and the Jester," was adopted in 1992.{{Cite book |last=Балунов |first=Александр |title=Король и Шут. Между Купчино и Ржевкой |publisher=АСТ |year=2016 |pages=384 |trans-title=King and the Clown. Between Kupchino and Rzhevka}}{{Cite web |last=Карев |first=Игорь |date=2021-05-08 |title=Без Горшка, но с «Тоддом». Как живут участники группы «Король и Шут» |url=https://aif.ru/culture/person/bez_gorshka_no_s_toddom_kak_zhivut_uchastniki_gruppy_korol_i_shut |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=AiF |language=ru}} Previously, the band was called Kontora ({{Langx|ru|Контора|lit=Bureau}}).{{Cite web|last=Chekinev|first=Ilya|date=2013-11-20|title=Пять любопытных фактов из истории "КиШ"|url=https://rg.ru/2013/11/20/kish-site-anons.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131123151438/https://rg.ru/2013/11/20/kish-site-anons.html|archive-date=2013-11-23|access-date=2021-05-06|website=Rossiyskaya Gazeta|language=ru}}
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,{{Cite book|last=Gakkel|first=Vsevolod|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/162154853|title=Akvarium kak sposob ukhoda za tennisnym kortom|publisher=Amfora|year=2007|isbn=978-5-367-00331-4|location=Saint Petersburg|language=ru|oclc=162154853}} in which the bands Chimera and Tequilajazzz also started performing.{{cite book|author=Stogov|first=I. Yu.|title=Greshniki|publisher=Amfora|year=2007|isbn=978-5-367-00586-8|location=Saint Petersburg|page=250|language=ru}}
In 1994, the band released a few copies of a tape named "Bud' kak doma putnik" ({{Langx|ru|«Будь как дома путник»|lit=Make Yourself At Home, Wayfarer}}).
The band's first official album was 1996's "Kamnem po golove" ({{Langx|ru|«Камнем по голове»|lit=Rock To The Head}}) 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" ({{Langx|ru|«Ели мясо мужики»|lit=Men Were Eating Meat}}).
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 {{Interlanguage link|Severny Flot|ru|Северный флот (группа)}} ({{Langx|ru|Северный флот}}).{{Cite web|date=2014-01-02|title=Группа «Король и шут» прекратила существование|url=https://lenta.ru/news/2014/01/02/kish/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830103301/https://lenta.ru/news/2014/01/02/kish/|archive-date=2020-08-30|access-date=10 September 2020|website=Lenta.ru|language=ru}}{{Cite web|date=2014-01-02|title=Группа "Король и Шут" превратилась в "Северный флот"|url=https://www.vesti.ru/article/1846614|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331044747/https://www.vesti.ru/article/1846614|archive-date=2021-03-31|access-date=10 September 2020|website=Vesti.ru|language=ru}}
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.{{Cite web|last=Nedelko|first=Yekaterina|date=2013-12-23|title=Зонг-опера сохранит "Король и Шут"|url=http://culture.5uglov.ru/sueta_dney/zong_opera_sokhranit_korol_i_shut/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302015450/http://culture.5uglov.ru/sueta_dney/zong_opera_sokhranit_korol_i_shut/|archive-date=2014-03-02|website=5uglov.ru|language=ru}}
= 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.{{cite web |date=2 April 2023 |title=This Russian band mixed folk tales with punk rock in the 1990s. Why is it popular now? |url=https://www.gw2ru.com/arts/2031-russian-punk-korol-shut |access-date=15 May 2025 |website=GW2RU}}{{cite web | url=https://www.mirf.ru/serial/serial-korol-i-shut-kakoj-vyshla-skazka-pro-skazochnikov/ | title=Сериал «Король и Шут»: какой вышла сказка про сказочников | Обзоры сериалов | Мир фантастики и фэнтези }}
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
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
!Date of Release !Title ! Translation |
| 1996
|Stone to the Head |
| 1997
|King and Jester |
| 1999
|Acoustic Album |
| 1999
|Men Were Eating Meat |
| 2000
|Heroes and Villains |
| 2001
|Gathering |
| 2001
|Like in an Old Tale |
| 2002
|Alas, I Have No Rifle! |
| 2003
|Dead Anarchist |
| 2004
|Mutiny on the Ship |
| 2006
|Trader of Nightmares |
| 2007
|Scary Tales |
| 2008
|The Clown's Shadow |
| 2010
|Demon's Theatre |
| 2011
|TODD. Act 1. Feast of Blood |
| 2012
|TODD. Act 2. At the Edge |
| 2018
|Концерт в Олимпийском |Concert at the Olympic Stadium |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Major awards and nominations ! scope="col" | Award ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Nominee/work ! scope="col" | Result |
| scope="row" | Cactus Award (Клуб "10") | 1994 | Best Punk Band | Korol i Shut | {{Won}} |
|---|
| scope="row" | Chart Dozen (Чартова Дюжина)
| 2000 | Song of the Year | "Прыгну со скалы" | {{Won}} |
| scope="row" | Fuzz Magazine Awards
| 2001 | Best Band of the Year | Korol i Shut | {{Won}} |
| scope="row" | Ovation (Овация)
| 2002 | Best Rock Band | Korol i Shut | {{Nom}} |
| scope="row" | RAMP Award (Rock Alternative Music Prize) | 2006 | Album of the Year | Yevolutsia | {{Won}} |
| scope="row" | MUZ-TV Music Awards
| 2009 | Best Rock Band | Korol i Shut | {{Won}} |
| scope="row" | Nashe Radio Awards
| 2013 | Best Vocalist (posthumous) | Mikhail Gorshenyov | {{Won}} |
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.{{cite web |title=Умер солист группы «Король и Шут» Михаил Горшенёв |trans-title=Singer of Korol i Shut Mikhail Gorshenev Dies |url=https://lenta.ru/news/2013/07/19/gorshok/ |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=Lenta.ru |language=ru}}{{Cite web |last=Kozlov |first=Vladimir |last2= |first2= |date=2013-07-25 |title=St Petersburg rock legend ‘Gorshok’ dies at age 39 |url=https://www.rbth.com/arts/2013/07/25/st_petersburg_rock_legend_gorshok_dies_at_age_39_27561 |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=Russia Beyond |language=en-US}}
= 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."{{Cite web |title=Рецензия на сериал «Король и Шут» — мрачную сказку об отвязных панках |url=https://www.film.ru/articles/recenziya-na-serial-korol-i-shut-mrachnuyu-skazku-ob-otvyaznyh-pankah}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Korol i Shut}}
- [http://www.korol-i-shut.ru/ Official site]
- [http://www.korol.info/ Unofficial forum]
- [http://www.russmus.net/band.jsp?band=Korol_i_Shut RussMus.Net: Korol i Shut Lyrics and English translations]
{{Korol i Shut}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Korol i Shut}}
Category:Musical groups from Saint Petersburg
Category:Russian punk rock groups
Category:Musical groups established in 1988
Category:Soviet punk rock groups