Main points
- The band “The Gadyukin Brothers” continues to exist, periodically performing at concerts and working on a new album.
- It was recently announced that a film will be made about the band, with a premiere scheduled for fall 2027.
“The Gadyukin Brothers” / Collage of Channel 24
The Ukrainian band “Braty Gadyukiny” is a cult band that was one of the brightest and most influential in the late 80s and 90s. Their music combined different genres – from rock 'n' roll to punk, from blues to reggae; and their sarcastic lyrics made the “Gads” a real cultural phenomenon.
- 1 History of the band “The Gadyukin Brothers”
- 2 Where are the “Hadyukin Brothers” now?
Over the decades of its existence, the band “Braty Gadyukiny” has experienced various things – both wild success and the loss of a leader, and several long pauses. Where is the band now and what are its members doing today – read in the material of Channel 24 .
History of the band “Hadyukin Brothers”
The band was founded in Lviv in 1988. Then saxophonist Oleksandr “Shulya” Yemets met Serhiy Kuzminsky, who had recently been released from prison. That's how they created the band. “Shulya” was the author of the first Russian-language songs. Their first performance took place in August.
Later, Kuzya wrote the first Ukrainian-language tracks “Everything is Clear” and “Dead Songs.” These songs caused a real sensation.
“The Gadyukin Brothers” – “Everything is clear!”: watch the video online
Because “Shulya” took up another project and became addicted to drugs, Serhiy Kuzminsky took over the leadership. He became the author of the lyrics that became the basis for the debut album “Everything is clear!”.
Interestingly , it was recorded at Volodymyr Bebeshko's studio. There wasn't enough money to pay for it, so Kuzya gave several songs to Vika Vradia, who we know as “Sister Vika”. With these tracks, she won in the rock nomination at the first “Chervonia Ruta”, and “Gady” took second place.
“The Gadyukin Brothers” ignited the Ukrainian-language program in both Ukrainian cities and Moscow. And one day, the cassette “Everything is clear!” fell into the hands of Alla Pugacheva – and she, fascinated by the songs, invited the young team to her show. This became a springboard for further concert activities throughout the USSR.
The band combined different musical styles: rock 'n' roll, blues, punk, reggae, funk, folk. All of this was spiced up with “mocking” and ironic lyrics with Galician dialectisms and drug slang.
Serhiy Kuzminsky, Pavlo Krokhmalov, Gennady Verbiany, Igor Melnychuk, and Mykhailo Lundin – this lineup of the “Hadyukin Brothers” is called “golden”.
In 1991, the “Hadyukin Brothers” recorded their second album ” We are the boys from Banderstadt ” and went on tour in Europe. However, later the band took a creative break – Kuzya went to Belgium to be treated for addiction.
“The Gadyukin Brothers” – “We are the boys from Banderstadt”: watch the video online
After the leader's return, the band recorded another album, “Bulo ne lyubity”, and later “Bai, bai, myla”, which was to be the last. Sergey Kuzminsky moved to Russia and continued his career as a DJ.
In 2006, the legends decided to reunite – the band gave a big concert at the Palace of Sports. On August 3, 2009, Serhiy Kuzminsky passed away due to throat cancer.
In 2011, the “Hadyukin Brothers” together with many other rock musicians played a big concert in memory of Serhiy Kuzminsky “I returned home”. And after another 2 years they decided to turn around and continue the history of the group. This is how the album Made in Ukraine was released. In 2019, another album was released – “Laughter and Sin”.
Where are the “Hadyukin Brothers” now?
The group continues to exist. The “Hadyukin Brothers” periodically perform at concerts and festivals. After the start of the full-scale invasion, they participate in charity concerts and cultural initiatives.
In an interview with Suspilny in 2023, the “Hadyukin Brothers” said that they continue to write music. They have begun work on an album that will feature original songs and rebel compositions in a new sound.
I will tell you what Ukrainian music should be. In a word – truthful. Honest and truthful,
– said Mykhailo Lundin.
It recently became known that a film will be made about the band “Hadyukin Brothers”. The script will be based on Yuri Roketsky's book “Everything is Clear”, published in 2024.
The film will be produced by Solar Media Entertainment, directed and written by Serhiy Kulybyshev. The premiere is currently scheduled for fall 2027.