«Tarakany!» (formerly known as «Chetyre Tarakana») is a Russian punk rock band from Moscow formed in 1991. The band's leader is Dmitry Spirin. On April 6, 2022, the group announced that it was ceasing all activity.
In 2020, «Tarakany!» supported the civic campaign against amendments to the Constitution by releasing the music video «Moy golos» (My Voice).
Dmitry Spirin spoke out openly in support of Alexey Navalny and sharply criticized the authorities; consequently, the cancellation of the band's concerts in Russia began well before the large-scale war.
Dmitry Spirin’s («Tarakany») Position on the War in Ukraine
Following the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the band Tarakany spoke out against military aggression, publishing an anti-war post on social media on February 25, 2022:
We believe that at such a moment we have neither the moral right nor the desire to engage in purely entertainment activities… We stand vehemently against the war and condemn the actions of the people issuing such orders. We consider Ukraine and its people our brothers
In April 2022, the band announced its disbandment. Among the reasons cited was that the Russian authorities had launched a war against Ukraine.
Dmitry Spirin played several solo concerts in Europe in support of Ukrainian refugees. In July, the musician organized concerts in Buenos Aires for the band «Nogu Svelo!» and Vasya Oblomov. Dmitry currently resides in Argentina and remains active on social networks, publishing anti-war posts (Dmitry Spirin's Facebook).
What Dmitry Spirin Says About the War: Quotes
... they fought against fascism very cockily right up to the moment when half the population of the Russian Federation, including its leadership, turned out to be the fascists. At that point, the fight fizzled out.
War is the ultimate litmus test for all people. When I see punks who aren't fighting against fascism, against totalitarianism, for freedom, for minorities, who support a society that launched an aggressive war against an independent neighboring state, for me that is reason to cross them off completely. I don't want to hear a damn thing about them, fuck, all these band names: «Plan Lomonosova», «Yorsh», Distemper — they just make me laugh. All these festival announcements, some releases of theirs, their participation in fascist get-togethers led by Kostya Kinchev… All of this produces nothing but, fuck, sarcastic smirks from me and the guys from the punk scene. They failed the most important test of their lives, they completely shat the bed.
… we need to undermine this fucking regime to the best of our abilities. Even grain by grain, drop by drop, speck of sand by speck of sand. But whenever possible, all of us need to do this. Otherwise, who will overthrow it then, and how? The stunned-stupid Russians? They might overthrow it, but only over egg prices, not because they suddenly came to believe in liberal values. These aren't the people who are going to free Navalny from prison. So at least something needs to be done. We have to saw away at it. Whether from Argentina, or from wherever the fuck.
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