St. Petersberg’s band “Drusjki” (or literally translated—“Pals”), is a unique phenomena not only for the music world of St. Petersberg, but also for Russia. The band formed in the late 80’s as an ordinary club-band, but throughout the years it has formed a unique melodic language, in which it intertwined the sounds of art-rock, rhythm-and-blues, gospel, and new age. The lyrics and texts reflect the spirituality and sincere faith of the band’s members, while not loosing the emotional honesty, sense of humor and irony.

The band officially exists since the middle of the year 1990…but it was a different time, different music; the band’s members changed until 1997. In 1998 Artem Khrustalev (guitar) and Michael Volkov (bass) joined Alexander Zharov (vocals) and Gerasim (vocals and lyrics). Having recorded ten various in style albums, Drusjki have performed in Russia from towns of St. Petersberg to Habarovsk, from countries of Finland to the United States.

In the mid of 1990’s the band has developed an educational anti-drug program, which it presented at its performances and concerts. During the next two years Drusjki have visited hundreds of prisons and rehabilitation centers throughout St. Petersberg and the surrounding regions, educating the young public about the dangers of substances. (Understanding the importance of its mission, Drusjki cooperates with major Christian rehabilitation centers for drug addicts and alcoholics in all of the former USSR.)

The style of Druski music the band categorizes as “crossover”, which in their own opinion, is a mix of new sounds in each new album. Cooperation with the composer Igor Bistrov in such album as “Go-Fly” and “Gerasim & Parks” is evident with the presence of many electronic sounds.

A new album “Rocket” has just been recently released in January 2009.

(For full history of Drusjki, please click here)