- Year of foundation – 2001
- City – Kherson, Kyiv, Mykolaiv (Ukraine)
- Language – Ukrainian
- Genre – rapcore, alternative rock, nu-metal
Lineup:
- Dmytro Ignatov (vocals, lyrics);
- Vyacheslav Pavlovsky (guitar);
- Petro Petkov (drums);
- Evgeny Heiko (bass).
History of the band
Rolliks (or Rollik’s, Rolliks) is a Ukrainian nu-metal band, the formation process of which covered the period 2000-2001. So the history of the Kherson band began at the turn of the millennium and gradually grew from a local experiment into a recognizable force on the alternative scene. In November 2000, two young musicians launched a project called Rolex, which initially existed as a rap duo.
One of the founders of Rollix, Pasha Ivushkin, known under the pseudonym Morzh, had just moved to Kherson from Luhansk - along with a baggage of his own achievements and a deep immersion in hip-hop culture. Already in his new place, he quickly found a like-minded person - a person with ideas, energy and the need for momentum to get started. It was this creative "explosion" that became the starting point for the formation of the collective, which began to attract more and more people.
The group took its first steps towards a wider audience quite quickly. At the end of 2001, Rolliks' music began to appear on Kyiv radio stations and be heard in the capital's clubs. At the beginning of 2002, the band announced itself in Luhansk, but internal disagreements led to changes in the Rolliks lineup.
After Pasha Ivushkin left, Kostya Trufakin, a bass player, joined the band, who became an important part of the band in the future. It was during this period that the name Rolliks was finally established, which comes from the English Rollick - "to make a noise", "to have fun", "to do unusual tricks". The symbol of the band was a rabbit's face, stylized as the letter "O", as a sign of movement, a leap forward and constant renewal.
Creative path
Rolliks' active growth phase began after participating in the "Pearls of the Season-2002" festival, where Rolliks won the second prize in the "dance music" nomination. It was then that the band finally strengthened its position in the Ukrainian industry. An important stage in Rolliks' creative path was cooperation with Tartak (the leader of the group Sasha Polozhynsky) within the "Tartak and Friends" project. The joint track "MikrOFF/ONna pereveryka" quickly became a hit and actually became the band's calling card, opening the door for Rolliks to wider recognition, festivals and a new audience. In the following years, the band repeatedly received awards at the "Pearls of the Season", performed at large-scale events, in particular at the "Chaika" festival at the Palace of Sports, appeared in TV projects and gained popularity among a young audience.
Rolliks' debut album "Microphone Check", released in 2007, solidified Rolliks' status as a bright and original band in the Ukrainian music industry.
Rolliks' second full-length rock album "Peretroysya na razluka", presented in 2012, was a logical step forward - a mature, sharp and conceptual release. Rolliks' singles "Bii/Bii" and "Zupyny chas" only fueled the interest of fans, and live performances confirmed the strength of the band on stage.
After a break, Rolliks updated the lineup and returned with new energy. The single "Beard", the re-recording of "Plus/Minus", as well as the track "Alive", dedicated to Keith Flint, became proof that Rolliks have not lost their relevance and are able to speak to the audience in the language of the times.
Sound: rock, energy, mood
If at the beginning Rolliks' work gravitated towards hip-hop and rap with the active use of samples, then over time the style underwent a significant transformation. Rolliks' music featured a dense guitar sound, aggressive energy and penetrating vocals. Critics often drew parallels with Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park or P.O.D. However, at the same time, they noted the unique charisma, ironic lyrics and their own style, which distinguishes Rolliks from other performers of the genre.
Discography of the Rolliks band:
- “Microphone Check”;
- “Turn into a weapon”;
- EP 2015.
Famous singles:
- “Day by day”;
- “There is no faith”;
- “Beat-beat”;
- “Stop the time”;
- “For the Overly Pampered”;
- “Numbers and letters” and others.
The most famous songs of Rolliks:
- “Adrenaline”;
- “Give me hope”;
- "Beat-beat";
- "Billions of emeralds";
- "Numbers and letters" and others.
Texts and creative ideas
The lyrics of the Rolliks band balance between explosive drive, subtle irony and tough social reflection. In many compositions, there is a tangible impulse to action - the musicians motivate not to get stuck in apathy, not to let everyday life and internal crises drag you into a depressive state. Indicative in this sense was the hit "Smile More Often", which broadcasts a simple but strong idea - to keep the innera balance even when circumstances are pressing.
The tracks “Zruyuvaty vse” and “Bii-bii” are filled with protest energy – it is music about the courage to be yourself, break the imposed framework and launch your own transformation. A special place in Rolliks’ work is occupied by reflections on the desolation and diseases of modern society, in particular, this is demonstrated by the song “Sick Generation”. And the composition “Day by Day” focuses on the monotony of everyday existence and the search for meaning within a seemingly closed circle.
Why Rolliks concerts are a live rock experience
Today, the Rolliks band, whose lineup interests thousands of fans, is not only albums, tracks and festival performances, but also a living culture of drive and inner freedom. Rolliks’ live shows turn into an emotional exchange between the stage and the fans. And each new release is another step in the development of the collective, which has long ceased to be just a group and has become a recognizable phenomenon of modern Ukrainian music.
