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Picnic (band)

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Picnic
Edmund Shklyarskiy of Picnic wearing a dark shirt, pants, and cap, with black sunglasses, playing electric guitar on an outdoor stage, with drummer behind him
Frontman Edmund Shklyarskiy in 2013
Background information
OriginLeningrad, Soviet Union
Genres
Years active1978 (1978)–present
Members
  • Edmund Shklyarskiy
  • Leonid Kirnos
  • Marat Korchemny
  • Stanislav Shklyarskiy
  • Ilgiz Yunusov
Past membersSee band members
Websitepiknik.info
Image
Picnic in concert at Ramenskoye, 2022

Picnic (Russian: Пикник), also transliterated as Piknik, is a Russian rock band formed in 1978 in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg). Known for their blend of art, progressive, gothic, and Russian rock, they are considered a cult phenomenon in Russian music. The group's defining era began in 1981, with the arrival of frontman, guitarist, and primary songwriter Edmund Shklyarskiy. Picnic is highly regarded for their elaborate, theatrical live performances, which often feature custom-built and unconventional instruments.

The band has faced significant tragedies in recent years. In March 2018, several members were severely injured in a tour bus crash near Gus-Khrustalny. On 22 March 2024, they were scheduled to perform at Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, when a terrorist attack occurred, resulting in the death of the band's administrator, Ekaterina Kushner.

History

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Formation and early years (1978–1981)

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Picnic was formed in September 1978 as a student band at the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute.[1] Its lineup included Sergey Omelnichenko (guitar, vocals), Evgeny Voloshchuk (bass), and Alexei Dobychin (vocals), and they began playing local gigs.[citation needed]

Breakthrough with Shklyarskiy (1981–1989)

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Picnic's trajectory changed significantly in 1981, when Edmund Shklyarskiy joined as the frontman and principal songwriter.[1] His distinct vocal style, philosophical lyrics, and guitar work steered the band toward art rock and psychedelic rock. In 1982, with the help of Boris Grebenshchikov of Aquarium and producer Andrei Tropillo, Picnic recorded their debut album, Dym.[1] It was distributed via magnitizdat (underground tape trading) and quickly gained popularity across the Soviet Union, establishing Picnic as a major act in the Leningrad Rock Club.[1]

During the mid-to-late 1980s, the band experimented with their sound, occasionally incorporating synthesizers and drum machines to achieve a more commercial, pop-oriented style in order to fund their own equipment.[1] They eventually returned to their roots, emphasizing guitar-driven art rock and symphonic arrangements, culminating in the release of their classic 1986 album, Iyeroglif, on the state-owned Melodiya label.[citation needed]

Theatrical live shows and post-Soviet era (1990s–2010s)

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In the 1990s, Shklyarskiy began designing highly unconventional, custom-built instruments into the band's live shows. These included a "living cello" (strings and pickups attached to a performer's body), an "Egyptian" Moog-based synthesizer with a massive lever, a circular saw with magnetic pickups, and various robotic and pyrotechnic stage props.[1] The band's concerts evolved into theatrical experiences, drawing on themes of mysticism, Gothic literature, and carnival aesthetics.[2]

Despite shifting trends in Russian rock, Picnic maintained a dedicated, multi-generational fanbase and continued to release critically acclaimed albums, such as Zhen-Shen (1996), Mrakobesiye i Dzhazz (2007), and Zhelezniye Mantry (2008).[1]

2016 Ukrainian ban

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In 2016, the band was barred from playing in Ukraine due to their performance in Crimea after it was annexed by Russia.[3][4][5]

2018 tour bus crash

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On 16 March 2018, the band's tour microbus was involved in a severe head-on collision with a Honda CR-V on a highway near Gus-Khrustalny, Vladimir Oblast.[6] The bus, carrying the musicians from a concert in Vladimir to a scheduled show in Ryazan, was thrown off the road into a ditch due to black ice on the road surface.[6] Several band members and crew were hospitalized with varying degrees of injuries, including suspected spinal fractures.[6] The band was forced to cancel their ongoing tour, which was set to include dates across Russia and Kazakhstan.[6]

2024 Crocus City Hall attack and aftermath

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On 22 March 2024, Picnic was scheduled to perform with a symphony orchestra at Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, just outside Moscow.[7] Before the band could take the stage, armed terrorists stormed the venue, opening fire on the crowd and starting a massive fire that destroyed the building.[8][9] While the band members survived the attack, their director's assistant, Ekaterina Kushner, was killed.[7]

Despite the tragedy, the band did not cancel their upcoming 27 March concert in Saint Petersburg, dedicating the performance to the victims and donating the proceeds to those affected.[10] The band also continued their the Future Awaits Us tour, which concluded in April 2024.

45th anniversary (2024–present)

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In July 2024, the band released the studio album Odin na odin.[11] The supporting tour began in September and concluded in May 2025.[citation needed] Later that year, the band embarked on a tour to celebrate their 45th anniversary as well as the release of their debut album.[12] In September 2025, a remastered version of Dym was issued, featuring the original 1982 arrangements, the participation of the band's founding members, and two previously unreleased tracks.[13]

Musical style and stage presence

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The music critic Andrei Burlaka has described Picnic as a "cult phenomenon" in Russian rock music.[1] The band's sound is a blend of art rock, progressive rock, gothic rock, and psychedelic rock, often infused with elements of Russian folk music.[1] Shklyarskiy's lyrics frequently explore themes of mysticism, existentialism, and surrealism.[2] Some of their songs have been recorded in Polish, reflecting Shklyarskiy's paternal heritage, including a 2019 collaboration on the track "Sontse zakhavalos", with the Russian band Sonce-Khmary.[14]

Picnic are also known for their elaborate stage shows. Rejecting the standard "rock concert" format, Shklyarskiy has described their performances as a "show" in the truest sense of the word.[2] The band frequently utilizes bespoke instruments, such as the aforementioned "living cello" and electrified industrial tools, alongside elaborate lighting, costumes, and stage actors (such as performers on stilts or mime artists), creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a dark carnival or a theatrical production.[1][2]

Band members

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Current

  • Edmund Shklyarskiy – vocals, guitars, keyboards, custom instruments (1981–present)[6][15][16]
  • Leonid Kirnos – drums, percussion (1982–1984, 1987–present; temporarily inactive since 2023, due to injury)[6]
  • Marat Korchemny – backing vocals, bass (2003–present)[17]
  • Stanislav Shklyarskiy – keyboards (2007–present)[18][19]
  • Ilgiz Yunusov – drums (2023–present)

Past

  • Alexei Dobychin – vocals (1978–1983, 2025)[20]
  • Evgeny Voloshchuk – bass guitar (1978–1984, 1985, 2025)[21]
  • Sergey Omelnichenko – guitar, vocals (1978–1981)
  • Nikolai Mikhailov – flute, saxophone (1978–1981)[22]
  • Alexander Matskov – drums (1978)[16]
  • Alexander Kondrashkin – drums (1978–1979, 1980)[23]
  • Yuri Danilov – flute, clarinet (1979–1981)
  • Alexander Yevseev – drums (1979)[16]
  • Nikolai Korzinin – drums (1979–1980)[24]
  • Pyotr Troshchenkov – drums (1980–1981)
  • Pavel Kondratenko – keyboards (1980)[25]
  • Alexei Malkov – keyboards (1980)[16]
  • Mikhail Panaev – vocals (1980–1981)[16]
  • Alexander Savelyev – guitar (1981–1990)[26]
  • Sharifzhan Abdulov – drums (1981)[26]
  • Ali Bakhtiyarov – drums (1981–1983)[16]
  • Viktor Morozov – drums (1982)[16]
  • Vadim Lebanidze – keyboards (1983)[16]
  • Sergei Shepel – guitar (1983)[16]
  • Vladimir Sizov – bass (1984, 1989–1990)[16]
  • Viktor Sergeev – keyboards (1984)[26]
  • Sergei Voronin – keyboards (1984, 1986–2006)[27]
  • Alexander Fedorov – drums (1984)[16]
  • Viktor Evseev – bass guitar, backing vocals (1985–1988, 1990–1996), keyboards (2007)[28]
  • Yuri Klyuchantsev – keyboards, saxophone, percussion (1986–1988, 1990–1996)
  • Vadim Ponomaryov – drums (1986–1987)
  • Andrey Merchansky – guitar (1990–1994)[29][30]
  • Alexander Rokin – bass guitar, backing vocals (1996–1999)[31]
  • Svyatoslav Obraztsov – bass guitar, backing vocals (1999–2003)[32]

Timeline

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Image

Discography

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Studio albums

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Source:[33]

Year Russian Title Notes
1982 Дым
1984 Танец волка
1986 Иероглиф
1988 Родом ниоткуда
1991 Харакири
1994 Немного огня
1995 Вампирские песни with vocalist Andrey Karpenko
1996 Жень-шень
1997 Стекло
1998 Пить электричество with the fictional group Sekta MO
2001 Египтянин
2002 Чужой
2003 Говорит и показывает
2004 Тень вампира Joint project with Vadim Samoylov
2005 Королевство кривых
2007 Мракобесие и джаз
2008 Железные мантры
2010 Театр абсурда
2011 Три судьбы
2012 Певец декаданса
2014 Чужестранец
2017 Искры и канкан
2019 В руках великана
2022 Весёлый и злой
2024 Один на один
2025 Дым (Remaster) 1982 original arrangements with founding members

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Игорь Фадеев (10 December 2009). "«Пикник» не на обочине" ["Picnic" is not on the side of the road] (in Russian). Весть.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Interview with Piknik". St. Petersburg in Your Pocket. 25 February 2019.
  3. ↑ "Музыканты группы "Пикник": "нам плевать на санкции"" [The musicians of Piknik: "we do not care about sanctions"]. РИА Крым (in Russian). 13 August 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  4. ↑ "Знаменитые российские рокеры приехали в оккупированный Крым "поплевать на санкции": появилось видео" [Famous Russian rockers have come to the occupied Crimea "spit on sanctions": there was a video]. news.online.ua (in Russian). 15 August 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  5. ↑ "United Nations A/RES/68/262 General Assembly" (PDF). United Nations. 1 April 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Барабанщик и солист группы «Пикник» больше всех пострадали в ДТП под Владимиром" [The drummer and lead singer of the band "Piknik" were the most injured in a traffic accident near Vladimir.] (in Russian). Archived from the original on 17 March 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  7. 1 2 "Помощница директора группы "Пикник" погибла при теракте в "Крокусе"" [The assistant director of the Piknik group died in the terrorist attack at the Crocus Center.]. РИА Новости (in Russian). 24 March 2024.
  8. ↑ "Death toll from concert hall attack in Russia's Moscow region rises to 144". Anadolu Agency. 29 March 2024. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  9. ↑ "Moscow attack latest: At least 40 dead at concert hall, says Russian intelligence service". BBC News. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  10. ↑ Lisitsa, Alexandra (28 March 2024). "«За второе рожденье». Как прошел первый после теракта концерт" ["For the Second Birth." How the first concert after the terrorist attack went]. Gazeta.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  11. ↑ "Группа «Пикник» презентовала новый альбом «Один на один»" [The band "Picnic" presented their new album "One on One"]. Nashe Radio (in Russian). 19 July 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  12. ↑ "Пикник – Юбилейный тур" [Picnic – Anniversary Tour]. Picnic Official Website (in Russian). 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  13. ↑ "Пикник – Дым (Remaster)" [Picnic – Dym (Remastered)]. Picnic Official Website (in Russian). 17 September 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  14. ↑ "Эдмунд Шклярский спел на польском языке" [Edmund Shklyarsky sang in Polish]. Nashe Radio (in Russian). 27 August 2019.
  15. ↑ "Стрельба в московском клубе «Крокус Сити Холл»" [Shooting at Moscow's Crocus City Hall club]. Медиазона (in Russian). Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Группа Пикник" [Picnic band]. Reproduktor (in Russian).
  17. ↑ "Необычный перфоманс от известной группы «Пикник» прошёл во Владивостоке". Archived from the original on 30 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  18. ↑ "Стас Шклярский: Инкогнито не разовый проект, это надолго". Archived from the original on 1 June 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  19. ↑ Валерия Верхорубова (22 April 2015). "Группа «Инкогнито», интервью лидера". Комсомольская правда. Archived from the original on 1 July 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  20. ↑ "Алексей Добычин (Пикник). Легенды и мифы ЛРК". Комсомольская правда. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  21. ↑ "Rock-n-roll.ru. Энциклопедия". Archived from the original on 10 October 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  22. ↑ "Рок-клуб приоткрывает карты..." [Rock club opens its cards...]. rock-n-roll.ru (in Russian). 9 April 2008. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  23. ↑ "Судьба барабанщика. Главные ударники в русском роке". Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  24. ↑ "Большой железный колокол". Archived from the original on 18 October 2013. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  25. ↑ "'Алиса'". Archived from the original on 10 June 2008. Retrieved 20 November 2008.
  26. 1 2 3 Андрей Бурлака. "Пикник". rock-n-roll.ru. Archived from the original on 10 October 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  27. ↑ "Умер клавишник группы 'Пикник'". Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  28. ↑ "Пикник: состав новый, лица знакомые!". Archived from the original on 9 November 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  29. ↑ "Пикник". Программа «А». Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  30. ↑ "Стёршийся иероглиф: Последнее интервью Андрея Мерчанскогo". Russian Bazaar. 2006.
  31. ↑ "Мне нравится это болото". Московский комсомолец. 6 March 2013.
  32. ↑ Андрей Бурлака. "Лабиринт". rock-n-roll.ru. Retrieved 19 November 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  33. ↑ "Виниловые пластинки группы «Пикник»: все издания" [Vinyl records of the band "Picnic": all editions]. Репродуктор.Net (in Russian). 14 March 2012. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
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