"August" is a Russian rock band whose activity was in the period from 1982 to 1991. The band performed in the heavy metal genre.
"August" was remembered by listeners in the music market as one of the first bands that released a full-fledged record in a similar genre thanks to the legendary Melodiya company. This company was almost the only supplier of music. She released the loudest Soviet hits and albums of people's artists of the USSR.
Biography of the frontman
The leader of the group and its founder was Oleg Gusev, who was born on August 13, 1957. Being raised in a family of professional musicians, he quickly learned from his parents a love for music, as well as basic knowledge about it. It was the parents who prepared their son for entering the music school.
When the young man was 16 years old, the family moved to St. Petersburg (then still Leningrad). Here Gusev, on the first attempt, entered an educational institution and began to actively engage in music.
He combined his studies and his first attempts in the musical field. During this period, the young man began to collaborate with a number of groups, among which were “Well, wait a minute!”, “Russians”, etc. So the boy mastered several instruments and actively practiced his skills. Graduating from college did not change the situation much professionally.
After the studies were completed, the young man continued to play in several groups. They were focused not on recording songs, but on touring. At that time it was very expensive and almost impossible to record a song in the studio. Therefore, most rock musicians wrote concert versions of their songs.
Creation of the group "August"
After a while, Oleg realized that he was tired of playing in other people's groups. He gradually thought that it was time to create his own team. Gennady Shirshakov was invited as a guitarist, Alexander Titov was a bassist, Evgeny Guberman was a drummer.
Raf Kashapov became the main vocalist. Gusev took his place at the keyboards. In the spring of 1982, such a line-up first came to rehearse. The stage of rehearsals and search for style was short-lived - after three months the guys began to perform periodically.
In the same year, a full-fledged concert program was presented. Interestingly, the team quickly became popular. The musicians gave concerts, recorded and released their first album. The album received positive reviews from the public. It was a good start, behind which many expected the real success of the group.
Censorship of the music of the group "August" and its hard times
However, the situation soon changed dramatically. This was due, first of all, to the censorship that the August collective fell under. From now on, the guys could not perform big concerts and could not record new compositions. The real stagnation with accompanying atmosphere was in the life of the quartet.
Several members left, but the backbone of the team decided not to give up. From 1984 to 1985 the musicians led a "nomadic" lifestyle and performed wherever possible. At this time, the second disc was even recorded, which came out almost imperceptibly.
Soon the three remaining participants left as well. This happened as a result of a quarrel between the leaders. Thus, Gusev was left alone. He decided to recruit new people, but could no longer (for legal reasons) use the name of the team. Nevertheless, small tours began. And six months later, the right to use the word "August" returned to Oleg.
The second life of the team
Activity has begun again. It was at this moment that the decision to change the genre of performances took place. Heavy metal was at its peak. Interest in style in the Soviet Union only began to rise. At the same time, it has not yet been possible to enjoy great popularity at home. But the Iron Curtain began to open. This allowed Gusev and his musicians to go on tour to European countries, in particular to major rock festivals.
Within three years, the team visited Bulgaria, Poland, Finland and other countries, more than once. Popularity increased in the USSR. In 1988, the Melodiya company agreed to release the Demons LP. A circulation of several thousand was printed, which was sold out very quickly.
Despite the success, by the end of the 1980s, insurmountable differences began between Oleg and almost all of his musicians. As a result, most of them soon left and created their own quartet. The only decision was made - to revive the rock band. For a while, she was revived, even released a new record. However, after a series of regular personnel changes, the August group finally ceased to exist.
Since then, the team (Oleg Gusev was always the initiator) periodically returns to the stage. Even new collections were released, which, in addition to old songs, included new hits. Once every few years there were performances at rock festivals and various themed evenings in St. Petersburg, Ukraine and Moscow clubs. However, a full return never happened.
