Perkalaba and Dada

Dada is a modernistic and hooligan trend, in the good sense of the word. It was thought up a century ago by actors who thought in an unconventional way and made it their principle to destroy conventional principles. The term itself defies logical interpretation. Dada means the tail of the Holy Cow — or a wooden horse, or a word from a nursery rhyme. You can choose the meaning according to your taste and mood.

What is Perkalaba then? It’s the name of a small hamlet in the Carpathians. “Yes, that’s true! The funny thing is that this rural area was where petty criminals, like pickpockets, prostitutes, and [corrupt] lawyers, were sent to serve their prison camp terms under Stalin. It was a branch of the GULAG in the Hutsul land; it was compact and the [living and working] conditions were relatively easy. [Many of] the inmates would settle there after serving their term, marrying local Hutsuls. Perkalaba indicates this mixture of urban cranks and Hutsul freedom. Perkalaba is also the name of a star in the constellation of Leo,” explain the Ukrainian rock band’s musicians.

This merry band emerged in 1998 when they sang and played Liubovi poklyk (Calling for Love) that proved a success.

“Ska and punk rock rooted in dramatization and positive core concepts were just the beginning,” they recall.

What does Dada have to do with it? Some of the veteran Dadaist activists must have settled in the village of Perkalaba at the time. They sought refuge from European snobbism and must have reached retirement age there, teaching young enthusiasts. Perhaps the German Dadaist artist George Grosz learned about Perkalaba, visited this village, far removed from the world’s cataclysms as it was, and, very impressed by what he saw, repeated his well-known phrase: “Oh this is a manifestation of pure nihilism!” Who knows, this may have happened.

Be that as it may, the Perkalaba musicians agree that their art and Ukrainian vechornytsi performances can definitely be traced back to Dadaism, Futurism, and avant-garde trends.

“Perkalaba is far removed from all that cheap hit parade repertoire. Our roots are in the spirit, not in the dumb adherence to traditions. Hutsuls are a hermetic people, which are, at the same time, very open. The same is true of Perkalaba. Our hermeticism is that we don’t want to follow any stupid frilly trends. The point is that the Hutsul land means freedom, free drive in the first place, like during Hutsul wedding parties with authentic musicians playing the way any philharmonic would envy. Perkalaba is open for the world and enjoyment. We have to watch ourselves and our audience, so this enjoyment doesn’t go to our heads.

“Regarding Dada, after you read the texts carefully, you’ll find what’s in common with Dada and Perkalaba: utter ruthlessness and madness.”

Ruthlessness in relation to what or who?

“In this particular case ruthlessness is an elevated, noble feeling, like being fearless of your own life. Life is beautiful if you love it and aren’t afraid of it. You have to do everything as though it were your last chance; the same is true of your feelings: you have to feel everything ruthlessly. In fact, all of this is easier done than said.”

Perkalaba is a very popular rock band. In 11 years it has made its name with concert tours all over Ukraine, in Russia, and Eastern and Western Europe. Several albums have been released, including Gorrry (2005), Qzzaargh vs. Perkalaba (2006), Ivano-Frankivsk Speaking (2007), !Chydro (2009), and quality video clips. During their concerts you won’t spot a single face looking like a ‘scowling oyster,’ to quote from the Dadaist manifesto. Perkalaba keeps playing ruthlessly and “does not smack of anything,” just like Dada, although those keen on determining styles tagged it as an ethno-ska-punk rock band. Of course, all these trends, as well as reggae, are easily discernible in Perkalaba’s music, just like their love for the Pogues, Element of Crime, and Manu Chao. This is fun, because fun never smacks – it has nothing to do with the sense of taste.

I remember Ivano-Frankivsk as a cozy peaceful Ukrainian city. It’s hard to imagine it as a place where some angry comrades could appear. I think that its very atmosphere would produce a rock band with a repertoire made up of merry songs and dances. Does the character of music depend on the place of residence?

“The place is 100-percent important. We have repeatedly said that a phenomenon such as Perkalaba could have emerged only in Ivano-Frankivsk. There are several reasons. First, the mountains are so close. In a sense, Ivano-Frankivsk is a gate to the mountains. Second, there’s the big ethnic cultural mix of Galicians, Hutsuls, Jews, Russians. There are so many of these people, and all are tolerant toward each other — pure multi-culti here. Third, this city is located between rivers. All this and the musicians’ obvious charisma and enlightened enthusiasm contributed to the emergence of a unique rock band that became known as Perkalaba”.

Perkalaba goes to many excesses. They’re so fond of playing their instruments that they are reluctant to play the showbiz game — and the fact that their concerts are always held in packed audiences is proof that Perkalaba’s music is understandable not only to those with degrees in the humanities or refined taste. But then a Ph.D. degree is not necessary if you want to come to love Dadaism.

How much does your national coloring meet the tastes of all other unconventional performing groups?

“You’ll have to ask them. We play what our Lord God puts in our heads. We thank Him for this. But of course, there is something running in our blood that we inherited from our ancestors.”

Now an inevitable question: What are your creative plans? Concert tours, recording albums, receiving a Nobel Prize, making a movie, or high tea with the British Queen in an informal atmosphere?

“Everything you’ve just mentioned and more. We’re sure of this.”