Messer Chups


Messer Chups is a surf rock band from Saint Petersburg, Russia. The group was formed in 1998 by composer and guitarist Oleg Fomchenkov.

History

The band was founded by Oleg Fomchenkov who had previously performed with Oleg Kostrov as. Messer Chups is often considered a "spin-off" band of Messer für Frau Müller. In the group's name, "Messer" is taken from the German word for "knife" and "Chups" from Chupa Chups lollipops.
The band was originally a duo of Gitarkin on bass guitar and Annette Schneider on synthesizer. During 2000–2002 Messer Chups consisted of Gitarkin and on synths.
In 2003, Oleg Tarasov, the producer of Messer Chups and head of their home label Solnze Records, invited the world famous theremin player Lydia Kavina to join them. Together they have released several albums and reworked their previous releases. In 2005, Messer Chups became a duo consisting of Gitarkin and Svetlana "Zombierella" Nagaeva on bass. In 2007, they became a trio, with drummer from the band Leningrad. In 2008, they changed their drummer to Alexander Belkok, and Alexander Skvortzov became their vocalist.
The group's music was used for the soundtrack for the dating sim Monster Prom.

Musical style

Messer Chups combines surf rock and traditional Russian music, as well as using samples from historical recordings, lounge music, and vintage film soundtracks. Their live shows feature projections of old horror and sci-fi movies. Gitarkin has cited Link Wray and The Ventures as influences.

Members

As of 2019, the group's line-up consisted of:
  • Oleg "Guitaracula" Fomchenkov – guitar
  • Svetlana "Zombierella" Nagaeva – bass, vocals
  • Evgeny Lomakin – drums

    Discography

Albums:
  • Чудовище и Чудовище MC, CD
  • Невеста Атома MC, CD
  • Vamp Babes MC, CD
  • Black Black Magic CD
  • Crazy Price CD/LP
  • Hyena Safari CD/LP
  • Zombie Shopping CD
  • Heretic Channel CD/LP
  • Bermuda 66 CD/LP
  • Surf Riders from The Swamp Lagoon CD/LP
  • Church of Reverb CD/LP
  • The Incredible Crocotiger CD/LP
  • Spooky Hook CD/LP
  • Taste the Blood of Guitaracula CD/LP
  • Mondo Harp CD/LP
  • Don't Say Cheese CD/LP
  • Visiting the Skeleton in the Closet CD/LP
  • Dark Side of Paradise LP/CD
EP's:
Compilations:
  • The Best Of Messer Chups: Cocktail Draculina Vol. 1 CD
  • Messer Story In Videos 1992-2006 DVD
  • Best Of The Best LP/CD
  • Messer Chups Video DVD
  • Best Of CD
  • The Voice of Zombierella LP
  • The Best Of Messer Chups: Cocktail Draculina Vol. 2 Digital/LP
  • My Favorite Tracks
  • The Adventures of Zombierella & Guitaracula CD/LP
  • Spook-O-Rama... The Best Of CD/LP
  • Lost Tracks Digital/LP
Messer für Frau Müller:
  • Merry Bormans unreleased
  • Happy End Dead MC, CD released in 2000
  • Little Joys MC, CD released in 2000
  • Senjors Crakovjac MC, LP 1994, CD 2000
  • Icicle-Murders MC
  • Nechelovek-Vidimka MC
  • „Hello, Superman!“ MC, CD
  • Second Hand Dreams MC, CD
  • Allo, Superman! CD incl. 3 bonus tracks
  • Hyper Utesov Presents CD
  • Second Hand Dreams CD incl. 3 bonus tracks
  • Treugol'nik, Chert I Tochka CD
  • Remixodelica CD
  • Triangle, Dot & Devil CD
  • Danger Retrobolik CD
  • Messer Chups & Messer für Frau Müller video DVD 2006
  • Wake Up The Dead'' CD / LP