“’Teroborona’ is a term for Civil Defense Units formed of civilians who stood up to protect Ukraine,” explains Eugene Hütz, the fiery and intensely charismatic frontman of self-proclaimed gypsy punk rock band GOGOL BORDELLO about the English translation of the title of their new song whose video is released today, June 8, 2022 via Cooking Vinyl.
A provocative and humanizing video, “Teroborona” puts a very real face on the Ukrainian militia who are currently fighting against Russian invaders to their homeland. The song can be streamed/purchased here.
With scenes depicting fresh-faced civilians picking up arms and performing drills to prepare for battle, the video is an incendiary statement about Ukrainian patriotism and its widespread embrace. “Many of my artist and musician friends had to pick up arms and join Teroborona,” he continues. “This is a dedication to their courage and to the courage of all defenders. The song is rooted in Ukrainian traditional dance ‘Arkan,’ one of true Ukrainian Hutzul spirit.”
>> GO HERE to see our special series of Ukraine war related interviews.
Interspliced with scenes of bBordello and featured guests The Cossacks performing the song, “Teroborona” not only offers moral support but practical support as well. All proceeds from the sale of the track will go toward the band’s Cauze campaign (https://cauze.app.link/tDUGnELegob), a modern Donor-Advised Fund that donates to Care.org’s Ukrainian Crisis Response.
Currently on tour in Europe, Gogol Bordello and especially Hütz have been on the forefront to bring more attention on the invasion of Ukraine. Bearing witness as his homeland endured the heinous barrage of a violent and deadly invasion from Russia, Eugene recently joined forces with Les Claypool of Primus to collaborate on “Zelensky: The Man With the Iron Balls,” a joint release to rally support for the Ukrainian people. The track also features Stewart Copeland, Sean Lennon, Billy Strings, and fellow Gogol bandmate Sergey Ryabtsev. Proceeds from the sale of the single will be donated to Nova Ukraine, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine.
In addition, Eugene collaborated with NYC punk stalwart Jesse Malin for a cover of The Pogues’ classic “If I Should Fall From Grace With God.” Released exclusively via Bandcamp, all proceeds for that single will benefit the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, which “supports the development of democracy, a free-market economy and human rights in Ukraine, and the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Ukraine.”
Formed in 1999, Gogol Bordello took their style of Eastern European-influenced gypsy punk and doused it deep into the underground rock of New York City.
Imminently beginning a U.S. tour (tour dates below) with the aforementioned European dates to follow, Gogol Bordello have been praised for their recorded material but especially heaped with accolades about their live shows. The Wall Street Journal raved about the band’s live performance saying, “Gogol Bordello mashed punk energy with Eastern European modes for a set that received the wildest reception of any show I saw,” while the LA Times said, “Gogol Bordello celebrates sensuality in both words and raucous, joyful internationalist dance rock.” Pitchfork proclaimed, “Eugene Hutz and his acoustic guitar slapping (think Les Claypool’s hands, but on a six-string) and waving arms summoned the crowd which quadrupled in size by the set’s fourth song. Festival goers were literally running toward the stage” while Consequence hailed “the ever-evolving collective has defied the boundaries of continents and genres in their quest for spiritual illumination through gypsy punk.”
EUROPE TOUR DATES
Jun 9 Interlaken, CH Greenfield
Jun 11 Helsinki, FI House of Culture
Jun 12 Tallinn, EE Helitehas
Jun 13 Riga, LV Palladium
Jun 14 Vilnius, LT Loftas
Jun 16 Warsaw, PL Stodola
Jun 17 Krakow, PL Studio
Jun 18 Wroclav, PL A2
Jun 19 Prague, CZ Lucena Music Bar
Jun 21 Wien, AT Simm City
Jun 22 Zagreb, HR INmusic Festival
Jun 24 Tel Aviv Barby Club
Jun 25 Tel Aviv Shuni Amphitheatre
Jun 27 Budapest, HU Budapest Park Open
Jun 29 Bucharest, RO Arenele Romane
Jul 1 Plovdiv, BG Wrong Fest
Jul 2 Istanbul, TR ParkFest
Jul 4 Thessaloniki, GR Principal Club
Jul 5 Athens, GR Technopolis
Jul 8 Bellaria/Rimini, IT Beky Bay
Jul 9 Palmanova-Udine, IT Square
Jul 10 Milan, IT Carroponte Open Air
Jul 12 Karlsruhe, DE Substage
Jul 13 Luxemburg, LU Den Altier
Jul 14 Nijmegen, NL Doornroosje
Jul 16 London, UK Electric Brixton
