ZGA

Russian experimental/industrial/avant-garde group formed in March 1984 in Riga, Latvia (ex-USSR) by Nick Soudnick and Valeri Dudkin. More musicians joined soon after the first home-taped session, most notably Alexander Zhilin, who became the core member and Nick's closest collaborator. The band's name in Russian, ЗГА, means "anything" but solely in the context of "non-visibility," i.e., "can't see anything." The word "зга" has no inherent meaning, and Russian linguists still debate its etymology. ZGA Members: Original line-up(1984–1994) Nick Soudnick — vocals, "zgamoniums," horns, reeds, accordion, sound objects, misc Alexander Zhilin ✝ (1959–1994) — bass, metal springs, "zgamoniums" Michail Yudenich — drums, percussion Valeri Dudkin ✝ (1965–2004) — guitar, backing vocals/whistles Vadim Petrenko — guitar Current line-up: Nick Soudnick — vocals, "zgamoniums," misc Ekaterina Fedorova — drums Ramil Shamsudinov — trombone Valeria Kildeeva — violin Past members: Emily Loseva — vocals, keyboards (1984–87) Eva Molchanova — vocals (1989) Jon Dobie — guitar, reeds (1994 European tour) German Podstanitsky — bass (1997~98) Polina Runovskaya — vocals (1997~98) Guests: Marina Kaverzina — artworks, paintings Vera Ogareva — lead vocals, "shulamiha" (washboard) Inna Lishenkevich — vocals, "yurmanka" & "otshturkha" (washboards) Alexander Mrakov — bass