Earlier this 12 months, the members of Jinjer have been among the many many Ukrainian residents affected when Russia determined to invade the Ukraine. And in a brand new interview with Chaoszine, bassist Eugene Abdukhanov relays a horrifying story of when he knew that the struggle had truly begun.
The bassist recalled, as transcribed by Blabbermouth, “I met the struggle precisely when it began. On the twenty fourth [of February] at 5 o’clock within the morning, I used to be simply driving and issues round me began exploding. I acquired straight underneath the shelling, underneath the assault, and I assumed, ‘That is the tip.’ I used to be making an attempt to get out of there, driving 180 kilometers on a really slim highway. It was nonetheless darkish. And I noticed issues that I, earlier than that, solely noticed in films — enormous explosions with all these items flying round. They usually have been falling proper in entrance of me, and I used to be driving round them, and all of the smoke round. It was like an actual horror, however you are part of it.”
He continued, “I used to be on the way in which again to Kyiv, and I used to be simply making an attempt to get dwelling as quickly as attainable. And I noticed all these visitors jams — individuals have been making an attempt to get out of town — and all of the destruction due to the primary assault. After which the primary week was probably the most horrible time as a result of no one knew what was taking place. I acquired dwelling, and one of many first issues which I did, I contacted everybody within the band. We made a submit on social media. And everybody stayed dwelling.”
He recalled, “Each half an hour, there was a siren. We went to the basement. I went to the basement alone, as a result of I used to be staying alone — I took my household out. I used to be alone, simply sitting, watching the information and going loopy. Then each half an hour, I might go to the basement, then go up, basement, up, spend half of the night time within the basement. And there [were] enormous explosions throughout. Issues that [weren’t] even shut the primary night time — like, 5 kilometers, ten kilometers away from me. This isn’t shut; in our actuality, this isn’t shut. However [because of] how large these explosions have been, the land was shaking.”
“The actual horror began to occur,” says the bassist. “And that is principally when the siege of Kyiv began. And the following very day, I simply felt like stating our place [publicly] and claiming our place. I made that video which is on YouTube. I wasn’t capable of understand issues like that might occur.”
As for returning to the general public eye and enjoying reveals once more, the bassist states, “Effectively, it has its professionals and cons. On the one hand, being onstage for this 45[-minute], 50[-minute] or one-hour [set] is the right remedy for me, and it is the one time I can neglect concerning the struggle — simply enjoying music and connecting with the gang. As a result of all the opposite time, my temper actually goes up and down consistently — it swings forwards and backwards, forwards and backwards. And I’ll really feel completely okay at one level, however after a couple of minutes I am completely depressed — depressed in the way in which that I can barely act. And having the ability to play is certainly a treatment.”
Abdukhanov calls the beginning of the struggle “probably the most horrific instances of my total life,” however provides that the help has been nice. “I used to be bombarded with texts — all my mates, who have been simply checking how issues [were] with everybody,” he mentioned. “I acquired a bunch of texts from followers from all world wide. However someway we made it by this.”
As revealed earlier this month, Jinjer revealed that they have been allowed to tour once more, serving as official Ukrainian ambassadors. “We’re very honored to announce that along with the assistance of the Ukrainian Ministry of Tradition, that we have now efficiently been granted permission to journey overseas as ambassadors of our nation to boost funds and consciousness concerning the struggle raging again dwelling,” acknowledged the group upon asserting their summer season touring. At the moment on tour in Europe, you’ll find the band’s tour dates and ticketing information right here.
Rock + Steel Bands Serving to Present Help for Ukraine
Amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that started in February 2022, a number of rock and steel bands got here up with methods to supply tangible help for affected Ukrainians. See some under.
