Chaif

Chaif (Чайф) is a Russian rock band formed in 1984 in Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg), Russia, by Vladimir Shakhrin and Vladimir Begunov.^[1] Their name is derived from the word chai, meaning tea, and kaif (slang word), meaning pleasure.^[1] The band became known in 1992 with songs such as Ne Speshi (Don't Hurry) and 17.^[1] By 1997, the popularity of rock music had declined and they were playing smaller venue.^[2] They have released several albums. Their musical styles range from rock and roll to Blues and some songs which feature a strong reggae influence. The band in 2008 was still touring and releasing albums occasionally.^[3]

OriginSverdlovsk (Yekaterinburg), USSR (Russia)

Genresrock, blues rock, reggae, rock and roll, punk rock(early)

Years active1985 (1985)–present

LabelNikitin

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Chaif (Чайф)
Concert in Toronto (Nov 2017)
Background information
Origin	Sverdlovsk (Yekaterinburg), USSR (Russia)
Genres	rock, blues rock, reggae, rock and roll, punk rock(early)
Years active	1985 (1985)–present
Label	Nikitin
Members	Vladimir Shakhrin, Vladimir Begunov, Valery Severin, Vyacheslav Dvinin
Past members	Vadim Kukushkin, Silas Warren, Vladimir Nazimov, Igor Zlobin, Alina Nifanteva, Anton Nifantev, Vladimir Privalov, Vladimir Zheltovskih, Pavel Ustyugov
Website	chaif.ru

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After the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, Chaif took part in cultural meeting between delegations from Crimea and Sverdlovsk Oblast.^[4] The lead singer of the band, Vladimir Shakhrin, was critical of Andrey Makarevich for supporting Ukraine's position in the conflict.^[5] In 2022, the band released a statement blaming both sides for the Russian invasion of Ukraine^[6] while providing material support to Russian troops in Ukraine and expressing distaste towards musicians that had left Russia following the start of the conflict.^[7]