Chimera (also known as Deputat Baltiki) was a Russian underground rock band formed by singer/guitarist Edward Starkov [ru] and lead-guitarist Gennady Bachinsky in St. Petersburg in 1990. It was the main group of the club Tamtam,[1][2] in which Korol i Shut and Tequilajazzz also performed. Chimera repeatedly gave concerts in Germany.[3]
In February 1997, at the age of 27, Starkov hanged himself in the attic of Chimera's rehearsal space.[4] The group disbanded after Starkov's death.
Legacy
Chimera's songs have been covered by artists and bands such as Psychea, Pilot, Iva Nova, Zakhar May, and PTVP.[5] Alexei Nikonov [ru] of PTVP said: "Chimera is the best thing about Russian rock 'n' roll. I am completely sure: throughout the 1990s in music, only two new words were spoken: in the States there was Nirvana, and in Russia — Chimera".[6]
Chimera's influences include Bauhaus,[7] Nico, Butthole Surfers, Sonic Youth, Fugazi, Daniil Kharms,[8] Jules Verne,[9] Helena Blavatsky,[10] and Philip K. Dick.[10]
