Doomed Confessionary: Serge “Skrypa” Skrypničenka (Stonerhenge)
Stonerhenge is a psych/stoner/space rock band from Minsk, Belarus. The group Stonerhenge was formed in early 2020 by the members of several well-known Belarusian rock bands.
According to the group’s founder Serge “Skrypa” Skrypničenka (žygimont VAZA, The Blue Devils), he really likes the genre that has developed around the narrow concept of “stoner rock”. When on one side of the genre there is “a conditional Pink Floyd” and on the other – “a conditional Black Sabbath”. And a flurry of fuzzy riffs is replaced by mysterious instrumental improvisations.
Now in Belarus no concerts are possible and problems with obtaining visas have been added. Still, work on the creation of a new album »Gemini Twins« was completed in December 2023.
Today, for various reasons, only Serge remains in the project. And he is looking for new musicians to continue the work. Moreover, there is already an idea for a new album. Perhaps the new line-up will be international.
Can you say a few words about your band?
The project arose at the end of 2019, when I had musical material that I wanted to implement. For cooperation, I turned to several famous Belarusian musicians. All of them are composing authors – each on their own musical instrument. Therefore, my ideas were quite strongly embodied thanks to the skills of the invited people.
What was the biggest challenge for the band last year?
The main problem with recording the new »Gemini Twins« album was the unclear situation with the composition of the group. Since all people in Belarus are now experiencing great difficulties associated with ongoing repression and the involvement of our country in the war.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Without a doubt, I can truly say that I am proud to have already released four Stonerhenge albums. And I did this despite all the unfavorable circumstances that, as if by the will of evil forces, arose in my path. Every time I needed to take the next step in the development of the project, something bad new arose – Covid19 – hot August in Belarus and its consequences – the war against Ukraine. But music was still created, recorded and published, albeit in digital format. This, I repeat, is truly a reason for pride.
What was your biggest regret?
I constantly regret that our country remains cut off from the world cultural process. That people are in forced emigration. That our artists of all types of art are very limited in their ability to demonstrate their skills at the international level.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
I listen to a lot of new music from all over the world. I can’t point out anything special. Not because there is nothing, but on the contrary – everything is varied, diverse and interesting.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
We have only one FM rock station, where classic rock hits and censored news are broadcast. There are no heavy radio stations or Internet channels left today.
What was the best concert/tour last year and why? / Can you say something more about the music scene in Minsk? / Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
For obvious reasons, there were no concerts. Currently there are almost no concerts in Belarus. Only Z-artists from Russia can come to us and perform without any restrictions. And Belarusian artists can perform only with permission from the authorities. Lyrics are subject to verification to ensure that there is “no politics” in the lyrics. Even cover bands from bars are censored. We only had this in Soviet times.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Just these days, the situation with the line-up of the group began to stabilize. And we will soon begin work in the studio, since I have completely ready material for the new album »Solaris«. This work is inspired by the famous novel by Stanislaw Lem.
How can people best support your band?
It’s clear that you can support us by purchasing our music. In Belarus, the PayPal system only works “one way”. That is, I can pay for something using this system, but I cannot receive money. That’s why I don’t have anything from sales at Bandcamp yet. However, there are options through which I hope to change this situation. Also, against the backdrop of all these sad events, I can happily announce that our »Gemini Twins« album is being released on CD. This is the work of the Space Rock Productions label. And I am incredibly grateful to them for this. Pre-sales will begin in early May and at the end of the month you will be able to hold these discs in your hands.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Take care of yourself during these difficult times. And listen to good music.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well