Avtomaticheskie Udovletvoriteli

Avtomaticheskie udovletvoriteli was a Soviet and later Russian punk band from Leningrad, active from 1979 to 1998. Considered the first Russian punk group, AU was founded by Andrei Panov—nicknamed “Svin” (Swine)—and became known for its bold sound and irreverent spirit. The band’s name was loosely translated from “Sex Pistols,” reflecting their primary Western influence. They also drew inspiration from Soviet bard Vladimir Vysotsky.

Formation and Beginnings (1979–1981)

In autumn 1979, Andrei “Svin” Panov created AU in Leningrad. The group performed their earliest shows in private apartments, often referred to as “apartment concerts,” bypassing official venues. This underground setting was typical of the Soviet rock scene at the time. In December 1980, music journalist Artemy Troitsky invited AU to play a series of apartment concerts in Moscow. Notably, a young Viktor Tsoi (later of Kino) briefly played bass for the band around this period. The band’s tapes and recordings from these shows circulated informally among fans.

Challenges and Sporadic Performances

With the formation of the Leningrad Rock Club, AU initially faced rejection due to its rough, unpolished style—many less mainstream bands were similarly excluded. As a result, the band performed infrequently and recorded little compared to groups admitted into the club. Nonetheless, AU soldiered on, fostering a dedicated following through their sporadic concerts and rebellious aesthetic, which clashed with the tightly regulated Soviet music culture.

Glasnost Era and Lineup Shifts (1987–1998)

When glasnost relaxed restrictions on rock music, AU finally gained entry into the Leningrad Rock Club in 1987, performing at the club’s fifth rock festival. They continued gigging in the late 1980s and 1990s, going through various lineup changes. Some former members, including those who played alongside Panov, later joined other prominent Russian bands such as Kino and Tequilajazzz. Panov remained the core of AU until he died from peritonitis on August 20, 1998, at age 38.

Recordings and Releases

Though active for nineteen years, AU never released an official album during the Soviet era. Their material often circulated as magnitizdat, including studio sessions recorded with producers like Andrei Tropillo and Aleksei Vishnya. In post-Soviet times, these recordings were restored and released by the Russian label Otdelenie Vyhod, allowing new listeners to discover the raw, pioneering sound that defined AU as the first Russian punk band.

Discography

• 1984 – Nadristat’ (part of the split album Terry, Cherry, Svin), recorded by Aleksei Vishnya
• 1987 – Reagan Provocateur, recorded by Andrei Tropillo
• 1995 – Tel. 1979–1994. Pretenzii ne prinimayutsya, released by Caravan Records
• 1995 – Peyte s nami (split album with Olesya Troyanskaya), released by Otdelenie Vyhod
• As AU Tipa 600 (1988): Pesenniki i pyosenniki
• As FAU (1998): Prazdnik neposlushaniya ili posledniy den’ Pompeya, released by Otdelenie Vyhod