Peter Solowka

Peter Solowka or Solovka (Ukrainian: Петро Соловка, pronounced [peˈtrɔ soˈlɔu̯kɐ]) was born in late 1959[1] in Oldham of Ukrainian and Yugoslavian descent. He has been involved in music since 1985, most notably as guitarist with The Wedding Present from its inception until 1991,[2] and then with The Ukrainians till the present day.

Peter Solowka
Born1959 (age 61–62)
OriginOldham, Lancashire, England
GenresIndie rock, Ukrainian folk music
Occupation(s)Musician, composer
InstrumentsVocals, guitar
Years active1985–present
Associated actsThe Wedding Present, The Ukrainians

The Wedding Present was formed when Peter joined with old school friend David Gedge, Keith Gregory and Shaun Charman. The band released many EPs and singles as well as three successful albums.

The group performed at major festivals, appeared in national and indie charts, plus TV shows. During this time, Peter developed an interest in his ethnic roots and worked with the band to produce an album of Ukrainian-inspired music. They were helped in this by Roman Remeynes, Len Liggins . The album featured for the first time in three John Peel Sessions. It was later released by RCA records.

The album reached no 22 in the national album charts - a record for an Eastern European language record in the UK.[3] The interest in the music was such that RCA requested another Ukrainian album. Throughout 1990, the band were working on 2 albums (Seamonsters and the new Ukrainian album) and this caused tensions between individual band members. Both albums were finished in early 1991, after which it was decided that it would be best if Peter concentrated on the Ukrainian music.

The RCA album recorded by The Wedding Present was released as The Ukrainians first album

After leaving the Wedding Present, Peter formed The Ukrainians with Roman Remeynes, Len Liggins and Stepan Pasicznyk.[4] Known as the originators of Ukrainian Folk Rock, The Ukrainians have released ten albums since 1991.[5] The group have performed over 1000 gigs in 20 countries, including many of the major international world music festivals.

  • The Ukrainians (1991)
  • Pisni iz The Smiths (EP) (1992) (four songs originally by The Smiths translated into Ukrainian).
  • Vorony (1993)
  • Live in Germany (1993)
  • Kultura (1994)
  • Drink to my Horse! The Ukrainians Live (2001)
  • Anarchy In The UK (EP) (2002) (three songs originally by the Sex Pistols translated into Ukrainian).
  • Respublika (2002)
  • Istoriya: The Best of the Ukrainians (2004)
  • Live in Czeremcha (2008)
  • Diaspora (2009)
  • 20 Years (Best of) (2011)
  • A History of Rock Music in Ukrainian (2015)

References
  1. GRO Register of Births DEC 1959 10f 74 OLDHAM - Peter Solowka, mmn=Kulman
  2. Hodkinson, Mark. "Excerpt from The Wedding Present - Thank Yer, Very Glad". markhodinson.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  3. "Ukrainian London interview".
  4. "The Ukrainians members". Theukrainians.com. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
  5. "TheUkrainian discography". Theukrainians.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2012.


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