Beginning in 2004, the trio of Alex Kelman (sampler, keyboards, and guitar), Vladimir Komarov (bass guitar and vocals), and Konstantin Nikonov (drums and percussion) distinguished themselves both inside and outside of Russia, uncharacteristically cheerful among their peers about taking direction and support from Western Europe. Based out of Moscow, their first singles, "Snowboy" and "Zoomer Goodnight" were sung in English, savoring the decade-old dance-rock tunes of groups like the Happy Mondays and the Stone Roses. They made it to the rotation of London's BBC Radio 1, where they were stamped the "Russian Chemical Brothers." In June of 2005 the group released their self-titled debut record on the Russian label Alley P.M., and re-released it in America in 2006. In 2007 they released the album Music for the Broken Keys, whose effervescent dance beats, shoegaze harmonies, and new wave aesthetics once again flew in British airspace. ~ Sabrina Jaszi