| FliT | |
| Alias: | Flit (Фліт) (2001–2018) |
| Origin: | Ivano-Frankivsk, Cincinnati, |
| Genre: | punk rock, folk punk, rock, alternative rock |
| Years Active: | 2001 - present |
| Label: | UkrMusic, Moon Records, FDRmedia |
| Website: | https://facebook.com/FliT.5k/ |
| Current Members: | Volodymyr Novikov Igor Ozarko Andriy Dragushchak Vitalii Bieliakov |
| Past Members: | Andriy Markiv Charles "Nova Chuck" Baker Steve Larsen Kevin Mccullum Vladislav Martsinkovsky Roman Boyko Oleksandr Ivanchuk Anatoliy Blyednyh Volodymyr Korchak Stanislav Bondarchuk Yuliy Honskyy Mykhaylo Kopievskyi Yuriy Popov Yuriy Chornyi |
FliT is a Ukrainian–American punk rock band that was formed in 2001 in Ivano-Frankivsk. Influenced by SoCal punk, FliT crafted their own brand of music and cultivated a massive following, releasing three albums, touring Europe and playing multiple festivals. They themselves call their musical direction as "intelligent punk rock".[1]
Founding members Volodymyr (guitar, vocals and songwriter) and Igor (drummer, manager) moved to the United States to pursue other careers but never lost their vision to recreate the musical and creative successes of FliT. In 2017, the two officially reformed the group releasing the U.S. debut project, Walking in Circles, an English version of previous FliT hits.
The band was formed in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine in 2001, when five young people united under short but precise name “FliT”.Members of the first FliT was:Volodymyr Novikov — lead vocalVitalii Bieliakov — backing vocals,Andriy Markiv – guitar,Mykhaylo Kopievskyy – bass,Yuriy Chornyi – drums.[2]
Two years later in 2003, Yuriy Chornyi left the band because of creative odds. He was replaced by Igor Ozarko, who also became a band manager.
On December 17, 2003, the band introduced the first album "Svit takyi…" ("The world is such…"), which included 15 tracks.
In the beginning of 2004, backing vocalist and co-creator of lyrics Vitalii Bieliakov left the band.
In October 2004, «UKRmusic» records re-released album "Svit takyi…" ("The world is such…").
One of its songs, "Yizhachok" ("Hedgehog") became the most popular track of the band. Due to its success, hedgehog become part of band's logo.
In 2005, the band actively performed both in Ukraine and abroad.
On April 2, 2006, the new album "Zanykay" ("Hide It"), which included 13 songs was released in Kyiv, Ukraine.[2]
On June 16, 2007, the band had its first large recital, which was filmed. The video of this performance in Ivano-Frankivsk was released on DVD in September. In addition to the concert recording, it included collection of band clips, chosen pictures of the band and interviews with band-members.
Officially released on April 23, 2009, new album included 12 tracks.[2] Video of two songs from this album were directed by Taras Khimich.
The band participated in the folk music project at the First National TV channel. The purpose of this project was the search and revival of Ukrainian folk songs, their promotion, especially among the youth. During the program, FliT performed the folk song "Chumak Pye" ("Drinking Chumak") in their own interpretation, which, according to the audience voting, became the "song of the month". It also became a part of the new album "Odnoznachno" ("Definitely").
Unlike previous albums, this album was recorded in Kiev instead of Ivano-Frankivsk. Here is what Mikhail Kopyevsky said in this regard:The key advantage of the album "Odnoznachno" ("Definitely") according to its creators is content with deep meaning.
At the beginning of 2010, Igor Ozarko came up with the idea of performing a number of FliT songs, arranged in different musical styles in an acoustic performance. As a result, the band prepared an acoustic concert program, which they performed in different cities of Ukraine.
On June 15, 2010, FliT together with the Quarto Corde String Ensemble, the Vertical Limit band, and other invited musicians performed the first largest in Ukrainian history acoustic concert in Ivano-Frankivsk. Instrumental parts for the ensemble were written by Miroslav Litvak. The concert was also filmed.[3]
The band won a cover song contest from the Russian punk rock band "Tarakany!" (Тараканы!) With the song "Ya Dyvlius Na Nykh" ("I look at them").[4]
In November 2010, the drummer and manager Igor Ozarko left the band due to his move to the U.S. As his replacement, he offered young talented drummer Vladimir Korchak.
In March 2011, the band released a new video for the single "Kokhai Mene" ("Love Me") a video was recorded with Kuzma Skryabin (Andriy Kuzmenko).
In July 2011, vocalist Vladimir Novikov also left the band due to the move to the U.S. Yuri Popov started to sing. The same month, the new band released a video for the new song "Zamaniuiut ochi" ("Lure of Your Eyes"), which was written by Vladimir Novikov on the eve of the relocation.
Yuriy Popov also left the band soon after.
On October 4, 2011, Flit presented a new song and video "Anhely posered nas" ("Angels among us"), which was performed by Andrey Markiv as the lead singer of band.
In December 2011, the group announced the further changes in membership. The bass player Mykhaylo Kopievskyy switched from performing to video production. As his replacement he offered musician Anatoliy Blednyh, while for the vacant position of guitarist and backing vocalist Flit invited Juliy Gonski.
In 2012, the band recorded several new songs, presented a video for the song "Vykhid Ye!" ("Exit Exists!"), conducted recitals in Ukraine and Poland, and participated in music festivals.
On May 1, 2013, the Ukrainian band Flit released their new fourth album called "Vykhid Ye!" ("Exit Exists!").
This album was very different from previous ones. First of all, during the work on the album guitarist and backing vocalist Julius Gonski left the band due to conflicting views on creative process. He was replaced by the band's old friend guitarist Stanislav Bodnaruk, known for his work in another Ivano-Frankivsk band, Pan Pupec' (Пан Пупец). Another change is the approach to songwriting. Although before all songs where created by band members, this time only music was created by band, while lyrics was ordered from outside.
From May 10, 2013, Flit started a tour with his album "Vykhid Ye!" ("Exit Exists!").[5]
During 2014–2017, Ukrainian Flit released seven singles: "Ukraina" ("Ukraine"), "NonStop",[6] "Koly mene znaidut" ("When They Find Me"),[7] Ostannii Heroi ("The Last Hero"),[8] "Vse Navpaky" ("All the Way"),[9] "Doroha" ("The Road"), "Ty ne sam" ("You're not alone").[10]
Early in the year 2017, Vladimir Novikov and Igor Ozarko reunited again. Regardless large difference between the states they live in U.S., they found time and inspiration to launch new project in the U.S. In 2017-2018 they were selecting full-time musicians for the band. During this time they named the band "5kMiles" (approximate distance between U.S. and Ukraine).
At the beginning of 2018, Vova and Igor re-released album of Ukrainian Flit songs in English language called "Walking in Circles" to begin concert activity in the U.S. and observe the reaction of local rock fans to music from Ukraine. A little later, they introduced a new single "New York Symphony".
In 2019 FliT started a new page in band story.
On July 1, 2019, the rebranded Ukrainian-American FliT releases the new EP "Raptom" ("Suddenly") in Ukrainian, atmospherically designed in the style of the first FliT album "Svit takyi…" ("The World is such..."). After an eight-year break, the vocals of Volodymyr Novikov returned on this new folk-punk EP.[11]
It is symbolic that after the retrieval into the professional music and despite ten years of American residency the new album was created in Ukrainian. The EP "Raptom" ("Suddenly") includes six songs that boost optimist and energy. The cover of EP "Raptom" ("Suddenly") depicts the punk Cossack BILLY - a new mascot of the collective.
December 17, 2019, FliT released new EP - "Just Go".
Current members
Past Members
Former touring musicians
Timeline
| Italic Title: | no |
| Raptom | |
| Type: | EP |
| Artist: | FliT |
| Cover: | Raptom EP artwork FliT.jpg |
| Released: | July 1, 2019 |
| Studio: | FDRmedia |
| Length: | 16:45 |
| Label: | Not On Label (Self-released) |