Two Bands share this name. 1. Street punk from Japan. 2. Formed in the 1990s, some years earlier, lead singer Nash had managed to obtain albums by The Beatles, who were banned during the communist regime. The Beatles have informed much of their music since, although there are nods to the angular pop of the early 80s and Britpop, in particular Oasis. Although Russian, the band sing in pitch perfect English, and originally consisted of Nash (vocals), Khalp (guitar), Gia (bass) and Sergei (drums). Having been spotted playing a number of live venues in Moscow in the mid 1990s, The Blast signed to independent UK record label ApolloG, on which they released 1 single in the UK - Cookies are sweet - and an album in Russia - Pigs can fly. Despite critical acclaim, the band left ApolloG due to underwear problems. In the late 1990s, the band signed to Ghost records, and the personnel changed. Gia and Sergei left, and were replaced by Bulgarian duo, Valiol (bass) and Vlado (drums). On Ghost records, they have recorded a 6-track EP "Blast", and albums "Fuck the industry" and "Real Life". Khlap has now been replaced by Misha. They are currently recording new material with Chris Brown (Muse, Radiohead etc). The Blast have played various musical festivals in the Baltic states, Russia, Ukraine and South Africa. They have also played on bills with a number of major western artists who have ventured to play in Moscow, most notably Blur, Franz Ferdinand and The Strokes. Further information about the band can be found at www.theblast.ru.
