Austrian broadcaster ORF recently confirmed that they will use internal selection to pick their act for Kyiv, and that leads us to a very interesting rumour. Since June, there has been speculation that ORF would internally select Vienna-based “Russian turbo polka metal” band Russkaja as Austria’s act for 2017. With one part of that rumour proven true, let’s take a look at the other part.

Russkaja was founded in 2005 and they combine traditional Russian sounds with metal, ska and polka — or as the band define themselves, “Russian turbo polka metal”.

Like a lot of ska bands, Russkaja have a large number of members — seven currently — so if they were to head to Eurovision, someone would have to stay at home.

Russkaja are well known in Austria, where they have released four albums. They regularly appear on Austrian television, and have accompanied Austrian Eurovision stars — including Zoë and Conchita — on versions of their songs.

Russkaja’s charismatic frontman Georgij Makazaria was born in Moscow to Georgian parents, but since 1989 he has lived in Vienna. As well as rocking with Russkaja, Georgij also performs in musicals, and earlier this year he competed in Dancing Stars where he placed third.

Russkaja has already come on the wiwi radar, when last year we listed them as an act that Austria could send to troll Eurovision. Back then we said:

Austria has already sent Alf Poier, Global Kryner and the Trackshittaz to Eurovision, so there’s no reason for them not to gift us with another “not-so-serious” act. If ORF wants to auto-immolate themselves again, they can ask Russkaja to take part. A group of Austrians singing ska in Russian? It’s just perfect!

And it seems like even more of a troll to send a Russian-themed ska band to compete at a Eurovision hosted in Ukraine.

Austria probably aren’t hugely focused on winning the competition again so soon after Conchita’s victory in 2014, so why not have some fun with their entry? After sweet Zöe this year and the nil-points snoozefest that was The Makemakes in 2015, maybe it’s time for Austria to send an act with some energy.

What do you think? Should Austria send Russkaja to Eurovision? Could the Russian turbo polka metal band secure Austria a surprise third victory? Share your thoughts below!

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Charles
Charles
7 years ago

… as if Eurovision never had load of televoting-rubbish before … come on … this is the kind of crap fans die for in the name of entertainment …

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
7 years ago

I don’t know why but they remind me of Kalamari from Slovenia 2010. And do you remember how they did? Next to last in their Semi-Final. Quite reasonable since the song was awful.

Bermooda
Bermooda
7 years ago

@jamaladingdong Little Big can win the contest easily 😀

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
7 years ago

trashy
i expected that last year’s contest would have set a precedent for not sending novelty entries
obviously i was wrong 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁

jamaladingdong
jamaladingdong
7 years ago

Apparently, people seem to like them more. Let’s just hope they will not only get stuck in the Eurofan bubble.

And if this band represents Austria, Russia should think of sending Little Big to make all things a double trouble.

MoreMusicLessGlamourPlease
MoreMusicLessGlamourPlease
7 years ago

Alternative / metal would be great 🙂 Bring it on!

Usually Austria has great NFs…but sadly ends up picking something ery dull, ordinary mainstream most of the time…maybe an internale selection can help for something more alteratnive to ESC

Julie
Julie
7 years ago

SO MUCH YES. I really hope they do! Thanks for introducing this group – I was sufficiently entertained and now I wonder what kind of reception they would get in Ukraine if they did participate 😀

Doorioo
Doorioo
7 years ago

@nick, kjetil and yess – I agree! Would be awesome with such music in ESC! Ska / metal! Something really refreshing! And I love the style of ZSZ – both the 05 and 11 entries

And well – anything is better than conchita! Or zoe for that matter!!!

Rock on Austria!

Plum
Plum
7 years ago

I love the idea!!!
Especially taking in consideration that I still hope that Russia will ignore 2017=))

Zebb
Zebb
7 years ago

I’ll defo check their stuff a lil later 😀 Although I’m guessing some innocent media speculations may work in their favor until they’re going just for troll purpose.

Avstriya
Avstriya
7 years ago

Whatever ORF has in mind with Eurovision 2017, being a surprise to Europe yet again is the only way. Decency doesn’t work. Makemakes and Nathalia Kelly did not excite anyone, except for beccaboo.

Jamaraqueer
Jamaraqueer
7 years ago

LOL beccaboo: You love this Natalia chick. Great voice but terrible song. She should not come back

Pollaski
Pollaski
7 years ago

Kinda like Zdub Si Zdub and Gogol Bordello had a baby in a Russian brothel.

In other words: YES, PLEASE.

Probably not a winner by any stretch of the imagination, but Eurovision needs novelty acts to lighten the mood and increase the fun, and these guys fit that to a T.

cheesecake
cheesecake
7 years ago

I think this would be better than many (including me, at first) think.

Bermooda
Bermooda
7 years ago

@esc1234 Do points matter at all? Russia was number 1 in televoting this year, getting nul points from 24 countries in jury voting. No one gives a f**k to point any more.

esc1234
esc1234
7 years ago

“Russian turbo polka metal”. Nul point on the way

MTD
MTD
7 years ago

@Avstryia – and Mr. Wrabetz had his first hand experience of how EBU works (a.k.a. corruption and fixing the results) so, this may be his best response. 🙂

AnesBosna
AnesBosna
7 years ago

Okay, Bosnia might not be participating next year, but is is by far the closest thing I am ever getting to having Dubioza Kolektiv in ESC.
I’ve been listening to a couple of Russkaja’s songs, and to be honest, they’re not horrible. They could easily be guilty pleasures to some people, despite sounding weird-ish. Hope these rumours are just more than rumours 😀

Paul D.
Paul D.
7 years ago

We need different stuff on Eurovision, and these guys with the right song would be able to slay the competition

Guliguli
Guliguli
7 years ago

Their covers on Avicii and Katy Perry are hilarious.

Guliguli
Guliguli
7 years ago

Austria you have the chance to shine bright once again!!!

Nick
Nick
7 years ago

I would love that! 🙂

Yesss
Yesss
7 years ago

Omg why trolling? They are great ska band. And we want ska on Eurovision! Zdob si Zdub are still one of best bands in ESC history. And combination ska + metal with Russian language + Czech Polka and this all for Austria? It would be amazing! After this year song for children from 3 to 6 years we can have perfect song for Austria again.

NickC
NickC
7 years ago

I actually think they do high quality music. I would not call this “trolling”

claudio
claudio
7 years ago

Wowwwww… the guys that sings Psycho Traktor… cannot wait! Please ORF do it for us! BIG LOOOOOVE!

Aleksi
Aleksi
7 years ago

Hopefully this is true.

Jr esc nl
Jr esc nl
7 years ago

I’m pretty sure this would be a success like verka serducka and barunovski babushki xD

an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

Somehow it reminds me of Moldova 2005 (place 6) – Grandmamma beats the drum (Zdob & Zdub), crazy with unpredictable result, but in the end it does well.

fikri
fikri
7 years ago

austrian entries are always so unexpected! bearded woman, song about ass, a french song out of nowhere and now whatever this is. bring it on.

Kjetil
Kjetil
7 years ago

Sounds interesting and actually really promosing, fun and original. After the annoying diabetes song Loin d’ici it can just become better.

Avstryia
Avstryia
7 years ago

The immediate reaction of ORF director Wrabetz on Twitter to Jamala’s victory was quite negative, so I guess ORF is really going rogue next year in Kyiv with an act like this, not minding a bad result.

BB
BB
7 years ago

Please no…

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

I’m half-Austrian but I hope this backfires lol

Ni
Ni
7 years ago

I hope that this is just won’t pass the category of rumor.

an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

I hope is true, even if I love Ukraine, it deserves a taste of their own medicine. After winning with 1944, take some funny russians, and I hope Russia itself will choose something happy.

beccaboo1212
7 years ago

Don’t do it! I was hoping for ZOË to pull a Valentina/Jedward (in other words, participate at Eurovision for two (2) or more years running), or for Natalia Kelly to return after the 2013 edition! 🙁

MTD
MTD
7 years ago

If proven true, Austria, you’re the kings! LOL

I <3 Austria for being politically incorrect. Hahaha