TEENBEAT !

НИИ Косметики or the Scientific Research Institute of Cosmetics are a rather extraordinary Soviet pop group who I’d say win the title of having the best band name translated into English. The group was created in 1984 by a certain Michael “Methodius” Yevsenkov in a cellar in the Moscow underground, which is where they stayed for most of their career.

During the 80s, every move of the group was perceived to be a scandal. Not only were they operating illegally, since all musical groups in the Soviet Union were supposed to be registered with the government, but they were also shocking their contemporaries on the fringe with live shows that were said to resemble parties more than concerts. It was not uncommon for there to be more actors and actresses on stage than musicians. Organizers of their shows were even interrogated by the KGB on occasion, but Methodius himself, it was said, was a fearless guy. In 1986 НИИ КОСМЕТИКИ self-released their first album titled “История болезни” (The Case Record). (Johnny Disaster, Porch of the Mystics)

What an album this is. Underground new-wave straight out of left field, tape hiss and all. While there are a few misses, solid pop tunes like Пушка (“Cannon”) and Счастлив (“Happy”) more than make up for it. Definitely worth digging into.