They sing original lyrics from folk songs and play traditional instruments but compose and arrange new music. The band-leaders are Kamil Rogiński (composer and arranger), Robert ‘Robal’ Matera (vocalist, known from legendary punk group Dezerter) and Paweł “Guma” Gumola – the leader of Moskwa (another punk-rock legend). Alongside these veterans, Belarusian singer Nasta Niakrasava is the third voice of the team.
In short compositions, often lasting no more than two minutes, Rogiński reaches for elements of hardcore and punk rock. Although R.U.T.A. uses the language of prior centuries and speaks about the rough, slavish fate of peasants in Poland in the 17th and 18th centuries, it fits perfectly into the philosophy of the contemporary Occupy movement. On one hand they represent hatred of the ‘masters’ and condemnation of the church’s hypocrisy. On the other, they try to spread the programme of contemporary ‘liberation’ into the lands of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. This is what their second album Na uschod is about.
The power of R.U.T.A. lies in its being focused not only on Polish issues. They try to plant the “dynamite of freedom” in the East, where, according to their beliefs, it is the most needed. Szajkowski, during the decline of communism in Poland, used to find meaning in Dezerter’s and Moskwa’s songs. Now, with the musicians of that period he tries to sustain the spirits of enslaved nations today.
Discography:
- 2011 – Gore. Pieśni buntu i niedoli XVI-XX w. / Gore. Songs of Riot and Misery 16th - 20th century.
- 2012 – Na uschod. Wolność albo śmierć / Na uschod. Freedom or Death.
Author: Filip Lech. Translated by W.O., April 2014