management and publishing companies after getting
burned in your first record
deal. As you’ve gotten more
familiar with the music business in the West, what similar-ities have you seen—and what
wisdom do have to offer?
Tsaler: We come from a country that knows how to dig oil
and gas. If you play rock ’n’ roll
there, you have to understand
you’ve chosen the most difficult
lifestyle ever. One of the famous
’80s Russian rockers—Boris
Grebenshchikov—once sang,
“We’re all victims of a nonrhythmic country,” and it’s
true—our motherland does not
care about rock too much. So
you’re totally on your own and
in unknown territory [there].
Lagutenko: To be honest,
the only wisdom I have to share
with younger artists is … When
I signed my first contract, I knew
what would happen. In other
words, I was completely clear—I
totally understood—that I would
get nothing out of it. But I also
knew I had to take that first step
with those people just to be able
to make a second step. I’d been
informed about the bad side of
rock ’n’ roll. I’d met a famous
Russian rock performer—his
name is Konstantin Kinchev
from the band Alisa—and he
told me, “Ilya, I know where
you’ll end up in a few years.
First, you’ll get bored, then you’ll
get into drugs … ” all the stereo-
types of the rise and fall of the
typical rock guy. I said, “How
do you know this will happen
to me?” and he said, “It will
happen to everyone. Trust me, I
would know—because I’ve been
through it.” I said, “No, no, no.
I’m pretty sure I have a different
idea how I can handle that.”
Through the years, I’ve
proved that I can handle any
situation, but you have to be
in charge of everything your-
self. So, whatever you sign,
whatever you do, don’t blame
other people. If something bad
happens to you, consider it an
experience and nothing more.
You don’t have to kill yourself
because you made a mistake.
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ILYA LAGUTENKO’S GEAR
GUITARS
Vintage Fender Music Master, ’ 57 Fender Esquire,
Gibson Melody Maker, Taylor K16ce acoustic-electric,
Martin Alternative X acoustic-electric
AMPS
Gibson GA series tube combos
STRINGS
D’Addario and Ernie Ball .010 sets (electric),
D’Addario .010–.047 and Ernie Ball .010–.050 sets (acoustic)
YURI TSALER’S GEAR
GUITARS
1968 Fender Telecaster, 1964 Fender Jazzmaster,
1963 Fender Stratocaster, 1969 Gretsch Anniversary
AMPS
Fender Twin Reverb, Fender Hot Rod Deluxe
EFFECTS
T-Rex Replica delay, Ibanez TS9DX Turbo Tube Screamer,
EHX Double Muff, Xotic Effects RC Booster, Ibanez BC9 Bi-Mode
Chorus, Ibanez CS9 Stereo Chorus MXR Phase 90
STRINGS, PICKS, AND ACCESSORIES
D’Addario and Ernie Ball .010 sets (electric),
D’Addario .010–.047 and Ernie Ball .010–.050 sets (acoustic),
Dunlop . 73 mm Nylon picks, Russian “military” 1/4" cable,
Russian vodka-bottle glass slide, Russian Krona batteries (for pedals),
U.S.S.R. soldier’s guitar strap
