Dallas Morning News, August 17, 1997
By Thor Christensen
Pop Music Critic of The Dallas Morning News

BURNING LOVE

"…The Red Elvises followed Elvis Herselvis and tried to convince the crowd that they hailed from Siberia. But nobody was buying it.

For one, their thick Russian accents vanished whenever they addressed the sound man, the second, their van in in the parking lot sported California plates. The Elvi, it turns out, were born and bred in L.A.

Their shtick got annoying in a hurry - the pits was having to hear "Blue Moon" in a pseudo-Russian accent. But at least the Red Elvises knew how to shake thing up by mixing klezmer melodies with Afro-pop, country-punk and surf rock…"

The following letter was published in response to the article:

August 18, 1997

Mr. Thor Christensen
Pop Music Critic
The Dallas Morning News
Box 655237
Dallas, Texas 75265

I happened to be in the audience Friday evening when the Red Elvises performed. After reading your critique, I wondered if we had indeed been in the same place at the same time. Regarding origin of birth: Zhenya, Igor and Oleg were all born and raised in Russia. They immigrated to the United States some five years ago. The band itself was ‘born’ in Los Angeles. Regarding the van: Are you suggesting that the van should have a Russian license plate? If so, then one should see license plates prominently displayed from around the world. Regarding the accents: Russian is their native language. It is, therefore, quite unlikely that the accents are fake. The only non-Russian speaking member of the group happens to be the drummer who was born in Austin, Texas. His name is Avi Sills, and he is my nephew. You might take note of the enclosed press release.
A true review of the music would have been most welcome for a meaningful and helpful critique can bring change and growth. The audience seemed quite caught up in the music and the antics of the band. Regrettably, you seemed more intend on dishing out misinformation rather than a critique.

Sincerely,

Andrea Weinstein