Russian Red Elvises rock crowd

Liz Nicol/Senior Photographer ELVIS - RUSSIAN STYLE: Igor Yuzov and Oleg Bernov rock out to a crowded house Thursday night at the Lafayette Brewing Company.

By Julie Glaser
Assistant Features Editor

A conga line of four people bouncing uncontrollably burst from the center of the crowded dance floor with their arms flailing wildly.

But the sight went unnoticed compared to the commotion that was happening on the stage of the Lafayette Brewing Company Thursday night when the Red Elvises performed for a crowded upstairs bar.

Wild, energetic, fun and entertaining are all undeniable understatements to describe the show that Friends of Bob Live Music Co-op brought to town.

Taking the stage covered from top hats to shoelaces with red sequins, red silk, leopard skin, tiger strips and platform shoes, the Red Elvises came to rock the room, and they did — literally.

The tower of amplifiers that leaned against the stage rocked back as they blared the Red Elvises '50s style rockabilly surf music with the added flavor of the band members' Russian accents.

The band rocked with a guitar, drums, accordion, keyboard and what appeared to be a gigantic triangular red bass with three strings. It was so large that Oleg Bernov, its player, had it propped on the ground with a pole. The instrument was just one over-the-top detail in a completely over-the-top show.

"We need all the beautiful girls up here in the front row," yelled lead singer Igor Yuzov from the stage as the show began.

It took approximately 30 seconds before the dance floor was full and the crowd was clapping and singing along with the band.

"I need everyone to show me your clean honest hands," Yuzov said as the crowd threw their hands in the air. "Not you sir," he added jokingly.

"Now I need you all to sing along. 'Under the blue, blue sky,'" he said as he waved his hands in the air. "Stupid blue birds fly, eating butterflies," as he flapped his arms, the crowd mimicking his every move. "Sex and paradise!

"And don't forget the pelvic motion!" he said as he swiveled his hips while spinning around in a circle.

It was hard to tell who was having a better time — Yuzov and the band, or the crowd.

Later on in the show, the band ditched all their instruments and brought another drum on the stage. Yuzov and Bernov grabbed two extra sets of drumsticks, and the room was filled with the pulsating rhythm of three drum players and a tambourine. The hardwood floor shook from the combination of the intense, booming sound and the crowd jumping to the beat of the music.

Two members of the audience even shared the stage with the Red Elvises for a few minutes at the beginning of a song called "I Wanna See You Belly Dance."

Two women jumped on the stage and took front and center as they danced to the melody of the music. The band didn't seem to mind sharing their spotlight, in fact — they seemed to enjoy their guest performers.

Bernov said he was pleasantly surprised with the turnout of the show.

"It's, what is tonight? A Thursday? And everyone seems to be having a good time," he said. "The people here are very friendly," he said as he took a break with a bag of Fritos and a beer between sets.

The crowd did have a good time if Kate Hoffman, a graduate student, was any indication. Dancing the whole concert, Hoffman threw her hands out as she yelled above the music, "They're so energetic! I love them!"