Time Machine's never out of date

Last Friday was especially busy in terms of rock events: Apart from the usual club routine, I was invited to see N.O.M., a brilliant St. Petersburg schizo-rock theater; to a reception on the occasion of yet another reunion of Voskresenye, a cult early-'80s rock group, now enjoying massive revival thanks to CD reissues of old material; and Andrey Makarevich's solo acoustic gig. I think I'd rather see N.O.M. (especially since they're on my record label) but I chose the last option.Andrey Makarevich is the songwriter, guitarist and one of the lead singers of Mashina Vremeni (Time Machine), the legendary Russian rock band that comes closest to the clich? of being the "Russian Beatles." They started as schoolkids in 1969 and in the early and mid-'70s became hugely popular and influential; their lyrics were totally unlike the stuff people were used to hearing.Makarevich, a student of architecture, has also become the architect of true Russian rock, by mixing together the glorious bardic tradition of Vysotsky, Okudzhava and Galich with electric rhythms and new-generation mentality. He seldom wrote songs about love, girls and having fun; the typical topics of Makarevich's lyrics (a trend later followed by hundreds Russian rock authors) are alienation, hypocrisy, loneliness, human narrow-mindness and general emotional dissatisfaction with the state of things. Sometimes satirical, but never openly political (we're talking Brezhnev era, of course), these songs nevertheless were in sharp contrast to the ever-optimistic, stupid and propaganda-charged official Soviet pop. In 1979, because of its enormous cult popularity, Time Machine became the first underground rock band to turn professional; but until glasnost their position, despite commercial success, had always been very shaky and compromising, balancing between censors and creative credibility.Although musically Time Machine was never my cup of tea (they always played safe, melodic pop-rock, reminiscent of, say, Paul McCartney or The Eagles), I have great respect for the band because they have survived for a quarter-century without playing bullshit and without compromising too much.Ulan-Bator movie theater is an unlikely venue for a rock concert, and Makarevich's performance actually wasn't one. He played quiet, poetic songs, mostly new ones from the upcoming solo album ("I draw you") and answered numerous questions from the audience. Everyone wanted to learn more about the approaching and already famous rock concert in Red Square to celebrate Time Machine's 25th anniversary. The June 25 concert will be free, starting in the afternoon and finishing around 11 P.M. Time Machine will be joined by many local rock acts and pop stars; international participation is not expected. Some questions he was asked concerned "SMAK," a weekly morning television show hosted by Makarevich, dedicated to cookery and sponsored by Uncle Ben's. For many dedicated rock fans, having their guru dress up in chef's hat and apron is an act of betrayal.Six years ago -- I was a somewhat thinner person than now -- I occasionally modeled for a fashion magazine, a fact that provoked furious reaction in "hardcore" rock circles, who accused me of "selling out." I personally understand Makarevich very well and appreciate his readiness to "demythologize" his personality. Rather forgettable as a musical experience, Andrey Makarevich's concert was a warm and psychologically interesting human encounter with one of the most intelligent musicians in Russian popular music. Those who are interested in witty social and political comment would also be satisfied, as Makarevich performed topical songs on such varied objects as Mexican soap operas and Vlad Zhirinovsky.The Ulan-Bator gig was like a dress rehearsal: more of the same will follow at the prestigious Rossiya Concert Hall June 17.