Red Elvises is an indie rock band that started in California in the mid 1990s. The members are all originally from former Soviet states except for the drummer. Oleg Bernov is from Vologda near Moscow, Russia and plays a large red triangular bass balalaika. Guitarist and lead vocalist Igor Yuzov was born in East Germany and grew up in Ukraine. Adam Gust, the band's current drummer, is from "sunny" Minnesota. Oleg "Schramm" Gorbunov, originally from Kazakhstan, frequently plays keyboard but beginning in the Summer of 2006 Elena Shemankova from Moscow, the first female to ever play with Red Elvises, toured with the band playing keyboards and was very well received. Also, they recently added another woman, Beth Garner from Texas, who plays guitar and sings. The band specializes in a danceable, fun mixture of classic rock'n'roll and surf music tunes, many of which (especially the earlier songs) are flavored with traditional Russian melodies. Red Elvises write and perform (in authentic Russian accents) all original music, some of which contains humorous lyrics and references to subjects dear to the hearts of many Americans: drinking, girls, food and good times. An example from Closet Disco Dancer (from Better Than Sex) reads "Remember 1985/You gave me records by Police/You didn't know that next day/I traded them for new Bee Gees." And as they state themselves: "Strong musical influences include Elvis Presley and his wife Priscilla, Chuck Berry, Spice Girls and speeches by Comrade Fidel Castro."   Wikipedia