From St. Petersburg to Tbilisi: The Georgian Punk Scene Experiences a Revival

Jesus Sister, Secret Place, Tbilisi, Georgia © Onnik James Krikorian / Caspian Post 2023

The Caspian Post has published my article, accompanied by photographs, on the influx of alternative Russian musicians to Tbilisi following Putin’s further invasion of Ukraine last year. It’s a continuation of my work on the underground rock, metal, and punk scene in all three countries of the South Caucasus since 2001 and especially my personal project, Tbilisi Underground. The punk scene in Georgia, incidentally, has always been unique, but the arrival of often political bands from Russia and beyond has arguably diversified and reinvigorated it.

The lights dim. The crowd roars. Inessa Fleshler has just arrived backstage. Her diminutive frame stands in stark contrast to the heavily built male musicians around her. For four years, she’s been the lead vocalist for a noise-rock, post-hardcore punk band called Jesus Sister, hailing originally from St. Petersburg, Russia. As a former child actress, she’s no stranger to the limelight, and as soon as my camera points at her, the 24-year-old’s bubbly demeanor transforms into an expression as if she was once again performing in a movie tackling difficult social themes. Tonight, her band is in Tbilisi to tear up the stage at Elektrowerk, an old factory-turned-venue for the metal and punk scene in one of the more faceless suburbs of the Georgian capital.

 

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“I think every time when different musical cultures meet,” says Secret Place’s Fury, “something great is happening because we can show something to local guys, and they can show something to us. Not just Russians and Georgians but everyone who comes here. Some guys from Europe, the States, and Japan are playing here, and everyone is welcome. Punk has always been international. No borders.”

There’s also a little social media slideshow too.

You can read the full article here.