Black Widows

Spend the night with touring icons Igor & The Red Elvises as they make their way through Minneapolis to The Hook and Ladder Theater stage on July 15. Minneapolis surf-punk rockers Black Widows get the party started. Get your tickets and don't forget your dancing shoes! -- Igor Yuzov was born in Germany, raised in Ukraine and studied in Russia. He grew up in the former Soviet Union, where folk music was the norm and rock’n’roll was illegal. A rebellious streak, led him to seek out the forbidden music. As soon as it became possible, Igor left Russia for America with his “Folk’n’Roll” band Limpopo, and was personally greeted by Ronald Reagan. In 1993, Limpopo won Ed McMahon’s Star Search and their popularity began to blossom. In 1995, Igor dreamed that Elvis Presley came to him and told him to start playing rock’n’roll. Igor and his Russian friends became Red Elvises and gave street performances on Santa Monica’s 3rd Street Promenade. As their crowds grew larger, the City of Santa Monica ordered them to discontinue their street performances. Evolving over the years, Igor’s music has been labeled “Siberian Surf Rock” which contains humorous lyrics and grooves that forces his audience to dance. Over the past 20 years, Red Elvises have constantly toured all over the world with occasional breaks to record new music and to participate in film and television projects. As an independent band, Red Elvises have produced 12 studio albums, two live albums, a live concert DVD, and a Greatest Hits compilation. Some of their most notable film contributions include music and or performances in “Six String Samurai”, “Mail Order Bride”, “Armageddon”, “Skippy”, “Melrose Place”, “Fastlane”, “Penn and Teller’s Sin City Extravaganza”, “VH-1 Behind the Music”, and “MTV”. Red Elvises have performed for large festivals, private parties, and played on massive stages such as 2005’s Live 8 Benefit Concert. No matter where they perform, Igor & Red Elvises always bring the party with them. Black Widows are a surf-punk-psyche band from Minneapolis, Mn, U.S. They serve up wild surf guitar, slick bass grooves, mean beats, & riot grrrl vox. BW have toured overseas & nationally from Spain to NYC & LA playing bills and festivals w/ major acts like Bombino, Dale Watson, L.A. Witch, The Trashmen, Shonen Knife, Olivia Jean, The Coathangers, Death Valley Girls, Supersuckers, Agent Orange, The Surfaris, Man or Astro-Man, Messer Chups, The Surfrajettes, John Waters, & more. BW’s ‘Swamp Rock City’ EP is out now on vinyl and they’re currently working on a full length album to be released this year. Follow BW at @blackwidowsrocks for 2025 tour dates and releases.