Schastia (Happiness in Ukrainian) was formed in September, 1999 on the basis of the former Balabba. Blabba had been existing for 6 years by that time, and performed alternative rock influenced by such groups as Pixies, Sonic Youth, Velvet Underground, Wedding Present, Birthday Party, Joy Division etc. The band was composed of: Ostroushko Dmytro,- guitar, vocals; Ostroushko Volodymyr,- guitar; Riabokin Stas,- bass; Yermolovich Olexandre,- drums. Blabba performed in English and French, and later songs in Ukrainian appeared. That was the very Ukrainian repertoire that gave base for changing the name, the changes in the band’s style being however insignificant.

A new drummer – Yegrashkin Andriy - joined the band at that time taking place of Olexandre Yermolovich who had just left. In October 1999, Shchastia start recording their demo in a studio, and then appear for the first time in public under the new name and composition in one of the clubs popular at the time in Kyiv.

Since then, the band took part in numerous festivals throughout Ukraine, such as Nivroku (Ternopil), Rock Existence (Kyiv), Rock Vizock (Cherkassy), Rock Tochka (Donetsk), Tavria Games (Kakhovka) etc. Songs by Shchastia appeared on CD compilations, such as Rock Existence 2000 (JRC), Cruty, Concert for Angels (JRC), Rock Tochka (Volia Music), Rockovyshe (Atlantic), Learn to Swim, Lesson 5 (FEE LEE Records, Moscow), Rock Existence 2002 (Art-Veles).

In September 2003, a new drummer – Oleg Lomakovsky who had previously played in Ternopil-based Nameless - joined the band.

On the 15th of October, 2004, Schastia presented their debut album: ?Piensas Ya En El Amor?

Now, the program of Shchastia makes more than one hour, and includes more than 20 songs in Ukrainian, English and French.

Band Members

Dmytro Ostroushko - guitar, vocals

Volodymyr Ostroushko – guitar

Stas Riabokin - bass

Ole Lomakovsky - drums