# Chaif

Chaif (Чайф) is a Russian rock band formed in 1984 in Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg), Russia, by Vladimir Shakhrin and Vladimir Begunov. Their name is derived from the word chai, meaning tea, and kaif (slang word), meaning pleasure. The band became known in 1992 with songs such as Ne Speshi (Don't Hurry) and 17. By 1997, the popularity of rock music had declined and they were playing smaller venue. They have released several albums. Their musical styles range from rock and roll to Blues and some songs which feature a strong reggae influence. The band in 2008 was still touring and releasing albums occasionally.
After the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, Chaif took part in cultural meeting between delegations from Crimea and Sverdlovsk Oblast. The lead singer of the band, Vladimir Shakhrin, was critical of Andrey Makarevich for supporting Ukraine's position in the conflict. In 2022, the band released a statement blaming both sides for the Russian invasion of Ukraine while providing material support to Russian troops in Ukraine and expressing distaste towards musicians that had left Russia following the start of the conflict.

## Discography
### Magnitoalbums

| Year | Original title | Translated title |
| 1985 | Жизнь в розовом дыму | Life in a pink smoke |
| 1986 | Субботним вечером в Свердловске | Saturday evening in Sverdlovsk |
| 1988 | Лучший город Европы | The best city in Europe |

### Studio albums

| Year | Original title | Translated title |
| 1987 | Дерьмонтин | Leathercrap |
| 1987 | Дуля с маком | Nuts to you |
| 1989 | Не беда | It doesn't matter |
| 1990 | Давай вернёмся | Let's return |
| 1991 | Четвёртый стул | The Fourth chair |
| 1993 | Дети гор | Children of mountains |
| 1995 | Пусть всё будет так, как ты захочешь | Let everything be as you want |
| 1996 | Реальный мир | Real world |
| 1999 | Шекогали | Shekogali |
| 2000 | Симпатии | Sympathies |
| 2001 | Время не ждёт | Time doesn't wait |
| 2003 | 48 | 48 |
| 2004 | Изумрудные хиты (с ансамблем "Изумруд") | Emerald hits (collaboration with Izumrud ensemble) |
| 2006 | От себя | From myself |
| 2009 | Свой/Чужой | Friend/Foe |
| 2013 | Кино, вино и домино | Cinema, wine and dominoes |
| 2017 | Теория струн | String theory |
| 2019 | Слова на бумаге | Words on paper |

### The Oranzhevoye Nastroenie series

| Year | Original title | Translated title |
| 1994 | Оранжевое настроение | Orange mood |
| 1996 | Оранжевое настроение — II | Orange mood — II |
| 2002 | Оранжевое настроение — IV | Orange mood — IV |
| 2008 | Оранжевое настроение — V | Orange mood — V |

### Live albums

| Year | Original title | Translated title |
| 1995 | Концерт | Concert |
| 2000 | Чайф 15 лет | Chaif 15 years |
| 2005 | Чайф 20 лет | Chaif 20 years |
| 2010 | Чайф. 25 лет выдержки | Chaif. 25 years old |
| 2011 | Зимняя Акустика. Снежные сны | Winter acoustic. Snow dreams |

### Compilations

| Year | Original title | Translated title |
| 1997 | Акустические версии | Acoustic versions |
| 1998 | Best of ЧАЙФ | Best of Chaif |
| 1998 | Легенды русского рока. Чайф | Legends of Russian rock. Chaif |
| 1998 | Избранное | Selected |
| 2009 | 25 лет выдержки | 25 years old |
| 2009 | Лучшие песни (2CD) | Best songs |