Tõnu Trubetsky

Early life

Tõnu Trubetsky was born in Tallinn, Estonia as the oldest son of Jaan Trubetsky, who was of Polish and Ruthenian heritage (See Trubetskoy family) and Leili Rikk, an Estonian. Trubetsky was awarded the Silver Mark award by the Committee of Physical Culture and Sports near the Soviet Ministries of the U. S. S. R. in 1981. After graduating from theatre class at Tallinn's 32nd Secondary School in 1982, he served in the Soviet Army.

Music career

Trubetsky's music is inspired by basic three-chord punk rock. Following his discharge from the military in 1984, Tõnu Trubetsky appeared in the Eastern European punk scene and formed the punk band Vennaskond, which as of 2006 is the oldest continually active rock band in Estonia.

In addition to being the lead singer for Vennaskond, he has been the lead singer for several other punk bands, including Felis Ultramarinus in 1986, Vürst Trubetsky & J.M.K.E. from 1986 to 2009, The Un Concern in 1988, and The Flowers of Romance (not to be confused with the original English Flowers of Romance) since 1999. He was a guitarist for Operatsioon Õ in 1995.

In 1989, Vennaskond embarked upon a 5-gig concert tour in Finland with Jim Arrow & the Anachrones. All the members of Vennaskond fled to Finland in the beginning of 1991. Their first album came out in Estonia during this absence.

In 1993, Trubetsky and Vennaskond had their first Estonian Number 1 hit song, "Insener Garini Hüperboloid", one of their only songs written by someone besides Trubetsky (Al Vainola).

Film career

In 1992, after returning to Estonia from Finland, Trubetsky was working as a guard for the production association ETKVL Kooperaator when Finnish film director Pekka Karjalainen asked him if he would appear in the film Hysteria. Trubetsky agreed, and sang the song "Riga My Love" in the film.

Writing career

As a journalist, Trubetsky considers his most interesting newspaper articles to be "Interview with Suzi Quatro" in Hommikuleht, and "Who Killed Sid Vicious?" in Muusik in 1993.

Trubetsky's poetry can be described as romantic and anarchist, reflecting his romantic views of punk, rocker, new romantic, teddy-boy, psychobilly, and other subcultures, all of which were quite unreachable in the former Soviet Union. Trubetsky's novels are usually co-written with his long-time friend, anarchist Anti Pathique, and can be described as naïve, over-the-edge science fiction.

Political activity

Trubetsky has been a member of Amnesty International since 1992 and the Anarchist League of Estonia (M. A. L.) since 1995.

Trubetsky is a former member of the Estonian Greens. He stood as a candidate in the Estonian parliamentary election in 2007 and the European Parliament election in 2009. On 5 August 2010, Trubetsky announced he had left the Greens for the Centre Party.

Personal life

Tõnu Trubetsky's daughter is Reginleif Trubetsky.

Vürst Trubetsky & J. M. K. E.

1. Rotipüüdja (2000, MC, CD, Melodija/Kaljukotkas)

The Flowers of Romance

1. Sue Catwoman (2004, CDEP, MFM Records)
2. Sue Catwoman (2004, CD, The Flowers of Romance)
3. Paris (2006, CD, Līgo)

Compilation including The Flowers of Romance

1. Punk Occupation 12 (2006, CD, Feńka R'n'R/Crazy Rat) - Girl in Black

As director

1. Millennium (1998, VHS, 90 min., Faama Film/Trubetsky Pictures)
2. Ma armastan Ameerikat (2001, VHS, 140 min., DayDream Productions/Trubetsky Pictures)
3. Sügis Ida-Euroopas (2004, 2DVD, 185 min., DayDream/Trubetsky Pictures)
4. New York (2006, DVD, 140 min., Trubetsky Pictures)
5. Pirates of Destiny (2007, DVD, 150 min., Trubetsky Pictures)

As actor

1. Serenade (dir. Rao Heidmets, 1987)
2. The Sweet Planet (dir. Aarne Ahi, 1987)
3. War (dir. Hardi Volmer & Riho Unt, 1987)
4. Hysteria (dir. Pekka Karjalainen, 1992)
5. Moguchi (music by Vennaskond, dir. Toomas Griin & Jaak Eelmets, 2004)
6. Punklaulupidu (dir. Erle Veber, 2008)