EVGENI
ATTSETSKI
From Belarus. Lives and works in Minsk.
100% girls punk-rock from East Europe
MessedUp is a female punk rock band from Grodno, Belarus. Back in the day, when the band was formed, its members were aged 15 to 18. On June 9, 2018, MessedUp marked its three-year anniversary. The band members stand against all forms of discrimination and hold anti-fascist, anti-sexist and anti-homophobic views. MessedUp are the prominent representatives of the local punk and hardcore scene.
Its members are united not only by their love for music, but also zero tolerance for any form of discrimination. Many of them are involved in social activism, hold anarchist and left-wing views, and oppose the existing state system and police misconduct. Society in Belarus is weakly politicized and very conservative, xenophobia and homophobia persist by default, and feminism is much less popular than ideas regarding the traditional role of the woman as a mother and housewife.
Despite the punk environment being friendly and forward-looking, outside of it the girls often face intolerance and sexist attacks. During its existence, MessedUp has traveled half of Europe, playing gigs in Berlin, Moscow, Riga, Vilnius, Warsaw and Minsk. Each band member saw no future at home and dreamed of leaving Belarus.
The band members:
Nastya, the lead singer, feminist. Being a feminist in Belarus means constantly dealing with aggression, with being attacked and depreciated. Nastya often encounters street harassment and attacks caused by her short and coloured hair.
Liza, the guitarist and composer. Lisa is a student of medical university. When on tour abroad, she often reads her textbooks to prepare for exams, while the other girls are having fun.
Masha, the bass player. Being part of the LGBTQ community, she has to deal with unpleasant and offensive comments almost at all times. Recently, Masha has become increasingly interested in LGBTQ activism.
Katya, the drummer. As of now, Katya has left the band. In search of a better life, she has moved to another country and is working as a barista at a café.
Evgeni Attsetski (1983) is a Belorussian documentary photographer based in Minsk. During his artistic career he collaborated with organizations, such as UNDP, Red Cross, UNICEF Belarus, Sapiens mag and TIMER mag.
