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Wild East Punk from the Heart of Chicago
The lovechild of Gogol Bordello and Patti Smith
About the Band
Fugu Dugu is the unapologetic voice of Wild East Punk — a genre-defying fusion of Balkan brass, klezmer soul, gypsy fire, and punk
rebellion.
Born in the smoky backstreets of Chicago and rooted in the deep folklore of Moldova and Eastern Europe, this female-led band is
a cultural and musical force. Their music is raw, poetic, and riotous, delivered in Romanian, Ukrainian, Russian, and English.
At the center is Madame Broshkina, a classically trained violinist turned folk-punk sorceress, and Bucky Wanko, a guitar-slinging
poet whose lyrics burn like protest posters. Together, they summon something that feels ancient and electric — folklore with a
switchblade.
Fugu Dugu doesn’t play shows. They spark revolts.
And nobody leaves unshaken.
rebellion.
Born in the smoky backstreets of Chicago and rooted in the deep folklore of Moldova and Eastern Europe, this female-led band is
a cultural and musical force. Their music is raw, poetic, and riotous, delivered in Romanian, Ukrainian, Russian, and English.
At the center is Madame Broshkina, a classically trained violinist turned folk-punk sorceress, and Bucky Wanko, a guitar-slinging
poet whose lyrics burn like protest posters. Together, they summon something that feels ancient and electric — folklore with a
switchblade.
Fugu Dugu doesn’t play shows. They spark revolts.
And nobody leaves unshaken.
Career Highlight
Explosive National Touring
With their high-voltage live energy and fiercely original sound, Fugu Dugu has torn
through venues and festivals across the U.S. in recent years.
They’ve sold out shows in over 20 cities, including:
• Old Town School of Folk Music, Evanston SPACE, and City Winery (Chicago)
• DROM (New York City), Sonia (Boston), Cliff Bells (Detroit)
Their 2024–2025 tours took them across the East Coast, West Coast, and Midwest,
building a devoted and diverse fanbase that doesn’t just attend — they dance, shout,
and chant along.
No empty seats. No quiet crowds. Just riotous energy.
through venues and festivals across the U.S. in recent years.
They’ve sold out shows in over 20 cities, including:
• Old Town School of Folk Music, Evanston SPACE, and City Winery (Chicago)
• DROM (New York City), Sonia (Boston), Cliff Bells (Detroit)
Their 2024–2025 tours took them across the East Coast, West Coast, and Midwest,
building a devoted and diverse fanbase that doesn’t just attend — they dance, shout,
and chant along.
No empty seats. No quiet crowds. Just riotous energy.
Career Highlights
Fugu Dugu’s uncompromising sound has earned them collaborators, stages, and
accolades from legends across genres.
They were featured on a Grammy-winning album with The Klezmatics, icons of
modern klezmer. Their track Hanukkah Bell became a surprise Spotify holiday favorite
and positioned the band as one of the boldest new voices in the global folk scene.
They’ve also shared stages and studio time with:
• Vopli Vidopliassova, pioneers of Ukrainian rock
• Oleg Skrypka, the genre’s founder and cultural leader
• Kommuna Lux, the explosive klezmer-punk act from Odesa
• Enver Izmaylov, the Crimean-Tatar guitar sorcerer renowned for his virtuosic
technique
accolades from legends across genres.
They were featured on a Grammy-winning album with The Klezmatics, icons of
modern klezmer. Their track Hanukkah Bell became a surprise Spotify holiday favorite
and positioned the band as one of the boldest new voices in the global folk scene.
They’ve also shared stages and studio time with:
• Vopli Vidopliassova, pioneers of Ukrainian rock
• Oleg Skrypka, the genre’s founder and cultural leader
• Kommuna Lux, the explosive klezmer-punk act from Odesa
• Enver Izmaylov, the Crimean-Tatar guitar sorcerer renowned for his virtuosic
technique
The Legend of Baba Yaga (Spring 2026)
The Legend of Baba Yaga (Spring 2026)
Fugu Dugu’s upcoming second album, The Legend of Baba Yaga, is set for release in Spring 2026 —
and it’s a spellbinding next chapter.
Drawing inspiration from Slavic myth and modern unrest, the album reimagines Baba Yaga — the
feared forest witch of Eastern European folklore — as a feminist rebel, political trickster, and
punk prophet.
With searing violin incantations, pounding Balkan rhythms, and lyrics steeped in ritual, protest,
and folklore, the album marks Fugu Dugu’s boldest work yet.
Highlights include:
• New anthems previewed live at sold-out shows across the U.S.
• Lead single filmed during the band’s epic Chicago River show, with the audience joining the
performance
Written by Bucky Wanko, conjured by Madame Broshkina, performed with fire and zero
restraint
Fugu Dugu’s upcoming second album, The Legend of Baba Yaga, is set for release in Spring 2026 —
and it’s a spellbinding next chapter.
Drawing inspiration from Slavic myth and modern unrest, the album reimagines Baba Yaga — the
feared forest witch of Eastern European folklore — as a feminist rebel, political trickster, and
punk prophet.
With searing violin incantations, pounding Balkan rhythms, and lyrics steeped in ritual, protest,
and folklore, the album marks Fugu Dugu’s boldest work yet.
Highlights include:
• New anthems previewed live at sold-out shows across the U.S.
• Lead single filmed during the band’s epic Chicago River show, with the audience joining the
performance
Written by Bucky Wanko, conjured by Madame Broshkina, performed with fire and zero
restraint
What Makes Fugu Dugu Unforgettable
- Madame Broshkina – A violin sorceress. Classical precision meets punk fury.
- Bucky Wanko – Rebel lyricist and street bard.
- Multilingual & multicultural – Romanian, Ukrainian, Russian, English
- Genre-defying & grassroots-driven – Punk kids love them. Folk elders fear them. Journalists
- can’t quite explain them.
- Wild East Punk – Born in Chicago. Played with Balkan soul. Heard around the world.
Wild East Punk.
Balkan brass. Klezmer soul. Gypsy punk fire.
Past shows
Fugu Dugu in Chicago City Winery
Fugu Dugu in DROM, NYC
Fugu Dugu "Lunatic Parade" release show in Reggies Chicago
Fugu Dugu Gypsy show in the Chicago parks
Fugu Dugu "Devotchka" single video
Fugu Dugu live at Poluostrov Fest 2024
Fugu Dugu "Kamena Gora" live at Poluostrov Fest 2024
photos
