The pianist and singer Denis Mazhukov was born in family of a well-known Soviet composer Alex Mazhukov, who wrote hits for the Russian pop superstar Alla Poogatcheva in the 70s. At the age of 6 Denis had been planted behind a piano. When he was 9 he heard Elvis, rock and roll and spirituals for the first time. It was probably then when he discovered opened Jerry Lee Lewis, and began to imitate him. By the age of 12 years he became an often guest on TV as child wonder, performing his own rock-and-roll songs in Russian. These songs were recorded at his father's home studio. But to play like one of the fathers of a rock and roll Denis had to master high-speed technique of boogie piano playing, and he coped with it brilliantly. Denis is able to imitate even technical flops of the great Jerry Lee. Soon due to his daddy's connections, the only Soviet state-owned label "Melody" releases his first single with 4 songs. Mazhukov leaves music school and begins to play rock standards in a band called THE OLD GUARD along with Valery Geluta. At the end of 1993 after joint studio recording the Russian beat/rock-n-roll supergroup BRAVO ask Denis to join the band. At the shows the BRAVO's leader Evgeny Havtan lets Denis to do 3-4 numbers of classic rockers.

In spring 1994 a bass player, a drummer Igor Danilkin (now the SPLEEN's manager) and Denis Mazhukov left BRAVO. It was the beginning of Mazhukov's solo career. 
At the end of 1994 the bad named OFFBEAT play their first date at Alabieff club. In 1995 the first album (some songs original the rest being Jerry Lee Lewis' covers) comes out on SNC label. In March 1997 OFFBEAT performs at the Russia Hall supporting 2 Jerry Lee Lewis shows, and in August Denis plays as the pianist in a sudden show with Chuck Berry at PushkinSquare. The band goes on tour on Russia - Samara, Kiev, Vladimir, Rostov-upon-Don, but it is a ghost comparing their touring with BRAVO's concert and recording schedule. To put it mildly, they go on infrequent trips with different lineups. In May 1999 Denis performs in Helsinki the capital of Finland. 

At the band's internet site it was fearlessly announced: "OFFBEAT is the best rock-and-roll band of MOSCOW". Now this loud slogan is no more, it was just publicity gimmick for potential sponsors. In 1999 OFFBEAT the material for the album "That's What I Am" was recorded. But it is not clear whether any recording company is ready to release it. Now band play in the best bars and cafes of the capital ("Country Bar", "Bassmanny Bar", "Rhythm Blues Cafe" etc). So OFFBEAT is really of of the best bar bands of Moscow. And sure enough everyone admit, Denis Mazhukov is the Russian Jerry Lee Lewis'. 

The classic OFFBEAT lineup is:
Valery Geluta - guitar (OLD GUARD)
Nick Vtorov - double bass (GREASE DREAM, SKYROCKETS, MUSIC HAMMER BAND)
Gene Lomakin - drums (HAWAIIAN ISLANDS, ALLIGATORS, CRAZY MEN CRAZY, SKYROCKETS, SURFIN ' KEDZ, PIJONY)

After getting a manager in 2001 the band began to play in bigger spots and played in several US clubs for Russian emigrants, but soon Valery Geluta, Gene Lomakin and Nick Vtorov left the band. A bass guitar player, a C&W guitarist and a hard rock drummer were hired. The OFFBEAT sound became much heavier and it is now rather blues rocking or even hard rocking than rockabilly.

DISCOGRAPHY