Giant Steps emerged in Bryansk at the end of 2024, stepping into a Russian hardcore scene that has shifted dramatically in recent years. Their approach is rooted in fast, melodic hardcore and Youth Crew ideals, channeling the energy and optimism that first drew so many into the genre.
“We formed it with the goal of reviving the scene in our hometown, Bryansk, and bringing back the positive message of hardcore,” vocalist Ivan tells No Echo. Giant Step credit bands like Comeback Kid, Have Heart, and Sinking Ships as big influences on their sound.
Before Giant Steps, Ivan and several members spent 16 years with WOAB, a ska-core band that toured across Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Europe, sharing stages with Voodoo Glow Skulls and Faintest Idea. Ivan started out on saxophone in WOAB, eventually moving to vocals as Giant Steps took shape.
When WOAB ended, Ivan and guitarist Alex wasted no time starting over. “At first, we planned to play classic Youth Crew hardcore,” Ivan explains, “but it eventually evolved into fast hardcore punk.”
The aforementioned Comeback Kid’s influence sits at the heart of Giant Steps, a connection the band doesn’t shy away from. “People say we sound like Comeback Kid with some Have Heart-style lyrics,” Ivan says with a laugh. “We don’t argue with that.” Ivan recently reached out to Scott Wade, the original Comeback Kid vocalist, about the possibility of working together on new material. “He actually replied to me,” Ivan says. “I don’t know what will come of it yet, but we’ll see how the story ends.”
Giant Steps released their debut EP, Heart in Hardcore, earlier this month, through Russia’s Siyanie label. The record is built around unity, motivation, and a sense of hope for where Russian hardcore could go next. “It’s dedicated to the hope that the hardcore scene in Russia still has a chance to be reborn,” Ivan says.
The current political climate in Russia forced the band to rethink how they approached some of their lyrics. “A lot of the social themes had to be heavily censored because of the current political situation in Russia,” he explains. “We had to rewrite lyrics several times. But we can’t walk away from the core principles of punk music.”
Even with these challenges, Ivan sees signs that Russian hardcore is regaining momentum after years of instability from the pandemic and the war. “There are more people now, more shows, and finally bands are touring again,” he says. “There’s also a lot of young people getting involved.”
Ivan hopes the younger people coming into the community will hold onto the core values that have always defined hardcore. “I’d love for the new generation entering the scene to understand and carry the values that this genre is built on,” the vocalist says. “I hope we can become part of that foundation.”
Giant Steps are already working on new songs, with plans for a full-length LP and an English-language version of Heart in Hardcore. They’re searching for a second guitarist and looking to tour more widely across Russia and beyond in 2027.
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Giant Steps on social media: Instagram
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