Pytor (the Russian name for Peter) “pigel” Igelevich was born to parents Laurel and Darminia in the Siberian heavy industrial town of Neryungri, Russia. It was in the bright, yet frozen summers that his interest in music was first piqued. Looking for a way to get drunk without his parents knowing, Peter developed the now famous vodkalaika instrument.  This unique musical masterpiece, in addition to being a fine traditional Russian balalaika (the traditional Russian triangular-shaped, mandolin-like instrument) also serves up nearly a gallon of the best vodka ever made in a Russian bathtub – of which there is much: Peter played this instrument for ten years before finally switching to the drums.  The way that he figured it, if the vodkalaika could hold a gallon, just think how mush a bass drum could hold! 

The nickname, pigel came about in 1993 after he immigrated to America and embarked on a career as a big businessman. American friends in Seattle convinced Peter to embrace the technology world and get an AOL account.  They told him that if he would just start an e-commerce site on the Internet to sell his musical inventions he would be rich with American dollars!  They even got him start-up capital from some prominent VC firms (of course it was the Russian mafia that really kicked in the money).  Although he was a little apprehensive of failing with mafia money, Peter started a company and Vodkalaika.com was born. He left his ice-covered dacha in Russia, moved to Seattle where he could build and sell his craft over the Internet.  Soon, he had marketing and sales force of 200 people and commercials on the Superbowl, like all good American dot coms!  For two successful years, Peter operated the company from the CEO desk, until one day he realized that the company had no money left and had only sold one instrument (his father had bought it).  As to where the rest of the money went, well, that’s confidential.  Since the fall of Vodkalaika.com, Peter has returned to the performing stage (at least that’s his mafia cover), but due to the painful memories of the .com experience, has switched to Gin.