Pod Cerny Vrch

A punk rock group with ska and progressive elements (unless you see it the other way around), Pod Cerny Vrch has reached a certain level of popularity in the Czech Republic and Central Europe. Their albums show a special care in conceptualization and studio techniques, while their intense live performances earned them the reputation of a stage dynamo akin to Uz Jsme Doma. The group was put together in the beginning of 1995 by leader, songwriter, and guitarist Jirí Kubícek. Right from the start, the band featured the dual violins of Ivanka Kubícková-Krucká (also an amateur classical violinist with the Komorní Orchestr Akademie) and Solich, some surprisingly punkish party fiddlers. Singer Solich, a frontman of impressive stature, also helped establish the group's public image. Keyboardist Jirí Koflák completed this quartet version of the band featured on the 1997 cassette release Mechozil Zhoubny. Soon after, the group abandoned its drum machine and recruited drummer Jirí Burian and a number of bassists came and went. Pod Cerny Vrch recorded and released Mechozilovy Písne Lásky in 1998 with Kakaxa assuming bass guitar duties. A profound, yet very entertaining concept album extended the role of the character Mechozil Zhoubny; created by Kubícek, it was very well-received by the European press. On that strength, the group performed in Czech music festivals and toured Slovakia and Germany. Burian left in 1999 and was replaced with Invalidni Duchod drummer Mílan Makovec. The EP Celibát 2000 came out the next year, announcing a change of direction toward a more pop sound. The song "Dopis Johannesa Brahmse Clare Schumannové z Lyzarského Zájezdu" ("Letter of Johannes Brahms to Clara Schumann From a Ski Lodge") became a local hit in 2000. ~ François Couture