The Plastic People Of The Universe

A hugely important part of the cultural history of Czechoslovakia, Plastic People of the Universe formed in the wake of 1968’s Prague Spring revolution; they played dark, intense music inspired by maverick American bands like the Mothers of Invention and the Velvet Underground. When the oppressive Soviet regime took power, the Plastics became a symbol of underground rebellion, much like Fela Kuti in Nigeria. They were often arrested, and were unable to perform for years, except for small, clandestine gatherings. The band finally broke up in 1988, shortly before Plastics supporter Vaclav Havel’s Velvet Revolution returned the country to democracy. With Havel’s encouragement, they reunited in 1997, and began performing around the world.