Check out our recent interview with grungegaze legends Czechoslovakia – all the way from Gdańsk, Poland!
1. For the unfortunate few who don’t know who you are, would you mind introducing yourselves?
Czechoslovakia: We’re Czechoslovakia – band from Poland. This is our third incarnation in which we play indie 90s grungegaze. We live by the Baltic Sea in Gdańsk and no, we are not Czechs! 1992 is the year when Czechoslovakia collapsed. I was six then and started to go to school so my childhood collapsed in this year too. That was an inspirational moment to form a band.
2. In the effort of getting know each other better – if you could be a sandwich, what sandwich would you be?
Czechoslovakia: Kashubian (our region) sandwich for sure – bread, herring, onion and pickled cucumber!
3. Tell us about your latest release.
Czechoslovakia: HVST was created at ease at the turn of 2018/2019 with 2 new members in Czechoslovakia team. It was recorded, mixed and mastered by Andrzej Kędzierski. We tracked it in 3 days in April 2019 in our rehearsal room and in Andrzej’s…dirty, loud and garage! The 90s spirit hovered over us! The songs tell about disappointments, failures and what’s good about them, but also about wildlife in front of the block, wandering wastelands and finding value in something that is commonly despised. We also told the story of a man who buried corpses taken from a cemetery in a forest near Adam’s [vocalist/guitarist] block. Near this place, on a wild training ground (a developer has already entered there), a clip for “meduza” [music video] was made.
4. Where’s you favourite place to tour?
Czechoslovakia: Our bass player – Mat dreams about touring Australia and New Zealand but in fact we haven’t toured outside Poland yet, so just crossing a border with our music would be great. I’m the young father (2 sons) in a band right now so we have to wait a little bit to make these dreams come true.
5. Have you got any crazy tour stories you can share with the world?
Czechoslovakia: Well once we started a tour without cymbals for a drummer. We forgot to pack them on the bus, so we played the first gig on tour just with drums. No scandals with us yet. Generally we are calm and polite people. All our craziness and dirty stuff is in our music. It’s also hard to say what crazy means for each of us because Kuba is in his 20s, I’m (Adam) in the middle of 30s and Mat 40s. Going to bed after midnight is a real madness for Mathew then!
6. Here at Upside Down Shark we discuss a wide breadth of pop-culture, including music, movies, TV, video games and the like. So with that in mind, if you could have a track featured in anything, whether it be any of the above on even a wrestling theme, what would it be?
Czechoslovakia: Yeah, wresting theme would be amazing! Song “Wstyd” would fit perfectly cause it’s about shame. We would love to give a second life to any of our song. So, now we can say we are waiting for a proposal from all over the world. Personally I would love to do something absurd with our music. For example put it as a theme for weather forecast in TV. But yeah, a film or TV series would be fun too.
7. Name one thing on your band bucket list
Czechoslovakia: We like to play shows in silly places. Would love to do it in a library, laundrette or garbage dump.
8. What would be your inspirational quote to share with the world?
Czechoslovakia: “Thanks for listening, I hope your life turns out great.”
M.G. in the comments section of YouTube video of Pavement – “Carrot Rope”
9. What does 2020 have in store for you?
Czechoslovakia: We’ve nearly got all the material for the next record. I still haven’t written lyrics so the plan is to finish it and record again with Andrzej Kędzierski and play some fucking gigs. Hopefully somebody would attend on them but not necessary!
10. What’s your favourite shark?
Czechoslovakia: Baaaaaby shark, doo, doo, doo!
Many thanks to Czechoslovakia for sitting down to talk to us. Make sure to check them out on Spotify, Bandcamp or wherever you listen to good music!
Follow them on Facebook too!
While you’re here, please subscribe to Upside Down Shark on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts!
If you’d like to support us, please check out our Patreon!
