DPvJU

Originally a studio duo, the band expanded in the early 1990s with new members, began performing live, and over the years played at nearly all the major Czech festivals (Colours of Ostrava, Trutnoff, Alternativa, Beseda u bigbítu, Boskovice, Litoměřický kořen, Mikulov). This ever-changing line-up built its style on an unorthodox blend of electronics and live instruments, all delivered with a bizarre sense of humour.

In 2019, the then-current line-up disbanded, and the band announced an indefinite hiatus, which eventually lasted three years. In the new line-up, which began performing in 2022, one of the original founders, guitarist Max Braun, remains, alongside Pavel Heřman—originally a saxophonist, now a guitarist. The new frontman is Michal Cihla (formerly of Ministerstvo), while the rhythmic backbone of the band is formed by drummer Libor “Shomodi” Veselý and his son Tadeáš. The instrumental star of the ensemble is trumpeter Luděk Emanovský, a lifelong professional with a portfolio ranging from Marie Rottrová’s orchestra and Milan Svoboda’s jazz ensembles to studio work with Už jsme doma and even the Czech Philharmonic.

Stylistically, today’s DPvJU has a more rock-oriented sound compared to the past, drawing inspiration from the broad spectrum of alternative music evolution, which the band synthesises in its own distinctive way—with the characteristic perspective and irony that has defined it from the very beginning. The group works primarily with lyrics by Jan Balka, a poet who, before his untimely death, entrusted the band with his manuscripts for free use.

Discography:

Pytler (1993)

Premasters (1995)

Práce všeho druhu (1998)

Klasika, která pohladí (2000)

Cizí písničky (2002)

Až dosloužím, chci do sběru (2007)