It
is hard to believe only two years has passed since the formation of the
Czech Republic’s greatest band --- The Neanderthal Spongecake. Not since
the massacre of the dogs has so much excitement been generated. The
Prague Beat summed up the enthusiasm best: "The feeling is almost surreal
. . . seeing bohemians in awe of the same music that makes girls swoon
. . . Single-handedly, The Neanderthal Spongecake has not merely changed
the face of the Czech music scene, but culture as well. Prague will never
be the same."
The events that
preceded The Neanderthal Spongecake’s dominance are equally stunning. As
a boy, band founder and lead singer Cevin Soling helped the underground
resistance against the Communist rule. After the Velvet Revolution liberated
Czechoslovakia, there was still lingering political turmoil. These events
shaped Cevin’s outlook and are evident in his writings including his first
published work: Onen Svet (The Beyond). While well received by critics,
and hailed as classic by fellow Czech Milan Kundera, the audience was limited
and Cevin realized the best way to reach people would be through music.
One night at Klub
Ujezd, Cevin caught a show which included keyboardist Bill Brandau. Bill
had been working as a volunteer fire fighter in Moravia and was filling
in that night with the house band. Nevertheless, he clearly stood out.
After the set, he introduced Cevin to Austrian ski instructor / guitarist
Andy Thunder and before long the three formed a band intent on forging
a new sound imbued with their distinct perspective. They played out with
various drummers until one day when they were visiting the local hospital
trying to cheer up recovering patients when they ran into Dan Kornfeld.
Dan, an American, was in Prague for the International Motorcross competition,
but had been thrown from his bike during a collision. They hit it off immediately,
and, when the band saw Dan drum after his recovery, he was in.
The band played
a number of gigs, but success was not immediate. They kept their sense
of humor during these lean times, though, and even named the group "Zvetraly
Chleb." Properly translated, this means "Stale Bread" which was the bulk
of their diet at the time until Dan’s mother began making sandwiches for
the band. Improperly translated, as the case was, they became known as
The Neanderthal Spongecake. After some time, they developed a small following
which including Mark Tomase. Mark’s father was a world-renown paleontologist
who insisted that Mark follow in his footsteps. Despite years of study,
Mark and his father’s interests could not have been further apart. When
Mark asked the band if he could join as bass player, his father refused
to speak to him for 6 months. During that time, though, the band’s sound
really came together and Semyon Tomase came to appreciate his son’s passion
and eventually became a fan.
After only
their third show at Futurum, word on the band had spread and nearly 6,000
people showed up to see The Neanderthal Spongecake. The following night
there were more than 15,000 fans clamoring to catch a glimpse. They were
presented with a record deal that night, and within three months The Neanderthal
Spongecake was at the top of the Czech charts with "Knock You Back." The
phenomenal follow up successes of "This Thing" and "Boss God" cemented
their place in history. Introduction to dignitaries, the key to the city,
and even a "The Neanderthal Spongecake Appreciation Day" followed. Through
it all, the band has kept their humility and sense of humor.
Despite the unprecedented
achievements at home, The Neanderthal Spongecake decided to tour the United
States. The news was met with both profound disappointment among Czechs
sorry to lose their hometown band, and an outpouring of support and well
wishes.
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