The band started playing in 1991 in Ústí nad Labem, during the wild times after the Velvet Revolution. In the beginning it was as simple as those times - simple rock-songs with czech lyrics, boosters and a mad bass guitarist. Everything was expressive, bitter and noisy. During the following years the band has played hundreds of concerts all over the Czech Republic and abroad – in Slovakia, Germany or Holland, has released five albums, changed members, their sound and audience’s interest. What has not changed is the obsession with songs, trains, gigs in the oddest places, a nervous singer and problems with bass players. While going through the lyrics, you can meet a drunk receptionist who is polishing her nails, or a half-moon who has fallen in love with a conductor in a train heading straight to hell.
The current line-up of Houpací koně has been together for several years and it seems that after the dull end of the nineties they have finally found their own unique style and their fans.This is confirmed by their latest record which was released in the spring of 2006. It is called The Silent Days in Klíše and its ten new songs (within the sound of acoustic guitars, the hammond organ, big muffs and other tricks) brings another tips for seducing divorced waitresses.
One of the reviewers of the new record wrote: “The band has been fighting for its life on the very bottom of czech pop music in the past 15 years. Somehow, they have managed to prosper rather than anything else.” I think we can agree with that because the band has always said that they are the best band on the block. |
