Electric bus: Non-definitive - CD

One of the most important domestic bands of the 70s. Zappa-influenced music with Czech lyrics. Elektrobus—they were the great hope of our alternative scene.
The group (whose original, “more elaborate” name was Peter Country Electrobus) was formed in March 1975 by merging the three-piece band called Blue Motocross, which featured bassist Tomáš Zetek, guitarist Pavel Richter, and drummer Tomáš Vykoukal, with saxophonist Mikoláš Chadima (ex-Inrou). Although Chadima didn't know much about playing the saxophone at the time, he shared a common vision with the others about the kind of music they wanted to create.

Elektrobus's significance lay in the fact that it provided a kind of “kick in a certain direction” for all the bands that followed. The group emphasised original material over covers, and, just as importantly, its lineup included figures who would go on to significantly shape the direction of the burgeoning Czech alternative scene.

The band ELEKTROBUS was formed around 1974–75. Under the original name The Blue Motocross, it was founded by guitarist Pavel Richter and bassist Tomáš Zetek, soon joined by saxophonist Mikoláš Chadima from the band Inrou. By then, the group had renamed itself ELEKTROBUS, and an experienced player, Vlasta Marek from Extempore, replaced the original drummer.
He brought tremendous enthusiasm and energy: he started publishing the Elektrobus magazine in a print run of 4 copies for the band members, introduced his younger colleagues from Elektrobus to hard-to-find foreign records, and arranged gigs for the band. Unfortunately, he also tried to take over leadership of the group and dictate its musical style, which Chadima, in particular, disliked. Marek leaned towards the fashionable jazz-rock, which Chadima hated. At the time, the band played both cover songs and original compositions, whose lyrics were not straightforward but required a certain perspective and feel for reality from the listener. H
Musically, the band tried to work with more complex structures that were within their compositional and interpretive abilities. The breakup after less than two years of existence was ultimately inevitable—besides Marek's divisive influence, some members had problems with the “Lidušky” (amateur music school qualifications), and a certain creative immaturity became apparent in contrast to the lyrics.

ELEKTROBUS thus disbanded before reaching its peak. Nevertheless, it celebrated some successes, including at the Prague Jazz Days in the spring of 1976 and at the festival of amateur bands in Příbram a few months later. Apart from Zetek, the other musicians continued with music and achieved remarkable results.

Line-up:
Pavel Richter (gt, voc)
Tomáš Zetek (bg, voc)
Vlastimil Marek (drums)
Mikoláš Chadima (sax, metallophone)
Guest: Aleš Drvota

Tracklist

Le Bis / Mně Holky Žerou / Elektrobus / Slečna Mimi / Kruci Turci / Píseň Pro Martu / Noční Ghost / King Kong / Jízda Vysočinou / I'm The Slime / Moje Hlava Není Zdravá / Dumka / Strach / Muffin' Man