E!E from Czech Republic is one of my favoritebands from that country. Here they took their time to anser somequestions from me....september 2025

Please tell me a little about how you started and why??

-We started seeing each other sometime in 1983. After our military service in the Communist Czechoslovakia we wanted to present our opinions against the regime and not just sit in the pub “U Pelikánů” where the communist party in Příbram was paradoxically established in 1921, but it was the only pub where they would pour us beer back then. The song “Pelikáni” is about that. We recorded our first demo in the year 1987, 2 years before the fall of communism.

Have there been many lineup changes during these years? Please tell me the line up today? Age, bands on the side and what do you work with when you don´t play music?

-Our lineup’s not changing because we are more friends than playmates.

But some people die along the way, so that’s why other friends join up.

The original drummer and guitar player are dead.

The new ones had a band called “Franta Mast” during the communist regime.

I’m the youngest original member, born in the year 67 and there are already 2 people in the band that are 60 years old.

We all work like normal people, making music and playing is fun and a bonus in life.

Is it still good to be playing punk rock in the Czech republic?

-Of course, the revolution in the year 1989 was only a farce and there’s still something to sing about. And even the children and grandchildren of the original fans are now attending the concerts. It brings us joy and that’s a good reason to keep going.

When you release a record, is it important to put out a physical?

-Certainly, the anew rise of LPs confirms that. Even though royalties from digital medias is surprising.

Have you ever been releasing any record/song which has only been released digitally?

-I think not. Should we fix that? (No i don´t think so/editor)

Which of your records have been selling the most?

-I can’t evaluate that but re-editions of the old LPs and CDs are still in course.

Are you still playing live and so?

-We play all the time. Why not if there’s interest. Until we die, haha. We enjoy it and fans do aswell.

Right now you are on Papagajuv Hlasatel, are they good? Any other label who has been wanting to sign you?

-We always issued music on our own with no one above us. The connection with Papagaj arose regarding the re-editions of LPs.

The name E!E with a ! in the middle of the name is different, does it have any special meaning?

-At first it was “Hudební kroužek EE” (Music group EE) - ee is the expression of little children when they need to go on the toilet. Then we simplified the name and added the exclamation mark for emphasis.

You´re doing your songs in your own language, never any thoughts of english lyrics? (I hope you don´t have such thoughts)

-When the borders opened in 1990 we were invited to play in Germany and Austria and some concerts took place but the lyrics in our music are very important so czech it is.

Are you playing any covers when you play live? If you do, which have you been playing?

-Yes we do. Clash or 999 for example, but with our lyrics.

You have done a lot of records now…is it many songs which isn´t released yet , both old and new songs?

-We don’t even remember some of the old song but most of them are released.

Not any thoughts of releasing your early stuff again, they only came out on as self released? I think a lot of people want that (anyway me….) How can I get your old records or are they sold out? (I have E!E from 92, Deska, Delame Co Muzem, Lepsi Uz to Nebude and Posledni Me!enu)

-Everything that we thought of is released. If a re-edition is sold out we restore it.

What is the most peculiar thing that happened during a gig with E!E through all these years...? And what is your strength when you play live?

-Probably when we played with Sex Pistols in the years 1996 in Prague. Dream turned into disappointment. Our strength is unrelenting energy. Most of the time our songs are faster live.

How is it to live in the Czech republic nowadays?

-Like everywhere else, we wouldn’t change. We traveled across all of the Czech Republic thanks to music and it’s beautiful here. You do what you do, you get what you get.

Much shit is going on in the world right now, with Ukraina-war, Trump etc etc, what are people most afraid of in Czech Republic nowadays?

-I don’t know, we don’t talk about these things in our band and with our fans.

Please mention some Czech bands which we must take a look at?

-Franta Mast, F.P.B. and Bonpari, from the old ones. The new ones I'd recommend The Fialky, SPS and Zaseklý Stroje, where my son sings and he’s currently translating this. (Greetings from Bořivoj Řehoř Jr. from Prague)

Your lyrics, is it often so that it is about personal things or is it only lyrics which have been taken out of the air? Political?

-Everything possible – women, alcohol, politics. Some lyrics were written by our friends.

The 5 latest records you bought?

-Rather non-punk things and mostly concerts on Blue Ray. But if there’s some good remaster, I'm in. Last ones were Ramones and Iggy Pop. I’m vainly trying to find Get a Life by S.L.F.

Is there any record/records which always must be in the tour bus? Which?

-There’s some flash disc in the car but generally Radio Beat. Mostly old rock.

Back to the lyrics, please tell me a little bit of the following lyrics?

Panknrol

Zlitej Sem Jak Hovado

Jedlice Z Bořkovic.

-Pankrol – While listening to Skids i came with a text – fuck politics and just pogo

-Zlitej Sem Jak Hovado – Lyrics from our friend, we just made the music – better to drink than work...

-Jedlice – Written by the innkeeper of the pub where i go for a beer, so it’s about me.

Is there any subject you will never sing about?

-I don’t think there are any limits.

Do you have any favorite football team (I support Arsenal and a Swedish team called GAIS myself)? Or any sport favorites at all

-The only sport i know is running on stage.

Have you ever done a tribute song to a team or something like that?

-Marila – an anthem for our football friends in Příbram

What is the most difference between playing nowadays and if you compare when you started to play?

-The only difference is 40 years on podium, haha

Which is your own favorite song among your own songs? And which song is the people's choice?

-I never really thought about it but my favorite is probably “Takhle ne”, I wrote it and it’s really strong at concerts. People’s choice is “Humusák” (a homeless, dirty man). The original is from the band 999 – Homicide, but in our style it is much faster, at least on concerts. We even brew our own beer named Humusák.

Future plans for the band?

-It doesn’t look like we’ll be making another LP, the last LP’s name is Posle!ední menu (Last menu). We’d like to play live as long as we can.

For yourself?

-Survive and have fun.

Something to add?

-29 questions is’nt enough? Hahaha. Actually yes, I once had some swedish punk on MC and it was grand.