Michal Malátný z Chinaski: Hráli jsme v Hollywoodu i v nevěstinci
Michal Malátný of the band Chinaski is launching a summer tour featuring a daily schedule from 17:00 to 22:00, concluding with a headline performance. The tour includes guest appearances by Ondřej Ruml and the bands Nedivoč and Vega Electra, alongside a unique hour-long talk show and quiz hosted by moderator Libor Bouček.
The band, which evolved from the group Starý hadry in 1994, has now spent nearly 40 years on the music scene. Malátný and his team maintain a strategic two-year planning cycle to balance major tours with acoustic shows, recording sessions, and necessary downtime.
What is the program for Chinaski’s summer tour?
Each event begins at 17:00 and builds toward a final concert at 22:00. The lineup features guests Ondřej Ruml, Nedivoč, and Vega Electra.
A primary attraction for the tour is the involvement of moderator Libor Bouček. Bouček, a longtime fan of the group, has designed a one-hour talk show featuring a quiz about Chinaski.
Malátný reflects on the band’s early days in the 1990s when they served as an opening act for Hudba Praha. During that time, they were required to haul equipment, including instruments and amplifiers, from the Na Chmelnici club in Prague—an experience Malátný calls the “high school of rock and roll.”
Where has Chinaski performed the most unusual shows?
The band has a history of playing unconventional venues, including a ship’s hold and a jumping hill in Skokov. Malátný also recalls a spontaneous street performance in Hollywood during a trip between 2016 and 2017.
One of the most striking performances occurred in October 2009 at the Pankrác prison in Prague to mark the facility’s 120th anniversary. The concert was held in a former chapel for staff, families, and 50 exemplary prisoners.
During the prison show, the 50 inmates were forbidden from dancing or showing excitement. However, the guards allowed them to stand and relax for one specific song, “Klára.” Malátný noted that a friend incarcerated at the time had even formed a prison band to stay sane, and that group served as the opening act.
How has Chinaski’s recording process evolved?
For their three most recent studio albums, Chinaski recorded abroad, working with British producer Greg Haver at the Rockfield studio in Wales. Malátný describes Rockfield as an isolated former farm that allowed the band to focus entirely on work.
The collaboration with Haver was marked by extreme discipline. Haver arrived at 10:00 and stayed until 22:00, with songs mapped out to the beat in a notebook. Malátný believes a language barrier actually increased efficiency, as it forced the band to communicate only essential musical points.
Despite the success in Wales, the band has decided to stop recording abroad. They are now collaborating with Filip Vlček in the Czech Republic, having already completed three songs in just a few days.
When will a new album be released?
A new album is expected, though a specific date has not been set. The band has already recorded three new tracks and plans to record three more in the autumn.
If the band can assemble 10 to 12 high-quality songs, a new album could potentially arrive in the first half of next year. Several singles may be released before the full project.
Much of the songwriting happens spontaneously in dressing rooms after concerts. Using acoustic guitars they use for warm-ups, the members jam while the adrenaline of the performance is still high. This method contributed to their 2022 album, Frihet.
How does the band handle performance pressure and failure?
Despite their success, Malátný admits to struggling with “bad” concerts. In their early years, he tracked every show with a plus or minus in a notebook, noting that minuses originally predominated.
Currently, he estimates that about one in ten concerts does not meet his expectations. On nights when he feels he is singing off-key or forgetting lyrics, Malátný has admitted to hiding under a table in the dressing room out of shame.
The current lineup has been together for eight years. While they have faced two crises caused by exhaustion and nervousness, Malátný emphasizes that the group remains strong because every member is a songwriter, ensuring equality within the band.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the current members of Chinaski?
The current lineup consists of Michal Malátný (vocals, guitar), Jan Steinsdörfer (keys), František Táborský (guitar), Lukáš Pavlík (drums), and Tomi Okres (bass).
Why does the band avoid international tours?
According to Michal Malátný, their music relies heavily on lyrics. He believes that translating the content and playfulness into English would cause the audience to lose too much of the message, making such tours pointless.
What was the significance of the Rockfield studio?
The studio’s isolation on an abandoned farm helped the band concentrate. It was there that Malátný wrote the song “Každý ráno,” starting it on the plane and finishing it in the studio.
Do you think the environment of a recording studio, like a remote farm, significantly changes the sound of an album?