Life After Life (band)
Encyclopedia
Life After Life was a self-described gypsy punk
band (also referred to as a psychedelic
punk band ), active from 1993–1998 and based in San Francisco, California
. The group featured Jim Čert, an accordion-playing folk singer originally from the Czech Republic
, Jaroslav Sedivy, a Czech drummer noted for his collaborative work with Plastic People of the Universe, and four American musicians involved in the Bay Area rock scene.
in the '80s Czech music scene, prior to the Velvet Revolution
in Czech in late 1989. Both were jailed several times for creating music deemed "anti-social" by the Communist state, who would not let musicians perform without state approval. However, files found in 1989 show that Čert was involved with state, working under police pressure as a secret informant.
When Čert and Sedivy found themselves in the United States
in the early '90s, they decided to start a band with local musicians. The original Life After Life lineup debuted on New Year's Eve, 1993, as a five-piece omitting Schmeckie, who joined in 1994.
The band caught the attention of San Francisco musician and political activist Jello Biafra
, the former frontman of noted pioneering hardcore punk
band the Dead Kennedys
, and head of the Alternative Tentacles
record label. Biafra enthusiastically signed them, excited to have found "a S.F. band with a totally unique sound". The group debuted with a single entitled Harrahya before releasing an album entitled Just Trip. The material on these two releases consisted of songs by written Čert, including "Marijuana," an ode to the illegal drug with lyrics written by noted pro-marijuana activist David Peel, and material composed by the group as a whole based on guitar riffs by Perkins. As a bonus track, Just Trip also included a cover of Willie Nelson
's "Still Is Still Moving To Me", featuring Biafra on lead vocals, originally released on the Nelson tribute album Twisted Wille.
The band disbanded in the late '90s when Čert emigrated back to Prague
. Talk of a reunion arises occasionally.
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band (also referred to as a psychedelic
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
punk band ), active from 1993–1998 and based in San Francisco, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The group featured Jim Čert, an accordion-playing folk singer originally from the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, Jaroslav Sedivy, a Czech drummer noted for his collaborative work with Plastic People of the Universe, and four American musicians involved in the Bay Area rock scene.
History
Čert and Sedivy were both known for their dissent against the Communist regimeIron Curtain
The concept of the Iron Curtain symbolized the ideological fighting and physical boundary dividing Europe into two separate areas from the end of World War II in 1945 until the end of the Cold War in 1989...
in the '80s Czech music scene, prior to the Velvet Revolution
Velvet Revolution
The Velvet Revolution or Gentle Revolution was a non-violent revolution in Czechoslovakia that took place from November 17 – December 29, 1989...
in Czech in late 1989. Both were jailed several times for creating music deemed "anti-social" by the Communist state, who would not let musicians perform without state approval. However, files found in 1989 show that Čert was involved with state, working under police pressure as a secret informant.
When Čert and Sedivy found themselves in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the early '90s, they decided to start a band with local musicians. The original Life After Life lineup debuted on New Year's Eve, 1993, as a five-piece omitting Schmeckie, who joined in 1994.
The band caught the attention of San Francisco musician and political activist Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra is an American musician, spoken word artist and leading figure of the Green Party of the United States. Biafra first gained attention as the lead singer and songwriter for San Francisco punk rock band Dead Kennedys...
, the former frontman of noted pioneering hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band the Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys are an American punk rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 1978. The band became part of the American hardcore punk movement of the early 1980s. They gained a large underground fanbase in the international punk music scene....
, and head of the Alternative Tentacles
Alternative Tentacles
Alternative Tentacles is an independent record label originally based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. It was originally used as the label name by the Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single "California Über Alles", and after realizing the potential for an independent...
record label. Biafra enthusiastically signed them, excited to have found "a S.F. band with a totally unique sound". The group debuted with a single entitled Harrahya before releasing an album entitled Just Trip. The material on these two releases consisted of songs by written Čert, including "Marijuana," an ode to the illegal drug with lyrics written by noted pro-marijuana activist David Peel, and material composed by the group as a whole based on guitar riffs by Perkins. As a bonus track, Just Trip also included a cover of Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
's "Still Is Still Moving To Me", featuring Biafra on lead vocals, originally released on the Nelson tribute album Twisted Wille.
The band disbanded in the late '90s when Čert emigrated back to Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
. Talk of a reunion arises occasionally.
Albums and singles
- Harrahya b/w Doors (7", Alternative TentaclesAlternative TentaclesAlternative Tentacles is an independent record label originally based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. It was originally used as the label name by the Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single "California Über Alles", and after realizing the potential for an independent...
, 1995) - Just Trip (CD/LP, Alternative TentaclesAlternative TentaclesAlternative Tentacles is an independent record label originally based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. It was originally used as the label name by the Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single "California Über Alles", and after realizing the potential for an independent...
, 1997)
Compilation appearances
- The Day The Needle Stood Still (CD, Alternative Tentacles, w/ "Harrahya", "Doors" and "Mexico", from 7" sessions)
- Twisted Willie (CD, w/ "Still Is Still Moving To Me")
External links
- Life After Life at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Jim Čert official page (in Czech) - link pending
- Biography on Alternative Tentacles' Web site