Tublatanka
Encyclopedia
Tublatanka is a Slovak
rock band
formed in the fall of 1982 in Bratislava
, Slovakia
best known for the hits Pravda víťazí and Dnes. The classic lineup consisted of Maťo Ďurinda
(also known as Martin Durinda), Palo Horváth, and Ďuro Černý from 1982-1992. In 1992, Palo left the band leaving Martin and Ďuro to record their 1993 album with Martin composing guitar and bass melodies. Ďuro left the band in 1995 due to complications with drugs. Currently the band consists of Maťo Ďurinda
, Juraj Topor, and Peter Schlosser.
Černý remembered seeing a talented and charismatic bassist named Palo Horváth playing in a band called Mentol so they decided to visit him at his flat in a district of Bratislava called Dúbravka
. The three hit it off and decided to jam together for the first time, eventually, they decided to form a band together. The three began practicing and writing songs on the fourth floor of Ďurinda’s campus building until Ďurinda finished his schooling. With more and more songs being written, the trio wanted to sing in a style that everyone could relate to so they approached Martin Sarvaš, who was a student of architecture and good friend of Ďuro Černý to help write lyrics. Sarvaš was a lyricist
for a band Černý was previously in.
The band began to perform in bars on most evenings around Bratislava and became quite popular amongst the crowds. Eventually they made a demo tape, gave it to Sarvaš and began shopping around for a record label. Sarvaš became their manager and created the image of their band. While getting intoxicated in Veľkí Františkáni, Černý and Ďurinda thought of their band name. Černý wanted to call the band TUBLAT (which means Bad Monkey a reference to Tarzan) but this name was mocked by crowds while they played. They eventually decided on Tublatanka as a combination of TUBLAT and Moravanka (a former local band they admired). Another version, given by Ďuro Černý in an interview for the newspaper SME, is that a driver for the band suggested they call themselves Tublatanka, as a combination of Tublat- and a parody of local wind ensembles, whose names invariably ended in -anka.
under the title of “Mladá vlna 82”, where TUBLATANKA had an opportunity to appear as an opening band. The band had a notable unexpected success and the director of the Slovak Record Label OPUS, Milan Vašica, who was sitting among audience offered the boys to record their first big Self-Titled LP. The album sold over 100,000 in the first few months after it was released so OPUS records offered to record their second album which came out a year called entitled Skúsime to cez vesmír
(Will try it through the Universe). While recording that album, Ďurinda was called into his basic military service and reported to Klátov much to his dismay since he wanted to finish recording the album. Sales for Skúsime to cez vesmír charted at the number one spot and the band started their “30-years tour” that was organized by Jožo Šebo (now he is a manager of Jana Kirschner
.) The band was endowed by a wide range of fans in sold out concerts in the amphitheatres and the sport halls. The boys won their first performance on the television program Triangel with their song “O nás” (About Us).
The band recorded their third album Žeravé znamenie osudu
(Glowing Sign of Fate) in 1988 and got the opportunity to record the album in OPUS record’s new digital studio. The album sold 250,000 copies in the first few months and received the Zlatý erb OPUS-u (Golden Crest of Opus). Tublatanka then did concerts all over Czechoslovakia and the song “Láska, drž ma nad hladinou” (Buoy Me Up, My Love) was in first place of Czechoslovak chart of Formula Pop for several months. In November 1988, the band was invited to play in a music festival in Moscow
that was held at a stadium in Luzhniki where ten shows were held with an attendance of 14-15 thousand of people in attendance.
On September 16, 1989, the band had a big concert at the amphitheatre
of Bratislava, that was recorded by professional film crew. In November 1989, when the Velvet Revolution
broke out and the first demonstrations against the Communist Party
for democracy
began to appear, Ďurinda provided his guitar equipment and he installed a sound system in Hviezdoslavovo Square
in Bratislava by four reproboxes and 2 amplifiers during the first three days of revolution. The song “Pravda víťazí” (The Truth Wins) became an unwritten anthem of Velvet Revolution. Repeatedly was this song was in first place of music chart on the television program called Triangel and even a videotape under the title “Pravda víťazí” that represented the successful concert at the amphitheater in Bratislava, appeared at the Christmas market. The concert tape was completely sold out.
to record their fourth album Nebo-peklo-raj (Heaven-Hell-Paradise). Andy Hryc, an actor who prepared also an intro to the song “Démon pomsty” (Devil of Revenge), christened the album at a significant debut where thousands of people were present. In 1992 the next album was released, entitled Volanie divočiny (Call of the Wild) in which not only featured the lyrics of Sarvaš, but also of Whisky (a Slovak musician who was also a good friend of Ďurinda’s).
In 1993, the relations between Ďurinda and Horváth began to diminish due to creative differences. After a show in Karlsruhe, Germany
, Horváth left Tublatanaka due to creative differences with Ďurinda. As Ďurinda couldn't find anybody who would replace Horváth for a long time, he had to take over bass while he and Černý recorded their 1993 Christmas album Poďme bratia do Betlehema (Let's go to Bethlehem, My Brothers) that appeared at the Christmas market and it became extremely popular around that time. This album was christened by Silvia Lakatošová, the last Miss Czechoslovakia. At that time, Ďuro Černý became addicted in drugs after trying them with his friends from a band called Slobodná Európa
(which he played often apart from Tublatanka with) offered him them. Černý was no longer able to play with Tublatanka and left to be cured.
Maťo stayed alone and had to look for new musicians. The advertisement in a newspaper Nový Čas
was useless, two interviews took place but nobody from more than 60 musicians were suitable to his liking. So he discovered a guitarist and singer named Jozef “Dodo” Dubán, a graduate of law who became available because he left his band Money Factor, as well as a bass guitarist Juraj Topor (designer of a fashion show), who, as the guitar technician, helped Maťo to prepare the concerts and before he had played together with the band “If.”
In August 1994, the band attended a music show in the Polish city of Sopot
with its song “Ja sa vrátim” (I will Return). For the first time a drummer, Dušan Giertl, and their new band manager at the time managed the band from 1993 until 1997. So the new lineup of Tublatanka was formed and they began to prepare a new album and started practicing a new concert repertoire. Even a partly cured Ďuro Černý re-joined the band and a new CD Znovuzrodenie( Rebirth) was recorded. At the beginning of 1994, the band won a competition on STV and represented their country in the Eurovision Song Contest
in Dublin, Ireland with their song “Nekonečná pieseň” (Neverending Song). The band placed at the 17th place out of 25, so after their return to Slovakia only negative press and bad reviews welcomed them.
Ďuro Černý left the band once again in 1995 due to problems with drugs that led to severe health problems. Martin Uherčík replaced Černý in 1995. Shortly after this the band took a very long break from recording and released two greatest hits CDs that contained a few English versions of their songs originally intended for English Versions of their classic albums “Skúsime to cez vesmír” and “Žeravé znamenie osudu.”
sound as opposed to their earlier work.
Martin Uherčík quit the band after “Pánska jazda” and was replaced by Peter Schlosser. Sadly, Jozef “Dodo” Dubán committed suicide in 2002. Ďurinda never replaced him but instead decided to continue on as a rock trio once again. After another long successful run of touring, Tublatanka released “Patriot” in 2005 which contained 14 new songs and contained some lyrics by Martin Sarvaš once again. A year after it was released, Tublatanka released their second Christmas album Vianočný deň to much critical acclaim. Currently the band continues to tour all over Slovakia and Czech Republic.
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
rock band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
formed in the fall of 1982 in Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
, Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
best known for the hits Pravda víťazí and Dnes. The classic lineup consisted of Maťo Ďurinda
Mato Durinda
Maťo Ďurinda , is the vocalist/lead singer/lead/rhythm guitarist for the Slovak hard rock/heavy metal band Tublatanka. He is from Bratislava, Slovakia and still currently resides there.-Early years:...
(also known as Martin Durinda), Palo Horváth, and Ďuro Černý from 1982-1992. In 1992, Palo left the band leaving Martin and Ďuro to record their 1993 album with Martin composing guitar and bass melodies. Ďuro left the band in 1995 due to complications with drugs. Currently the band consists of Maťo Ďurinda
Mato Durinda
Maťo Ďurinda , is the vocalist/lead singer/lead/rhythm guitarist for the Slovak hard rock/heavy metal band Tublatanka. He is from Bratislava, Slovakia and still currently resides there.-Early years:...
, Juraj Topor, and Peter Schlosser.
Early years
The band formed in 1982 in Bratislava, Slovakia by Maťo Ďurinda (also known as Martin Ďurinda), Palo Horváth, and Ďuro Černý. Ďurinda was a student at Comenius University in Bratislava at the time where he met drummer Ďuro Černý in a wine bar called Veľkí Františkáni thanks to a friend of his. The two talked about their favorite bands such as: Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy, Nazareth, The Who, Yes, Pink Floyd, etc. After much discussion the two decided to form a rock trio much like their heroes Cream, Jimi Hendrix, and ELP (Emerson, Lake, and Palmer). But they would need a very talented bassist.Černý remembered seeing a talented and charismatic bassist named Palo Horváth playing in a band called Mentol so they decided to visit him at his flat in a district of Bratislava called Dúbravka
Dúbravka
-People:* Dubravka , a feminine given name of Slavic origin* Doubravka of Bohemia, a princess of The Přemyslid dynasty* Martin Dúbravka, Slovak football goalkeeper-Places:* Dúbravka, Bratislava, a district of Bratislava, Slovakia...
. The three hit it off and decided to jam together for the first time, eventually, they decided to form a band together. The three began practicing and writing songs on the fourth floor of Ďurinda’s campus building until Ďurinda finished his schooling. With more and more songs being written, the trio wanted to sing in a style that everyone could relate to so they approached Martin Sarvaš, who was a student of architecture and good friend of Ďuro Černý to help write lyrics. Sarvaš was a lyricist
Lyricist
A lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...
for a band Černý was previously in.
The band began to perform in bars on most evenings around Bratislava and became quite popular amongst the crowds. Eventually they made a demo tape, gave it to Sarvaš and began shopping around for a record label. Sarvaš became their manager and created the image of their band. While getting intoxicated in Veľkí Františkáni, Černý and Ďurinda thought of their band name. Černý wanted to call the band TUBLAT (which means Bad Monkey a reference to Tarzan) but this name was mocked by crowds while they played. They eventually decided on Tublatanka as a combination of TUBLAT and Moravanka (a former local band they admired). Another version, given by Ďuro Černý in an interview for the newspaper SME, is that a driver for the band suggested they call themselves Tublatanka, as a combination of Tublat- and a parody of local wind ensembles, whose names invariably ended in -anka.
Mainstream success
On January 30, 1983, there was a festival of the amateurish bands in PKO Bratislava ( park of culture and relaxation) that was organized by Richard MüllerRichard Müller (singer)
Richard Müller is a Slovak singer, songwriter, composer and occasional actor. He is one of the most successful singers in Slovakia.- Biography :He started as a music journalist...
under the title of “Mladá vlna 82”, where TUBLATANKA had an opportunity to appear as an opening band. The band had a notable unexpected success and the director of the Slovak Record Label OPUS, Milan Vašica, who was sitting among audience offered the boys to record their first big Self-Titled LP. The album sold over 100,000 in the first few months after it was released so OPUS records offered to record their second album which came out a year called entitled Skúsime to cez vesmír
Skúsime to cez vesmír (album)
Skúsime to cez vesmír is the second album by Slovak rock band Tublatanka released in 1987 by Opus Records...
(Will try it through the Universe). While recording that album, Ďurinda was called into his basic military service and reported to Klátov much to his dismay since he wanted to finish recording the album. Sales for Skúsime to cez vesmír charted at the number one spot and the band started their “30-years tour” that was organized by Jožo Šebo (now he is a manager of Jana Kirschner
Jana Kirschner
Jana Kirschner is a Slovak singer.She first attracted public attention as a participant of the beauty pageant Miss Slovakia 1996. In 1996 she made her first album Jana Kirschner. She won the prize for Discovery of the Year , Album of the Year , and Female Singer of the Year...
.) The band was endowed by a wide range of fans in sold out concerts in the amphitheatres and the sport halls. The boys won their first performance on the television program Triangel with their song “O nás” (About Us).
The band recorded their third album Žeravé znamenie osudu
Žeravé znamenie osudu (album)
Žeravé znamenie osudu is the third studio album by Slovak rock band Tublatanka, released in 1988 by Opus Records. It contains the hit singles "Láska, drž ma nad hladinou" and "Pravda víťazí"...
(Glowing Sign of Fate) in 1988 and got the opportunity to record the album in OPUS record’s new digital studio. The album sold 250,000 copies in the first few months and received the Zlatý erb OPUS-u (Golden Crest of Opus). Tublatanka then did concerts all over Czechoslovakia and the song “Láska, drž ma nad hladinou” (Buoy Me Up, My Love) was in first place of Czechoslovak chart of Formula Pop for several months. In November 1988, the band was invited to play in a music festival in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
that was held at a stadium in Luzhniki where ten shows were held with an attendance of 14-15 thousand of people in attendance.
On September 16, 1989, the band had a big concert at the amphitheatre
Amphitheatre
An amphitheatre is an open-air venue used for entertainment and performances.There are two similar, but distinct, types of structure for which the word "amphitheatre" is used: Ancient Roman amphitheatres were large central performance spaces surrounded by ascending seating, and were commonly used...
of Bratislava, that was recorded by professional film crew. In November 1989, when 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...
broke out and the first demonstrations against the Communist Party
Communist party
A political party described as a Communist party includes those that advocate the application of the social principles of communism through a communist form of government...
for democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
began to appear, Ďurinda provided his guitar equipment and he installed a sound system in Hviezdoslavovo Square
Hviezdoslavovo námestie (Bratislava)
Hviezdoslavovo námestie is one of the best-known squares in Bratislava. It is located in the Old Town, between the New Bridge and the Slovak National Theatre.The square is named after Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav.-History:...
in Bratislava by four reproboxes and 2 amplifiers during the first three days of revolution. The song “Pravda víťazí” (The Truth Wins) became an unwritten anthem of Velvet Revolution. Repeatedly was this song was in first place of music chart on the television program called Triangel and even a videotape under the title “Pravda víťazí” that represented the successful concert at the amphitheater in Bratislava, appeared at the Christmas market. The concert tape was completely sold out.
1990s and lineup change
In 1990, the band left for Jevany to a studio of L.Steidl in Czech RepublicCzech 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....
to record their fourth album Nebo-peklo-raj (Heaven-Hell-Paradise). Andy Hryc, an actor who prepared also an intro to the song “Démon pomsty” (Devil of Revenge), christened the album at a significant debut where thousands of people were present. In 1992 the next album was released, entitled Volanie divočiny (Call of the Wild) in which not only featured the lyrics of Sarvaš, but also of Whisky (a Slovak musician who was also a good friend of Ďurinda’s).
In 1993, the relations between Ďurinda and Horváth began to diminish due to creative differences. After a show in Karlsruhe, Germany
Karlsruhe
The City of Karlsruhe is a city in the southwest of Germany, in the state of Baden-Württemberg, located near the French-German border.Karlsruhe was founded in 1715 as Karlsruhe Palace, when Germany was a series of principalities and city states...
, Horváth left Tublatanaka due to creative differences with Ďurinda. As Ďurinda couldn't find anybody who would replace Horváth for a long time, he had to take over bass while he and Černý recorded their 1993 Christmas album Poďme bratia do Betlehema (Let's go to Bethlehem, My Brothers) that appeared at the Christmas market and it became extremely popular around that time. This album was christened by Silvia Lakatošová, the last Miss Czechoslovakia. At that time, Ďuro Černý became addicted in drugs after trying them with his friends from a band called Slobodná Európa
Slobodná Európa
Slobodná Európa is a Slovak punk-rock music group formed in 1989.The band has four published albums:* pakáreň * unavení a zničení * trojka * bestofka...
(which he played often apart from Tublatanka with) offered him them. Černý was no longer able to play with Tublatanka and left to be cured.
Maťo stayed alone and had to look for new musicians. The advertisement in a newspaper Nový Čas
Nový cas
Nový čas is a tabloid and the best-selling daily in Slovakia.Its content is gutter press. Its print run is 190,000 copies . The widely read supplement "Nový čas víkend" is added on Saturdays...
was useless, two interviews took place but nobody from more than 60 musicians were suitable to his liking. So he discovered a guitarist and singer named Jozef “Dodo” Dubán, a graduate of law who became available because he left his band Money Factor, as well as a bass guitarist Juraj Topor (designer of a fashion show), who, as the guitar technician, helped Maťo to prepare the concerts and before he had played together with the band “If.”
In August 1994, the band attended a music show in the Polish city of Sopot
Sopot
Sopot is a seaside town in Eastern Pomerania on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea in northern Poland, with a population of approximately 40,000....
with its song “Ja sa vrátim” (I will Return). For the first time a drummer, Dušan Giertl, and their new band manager at the time managed the band from 1993 until 1997. So the new lineup of Tublatanka was formed and they began to prepare a new album and started practicing a new concert repertoire. Even a partly cured Ďuro Černý re-joined the band and a new CD Znovuzrodenie( Rebirth) was recorded. At the beginning of 1994, the band won a competition on STV and represented their country in the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest 1994
The Eurovision Song Contest 1994 was the 39th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 30 April 1994 in the Point Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. The presenters were Cynthia Ní Mhurchú and Gerry Ryan. The pair hosted the evening in French, English and Irish...
in Dublin, Ireland with their song “Nekonečná pieseň” (Neverending Song). The band placed at the 17th place out of 25, so after their return to Slovakia only negative press and bad reviews welcomed them.
Ďuro Černý left the band once again in 1995 due to problems with drugs that led to severe health problems. Martin Uherčík replaced Černý in 1995. Shortly after this the band took a very long break from recording and released two greatest hits CDs that contained a few English versions of their songs originally intended for English Versions of their classic albums “Skúsime to cez vesmír” and “Žeravé znamenie osudu.”
Recent events
In 2001, the band finally recorded and released a new album entitled Pánska jazda (Stag Party). This album did not feature lyrics by their usual lyricist Martin Sarvaš, instead, Ďurinda took over that job. The album transitioned Tublatanka into a more mainstreamMainstream
Mainstream is, generally, the common current thought of the majority. However, the mainstream is far from cohesive; rather the concept is often considered a cultural construct....
sound as opposed to their earlier work.
Martin Uherčík quit the band after “Pánska jazda” and was replaced by Peter Schlosser. Sadly, Jozef “Dodo” Dubán committed suicide in 2002. Ďurinda never replaced him but instead decided to continue on as a rock trio once again. After another long successful run of touring, Tublatanka released “Patriot” in 2005 which contained 14 new songs and contained some lyrics by Martin Sarvaš once again. A year after it was released, Tublatanka released their second Christmas album Vianočný deň to much critical acclaim. Currently the band continues to tour all over Slovakia and Czech Republic.
Current members
- Maťo ĎurindaMato DurindaMaťo Ďurinda , is the vocalist/lead singer/lead/rhythm guitarist for the Slovak hard rock/heavy metal band Tublatanka. He is from Bratislava, Slovakia and still currently resides there.-Early years:...
- lead vocals, lead/rhythm guitar, piano, bass guitar (1985–present) - Juraj Topor - bass guitar, vocals (1994–present)
- Peter Schlosser - drums, percussion (2002–present)
Former Members
- Ďuro Černý - drums, percussion (1985–1995)
- Palo Horváth - bass guitar, vocals (1985–1993)
- Jozef Dubán - lead/rhythm guitar, vocals (1994–2002)
- Martin Uherčík - drums, percussion (1996–2001)
Discography
- 1985: TublatankaTublatanka (album)Tublatanka is the self-titled debut album of the Slovak rock band Tublatanka released in 1985 by Opus Records. It contains the hit singles Šlabikár and O nás.- Track listing :# "Šlabikár"# "Dajte mi na to liek"# "Máme to zrátané"...
- 1987: Skúsime to cez vesmírSkúsime to cez vesmír (album)Skúsime to cez vesmír is the second album by Slovak rock band Tublatanka released in 1987 by Opus Records...
- 1988: Žeravé znamenie osuduŽeravé znamenie osudu (album)Žeravé znamenie osudu is the third studio album by Slovak rock band Tublatanka, released in 1988 by Opus Records. It contains the hit singles "Láska, drž ma nad hladinou" and "Pravda víťazí"...
- 1990: Nebo - peklo - rajNebo - peklo - raj (album)Nebo - Peklo - Raj is the fourth studio album by the Slovak rock band Tublatanka released in 1990 by Supraphon Records...
- 1992: Volanie divočiny
- 1993: Poďme bratia do Betlehema
- 1994: Znovuzrodenie
- 2001: Pánska jazda
- 2005: Patriot
- 2006: Vianočný deň
- 2010: Svet v ohrození