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Description
Česká nová vlna (Czech New Wave) refers to the late–Cold War wave of Czech punk-, post‑punk-, and new wave‑aligned bands that emerged from Prague, Brno, Plzeň and other urban centers under state socialism.
Musically it fused brisk punk energy, angular post‑punk bass and guitar figures, prominent synthesizers and drum machines, and a streak of theatrical art‑rock. Lyrically it leaned on satire, allegory, and surrealism to dodge censorship, mixing dark urban poetics with deadpan humor.
Because most activity happened in semi‑official clubs, student cultural houses, and the underground circuit, recordings were often raw and DIY, yet the scene’s songwriting was melodically sharp and rhythmically danceable. After 1989, many of its key groups became pillars of Czech alternative and indie rock.
History
The Czech New Wave coalesced at the turn of the 1980s, when local musicians absorbed UK/US punk, post‑punk, and new wave via scarce records and radio. Early groups shaped a distinctly Czech response: sharp rhythms, sardonic wit, and art‑rock theatricality.
In 1983, the regime’s press attacked the movement with the slogan “Nová vlna se starým obsahem” (“New wave with old content”), leading to bans, cancelled gigs, and increased scrutiny of clubs and the Jazzová sekce (Jazz Section). Bands changed names, operated semi‑legally under cultural organizations, or recorded on cassettes. The constraints pushed artists toward metaphor-rich lyrics, lean arrangements, and a tight live circuit of loyal audiences.
By the later 1980s, synths and drum machines became more common, helping some groups craft radio‑friendly singles while others kept a rough, art‑punk edge. The Velvet Revolution in 1989 ended censorship; long‑suppressed bands issued official albums and played large stages, codifying the scene’s repertoire.
Česká nová vlna set the template for Czech alternative and indie after 1990: smart, irony‑tinged lyrics in Czech, rhythmic bite, and a blend of punk directness with artful arrangements. Its catalog remains a touchstone for post‑punk revivalists and synth‑inclined indie across the region.
