Krang is one of those Czech bands that have managed to forever shine brightly on the international scene and, despite their status, they have not lost any of their earthy and genuine human expression.
After ten years of existence, several excellent albums, and tons of performances all over the world, I finally managed to get a very honest, sophisticated, and raw interview with bassist and vocalist Stanley.
When was the turning point when it became clear to you that your band's activities will go where you may not have even hoped (but certainly wanted) for many years. When was it no longer just about local concerts, but the surrounding world noticed you?
Probably right after the release of the first album Baddest Brain, because it was released on the American label Bird Attack Records, which had quite a hype at the time, and we were really surprised that it was released. The album sold out in less than a year and we had to do a second pressing. Very shortly after our first record came out, a promoter from Mexico approached us if we wanted to do a tour in Mexico and Central America, that they would like to have us there a lot. And then it went like that: USA, Japan... Or it was a moment when our guitarist Gabo said - “It's not funny anymore, we released a record in America!"
In addition to lyrics focused on film or comic book characters, you also do not hide your attention directed towards human rights and politics. Do you notice a difference in how your audience processes the individually mentioned topics? Do you feel that people prefer songs about ninja turtles to the situation of the Kurds?
For me, the main reason why people go to shows is to have fun! And singing about what you enjoy is simply natural and great. BUT we are a punk rock band and that's when it comes to the crunch and one should not be blind to the things that are happening around us. I even think that it is almost a moral obligation of punk bands to point out problems in society, even if it sounds a little strange. I think that the camp of our fans is not divided into turtles fans and politicians, but rather it is ninja turtles who raise the middle finger to the evils of our world. And that's punk rock!
You recently managed to raise enough funds through merch sales to buy generators and heaters for Ukraine. Do you think you are succeeding in starting a discussion on the war in Ukraine, at least in your immediate circle, outside of the scene, and helping people perceive the whole situation in the right direction? Also, to what extent do you as a band encounter opinions at concerts that are, say, in the spirit of “their country is to blame for this” and so on?
Look, I think it was sung by D.O.A. – “Talks minus actions equals zero”. It's very strict for me, so I would edit it: “Talks minus actions are just talks”. It's just that when you sing/listen to something, you should stand and be active for now, and who else but bands should set an example? Activism has always been associated with punk culture, environmentalism, anti-fascism, animal rights, and defense of the socially disadvantaged...you can get involved everywhere, and the fact that you care more about one of these topics than the other does not make you any less of an active person. It happens that you catch it from the “whataboutists” - you simply support Ukraine and they come and say BUT WHAT ABOUT Palestine, you make a collection for the local animal shelter BUT WHAT about homeless people, etc..
I have a message for these people: don't be afraid of any problems, there are enough wars and injustice in the world and you have the opportunity to engage in what you are most passionate about! Otherwise, you are ZEROs. Since we are a punk rock band, we mostly play at punk events, and this way these ideas reach a lot of like-minded people, and you don't have to worry that a pint of beer will fly at you. It's quite comfortable to express some sharp political opinions among your people. Having a two-minute speech about Ukraine at a city festival in Karviná would be more interesting on the other side:). So far we haven't encountered any open disagreement. Even though I believe that such people go to concerts, they are afraid to express themselves or know that they can't hold an argumentative dialogue, so they'd rather shut up. And I have already written about this several times somewhere, but repetition is the mother of wisdom. Opinion and discussion can take place on a topic such as whether pineapple belongs on pizza or not. If someone comes to defend mass murder, fascism, restriction of human rights, etc., fuck off then, there is no room for discussion here.
As a band, you are celebrating a decade of existence this year. You have already played at almost all the most famous punk rock festivals, your records are released on a globally recognized label, well-known media have written about you and you have traveled the world all over. This is more than respectable, especially for a band from a small town in Moravia. Where are your goals after all this? Don´t you wanna take a break a bit?
Taking a break is for weaklings! Look, we don't have any goals, or we've probably given them up, we'll just play as long as we enjoy it, as long as there's something to talk about in the van during 10-hour drives. For me, if you don't have goals, you're not disappointed that you won't achieve them, and on the contrary, if you do what you enjoy, it's the best way to spend your free time. Of course, you have to have a bit of a plan, and be active in booking, making music, etc. Of course, it cannot be done without it. But after everything you wrote above, it sounds like
we´re some Czech Bad Religion, but the fact is that even after all that, we play concerts for 40 people in pubs and cellars. And we like it.
At the 10th anniversary gig, you will share the stage with two excellent Czech bands, Rabies and Chrpy. What else are you currently enjoying from the Czech and Slovak scene?
I don't enjoy anything at all from the current Czech scene, I'm a musical conservative. It doesn't mean that I don't support some bands and I see how they work hard and succeed. I just won't listen to it while at home. I only listen to punk rock, and the best Czech record for me is Selfish – 14kg Nadhozem, or when I point to Slovakia, it´s Plus Minus - Workoholix or Iné Kafe - Čumil. Btw. RABIES is at the same time the best Czech band for me and those I listen to while at home:).
It's been three years since you managed to open the Dimenze X club. However, it's been a bit silent lately. Why? Don't you have time to devote yourself to concert production outside of the Krang spectrum?
It´s more about the fact that there are no people who would go to those concerts. As I wrote above, I only listen to punk rock and a little bit of other stuff, so I don't do anything else. Unfortunately, people who grew up on it have already moved away, have families, and stopped listening to it. I don't interact with the young generation at all, so I don't know what they listen to, or what interests them. Many times I have offered the space for free, that people can have a concert or a party there, and that I will do sound for them for free when I have time, but nothing yet. So it´s still standing, sometimes when a band is passing by, I'll do something there, but without someone young and ambitious to lead it there, it will continue to be an occasional venue.
Your latest album, which was released in 2024, even made it into the well-known Punk Rock Radar selection under the heading Punk Rock Museum, which is also a very interesting milestone. How is the album doing overall? Are you satisfied with it after all this time?
Now I don't know whether to lie or to be honest, hahah. For the guys in the band, it's the best stuff Krang has ever done. It costed a lot of energy, pre-production and post-production work, big PR, and a lot of money too. I personally don't like the record very much, it's soft and it's just not as Krang as I would like. In general, the album has less vibe, reach, and sales than the previous album “Make Arcade Great Again”, and now the question is whether it's the current period, the people, or the music. Maybe a little of each. For me, there are a few very good songs, but more mediocre pieces that make me skip half the record. Anyway, in the end, it's always people who show whether they like the record or not. The band always does its best in the studio!
What do you do when the band is not a band? What do the members of Krang actually do for a living?
As Descendents sing - punk rock won't pay the bills (but in their case, it's not so true anymore). So of course we all work. I have a company for technological wiring for the electrical industry, Gabo (guitar) works for me now in technological preparation, Henny shoots advertising videos and Dan does digital marketing for various companies.
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