Cocotte Minute take Lucerna by storm: Zllucerna is approaching
Cocotte Minute have long since crossed the boundaries of nu metal and become an icon of the Czech crossover scene. The band is exceptional for its raw music, the charismatic voice of frontman Martin Zeller and lyrics that are not afraid to speak their minds. During their 25 years on the scene, they have managed to play hundreds of concerts in clubs and festivals, christen an album in a sex shop and even play in the Mírov prison.
The year 2025 marks a big milestone for Cocotte Minute - the band is celebrating 25 years on the scene. The highlight of the celebrations will be a concert in Lucerna on December 13, which they themselves have renamed Zllucern. Fans can look forward to a unique evening full of unique choreography, dancers and stunning video projections - an experience that is not easily forgotten.
Even during the current tour with Slovak legend Horkýže Slíže, they are not losing momentum. Behind the scenes and on stage, the band is working hard, preparing every detail to make the concert in Zllucerna unique and unforgettable. In an interview with singer Martin Zeller, we discussed not only the preparations for Lucerne, but also the rituals before the concerts, the costs associated with a big show, plans for new music, the creation of music videos and their view on the development of the Czech metal scene.
You've already done a few concerts on the autumn tour with Horkýže Slíže. How do you enjoy concerts together?
It's great. Slíže and their entire crew are wonderful people. Nothing is a problem and it seems to me that they always sincerely wish us success in front of their audience. We've played with them once before - 16 years ago. They're still the same Slíže. Fame doesn't go to their heads. And their audience is great too. They have no problem supporting us as guests. This tour is a reward for us and also a warm-up for Zllucern. And for that, a big thank you to the Slížáci!
What's the atmosphere like before a concert? After so many years on stage, do you still have some stage fright, or do you take it in stride? Or do you have any rituals of your own without which the concert wouldn't start?
Anyone who comes to our dressing room before a show is terrified. There is absolute silence, no one is talking to anyone and everyone is focused on the next show. We don't have any rituals, we just sometimes have a drink right before going on stage. And not all of us, because many of us drive after the show. We don't have stage fright. Respect, yes.
In December, specifically on December 13th, you have a big concert in Lucerna, where you will celebrate the band's 25th anniversary. This is a significant milestone for the band. How are the preparations going for such a significant evening?
We are practicing choreography, rehearsing music, hanging out and burning promos. We are sweeping talk shows. Once again, a big thank you to Honza Dědek for 7 Pads, for having the courage to invite a band like us. At the same time, we are consulting with the technical team on their part, i.e. how to sound it, how to connect all the instruments (at some point there will be 15 of us on stage). We are starting to program the light design and the production of timecode projections is underway. Just complete nonsense for about 1.4 million crowns.
Zeller mentioned: "I consider it a miracle to have 70% of the tickets sold out two months before Lucerna! We are working incredibly hard and are preparing things that we have never tried before. I hope that the legendary house burns down!" Did you expect there to be such interest in the concert?
Yes and no. I thought that after all the years that we have been playing, and even with the knowledge that the Akropolis is sold out every year and sometimes even two at once, it should somehow come together in Lucerna, but until it happens, you simply don't know if you guessed correctly. And as you can see, fortunately it was a good idea. And even though the ticket costs about 800 CZK, it will be sold out. You just want to sell out the first big Lucerna in your life!
Lucerna should be the biggest concert in your history. Can you reveal a little bit about what the fans can look forward to?
No. It's a surprise for those who will be there with us.
With regard to the upcoming concert in Lucerna and the ongoing concerts with Horkýže Slíže – are you working on anything new? For example, singles, clips or an album? Or do you keep your creations until after the tour is over?
We are not professional musicians. We do it in our free time. We like doing it, but we also have to go to work and take care of our families. So there is simply no other time for new things. But from the new year we would like to get into the rehearsal room and start working on new things.
It is impossible not to notice that you invest a lot in clips. Do you consider quality video clips a necessity nowadays? And which of your clips was the most demanding in terms of production and finances?
We have certainly invested several million in clips. We simply want to do it as best as possible. We love it so much. If we are doing it, let it be of some level. The most demanding was probably the filming of Travič vody. In the middle of filming in Prague, in Karlín, someone turned off our power and no one could turn it back on. Then we found out that it was really on purpose. It cost us tens of thousands. We then filmed it again somewhere else, but none of the footage we shot in Prague could be used. That's what you want. Twenty people on set, a forklift, a full band, sound engineers and the giant truck we filmed it in... and everything was completely screwed up. I also handled it as a producer and I was really happy when I had to blow it all off in the middle of the night. And the most expensive ones are probably the last ones. Prices just generally go up. And our clips are actually cheap. We're going for somewhere around 150,000 CZK a piece, which the average rapper would laugh at.
Your lyrics are strong, personal and provocative. Where do you look for inspiration when writing? Is it more of a therapy or a way to get what's bothering you out of yourself?
Thanks for the praise. It's not for everyone and not everyone can appreciate it. Inspiration is everywhere. I just live somehow, I look around me and it stays in me and at some point it appears. At first, of course, I was driven by frustration with where and how I grew up, and over time it spread to broader topics. I simply need to express myself on some things for myself. And of course, sometimes I just want to make a complete fool of myself.
How do you think the Czech metal scene has changed since your beginnings?
It's hard to say. I say that we play metal, but that's not entirely true. We grew up on nu metal, but we deliberately crossed that genre a long time ago. We do what we want. We have no problem playing a shitty song and a total love song next to each other. And sometimes we even mix it up with medieval metal or disco. The boundaries are boring. And I don't even see us as part of some Czech metal scene. And that scene, I think, is similar to us, so I can't say anything about its development. But most of the bands we started with and liked don't play anymore or are just kind of dying out. Few have managed to get anywhere significantly further. Kudos to the exceptions.
Do you feel that your audience is changing? Maybe younger fans are starting to come to you, or that the overall atmosphere is changing?
Not with us. A specific type of people come to us and they always seem the same to me in a good sense of the word. It's all about some energy and worldview. And that's the best filter. We've had the third generation since we started, but the old ones haven't left yet. That's great. We don't lose people, but we keep getting more. Slowly, but continuously, and that's of course great. We don't even have problems with mobile phones at shows. Our people are not demented and I consider it a huge gift
How do you manage to combine family life and band life? You all work outside the band – have you ever had a problem at work with being "the ones from Cocotte Minute"?
Yes, and it is sometimes quite demanding, but it is our choice. In order to make a living from it, we would have to go down a lot. Especially with the quality of the audience, and we simply do not want that. But if someone were to decide that we play in "cocottes", that is not the case. I think we all work where people are cool. None of us has the time or the mood to do anything with morons.
In an interview for 7 padů Honza Dědek Zeller mentioned that you always bought a bottle of alcohol before concerts, preferably the cheapest one. What is the craziest thing you have ever bought?
I think it was some Ouzo or Pastis, and that is simply disgusting in itself. And if it's still cheap Ouzo or Pastis, then it's simply the revenge of the gods to swallow it! But we did it!
With regard to the previous question - how are you with alcohol these days? Is the "bottle before the concert" still in effect, or are you already moderating?
There are 9 of us in the dressing room at the show, so if everyone has a shot, it's over a bottle. So it was never really wild from that perspective, but since we're all from different cities and we drive more cars, most of us don't even have a shot before the show. And since we almost never sleep, it doesn't get too wild after the show either. I hope that the younger bands will do the rock'n'roll for us in this one and I wish them the same.
Thank you for taking the time to talk to us. Finally, what would you like to say to your fans who are going to Lucerna or have been following you for years, and to the readers of Rebel Sound?
Do everything according to your heart and give a shit about everyone who stands in your way. It's your path and no one has the right to hold you back!!!
A big thank you goes to Martin Zeller and the entire Cocotte Minute band for the time and openness they gave us. Even after 25 years on the scene, it's clear that the band still lives with the energy, determination and passion that drives it forward - while maintaining the rawness and authenticity that the fans love so much. The upcoming Zllucerna is not just an anniversary concert, but the culmination of a 25-year journey that has never compromised. With a budget exceeding a million crowns and a commitment that goes far beyond normal standards, this show will be proof that Cocotte Minute make music with their heart.
This is your last chance to be there! Only 333 tickets are left on sale. If you want to experience the 25th anniversary celebration of Cocotte Minute firsthand and in an unforgettable atmosphere, don't hesitate!
We thank the band for their openness and the energy they put into the interview. And we thank you, the readers, for being there. See you on December 13th – under the stage, in the cauldron, where Zllucerna really comes to life!
