Driák: The Krkonoše Mountains in Their Hearts, Punk Rock in Their Blood

Twenty years on the scene, hundreds of concerts played, and still the same passion for sharing energy with fans both on and off the stage. Although Driák has never been among the Czech Republic's most high-profile punk rock bands in the media, they have built a strong reputation and a loyal fanbase over the years. This year, they are also embarking on a joint tour with Vision Days, making it the perfect opportunity to look back on their journey so far and take a closer look at what lies ahead. We spoke about all of this with frontman Michal "Průža" Pružinec.

Let's start with the classic question that simply has to be asked. Why the name Driák? Were there any other names in the running, or was it love at first sight?

The name came about the same way as with every other punk band. Want to know where? In a pub, of course. At the very beginning, the band was founded by Tůča and drummer Chárvi, who used to rehearse together on their own. They invited another friend to join them and headed to a legendary pub in Vrchlabí called Sklípek. There, they made a poor choice of their first drink, stood up, and said they definitely weren't going to drink that driák again. That's when Chárvi paused and said, "I've got it! That's a great name for a band!"

The Krkonoše Mountains are your home and a major source of inspiration. You even dedicated one of your songs to the country's highest mountain range. Are you planning to pay tribute to them again in your future work?

Yes, we paid tribute to our homeland, but it wasn't meant to be just about the Krkonoše. We wanted to evoke the feeling everyone experiences when returning home – that sense of relief. Even when you're coming back from a holiday, there's that comforting feeling that you're home again, back in familiar surroundings. The goal wasn't to boast about how beautiful it is here in the Krkonoše or claim it's the best place on earth. We wanted people to relate the song to their own home. I'm sure we're not the only ones who have a deep emotional connection to certain places and traditions from where we grew up. Unfortunately, I often see people focusing only on the negative – that's really about your own mindset. 

We're planning to mention our homeland again in at least one upcoming song. But whether people take the time to check the facts behind it that will be up to them.

Before releasing your new album, the band went quiet for a while, and many fans wondered whether the end might be near. What was happening during that period? Was it exhaustion, lack of time, or did you simply need to slow down for a while?

We really did go through a period of stagnation. Personally, I even considered ending the band because I was full of enthusiasm for writing music, but the circumstances just weren't right. Everything changed after the painful departure of our guitarist. For years, we had the same line-up, which had stabilised after drummer Ježíšek joined. Unfortunately, time moves quickly. Our guitarist Milda works as a professional firefighter on 24-hour shifts, and as priorities gradually changed, it simply became impossible to play as many shows as the band deserved. We reached a point where I was declining offers from the same promoters four years in a row, and that would eventually have become a serious problem for the band. Personally, if I were a promoter, I wouldn't keep asking a band that long. We were turning down around thirty concerts every year.

On top of that difficult period came the departure of guitarist Milda after twenty years with the band. How challenging was it to bring in two new guitarists while also working on a new album?

I'd say it was the toughest period we've ever experienced as a band. We considered Milda part of the family, and it was the hardest decision we ever had to make. In the end, each of us had to decide whether we wanted to keep playing or stop altogether. Then came an endless cycle of rehearsals. We played the songs we'd known for years over and over again – two rehearsals a week for four straight months – while simultaneously writing and refining the new album. That's why the record ended up with only nine songs instead of more. Even so, I consider that a huge success.

During the transition after Milda left, guitarist Petr Chromý (Krkonoise Studio, formerly of Driák) helped us out, but we still needed to find a permanent replacement. We didn't want to advertise publicly, so we tried searching on our own, but we simply couldn't find anyone. Either we were too big a challenge for potential guitarists—which honestly surprised us – or our long-term vision for touring didn't match, and time was another obstacle. In the end, two guitarists rehearsed with us: Adam and Láďa (Tůča's brother). The final decision was to bring in Láďa, and he quickly proved he was the right choice. Adam also played several concerts with us, and because he's particularly strong in acoustic performances, you'll definitely keep seeing him alongside us. He's a great guy!

The song Klid před bouří was recorded with the following line-up: drums and acoustic guitar (Petr Chromý), bass (Lukašenko – Driák), acoustic guitar (Jonathon Harvey – On The River Bank), electric guitar (Skoří – Exoška), violin and backing vocals (Bára Vránová – Benjamings Clan), and vocals (myself, Průža – Driák). How did this collaboration between a punk band and a thrash machine come about?

This was a little dream that Tůča and I wanted to fulfil. It was our own little side project.

Tůča wrote the lyrics, and I came up with the basic structure. We then finished arranging it in the studio, inviting a different musician for each part. The vision was clear from the beginning.

I used to play football with Skoří for Trutnov, and later we both devoted ourselves to music. We've stayed in touch over the years, meeting from time to time, and we have incredible chemistry. We're friends who share a very similar musical feeling and vision. I won't hide the fact that I'd love to work with Skoří much more in the future. Right now time doesn't allow it—but we're still young guys, aren't we?

In the song Vteřina, you take a rather direct stance against the punk cliché "No Future." How have die-hard punk fans reacted to the song?

Haha, that's a really interesting question, and it's not the first time I've answered it. So far, I've only encountered positive reactions (strange, isn't it? ). If someone disagrees, they probably don't have the guts to come and tell us their opinion about "No Future" the wrong one, of course. It's a bit like firing into your own ranks, but maybe it will make someone stop and think about the lyrics.

In the music video for Mistři, you poke fun at internet know-it-alls, and Jan Budař even makes an appearance. How did you convince him to join the project? Did it take a lot of persuading – or perhaps half a pig?

Originally, we had three candidates for the role, but we gradually eliminated them one by one. Ahem... Jan Budař was at the top of the list. He got in touch with us, we had a few online calls, exchanged ideas, and got to know each other a bit. He was feeling us out to make sure he wouldn't waste his time... and well, as you can see, it worked out.

Master Honza is a true professional. We all learned a lot from working with him—it was a real masterclass. We did have to convince him a little that we genuinely wanted him and weren't going to compromise on our vision for the video. Fortunately, we succeeded. And yes... I think we ended up sacrificing the whole pig.

Which song from the new album has resonated the most with fans so far?

That's hard to say... we're constantly trying to figure it out. It also depends on the audience. I'd say it's probably Vteřina, Mosty, and Nebeskej bar. For fans who prefer the heavier side of things, it's Oko za Oko.

Although you play punk rock, the accordion is one of the defining elements of your sound. How difficult is it to work with an instrument that many listeners automatically associate with bands like Tři sestry or pub folk music, while still maintaining your own identity?

That's simply a label... yes, absolutely. But we're always trying to approach the music differently. A few music journalists have independently agreed that they wouldn't directly compare Driák to Tři sestry. I'd say our newer material has moved away from that "pub folk" label as well. But who knows what we'll come up with next, right? We've already got plenty of demos for more great songs, so let yourselves be surprised. Maybe we'll talk about it again next time and see what worked and what didn't.

In Mistři světa, you also used Hammond organ. Where did that idea come from? Were you trying to give the mid-tempo song a bit of that classic 1970s hard rock feel?

Well, here's how it happened. We were filming the music video with Karel Mareš, who played Hammond organ for years in Prague Conspiracy. So I said, "Karel, mate, when you come over, bring the Hammond with you as well!" Karel is our friend! And by the way, it gave the song exactly the atmosphere it needed.

Your lyrics are built around strong rhymes and memorable choruses that audiences often sing louder than the band itself. Is there one song you know will always work live, no matter what?

Lately it's definitely HOLKY ČESKÝ! That's an easy one. We've also noticed that a lot of people know our songs now, so we often let the fans take over entire parts. That's exactly why you do this. The energy you get back from the audience is absolutely incredible.

Your fifth studio album is out, you've already celebrated its release, and the vinyl is spinning on turntables. What are Driák's plans for the near future? Where will you be stirring up festival dust and club crowds this year?

It feels like we're not skipping a single corner of the country this year. We're playing everywhere.

Whether it's major festivals like Braník, Brněnec Fest, Barvy léta, or Punkáči deťom in Slovakia, smaller festivals, or big town celebrations such as Porciunkule in Hostinné.

Either way, we've got a packed schedule ahead of us with our tour alongside Vision Days.

Fans often try to discover the real stories and inspirations behind your lyrics after your concerts. Which song – from either your older albums or the new record – is personally the most important to you?

We're really happy to hear that. The line between reality and fiction is thin, but most of our lyrics are rooted in real experiences and emotions. It always starts with that first spark of inspiration.

I think each of us would choose a different song. Personally, though, there are a few that carry a strong emotional meaning for me – especially Poslední vlak and Nebeskej bar, both of which I associate with losing someone close to me.

This year you're planning to play around fifty concerts, including festivals and an autumn tour with Vision Days. Is that the ideal number of shows for a band made up of working people with families, or are you already reaching the limits of what's sustainable?

We're asking ourselves that question too. Right now, we're still enjoying it, and we have clear internal rules within the band. One free weekend every month is non-negotiable. We all agreed on that pace together and adjusted our priorities accordingly. Family always comes first, so we make sure everyone has enough time outside the band. On the other hand, we often bring our partners with us, and sometimes even the kids, so in the end it's a great experience for everyone. :)

You spend a lot of time travelling across the country for concerts, and another tour lies ahead. Do you have a story from the road that still makes you laugh today?

We've got loads of memories, and I'd say we always manage to enjoy the journey together. Even the driver usually has a great time – and that's most often Lukašenko or me. I'll happily tell one on myself. We were driving back from a festival one evening, during what I'd call my wilder years. We stopped at a red light in Hradec Králové, I got out of the van and entertained my bandmates by doing a "goat" in front of the cars waiting at the traffic lights. Well... hopefully I've grown up a bit since then. Or there was the time we trusted the fuel gauge, only to run out of diesel about 500 metres before the petrol station and ended up pushing the van along the motorway.

When Tůča wrote the lyrics to Rybář, was he thinking a bit about himself or more about Průža? And what's the truth about musical talent in Driák?

Tůča was driving one day when he heard a radio phone-in asking: "What would you wish for if you caught a golden fish?" People were answering: health, love, eternal life, wealth... At that moment, Tůča realised how predictable and cliché all the answers sounded. Our response can be heard in the song.

Some people have rhythm, some have a musical ear, and some have both. As for me—I have both... and I don't go fishing.

One final question to look back on your journey. Is there one song in your catalogue that you feel represents Driák better than any other?

I think, lyrically, it would have to be Vteřina!

As individuals and as a band, that song reflects who we are. We all share the same mindset, and we feel that its lyrics express a healthy philosophy. In everyday life, we often encounter jealousy, people reporting on each other, and self-destruction. Within our band, discipline always wins, and that's the foundation of the great chemistry we have and the reason we enjoy spending so much time together. No Future? Not a chance. Having ambition and goals is healthy, both for yourself and as motivation for the people around you.

Is there anything you'd like to recommend or wish to our readers?

Thank you for asking such great questions! We'd also like to sincerely thank everyone for their support so far, because what keeps us going most is the sense of togetherness—both in front of the stage and beyond it. Come to one of our concerts, and there's a very good chance we'll meet at the bar afterwards!

Interview answers provided by Průža on behalf of Driák.

We would like to thank Driák for the time they devoted to us and for their openness in giving us a glimpse behind the scenes of the band's life. Twenty years on the scene is no small achievement, and our conversation made it clear that they still have the passion to write new music, perform live, and keep moving forward. We wish them every success with this year's tour alongside Vision Days, as well as with all the concerts and projects that lie ahead. May more and more fans continue to gather in front of the stage, and may Driák keep sharing their energy for at least another twenty years.