Petr Vrzák: “We’re full of energy and eager to prove who UDG really are.”

The band UDG has been one of the prominent names on the Czech music scene for nearly three decades. This year, however, has become a period of major upheaval in what once seemed like firmly established foundations. Founding members Petr Vrzák, Pavel Vrzák, and Bohumil Němeček suddenly found themselves facing a situation they could hardly have imagined until recently. From one day to the next, they were informed that their time in the band had come to an end.

We previously covered the situation in the article "UDG – Breakup, Shift, Theft?", where we tried to piece together the facts and the many questions that flooded the internet and social media after the announcement of the major lineup changes. In the interview we conducted with Petr Vrzák, we return to the events of the past months. Petr shares his perspective on the dispute surrounding the trademark as well as on the future of the music he created with his brother and friends throughout his life. 

In recent weeks, there's been more written about you than ever before—unfortunately in contexts you probably wouldn't have chosen yourselves. How are you managing in the middle of all this chaos?

We're managing as best we can. The initial shock has passed, and the three of us have started working again. When you have to start everything from scratch, you realize how many small things you need to rebuild. Everything that was taken from us now has to be recreated, and it takes a lot of energy.

Pavel, Petr—you're brothers and also play together in the band. What's it like having a sibling in the band? Does it bring mostly support or sometimes small conflicts?

Like everything, it has its pros and cons. At the same time, you have the best partner in the band—and also someone who occasionally gets on your nerves.

You founded UDG 28 years ago together with Tomáš Staněk, and Bohouš joined in 2000. Looking back at the night of January 23 - late at night, you received an email about your departure from the band, and the very next day the information was posted on social media. What goes through your mind in a moment like that? Shock, anger, or just emptiness?

At 11 p.m., you don't expect a message that will turn your life upside down. Every time someone calls late at night—like my mom—I worry about the first words and whether something bad happened in the family. Emails usually don't carry bad news so late. That's why the shock was even greater when I checked my mail before going to bed and saw the subject line: "Termination of cooperation in the band UDG in its current lineup." I threw the laptop aside, came back with a racing heart, to see if it wasn't spam or some joke. It takes a moment to accept that someone could have been deceiving you for so long behind your back, rehearsing with new members, registering the trademark, and so on.

After almost thirty years together, is it possible to "swallow" something like this without taking it personally as a betrayal?

You can't just swallow it; it takes a lot more time. Honestly, this betrayal will stay with us forever. We can't avoid it, and we will fight for everything that was taken from us, so it will be on our plate for years to come.

Information emerged that the UDG trademark was registered in August 2025 under Tomáš Staněk. How was the trademark handled before that? Was there any agreement on its ownership or use?

Until August 11, 2025, the UDG trademark wasn't officially protected at all. There was no need. Once, a company called Ultimate DJ Gear contacted us because they sold DJ equipment, but we agreed not to interfere, and that was the end of it. I never imagined anyone would try to claim something that isn't theirs—especially not someone from within our own ranks.

The facts are clear: the email about your departure arrived the day after the deadline to object to the trademark registration had passed. Do you see this as a coincidence or cold-blooded calculation?

I'm no lawyer, but considering the timing and everything, it's clear this was a carefully prepared trap that we never expected. I don't believe it was a coincidence, even though the other side claims they didn't understand the process and it was just timing.

The rest of the band admitted that they had been rehearsing and recording with the new lineup since last autumn. How does it feel in retrospect to realize your bandmates were building a version of UDG without you?

We've always said a band is like a marriage — in our case, with six people. It's basically like finding out your spouse cheated behind your back for at least three-quarters of a year. It's not just about secretly registering the UDG trademark; even looking at when the singer they brought in left his previous band, it's clear. Seeing it on the timeline makes your stomach turn.

UDG isn't just a logo on a poster; it's nearly 30 years of history, concerts, stories, and songs. What does UDG mean to you personally?

UDG is something my brother and I founded. It's our child, our self-expression, and something we've always cared about deeply. It's everything to us. It's unbelievable that something like this can happen. You can't just walk into a café and say, "Everyone out, this is mine now."

What about the copyright to the original songs? For many songs, you are listed as the composer and Tomáš Staněk as the lyricist. Does this mean both sides can still perform these songs? Or will their use require agreement or legal action? What about songs under the UDG brand?

If you're registered as an author with OSA, you can't prevent someone from performing your song - that's the rule.

Have you heard the new UDG material? How does it feel to you? The song "Časoprostor" - originally composed by Pavel - is now credited to Jakub Lenz and Tomáš Staněk. Was this written by the original lineup or is it the work of the new "UDG"?

For us, these aren't songs - they're damage to the UDG brand. Subjectively, someone might like them, but I'm not in a state to evaluate the music objectively.

Do you still have the drive and energy to start over after this experience? Was there a moment you thought it was pointless?

On the contrary, right after this happened, we met and decided we will continue. We are full of energy and determined to show who UDG really is.

What musical direction do you want to take? Will it be a natural continuation, or are you looking to explore something new? Will you play as a trio or are you looking for new members?

A new lineup is the only way to change course. After 28 years in one formation, changing style isn't realistic. This situation is also an opportunity to slightly adjust the band's direction.

Has this crisis paradoxically motivated you toward new material? Could the emotions from recent weeks be reflected in your lyrics?

Yes, right after this disaster happened, we created what we call the "survivor song." Even though the video tells a story of a couple trying to solve their problems, everyone will understand that we're essentially singing about what happened to us. The song can't be fast or cheerful. For me, it's deep and powerful. The chorus repeats the motif "it's irreversible," which comes from one of the sentences we read in the email from January 23, 2026.

What will happen with already booked concerts? If contracts were made under the UDG brand and the trademark is held by Tomáš Staněk, does that mean only the current lineup will perform? Organizers booked UDG expecting your voice—how have they reacted? Will they want you, or the "official" lineup? Do you already have your own booked concerts?

We don't have anything booked at all. We had the entire summer scheduled, and it was all taken from us. Organizers are contacting us gradually; many were misled because they didn't know which part of the band they were actually booking. Most concerts are scheduled well in advance, so securing summer dates now will be very difficult. The other side has the advantage of being far ahead. We thank all organizers who trusted us and will continue to do so. We promise not to disappoint.

What about the rehearsal space after leaving UDG? Are you staying in the same place or looking for a new one?

Right now it's hard to say. It depends on who joins the band, where they are from, and whether they have access to a rehearsal space. We need to choose something that works for everyone. Initial rehearsals with new members will mostly happen during retreats to build not just a band of people playing the same songs, but also a circle of friends.

You mentioned a video call. Did it serve any purpose? What was it about?

The video call scheduled the day after that terrible email was completely formal and pointless. It seemed like their lawyer advised them to do it just to tick a box. I spent the whole night preparing for it. In reality, even if I had just clapped and sung Beskyde beskyde, the outcome would have been the same. We presented our arguments, but the other side just said empty words—they were just checking a box. I personally try to forget it.

Have you had any contact since then? Is there any way to communicate?

The 60-minute meeting ended literally mid-sentence. My brother tried to reach out to everyone to join, saying it can't end like this after 28 years. Only the three of us joined after that. No one else did. Since then, a few emails about settling shared matters have passed. I think there's currently no way to communicate—the wounds are too deep.

The social media situation has been turbulent—removal from official accounts, a new profile, its deletion, and a new account under a different name. Do you see this as an attempt to limit your voice and present only their version to fans?

It can't really be seen any other way. It's clear they have no intention of giving us space to speak.

Are you considering legal action, or do you want to focus purely on music and a new chapter?

Of course, my brother and I co-founded the band. We will fight because we logically want it back. Writing new songs will be the engine driving this struggle. New songs will fuel progress and help everything turn out well.

If there were a chance for an out-of-court settlement, would you consider it?

Of course. If such an option exists, I'm all for it. No one wants to spend days, weeks, months, or years in court. I wish it were possible.

After so many years together, do you see this more as a professional separation or a personal loss?

We see it as a personal betrayal.

Can you imagine reconciliation in the future? Not necessarily returning to the stage, but a human meeting without tension?

It would take enormous inner strength and forgiveness. But that's not on the agenda right now. The worst part is that they seem fine with how they did it. They kicked us out via email, cut us off from everything, and happily post stories on social media about recording with the new lineup. It's shocking that the new members are okay with it. It makes me very sad.

Thank you for the interview—what would you like to say to fans who support you and follow the situation?

We also thank you for letting us speak. To our fans, I want to say we are incredibly grateful for your support. We truly appreciate you—stay with us. Without you, we wouldn't have made it.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Petr for the time he devoted to the interview for our editorial team. UDG remains a symbol of nearly three decades of history, but now a new chapter is opening for the three members—a fight over the brand, a search for their own identity, and at the same time, the promise that the music they created together will not disappear anytime soon.

We wish Petr, Pavel, and Bohouš all the best and much success in their next steps. Above all, we hope that the entire situation can be resolved as soon as possible—ideally calmly and with respect on both sides.

Kačí & Šári