Shovel & Mattock

   We’re just a bunch of dandies...The dirtiest blues of the contemporary Czech music scene is presented by the trio Band of Heysek from Brno. Their debut, Shovel & Mattock, has the fingerprints of sensuousness and rawness of the blues, which also includes a dose of improvisation, “dirt” and imperfections. The trio, with frontman Jan Švihálek, was founded by the members of the now-not-existing rap-blues project, Nuck Chorris Gang. Their new project, Band of Heysek, is less experimental and more blues.

   The exclusive author, singer and guitarist, Jan Švihálek is an icon not only of the blues scene in Brno but he has also participated in many bands and occasional music groups. He’s played with his band mates, the drummer - Lukáš Kytnar and the bass player - Mojmír Sabolovič, not only in the Nuck Chorris Gang but also in projects such as Hoochie Coochie Band, Kulturní úderka, Dura & Blues Groove, Tady To Máš and many more. The name of the album expresses exactly what music this trio produces. “Shovel and mattock is our long-running description of dirty groovy music,” explains the drummer, Lukáš Kytnar. “I don’t know if it is the dirtiest blues we’ve ever played. It is simply a kind of natural outcome of our long-term view on music, which is easily transformed into reality in the current tight line-up.”

  The members of Band of Heysek have tried to transfer their authenticity and the feeling of their live shows onto the album. “We recorded everything live in the studio, including vocals. Subsequently, we only did overdubs to some vocals and solos. The record includes only our own stuff, one track is from a drawer. All the others are brand new,” says Lukáš Kytnar who also admits that the current trio can significantly change its forms.

There are currently three “heyseks” (i.e. dandies) and they are going on tour right after releasing their debut. Their home scene is the Music Café, Stará Pekárna in Brno where they’ll have their release party on November 10th. The “heyseks” plan to have a special show also at the legendary festival BluesAlive in Šumper on November 16th.