Humor is the best protection
author
Michal Kaščák
In the late 1980s, at the age of just 13, Michal Kaščák became a star as the lead singer of the alternative band "Bez Ladu A Skladu". The five boys sang ironic texts that criticized the system, and while they found favour with audiences, they met with disapproval from the State. In 1985, Michal co-founded the underground band with his brother and three friends. Although they were amateur musicians, their humorous lyrics fit the zeitgeist and the group caught on quickly. Michal wrote most of the songs himself, using them to poke fun at Communist gestures and rituals, among other things. From an early age, he had an acute sense of the paradoxes of a system that promoted freedom while building walls, and he expressed that in his music. The band’s success led to prestigious gigs, like at a rock festival in Prague, and the opportunity to perform with the renowned jazz flutist Jiří Stivín. Yet the subversive quality of their songs did not go unnoticed by the State, and several concerts had to be cancelled. The band stayed together until 1997. Music still plays an important part in Michal Kaščák’s life: for one thing he composes for film and theatre; for another, since 1997 he has been organising the Bažant Pohoda festival, the biggest annual festival in Slovakia.
Postcard
- "Pozdrav z Liptova" Greetings from Liptov.
- Liptov is a beautiful, touristy region in Slovakia that includes The Low Tatras section of the Carpathian Mountains, which is particularly popular for hiking and skiing.
- Postcard Text
- Greetings from the PT (Pioneer Camp) and a happy name day. Peter and Mišo (Michal). P. S. There were no other postcards.
- 10th Anniversary of the federal system of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic
- "Československo federativní uspořádání 1969-1979": 10th Anniversary of the federal system of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. The emancipation of the Slovak constituent republic was the most notable result of this new order, which emerged from the Prague Spring of 1968. There are also typical Socialist symbols to see such as the red star, the ear (for the political recognition of the peasants) and the dove of peace.
- Postcard picture
- Here is the list of the themes on the front of the postcards (from left to right and top to bottom): Nízke Tatry (Low Tatras) - Ďumbier: Ďumbier is the highest peak in the Low Tatras (2,043 m above sea level); Liptovský Ján is a town in the Liptov region; Zotavovňa is a leisure and recreation centre, and on the right side of the picture is the Chata Opalisko Hotel.
- Trenčín
- Trencin is a history-laden city in western Slovakia near the Czech border. From the Stone Age to the present day, via the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages, the city has been both inhabited and fought over almost continuously. The castle is the oldest building in the city. First mentioned in a document in 1067, it still dominates the city’s skyline.
personal archives
Kino Hviedza
Michal Kaščák at the age of 14 performing with his Band "Bez Ladu A Skladu" at Kino Hviedza (Cinema Star) in Trenčin in 1986.
country: Czechoslovakia / year:
Michal Kaščák at age 14, performing with his Band "Bez Ladu A Skladu" at Kino Hviedza (Cinema Star) in Trenčin in 1986.
Moldy Jeans
"Bez Ladu A Skladu" at a photo shoot for the cover their first album.
country: Czechoslovakia / year:
"Bez Ladu A Skladu" at a photo shoot for the cover of their first album. All the band members (except for the guitarist), are wearing so-called "Mouldy Jeans", from Poland. Very trendy in the ČSSR at the time, they made Michal feel quite Western.
Photo shoot at home
Photo shoot of "Bez Ladu A Skladu" at home with the Kaščák family. Michal himself wants to point to the fashionable wallpaper in the background.
country: Czechoslovakia / year:
"Bez Ladu A Skladu" photo shoot at home with the Kaščák family. Michal is pointing out the fashionable wallpaper in the background.
Photo shoot for the cover of their first album
"Bez Ladu A Skladu" at a photo shoot for the cover of their first album.
country: Czechoslovakia / year:
"Bez Ladu A Skladu" at a photo shoot for the cover of their first album. Almost by miracle, the band was able to record in January, 1989. But the record wasn't published until a year after the Velvet Revolution, the peaceful downfall of the communist regime in 1989 in the ČSSR.
At home with the Kaščák family
The band at home with the Kaščák family in Trenčín.
country: Czechoslovakia / year:
The band at home with the Kaščák family in Trenčín. In the background, aside from the 'fashionable' wallpaper, a painting of the Slovak artist Július Činčár and one of the first band posters painted by "Bez Ladu A Skladu's" saxophonist Rast'o Kubica can be seen.
Backstage at Cinema Hviezda
In the dressing room of Kino Hviezda (Cinema Star) after a concert in Trenčín.
country: Czechoslovakia / year:
In the dressing room of Kino Hviezda (Cinema Star) after a concert in Trenčín. The Kino Hiezda and the Klub Lúč (Club Sunray), in the same building, were the main location for concerts in Trenčín, usually under the aegis of the Music Stage of the Youth.
Cheering Fans
Cheering fans at the Čertovo kolo (Devil's Wheel) festival.
country: Czechoslovakia / year:
Cheering fans at the Čertovo kolo (Devil's Wheel) festival. Second from the left is Michal's current colleague, Mário Gešvantner, with whom he organizes Festival Pohoda.
Concert for the opening of an exhibition
"Bez Ladu A Skladu" performing at the opening of an exhibition.
country: Czechoslovakia / year:
"Bez Ladu A Skladu" performing at the opening of an exhibition in the unfinished house of Jožo Šrámek, a Slovak singer and political activist, in Čunovo (near Bratislava). Many artists and musicians met at this event.
Meeting Jiří Stivín
The "Dotyky a spojenia" (Touch and Connection) Festival, where the band met Jiří Stivín.
country: Czechoslovakia / year:
The "Dotyky a spojenia" (Touch and Connection) Festival, where the band met Jiří Stivín. "Dotyky a spojenia" was conceived by Laco Snopko. He brought the band together with Jiří Stivín, a famous