A concert with the most famous Slovak punk rock group Horkýže Slíže took place in the Slovak pub on Saturday. Krčma has previously hosted such artists as IMT Smile, Zóna A or Chiki Liki Tu-a. Full Horkýže Slíže band came, and as the frontman Peter Hrivňák aka Kuko commented, only the technician and wives were missing. Information for the female fans: all are married except the drummer.

However, few people know that the boys were close to standing on stage without instruments. The equipment had to be hunted for the last moment, since the original source failed. Kuko said, ‘We’ll survive everything.’ And he was right. The Slovaks, not only from Galway but also from neighboring towns, Czechs and a few Irish had a great craic with the typical, mocking and always humorous songs. As many as 125 tickets were sold. The band gave lots of witty commentaries, such as: ‘This is the biggest mess we’ve created’ or ‘Don’t fart on our stage!’ Swear words weren’t spared either. That wouldn’t be Horkýže! Once, the band urged us to raise our hands, then suddenly started: ‘We’re all fuck*d!’ Some people joined in chanting.

Well, I was inclined to put my hands down but in the end reasoned it was, after all, true. Later on, Kuko explained it to me, ‘It is strong in Slovak but not in English, maybe it could be translated as “you are crazy”.’ It is a joke of someone working with audience - to shout everything. Sometimes people shout even what they don’t want to. It is absurd, a joke, a mockery. Next we were rapping, “Are you f*ing crazy, me a rapper?” That’s a rhetorical question, the point of the joke is that you claim not to be a rapper but you can talk or rap that you’re not one.’ The boys played both old and new hits, among the most popular were the new R n‘ B soul, in which they transformed into hip hop rappers, and the old song Maštaľ (Stable) from their debut 1997 album, during which they called one volunteer from the audience to sing with them.

At the end there was a crowd syndrome - taking pictures and asking for autographs on body parts, especially from Kuko and women’s favourite Sabotér. ‘My wife used to come with us, she had no problems with us signing the breasts. I don’t understand the point of showing the chest for an autograph - perhaps an honor but surely exhibitionism too,’ observed Kuko.

All photos by A.R.