Clou

Clou was a Czech rock band from Prague formed in 2001, who sang in English. They released their debut EP, First, in 2004, and a studio album titled Postcards in 2005. They went on to release three more albums before breaking up in 2014.[1]

Clou
Clou, 2007
Background information
OriginPrague, Czech Republic
Genres
Years active2001–2014
LabelsSony BMG
Past membersLukáš Vyhnal
Petr Vaško
Radek Tomášek
Hubert Topinka
Brian B.
Pavel Bureš
Štěpán Farkaš

History

Beginnings: 2001–05

Clou, initially composed of Lukáš Vyhnal (vocals), Radek Tomášek Jr. (drums), Petr Vaško (guitar), Hubert Topinka (guitar), and Brian Yamato (bass), formed in 2001 and began playing hardcore punk, emo, and mainstream punk rock. They played various club concerts, skateboarding events, and appeared at the Rock for People festival several times since 2004.[2]

In 2004, they released the three-track EP First. At the turn of 2004–05, Clou went into the studio to record their debut full-length album, Postcards.

Peak of success: 2005–06

On 21 March 2005, Clou released the album Postcards, which proved to be a great success, especially on the Czech music scene. It included elements of melodic hardcore, punk rock, and pop punk. Thanks to good production, the single "Island Sun" went not only to the top of the Czech charts, but was also played on MTV, where it reached the Top 10 music videos.[3] The album included contributions from Slovak singer Dara Rolins and Kryštof Michal, then-vocalist of Support Lesbiens. Postcards won two Anděl Awards in 2006.[4] Clou's popularity grew rapidly and the band became one of the most sought-after Czech bands, as evidenced by the countless club concerts and open-air festivals they played.

A critical moment in the band's history came in the summer of 2006, when in the middle of a festival tour, bassist Brian B. decided to leave the band. Clou then played several acoustic performances and considered whether to continue or quit. They eventually added bassist Štěpán Farkaš (Měhrot, Jaksi taksi) to their lineup.

At the end of the summer of 2006, Clou was given the opportunity to compose and record several songs for the film Prachy dělaj člověka.[5] Towards the end of the year, the band reentered the studio to record their second album.[6]

Clou, For Tonight, Old Dogs New Tricks; breakup: 2007–14

Clou's sophomore, self-titled album, was released in 2007. American musician Austin Lucas, who lives in the Czech Republic, helped write the album's lyrics. The band conducted a tour titled Ghosts of November to promote the record, on which they were joined by the bands Selfish, The Prostitutes, and 5th April.[7]

In July 2008, Clou added guitarist Pavel (Rocky) Bureš of 5th April to their roster, and began recording their next album. For Tonight was released in 2008.[8]

In 2012, Clou released their final album, Old Dogs New Tricks, and broke up two years later.

Band members
  • Lukáš "Lukemo" Vyhnal - vocals
  • Petr "Petrock" Vaško - guitar
  • Radek "Rae" Tomášek Jr. - drums
  • Hubert "Hube" Topinka - guitar
  • Brian B. (Bugsy) - bass
  • Pavel "Rocky" Bureš - guitar
  • Štěpán "Steph" Farkaš - bass

Discography

Studio albums

  • Postcards (2005)
  • Clou (2007)
  • For Tonight (2008)
  • Old Dogs New Tricks (2012)

EPs

  • First (2004)

Soundtracks

References
  1. "První singl nadějných Clou" [First single by promising band Clou]. musicserver.cz (in Czech). 10 February 2003. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  2. "Rock for People 2007". rockforpeople.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  3. "Čeští Clou prosákli i na MTV" [Czech band Clou also have reached MTV]. idnes.cz (in Czech). 24 May 2005. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  4. "Dva Andělé pro Dusilovou, Clou, Monkey Business a Koháka" [Two Angels for Dusilová, Clou, Monkey Business and Kohák]. muzikus.cz (in Czech). 13 March 2006. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  5. "Když soundtrack dělá prachy" [When a soundtrack makes money]. musicserver.cz (in Czech). 28 December 2006. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  6. "Clou slibují méně popu a více rocku" [Clou promise less pop and more rock]. idnes.cz (in Czech). 15 January 2007. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  7. "Clou". ireport.cz (in Czech). 7 January 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  8. "Clou vydávají album "jen pro ten dnešní večer", poslechněte si" [Clou are releasing the album "Just for Tonight," listen]. idnes.cz (in Czech). 9 October 2008. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
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