Buty

Buty are a Czech rock group from Czechia, active since 1986. The band centres on Radek Pastrňák, who sings, plays guitar, and writes the lyrics and compositions, and drummer Richard Kroczek. Other members include Milan Nytra, Radek Pastrňák, Milan Straka and Andrei Toader.

Formation and early years

In 1985, Pastrňák and Kroczek meet and revive the group U238 after its previous line-up falls apart. They then spend time in the dance band B Complex before moving on to a new project under the name Buty in 1986. The first version of the group includes Pastrňák, Kroczek, Vítek Kučaj, Ivan Myslikovian and Luděk Piásečný, and the band begins entering regional Rockfest events soon after.

At one point, Pastrňák and Kroczek also play for two years in Marie Rottrová’s orchestra, where they make a recording and write a large number of songs for Buty that are not recorded at the time. During this period, the group’s sound changes from jazz through funky and big beat towards its later form.

Work in the late 1980s and 1990s

In 1989, while continuing with Buty, Pastrňák and Kroczek also take part in Radim Hladík Redl’s AG Flek. Much of Buty’s older repertoire comes from this period and is later recorded on Whistle to Yourself, Just Whistle on Monitor, which includes the song “Crow”.

The band’s 1994 release Ppoommaalluu appears on BMG. For that recording, the group invites bassist Petr Vavřík, keyboardist Milan Nytra, cellist Andreie Toader and clarinettist Milan Straka. The next album, Sslloowwllyy, is put together more quickly and is described by the band as a collection of autobiographical songs combining different moods rather than a fixed style.

Buty receive the Czech Grammy title “Discovery of the Year” eight years after the group’s formation, with “Timber” marking the start of a new phase. In 1997 they release Rastakayakwanna on BMG. Part of the recording is prepared in a small hotel in the Beskydy Mountains, and the rest is completed by Pastrňák alone in his cottage there. The title comes from the song “Brutwanna” and is explained as a repeated form of that title.

In 1999 the band returns with Fern on BMG. The single “Daddy” attracts many new listeners, and the album includes songs such as “Daddy”, “If”, “Steam Engine”, “Olina” and “Stoker’s Blues”. A video is also made for the single “Over a Herd of Horses”.

Style and line-up

The group describes itself as “international” and “inter-style”, with players from different backgrounds contributing to the sound. The line-up mentioned in connection with the band includes Richard Kroczek, Milan Nytra, Radek Pastrňák, Milan Straka and Andrei Toader.