Mandrage

Mandrage was a Czech pop rock band from Plzeň, active between 2001 and 2020. The group consisted of Vít Starý (vocals, guitar) Matyáš Vorda (drums), Josef Bolan (vocals, guitar), Michal Faitl (bass), and František Bořík (keyboards). Their biggest hits include "Šrouby a matice", "Františkovy lázně", "Hledá se žena", "Na dlani", and "Motýli".

Mandrage
Mandrage performing in 2014
Background information
Also known as	MNDRG
Origin	Plzeň, Czechia
Genres	Pop rock
Years active	2001–2020
Labels	Universal
Past members	Vít Starý Matyáš Vorda Josef Bolan Michal Faitl František Bořík
Website	mandrage.cz

History

Early days: 2001–04

In 2001, the fathers of Vít Starý and Matyáš Vorda, who were in a band called Mediterian, encouraged their sons to come on stage and perform a few songs together.^[1] The two boys, who were introduced by the band's vocalist as Mandraže (the spelling of which was later changed to Mandrage), decided to play one of their dads' songs as well as "Wonderwall" by Oasis.^[1][2]

Between 2002 and 2003, the duo performed with some of their friends, none of whom stayed with the group for long, however. Starý and Vorda began writing original songs and took part in local music competitions. They eventually met Josef Bolan and Michal Faitl,^[1] both of whom were playing with other bands at the time. The foursome played several concerts together and in 2004, they were joined by František Bořík.

Initial recordings and tours: 2005–10

In 2005, Mandrage self-released their debut album, Říkala, že jí trápí cosi. A year later, they signed a record deal with Universal.^[3] In 2007, the group released their first major-label record, Přišli jsme si pro vaše děti.^[3] They were also nominated in the category Discovery of the Year at the Anděl Awards^[4] and the Óčko Music Awards.^[5] Mandrage opened for Peha that year and for Wanastowi Vjecy in 2008.^[3] In 2009, the group released their next album, titled Hledá se žena, preceded by an eponymous single.^[6] That year, they won the Óčko Music Awards in the Rock category.^[7] In 2010, the single "Hledá se žena" held first place on various music charts in Czechia, and the group embarked on their first major tour, named after the popular song. The track also won nominations at various award shows, including the Anděl Awards and Óčko.

Tenth anniversary and further activity: 2011–19

In 2011, Mandrage celebrated their tenth anniversary with the appropriately named "Tour 10 let Mandrage", which saw them performing across Czechia, Slovakia, the UK, and Germany. The group followed this with the release of their fourth studio album, Moje krevní skupina^[8] and that year, they received the Band of the Year honour at the Anděl Awards.^[9] After several singles from the record gained radio airplay, the band once again won the Óčko award in the rock category.^[10]

In 2012, the track "Šrouby a matice" became the most played song on radio. Mandrage embarked on the "Moje krevní skupina" tour, and they took second place in the Song of the Year category and first place in the Group of the Year category at that year's Anděl Awards, as well as reaching fourth place in the Český slavík category Group of the Year. They were also nominated for the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Czech & Slovak Act.

In 2013, after playing numerous concerts and performing at various festivals, the band released their next album, titled Siluety,^[11] which received mostly positive reviews from music critics. They followed this again with an eponymous tour, which saw them playing in Czechia and Slovakia.

In 2015, Mandrage released their subsequent studio album, the dance-oriented Potmě jsou všechny kočky černý.^[12] Two more records followed, with Po půlnoci in 2018^[13] and Vidím to růžově a year later.

Breakup: 2020

In December 2019, the group announced that after their planned 2020 "Dlouhej únor" tour, they would suspend activities for an indefinite period of time due to Starý's personal problems.^[14] Before the start of the tour, Starý suddenly stopped communicating with the band.^[15] Mandrage only completed the first concert, at Prague's Karlín Forum, with other musicians standing in for Starý, including Adam Mišík, Mirai Navrátil, Anna K, Debbi, Sebastian Navrátil, and Tereza Balonová.^[15] The tour was officially cancelled in January 2020.^[16][17]

Band members

• Vít "Víťa" Starý – vocals, guitar
• Matyáš "Mates" Vorda – drums
• Josef "Pepa" Bolan – vocals, guitar
• Michal "Coopi" Faitl – bass
• František Bořík – keyboards

Discography

• Říkala, že jí trápí cosi (2005)
• Přišli jsme si pro vaše děti (2007)
• Hledá se žena (2009)
• Moje krevní skupina (2011)
• Siluety (2013)
• Potmě jsou všechny kočky černý (2015)
• Po půlnoci (2018)
• Vidím to růžově (2019)
• The Best Of (2007–2020) (2020)

References

1. "Vít Starý z Mandrage: Léto je festivalová sezona, jezdíme ob den" [Vít Starý from Mandrage: Summer is festival season, we go every other day]. denik.cz (in Czech). 1 June 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
2. "Chinaski, Mandrage, Kabát, Kryštof a další. Jak vznikly jejich názvy?" [Chinaski, Mandrage, Kabát, Kryštof and others. Where did their names come from?]. novinky.cz (in Czech). 3 January 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
3. "Mandrage: Něco jako charakteristický sound neexistuje" [Mandrage: There is no such thing as a characteristic sound]. play.cz (in Czech). 16 December 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
4. "Anděl 2007: Unylé nominace" [Anděl 2007: Missing nominations]. proglas.cz (in Czech). 20 February 2008. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
5. "RGM Hudební ceny Óčka 2007 – oslava hudby" [RGM Music Awards Očka 2007 – a celebration of music] (in Czech). Retrieved 3 August 2022.
6. "Mandrage - Křest desky Hledá se žena (fotoreport)" [Christening of the record Hledá se žena (photo report)]. i-klik.cz (in Czech). 5 March 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
7. "Fotky: Óčko předalo hudební ceny za rok 2009 se vší parádou. Trapnost nad trapnost" [Photos: Óčko presented the music awards for 2009 with all the pomp. Awkwardness beyond awkwardness.]. topzine.cz (in Czech). 26 February 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
8. "Polopísničkoví Mandrage" [Half-song Mandrage]. musicserver.cz (in Czech). 20 January 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
9. "CENY ANDĚL: V kategorii skupina roku získali sošku Mandrage" [Anděl Awards: Mandrage won the group of the year prize] (in Czech). 8 March 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
10. "Foto: Hudební Ceny Óčka 2011" [Photo: Music awards Óčko 2011] (in Czech). Retrieved 3 August 2022.
11. "Plzeňská skupiny Mandrage dokončila nový album – Siluety!" [Plzen group Mandrage have finished their new album – Siluety!]. gregi.net (in Slovak). 4 November 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
12. "Mandrage interview: Potřebovali jsme prošoupat podpatky, tak jsme udělali taneční desku a turné" [Mandrage Interview: We Needed to Tap Our Heels So We Made a Dance Record and a Tour]. ireport.cz (in Czech). 22 April 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
13. "Známe 15 výherců soutěže Najdi Mandrage na Óčku! Jsi mezi nimi a užiješ si VIP koncert?" [We know the 15 winner of the competition Find Mandrage on Óčko! Are you among them and will you win a VIP concert?]. ocko.tv (in Czech). 16 January 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
14. "Po turné skupina Mandrage na čas skončí. Frontman prochází těžkým životním obdobím" [After their tour, Mandrage will cease for a while. Their frontman is going through a difficult period in his life]. irozhlas.cz (in Czech). 23 December 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
15. "Poslední koncert Mandrage: Jméno zpěváka ani nepadlo, přesto na něj všichni mysleli" [Mandrage's last concert: The singer's name didn't even come up, yet everyone thought of him]. magazin.aktualne.cz (in Czech). 2 February 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
16. "Mandrage končí. Poslední koncert odehrají bez zpěváka" [Mandrage is over. They will play their last concert without their vocalist]. musicserver.cz (in Czech). 30 January 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
17. "Kapela Mandrage zrušila turné, zahraje jen v pražském Foru Karlín. Frontman u toho nebude" [Mandrage has cancelled their tour, they will only play at Prague's Karlín Forum. Their frontman will not be there.]. irozhlas.cz (in Czech). 29 January 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2022.

External links

• Official website