Hello,
Alan - Thanks for being able to make an interview for our medium.
Bazsi - Ahoj Alan, it's my pleasure. Thank you for having me. And a big hello to everyone who is listening to the radio program.
Alan - Who are you and who answers questions?
Bazsi - I'm Bazsi from FIRKIN. You know, after the drummer, I'm the second loudest member in the band... I play the electric guitar.
Alan - How many times have you played in the Czech Republic?
Bazsi - I guess, with Firkin we have played over 10 times in the Czech Republic. A couple of years ago at Pilsner Fest in Pilsen it was massive, we loved it very much! We also loved to be in Prague and in the countryside as well. Basically, we love coming back to the Czech Republic. Czech people are extremely friendly and know how to party. We are blessed to have a lot of friends in every country. And good news: Firkin is coming back to the Czech Republic this year, too.
Alan - Where can we check you out?
Bazsi - You can check out the tour dates on Firkin's website – www.firkinband.com – and on Facebook – www.facebook.com/firkinband
Alan - When someone would have an interest in your concerts in the Czech Republic, where they can hit you out?
Bazsi - We are really happy to play at Sazavafest in July, and in August we'll return to one of our favourite beer festivals in Chodova Plana. It’s a wonderful place, this will be our 3rd time playing there. I can't wait for the concerts.
Alan - What's your latest album, and what are you planning to do?
Bazsi - Our latest album is entitled "We Are The Ones" (2018). It has just been nominated for Independent Music Awards (IMA) – The Best Rock / Hardrock Album of the Year in the US. It's a really valuable nomination for us. For example Tom Waits and Robert Smith are in the jury – among many other illustrious names. We are really humbled to have been nominated!
This year we are having our 10th anniversary tour all across Europe – and of course the songs from We Are The Ones are on the setlist. We hope our Czech fans will also like the shows and after the concerts they will belong to our Firkin' crazy family shouting "We Are The Ones".
Alan - Where in Czech was the best city to play, and why?
Bazsi - I cannot say one particular city as we loved every moment we spent in the Czech Republic. Pilsen or Prague or any smaller cities... for me it's most important to have contact with the people, feel their energy, and with Firkin we would like to give something back with our crazy Irish punk music. In the Czech Republic we feel like at home: great food, amazing beer, beautiful girls and many superb concerts.
Alan - Do you have a favorite festival?
Bazsi - Oh, it's impossible to choose. There are so many amazing festivals.
Alan - And in foreign countries? Do you have any favourite festival or club?
Bazsi - Well, you might think that the major festivals are the best – Wacken Open Air (GER), Summer Breeze (GER), SZIGET (HUN) or Montreux Jazz Festival (CH) are brilliant, for sure. There is so much care and energy invested into. We are lucky to have played for tens of thousands of people. But Firkin feels at home at small and medium sized festivals as well. We like to be with our fans, talk to them, feel their energy, be part of their lives and share our lives with them.
Alan - Do you know any czech musicians or bands?
Bazsi - Yes, absolutely! Pipes And Pints are great fellows and we loved to play together. I hope there will be many more times to see each other on the road and have fun.
Alan - Would you mind to cooperate with any Czech interpert, and if yes with who?
Bazsi - With Karel Gott! The good thing is that music has no borders. Playing together with other musicians is always great because you have fun and experience a lot. With Firkin, we always work on projects and invite guests from different genres – folk, rap, rock, metal, even opera – to make the performance unique and more colorful. The goal is to give an unforgettable show to the audience and make friends all around the world.
Alan - You are a long time on scene. Do you have any unfulfilled musician dream?
Bazsi - Yes, for 10 years. We have just celebrated our 10th birthday and a couple of Czech friends came to the party. If you are 10 years old, there are so many things to do in life.
Each and every year Firkin sets new goals. We set the bar a bit higher but we want to be the same friendly people. This year is about touring in Europe and we are working on Firkin's symphonic called The Irish Punk Oratorio. There will be an orchestra, professional dancers and when we come back to the Czech with The Irish Punk Oratorio, we will invite Czech musicians, too, and play some iconic songs.
Alan - What 3 songs do people wanna hear at the concerts? What is your opinion?
Bazsi - I am sure people love the firkinized version of the Game Of Thrones theme song that we play live. It's a massive intro of every concert and everybody loves it and joins the party immediately. The speedy-crazy version of Drunken Sailor is an oldie but goodie, it's a must and we love it! Everybody has their own favorite and we would love to give our audience as much as possible. Normally, we play about 25 songs a concert.
Alan - What is your favourite 3 songs from you?
Bazsi - Every Firkin song is close to my heart but if I have to name 3, I would say:
We Are The Ones – it is the title-giving song of our new album. It's about us: it's Firkin and every smiling people who are the lovers of life. The song and the whole We Are The Ones album are about good energy and life.
Then I would say Awaken The Iron – I just simply love to play this song. The refrain is mind-blowing, it takes off, it takes flight and the audience goes crazy... I love it! And also, a new video clip is on its way from Awaken The Iron.
And the third song, let me think... I would say Into The Night. We love to play it, our audience loves it, too. I think this is our flagship on Spotify as well with more than half a million plays. It's a song to start a concert with, it's a song to start your day with.
Alan - What do you wanna say to your fans in the Czech Republic?
Bazsi - Czech out Firkin! Music is sex! Live your dreams and never give up!
