Album Review: Gauneři – A Raw Czech Rock Gem from 2013
Alright, let’s talk about Gauneři. This Czech rock album from 2013 is one of those hidden treasures you stumble upon and think, “Damn, why didn’t I hear this sooner?” It’s got that gritty Rock & Roll vibe with a Punk edge, like someone threw a Molotov cocktail of attitude and melody into your ears. The band’s not trying to reinvent the wheel here—they’re just having fun smashing it up.
The lineup’s tight: Petr Janeček handles bass and vocals like a guy who’s been doing this forever (spoiler: he probably has). Honza Vágner shreds on guitar while Petr Voščálek keeps things pounding on drums. And shoutout to Pavel Brom for mixing and Přemysl Haas for mastering—these guys made sure the sound hits hard without losing its raw charm.
Now, onto the tracks. There are some real bangers here, but two stood out to me in particular: “Shake Your Blood” and “Rockaway Beach.”
“Shake Your Blood” kicks off with this gnarly riff that grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go. It’s got this primal energy, like they’re daring you to move. The lyrics? Simple but effective—just straight-up rebellion distilled into three minutes of pure adrenaline. You can tell these dudes weren’t overthinking it; they were just feeling it. And honestly, sometimes that’s all you need.
Then there’s “Rockaway Beach,” which feels like a love letter to classic punk anthems. It’s fast, loud, and unapologetically bratty. I mean, how can you not headbang to this? What really stuck with me was how catchy the chorus is—it worms its way into your brain and stays there for days. Not complaining though, because it’s the kind of earworm you actually want.
Other highlights include “Poison Heart,” which slows things down just enough to give you chills, and “Emergency,” where the band cranks everything back up to eleven. Tracks like “Volný Pád” and “Stín (Scream)” show off their knack for blending aggression with melody. Honestly, it’s impressive how cohesive the whole thing feels despite bouncing between styles.
What makes Gauneři special is that it feels so unfiltered. These guys aren’t chasing trends or pretending to be something they’re not. They’re just rocking out, and it’s refreshing as hell. Plus, coming from the Czech Republic—a place not exactly known as a global rock hotspot—it’s cool to see them putting their stamp on the genre.
Here’s the random thought I’ll leave you with: Listening to this album feels like hanging out in a smoky dive bar where everyone knows the words to every song, even if they’ve never heard them before. It’s messy, loud, and imperfect—and that’s exactly why it works. If you’re into Rock & Roll or Punk, do yourself a favor and check this out. Just don’t blame me when you can’t stop humming “Shake Your Blood” during your morning commute.
Oh, and hey—if anyone finds out what “Tetovanej” means, hit me up. My Czech’s rusty AF.
