Plastic People of the Universe

When bands like Coldplay think that they have it rough they should just think of the Plastic People of the Universe and stay quiet. Sure, Chris Martin may feel like a slave to shareholders, but at least he wasn't thrown in jail by occupying communists for doing nothing more than playing rock-and-roll. That's only part of the rather incredible story of the Plastic People of the Universe, the Czech avant-rock band that formed shortly after the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia and became international cult heroes for their relentless commitment to artistic and political expression.

You can get the full Plastic People experience at a unique, free event this Wednesday at the Czech Embassy (3900 Spring of Freedom St. NW). Beginning at 7 p.m. there will be a screening of the documentary "Plastic People of the Universe," a 74-minute film that tells the story of the band's many struggles during the communist regime and its eventual triumph after Czechoslovakia's Velvet Revolution in 1989. The band will be available for a question-and-answer session following the film and will then perform a short set of its Zappa-meets-Velvet Underground rock to serve as a warm-up for the band's show the next night at the Black Cat. To make reservations, call 202-274-9100, Ext. 3413.

--David

By washingtonpost.com |  May 23, 2005; 3:33 PM ET Music
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