“Although we didn’t know at the beginning what the break would do to us, we needed it. And she benefited us. We took a breath and matured internally. I can feel it in the new songs and in the way we work now,” mentioned singer and guitarist Thom, who in the meantime became the vocalist of the Walkmanz and LABe projects.
In the LABe band, he met Adam Jánošík, who was the author of all the music and lyrics. “I didn’t originally want to publish the songs I wrote after returning from alcohol treatment for LABe. However, Thom invited me to his studio to record the songs for my participation in the recording of the record for his dad. Well, I asked him if he would sing them for me,” explained Jánošík.
It happened, a record was created and the LABe project then played two concerts. And sometime during that time, the connection between Imodia and Jánošík began to be born. Then when the original drummer Kárl announced that he would no longer be able to participate in the band’s activities due to work reasons, not immediately, but after a while, everything fell into place. Jánošík became a drummer in the band and a new co-author of songs.
Drummer Adam Jánošík: They say I only had two months to live
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“I’m almost forty and I don’t need to be the author of everything Imodium uploads. The quality of the song is important, so I’m happy not only for the participation of Adam, but also our guitarist Daniel and bassist Ronoon, as well as the lyricist Lukáš Dvořáček, who wrote three lyrics for Horizont,” explained Thom.
Photo: Marek Veselý
Imodium has a new album.
According to him, the always essentially rock band Imodium is even rockier today. It is due to the style of Jánošík’s drumming and the fact that the musicians are even more committed to the style that they have always unconditionally represented during their existence.
“We have completed our first festival season and the responses to our concerts agree that we sound harder than in the past. It kind of caught us by surprise because nobody in the band feels it that much. We don’t have the ferocity with which we wanted to grab it, so to speak, in the days when we were fifteen or twenty years old. But we’re a mature band and it seems that expressive harshness has become our nature,” thought Thom.
The melodiousness of the band also remained, because it has always been like that. The Horizont record is also characterized by unusually layered vocal lines, raw sound and the decline of electronics, with which the quartet has meaningfully worked in recent years.
“The Severn Bridges song is inspired by the character of Richey Edwards, the guitarist of the Welsh group Manic Street Preachers. He disappeared in 1995, and the last place he was proven to appear was one of the Severn Bridges, which connects England with Wales. “In Utero by Nirvana was in the player of the car he was supposed to be staying in,” Thom explained.
Imodium has supported this American band since its inception. The same goes for his native Broumov. He has several songs in his repertoire that refer to him, and there are more on the new record. For example, I fell for a long time.
Imodium tour 2024
6. 12. Ceske Budejovice
“Once upon a time there lived an unfortunate girl in Broumov who, by the way, also disappeared. She wandered the city, addicted to something, and I was unhappy that the rest of us just watched her wither and die. She was calling for help and the rest of us didn’t hear her. It’s a very sad story for me,” added Thom, noting that the song Přístavy is also about his city.
The band will present the new album on a tour that will include eight stops. He will be baptized on November 30 in Broumov and on December 7 in Prague at the Akropolis Palace.
The band Imodium is heading to the next stage with a new drummer and record player
culture
Imodium’s Journey: Rock, Resilience, and Refreshing Change
Folks, let’s dive into the remarkable tale behind the new tunes of Imodium! You know, it’s like a soap opera, but with more guitar riffs and fewer dramatic pauses—well, sort of! Lead singer and guitarist Thom reflects on how essential it was to take a break. Ah, the break! The time when you think you’re just going to grab a cup of coffee and end up hiking in the Himalayas to find yourself.
“Although we didn’t know at the beginning what the break would do to us, we needed it,” Thom said. He practically sounds like he’s been to a self-help seminar. “We took a breath and matured internally,” he added. If only he could package that wisdom into a bottle—call it “Rock Star Nurture” or something. Just imagine the advertising campaign!
New Blood — Meeting Adam Jánošík
Now, enter Adam Jánošík, who, apparently, isn’t just a pretty face drumming away in the background. No, he’s the brain behind the music and lyrics. Thom dragged him into the studio after a rather… interesting transition post-alcohol treatment. It’s like when you tell your mate, “Hey, you should be in my band,” when they’re just trying to enjoy their drink! But hey, friendships are where the best tunes come from! Talk about turning pain into art.
Of course, they hit a few snags—like trying to get the original drummer to work around job commitments while keeping the band afloat. You’d think they were coordinating a flash mob instead of a rock group. But in the end, everything fell into place, and voilà—Jánošík became the band’s new drummer!
Rocking Harder Than Ever
Thom can’t help but brag, “The quality of the song is important.” Honestly, in rock ‘n’ roll, that’s a bit like saying you want your cheese to taste cheesy—it’s a given! But this is Imodium we’re talking about; they’ve matured! Their sound’s become rockier and much more committed to that classic rock image. And guess what? Audiences have noticed! Surprise, surprise! Suddenly, they’ve discovered their ferocity just wasn’t the same anymore. But who needs that teenage angst when you can have a mid-life crisis in musical form, right?
From Melancholy to Meaningful Tracks
Ah, the melodious essence persists. Their new album “Horizont” reflects on life, loss, and the good ol’ days—simpler times with fewer bills, am I right? With layered vocal lines and a raw sound reminiscent of Nirvana’s “In Utero,” it’s evident they’ve stripped back the electronics to unveil their true selves. The nostalgia’s real, people! At least they didn’t go full EDM; you won’t find any drop beats here, just solid rock anthems.
On Inspirations and Acknowledging Local Legends
In a rather heartfelt moment, Thom revealed the inspiration for the track “Severn Bridges,” referencing Richey Edwards, the Manic Street Preachers guitarist who mysteriously vanished. It’s tragic, really. This band may have their troubles, but they surely know how to pour their hearts into the music. And on local notes, Thom mentioned melancholic tales from Broumov—a girl lost in addiction, calling for help, while everyone just watched. It’s poignant, bringing depth to their music that’s often missing from today’s cookie-cutter hits.
The Road Ahead: Imodium’s 2024 Tour
And now, let’s get to the fun part due in December 2024! Imodium’s hitting the road again, premiering their new album with a tour featuring eight stops. Who wouldn’t want to witness this rock evolution live? They’ll be kicking things off in Broumov and swinging by Prague’s Akropolis Palace. Something tells me the crowds will be up on their feet, reliving their wild youth while swaying to the more heavyweight sounds of today!
So there you have it—Imodium, a band transforming from youthful exuberance to experienced rockers with substantial messages. It’s like going from a toddler throwing tantrums to a wise guru in a rock star disguise; who knew a simple break could lead to such profound rediscovery? Cheers to the next chapter in rock and roll!
“Although we didn’t initially grasp the potential impact of the break on our music, it turned out to be a much-needed respite. It allowed us to grow personally and musically. I’m observing this transformation in our new songs and the collaborative way we approach our work now,” shared singer and guitarist Thom. During this time, he expanded his artistic endeavors by taking on the role of vocalist for the Walkmanz and LABe projects.
In the LABe band, Thom encountered Adam Jánošík, the creative force behind all the music and lyrics. “After my alcohol treatment, I was hesitant to share the songs I had written for LABe. However, Thom invited me into his studio to record these pieces for his dad’s project. That’s when I asked him to lend his voice to my songs,” Jánošík recounted.
Eventually, a record materialized, leading LABe to perform two live concerts. During this period, the seeds of collaboration between Imodium and Jánošík began to take root. When the original drummer Kárl had to step back from the band due to professional commitments, the pieces fell into place over time. Jánošík stepped in as the drummer and began contributing as a co-writer of new songs.
Drummer Adam Jánošík: They say I only had two months to live
“I’m almost forty, and I don’t feel the need to write every song that Imodium releases. What matters most is the quality of the music. I’m grateful not only for Adam’s contributions but also for our talented guitarist Daniel, bassist Ronoon, and lyricist Lukáš Dvořáček, who penned three lyrics for the new album, Horizont,” Thom explained.
According to Thom, the band has evolved without losing its rock essence. Imodium’s sound has become even more robust and dynamic, thanks in large part to Jánošík’s drumming style, complemented by the band’s sustained commitment to their signature rock identity.
“We’ve just wrapped up our first festival season, and the feedback from our concerts indicates that we sound heavier and more intense than ever before. This realization surprised us because no one in the band sensed it as strongly. We no longer possess the raw ferocity of our youth, but we are now a mature band, and that expressive intensity has organically become a part of our sound,” reflected Thom.
The band has retained its melodious essence, which has always been a hallmark of their music. The Horizont album features intricate vocal harmonies, a gritty sound, and a noticeable reduction in electronic elements that had previously been prominent in their work.
“The song Severn Bridges draws inspiration from Richey Edwards, the renowned guitarist of the Welsh band Manic Street Preachers, who mysteriously disappeared in 1995. The last known location of Richey was one of the Severn Bridges connecting England and Wales. It’s interesting to note that Nirvana’s ‘In Utero’ was playing in the car he was supposedly in at the time,” Thom elaborated.
Imodium has long been influenced by the American band Nirvana since their inception. This connection resonates deeply with Thom’s hometown of Broumov, where several of his songs pay homage, including tracks like “I Fell For A Long Time.”
Imodium tour 2024
“Once upon a time in Broumov, there was a girl who struggled with her own demons. She drifted through the streets, trapped in addiction, and I felt a deep sense of sorrow watching her decline. It was heartbreaking that we stood by as she cried out for help, yet we remained oblivious to her suffering. This story profoundly affected me,” Thom remarked, indicating that the song “Přístavy” draws inspiration from his experiences in his hometown.
The band is gearing up to showcase their new album during an upcoming tour that will feature eight performances. The album will be officially launched on November 30 in Broumov, followed by a concert at the Akropolis Palace in Prague on December 7.
The band Imodium is heading to the next stage with a new drummer and record player
culture