When the group came together in the small border town of Teplice in Czechoslovakia in 1985, rock was freedom and freedom was illegal. Via Western radio and smuggled tapes, however, the band came into contact with punk rock (favorites such as the Sex Pistols and the Damned) and more avant-garde bands (such as the Residents and Pere Ubu). Coupled with the folk music of their native land, the result is a complete disregard for audience expectations, with songs characterized by shifting tempos and rhythms, precise ensemble playing, wild Slavic melodies, and passionate, singing. Since 1990 and freedom from Communist rule, they have been making up for lost time. Caves is their 9th album and they have toured the US a remarkable 16 times!