Quick trip to Prague (feat. The Last Dinner Party)

Hiii ヽ(>∀<☆)ノ,

I want to cry, I almost finished this and I accidentally deleted this. I hope it's still readable, but I hate writing the same old staff from my memory.

I write for this music magazine and I tend to write down for seemingly cool concerts and then be surprised when I receive accreditation. This is exactly what happened with The Last Dinner Party. I didn't really listen to them before but my friend Zaira loves them, so I figured out this is going to be interesting anyway. 

I also figured it's still too cold to stay out on Prague up until 3 AM waiting for the first train, so I booked myself a hostel. Is this a sign of maturing?

I haven't properly visited Prague for some time (I have been there literally last week, but it was just tranfer on my way to Dresden, so let's not count this :D) so I planned a nice day filled with culture. I wanted to get there early, too, but my body interpreted this too literally, so I woke up at 1:30 AM and couldn't fall back asleep, even though my train was leaving at 6:50. It was not a good sign.

Also, Olomouc got completely white through the night. It was beautiful, but I feel like it´s little too late for that much snow? It´s almost spring for me :D.

Originally, I wanted to visit Hungarian Insitute for Hungarian Bride exhibition and Zvon gallery, but when I got to Prague I didn't really feel like going to there so I ended up just strolling around. 

Since I have gotten into my thesis a lot I wanted to see some old fashion houses and other hot spots, so I wasn´t completely aimless. 

I also wanted to go to my favourite places, Josefov (Jewish Quarter), Anežský klášter (medieval collection of National Gallery), Stínadla (few streets from Záhada hlavolamu, cult series for children) and maybeee grab something from Knedlín and Taiyaki Bar, but after getting the one specific cookie from Marks & Spencer I have been craving, I wasn´t really feeling any more snacks. 

When I don't have a strong plan, I always just march on, which would be so bad, if it wasn't so cold, my bag wasn't getting heavier with every step and if my shoes weren't designed for warmth and comfort rather than support on long strolls. 

By the time I got to Vinohrady, where I wanted to visit Grotta, beautiful artificial cave, it was over for me. I had to sit down and rest, because I was totally destroyed. 

Luckily, there is a new place in the city, Chibi Mochi. They sell some drinks but mainly mochi donuts. While I love donuts and I looove mochi I'm still not sold on this combination. That was fine, thought, as I was finally in little less vertical position. 

I decided to get some actual food and time out at nearby mall, which probably saved my life, as I still had a lot of time to check in and around 3 kilometers ahead of me.

Why didn't I go by tram? I'm too cheap for tickets, that's why. It gets me into trouble quite often.

When I got to hostel DO RE MI was just a shell of a person. Luckily, check-in was quick and I could get straight into the bed. 

The hostel is nice, just for women and while the beds are loud, they are also comfortable, so I have nothing to complain about. It was luckily very close to venue, too.

I couldn't really imagine going to the concert and then writing the article, as I was so exhausted I thought I will wake up sick the next day, but I couldn't really do anything about it. I had to get dressed, walk the 450 meters to the venue and then actually stand through the show. 

The only thing that cheered me up was the obvious drip of my fellow concert goers. 

That, and the fact I was on guest list. Feeling important always improves my mood.

Luckily, the show was great. It was set in eclectic ruins of convent, adorned by grapevine. When The Last Dinner Party came in, it felt like we have built Olymp just for ourselves.

They were very good, not just music wise, but also when it came to performing. Just like Rasmus, they are one of those bands that make you feel like they would never want to be anywhere else but in front of you. 

All of them are also insanely talented - at one point, all five of the harmonised into a beautiful melody. They are often compared to Queen, but I was reminded of Rasputina way more. 

When the concert ended, I just wrote down what I remmebered and went to sleep, knowing that I will have to wake up at 5:30 and actually finish my article. Usually, I go to the cheapest, nearest fast food that won´t close for next few hours and then scrap together the whole article there on my phone. This is actually the first time I changed my routine. 
I honestly think that writing after being well rested, without the stress of waiting for 3AM bus in city full of strangers, is waaay better than my usual routine. I really hope I will get into Prague for my masters, as it would allow me to go to way more concerts. 

Have you been to any concerts this year so far? Or are you planning any? 

See you soon!

Bye!

Musical Spotlight; Fun While It Lasted; The ultimate break-up (and down) band

 Fun While It Lasted is pop-punk through and through. From their unmatched energy to whiny vocals, it would be hard not to get at least a little bit angsty.
They remind me of that one long summer between high school and college. I was young(er only by two years, but dear God, what a significant two years). Life was one big party (and night one big club), I was at the top of the world and desperatelly in love. Of course, I got my heart broken and I wish I discovered those guys back then - crying during Double Broken Heart would have been so cool, as I got my little black heart broken twice during that summer. By the same guy. 

(This way, I listened to My Chem for few weeks straight, which is still cool, but  I didn´t have to be such a stereotype.)

FWIL has a strong presence on social media and you should follow them before they become next Blink-182, which is a subtle foreshadowing. They succeed at the most Gen Z discipline - being relatable. I feel like most of us have friends just like them. From the environment they film at to their dynamics a demeanor, they feel real. Quite lived-in, so to say, which are words that can be used for apartments, skinwalkers trying to asimilate into human society and public personas. 
Here is probably kicking in my inner producer and capitalist, but I have troubles believing anything I see at social media. However, I enjoy the music, I enjoy the presentation and therefore I believe what I see. Even when I compare it to some Czech "pop-punk" projects (mostly just pop with tiny bit of angst and one guy witth guyliner) that try to look authentic FWIL manage to win. 
Why? They really look like they have a lot of fun together. 

Few weeks ago they released their biggest single yet - Tom Delonge. It was very well received, as you can see from all the positive comments. I will not spoil it for everyone, but the lyrics are super fun with all the nostalgic references and I really liked the cover art - it stays true to the DIY punk roots, as its made by band´s friends. 

My top track is definitely Double Broken Heart, as I alluded before. It has all my favourite aspects of pop-punk - I can relate to it, it´s a little bit off-standish and there´s this rawness that cannot be duplicated by anyone who is not on fully on it. 

I think it´s great that bands like this are still playing somewhere - it shows that the scene is not dead, and that if someone whines about lack of interesting music in 2025, they are just not looking for it. 
To sum it up, if you crave something authentic to kick you out of bed before lecture, or before 12 hours grave shift followed by exam from subject you barely even remember atending, this might be the band for you. 

Nerdy Prudes Must Die

Hii!

Few days ago, I was absent-mindedly scrolling through Instagram, and somehow I stumbled upon the rawest piece of animation ever made.
It featured your typical, all-American high school bully, albeit an undead one, chasing a nerd while singing his heart out. He was not terrifying just because of his rage and supernatural nature, but also because he seemed genuinely heartbroken over his apparent eternal damnation. He didn´t throw dumb insults, but deep-cutting questions - aka "Will you pray for me?" in the most dramatic way possible. 
The nerd, on the other hand, decided to stand up for himself ("I´m not a loser") proving that he didn´t listen to the exposition song at the start.
Because everyone who isn´t Max Jägerman is a nerdy prude and must die.

Video by thirdchildart.

"To summarize (no spoilers) Grace has one sexual fantasy. Three dead, Six traumatized"

- commenter on YouTube

I feel like high schools in Czech Republic and strangely chill compared to the in USA, and I say that as someone who burned out at 15  and watched huge amount of my classmates get hospitalized due to the stress we faced. But at least we didn´t have to care about popularity, I guess.

But, to be fair, the only one who actually cares about it at Hatchefield High is probably Max Jägerman, who uses all his power to ensure that everyone knows their place. He does it in a very self-aware way. He isn´t some dumb, mean bully. He knows he is gonna peak in high school. He knows what he is doing - he was sent to so many therapy consultations that he uses therapy speech as his own. He chose to be this way and it´s honestly very entertaining to watch.

But even evil has loved ones and for Max, it has to be Grace Chasity. It makes sense, in a way - of course, dude with the hugest God complex fell for a Christian fanatic. And she may fight away his (adorably dorky) flirting, but she isn´t immune. As she feels her innocence slipping away, she decides that Max Jägerman must take a fall. 

Through prank that will make him look like a fool.

So she decides to go for help to three biggest nerds in school and the love interest of one them, the mayor´s daughter. So now, we have one potential couple and three eternal virgins fighting against high school class inequality. Because none of this would happen if school tried to do anything effective about the bullying.
Our cast is rewarded with one dead body after their plan goes terribly wrong, because they didn´t take into account one thing - Max is really fucking brave. And now he is really fucking pissed, too.

I know this says a lot about my type in man, but I got very weird, uncomfortable crush on him. Kudos to Will Branner, who gave everything into his performance. 

Nerdy Prudes Must Die was written and produced by Team StarKid, who I didn´t recognize before I watched this piece of art. Then I realized they are the people behind a Very Potter Musical. This feel similar, but superior in every way. 
The humor here is great and stems not only from the situation (that is actually terrifying), but mainly from dialog. This is one of the few cases where swearing actually elevates the jokes.
Just to name a few: 

"Excuse me! I have been waiting for what feels like five fuckin' years, and I still have not received my goddamn hot chocolate!"

"Grace, you are the least fucking persuasive person!"

“This isn’t my fault this isn’t my plan, it’s God’s plan and right now he’s leaving me out to dry! DO SOMETHING YOU SON OF A BITCH!”

The writers knew their audience. Yes, the jokes are funny even if you weren't an artsy weirdo in high school, but I doubt that BBQ Talk would make you laugh otherwise. Still, it doesn´t rely on references and the humor isn´t just meta devoid of any soul, which is very refreshing.

Of course, this wouldn´t work if the characters weren´t really great.

"You're telling me I gotta be funny again!? I didn't do it on purpose the first time!"

- Peter, our male lead 

You can tell that the creators had a lot of fun with the cast. They are not afraid to make any of them look ridiculous, even the assumed cool girl Steph. At the same time, all of them get to show their inner depths, which can make their (no spoilers whose) deaths really tragic. 
And this isn´t just the main characters. Even dumb jocks and mean girls get their fair share of nice moments - usually once Max is gone. Dear God, I´m repeating myself here, but Max is such an interesting character. I would watch him in anything. 
He is really tragic in a way, but at the same, everything gets better once he dies. I suppose that this didn´t make him feel much better in the afterlife.

My taste in men really is a form of self harm.

I was suprised by how good the romance was here. Even with the jokey popular couple. They were so sweet for a minor characters, it was surprisingly cute. 
Our main couple, Pete and Steph, were even better -  I was surprised when I found myself rooting for them. They had great chemistry and they really brought out the best in each other, just as any good couple should. 

Sometimes I felt like the performances were lacking, mainly in the singing parts, but hey. Who am I to judge? The material was brilliant. The chemistry between cast was great. And Max was the probably the best bully I have ever seen. 

As for the music, Nerdy Prudes Must Die is an absolute banger. Overall tone of the songs is high energy, rock, maybe a bit of pop punk. You can definitely skip some songs, but there going some that you will want to hear again, like Literal Monster, greatest introduction song in a long time. 

It felt a little bit like mix of The Front Bottoms and Panic at the Disco.

You can, and should, watch the whole thing on YouTube. It´s amazing.