With over 1,000 concerts to date, the artful Czech post-punk ensemble Uz jsme doma is one the hardest-working groups launched during the Czech mid-'80s glasnost era. Post-glasnost, UJD can also boast of being one of the most widely traveled Czech bands, with tours that have included venues across Europe as well as Canada and the United States. Colored by elements of medieval dirges, progressive rock, bohemian chanting choruses, soaring operatic wails and evocative falsettos, UJD's guitar- and sax-driven sound is extremely refined and uniquely Czech.

The band is marking its 20th anniversary this week with a concert at Archa that will reunite most of the members who have passed through UJD's ever-changing lineup. That includes the one nonplaying member of the group — artist Martin Velísek, who has designed all of the band's CD covers, flyers and posters. Characteristic of UJD's often pataphysical style, Velísek paints charming, near-grotesque scenes of imaginary worlds that have defined the group's image.

The chief designer of UJD's music is poet/composer Miroslav Wanek, who recently discussed the band's history with The Prague Post.

"I feel all these songs are like little novels," he says. "All our albums and all the lyrics I wrote for Uz jsme doma are like one continuing story."

Since 1989, UJD's main work has been a series of concept CDs, beginning with Uprostred slov (In the Middle of Words), which explored Wanek's preoccupation with "communication, feelings, hopes, conflicts and the [the role of] words." In Nemilovany´ svet (Unloved World), Wanek and crew cruised the classic question, "Why do people cut the tree branch they are sitting on?" UJD's 1993 CD Hollywood explored the use and abuse of modern media.

In Pohádky ze zapotrebí (Fairy Tales from Needland), Wanek found another inspiration. "The ancient fairy tales are very smart and very deep," he says. "That kind of smartness and message I wanted to refresh, while pondering what kind of fairy tales our present life will create for the next generations, which I ended up not being very optimistic about." On Usi (Ears), UJD explored Wanek's assertion that "words may not be the best way to communicate, but it's one of the easiest ways — at least, that is the agreement."

In explaining the title of the band's most recent CD, Rybí tuk (Cod Liver Oil), Wanek says, "Cod liver oil used to be given to kids for generations and it was very ugly, because many parents hoped it would be helpful. Later, scientists said it might not be that helpful — it might even be dangerous. The point is, these parents and kids did something uncomfortable for their hope and belief. Trust is a nice thing from a certain point of view. At the same time, the beneficial claims might not be true."

Wanek found time in 2004 to author a libretto for Petr K. Soudek's Sedá mysí (The Grey Mouse Opera), which premiered at Prague's Estates Theater. After 20 years, his unique poetic take on the world is still gaining attention.

The anniversary night at Archa starts with a set by the Moravian band Ty Sycáci, fronted by poet, voice and body art experimentalist Petr Vása. Then UJD takes the stage with guest appearances by most of the band's former 26 members performing a 20-year retrospective. Concluding the show will be UJD's current lineup performing recent material, accompanied by a choir conducted by Lukás Prchal.