The last time Janez Skaza came to Lancaster, he was with a choir which sang at the Gregson alongside the Lancaster Singers – and later went on to win the prestigious Slovenia’s got Talent. He liked the area so much that he decided to come back with his rock band Pet Sto Metrov (which for non-Slovenian speakers translates as 500 Metres).
“We sang at the Gregson and we liked the people we met in Lancaster so much that we decided there and then to organise a tour,” says Janez, who has visited Lancaster on three separate occasions as part of groups visiting from Slovenia. “We loved the sense of hospitality and musical expertise in the city.”
Now, he’s coming back to Lancaster to play at ace music venue the Yorkshire House.
The band was formed four years ago when they got together to play the world’s greatest rock hits, mostly from British bands such as Deep Purple and Uriah Heep, but also Dutch bands such as Van Halen and lesser known Slovenian bands such as Automobil and Sank Rock. Since then they have composed many of their own songs and adapted others to their unique sound.
“But we still rate Toto as our main influence,” says Janez.
Since then, they’ve played a numerous rock festivals and concerts in Slovenia – including the prestigious Rock Otocec festival – but only once in England when they gave a preview of their fiery music in Sedbergh’s Dalesman pub last summer. Even those who haven’t been near a rock concert for over 40 years were impressed by the band’s confidence and musicality.
The line up includes Janez on lead guitar, his brother Matjaz on drums, singer Dusko Videcnik, bass player Denis Kovse and on keyboards Samo Jezovsek. The other two musicians play guitar.
The tour will include most of the great cultural centre in Europe: Ljubljana, Amsterdam, Paris, London, Edinburgh, and Lancaster where you can catch them at The Yorkshire House on Tuesday July 27 at 8.00pm. Tickets: £5 (£3.50 students) at the door.
• You can see videos and photos of the band and read about their music at www.myspace.com/500m