What are the odds that you start a band like Charlie Straight with someone who listens to Beck at the age of sixteen when everyone at your school keeps playing Nothing Else Matters? In a provincial Czech town literally run by a bizarre steelworks it takes some luck. Singer Albert Cerny excitedly explains the band’s formation, main influences and everlasting dreams.

When Johnny Cienciala (bass) heard a skinny boy singing The Scientist by Coldplay at a school assembly, little did he know that they will become the driving force of a band grabbing the attention of labels and producers soon after they'd spent a week recording demos in Johnny's tiny bedroom.

In 2005 Albert came back from England where he'd spent the summer learning English and soaking up music – he was excited. In a room with the view of The Channel he'd written his first songs and played them to Pavel Pilch, his drum teacher, when he was back in town.

On a lazy Sunday afternoon in 2006, singing in an unusually British accent echoed down the quiet corridors of the local music school. There were also these unbelievable jazz piano solos soon to be dismissed by the band as a little too much. With Glastonbury on his mind, Albert needed to find a keyboard player and his talented elementary school friend Michal Supak was perfect for the job.

After a few rehearsals, Johnny recorded and mixed new demos and put them on the internet which secured the first recording deal (soundcloud). Albert's flashing eyes suggest what followed (find out). It's hard to resist the catchy music of Charlie Straight however cheesy it may seem.

What are the odds that a Czech indie band from the middle of nowhere makes it abroad? Let's see...