Formed in 1968, following the Soviet invasion of their beloved Czechoslovakia, the rock band, 'The Plastic People of the Universe' were inspired by American music banned by the Communist dictators including The Velvet Underground, Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart and The Doors. During the 1970s and early 1980s, the Czechoslovakian government banned 'The Plastic People' from performing and the group conducted a series of clandestine engagements (including play dates in barns and weddings) in defiance of the government restrictions. The band and their fans endured endless and often violent harassment by Czechoslovakian police and the musicians were eventually imprisoned. Following the restoration of democracy in Prague, however, the group was hailed by the new Czech Republic government and by the international music scene for its remarkable courage in keeping the rock sound alive despite the pressures of Communist tyranny.