ENTERTAINMENT

The Polish Muslims, a different kind of Oktoberfest band

Anne Erickson
Lansing State Journal
The Polish Muslims will celebrate their 35th anniversary this year.

The Polish Muslims aren’t German. They’re not a German band. So vocalist and guitarist Dave Uchalik has no idea why they keep getting booked to play Oktoberfest gigs.

“I wish people would stop..." he said, "because we’re not a German band, we’re a Polish band.”

He was joking. The band is known for its hilarious polka parodies, and the whole polka thing does fit an Oktoberfest theme. When you think about it, so do their classic rock covers.

The Polish Muslims play Old Town’s Oktoberfest this weekend. The Hamtramck band is a regular there, and it's one Oktoberfest gig that Uchalik is happy to play.

“It’s an opportunity for us to play in front of a largely college-age crowd, and it’s cool to see that it’s possible for that age group to still have fun coming out to hear our music. That’s a big kick for us.”

The Polish Muslims perform at Old Town's Oktoberfest this weekend.

The Polish Muslims are a go-to performer because “they deliver an energetic performance while not taking themselves too seriously, allowing people to relax and have a great time," said Vanessa Shafer, executive director of the Old Town Commercial Association executive director, which puts on the festival.

The Polish Muslims got their start back in 1981. The band began as a one-time group to play a benefit show for the Reruns, a band with some of the same members as the Polish Muslims. The Reruns had equipment stolen from a rehearsal hall, so the Polish Muslims formed to help out with the benefit.

“Seriously, we were cutting edge,” vocalist and guitarist Ken Kondrat said. “We were punk New Wavers forming a no-rehearsing polka rock band with music to which you can sing and dance.”

Things went well. So, they decided they needed a band name.

“A bunch of us started kicking around silly names and were coming up with different oxymora,” Uchalik said. “At that time, thinking of a Muslim being Polish seemed outrageous. We said the name and started cracking up, and we settled on that.”

They kept going. And going. They’ll pass the 35-year mark in December.

“At this point," Uchalik said, "it’s easier to stay together than to break up!”

The Polish Muslims celebrate their 35th anniversary this year.

No, none of the band members are Muslim. Yes, many of them come from Polish stock.

“Close your eyes and try to imagine whatever your favorite music is in the world and whatever makes you feel most at peace with yourself and the universe, and we’re the opposite of that,” Uchalik said.

How would they describe their polka parodies?

“Destructive,” Kondrat said. “We've ruined more good songs making folks forget the original versions and only remembering ours.”

Contact Anne Erickson at (517) 377-1006 or aerickson@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter at @AnneErickson.

How to go to Oktoberfest

When: Friday, Sept. 30, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 1, from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Price: Single day tickets are $22 at the door. Weekend passes run $40 at the door. A ticket includes admittance to the tent, a souvenir beer mug, and food/drink tickets.

Where: Old Town Oktoberfest is located in the park and parking lot on the corner of Turner Street and Grand River Avenue.

Old Town Oktoberfest is a benefit for the Old Town Commercial Association.

Online: www.oldtownoktoberfest.com