The Tower of Dudes is a cowpunk band. The band was formerly based in Prague, Czech Republic, and has since moved to Canada. It has members from Canada, the United States of America and England. Its musical style has been likened to folk rock and Gypsy punk. History The Tower of Dudes was formed in 2007 by a group of expatriates living in Prague, Czech Republic. Prague has a large community of English-speaking expatriates, estimated at 30,000 in 1993. Like many of these expatriates, members of The Tower of Dudes cite various reasons for leaving their home country for the Czech Republic. In answer to an interview question from Spin TV, the English bass guitar player Steve Cautious said, "It's a small pretty city [that is] much easier to get around in than London." When asked the same question, Urine Spritzer sarcastically answered that he came for "the smiling faces". " The Tower of Dudes' sound has been described as "punky folk", combining "punk, flamenco, folk roots, western twang, and other sounds generated by gypsies and rebels from across the globe", and as punk-folk that "benefit[s from] the hard-core mandolin of Tony Parker and the pumping thrash of Tarah Masu’s accordion. Throw in some of Parker’s edgy banjo and Nick Jennings’ extended drum kit, and it's hard keeping your feet still when the Dudes play." In their extensive touring in the Czech Republic and Germany, the band has shared a stage with notable bands such as Frog Eyes, Immaculate Machine, O'Death, Mammasweed, Plastic People of the Universe and The Sads. The Tower of Dudes have been based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada since the beginning of 2011. During the latter half of 2013, they worked on their third full-length album, Make Your Own Culture. The album was released on March 1, 2014, and the band held a record-release party on March 14 in Victoria. Appearances Music festivals Laly Fest, Czech Republic (September 29, 2007) ZELIFEST, Czech Republic (April 26, 2008) Habrovka, Czech Republic (June 6, 2008) Dance Valley, Netherlands (July 12, 2008) Hobo Fest, Czech Republic (May 9, 2009) Mighty Sounds, Czech Republic (July 18, 2009) Trutnov Music Festival, Czech Republic (August 22, 2009) Skautsk Open Air Festival, Czech Republic (May 29, 2010) Hobo Fest, Czech Republic (August 14, 2010) Trutnov Music Festival, Czech Republic (August 21, 2010) Nahorany Festival, Czech Republic (August 28, 2010) Rifflandia Festival, Victoria, BC, Canada