Yugoslav new wave

The Yugoslav new wave (; ; ; ; ) was the new wave music scene of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. As its counterparts, the British and the American new wave, from which the main

Decline#

As new wave perished in the late-1980s, some of the bands split or took different musical directions. The period around 1982 is considered especially crucial concerning the decline of new wave in Yugoslavia. There were several other reasons why Yugoslav new wave started to fade beside the notable general decline of new wave around the world: the economical crisis in Yugoslavia in the first half of the 1980s and the political instability, especially in the Socialist Autonomous Province of Kosovo in 1981 after Josip Broz Tito’s death. Also, the musical genres such as post-punk, dark wave and gothic rock, as well as New Romantic and synth-pop already saw a great expansion around the world, including Yugoslavia too. Šarlo Akrobata changed from its initial ska and reggae-inspired period, embracing a deeper post-punk sound. They were also a support act of Gang of Four in Zagreb, before they finally split in 1981. Milan Mladenović, the band’s notable vocalist and guitarist in 1982 formed the cult band Ekatarina Velika which was noted for its dark poetic post-punk style and intellectual attitude. In the same year, his bandmate Dušan “Koja” Kojić formed the group Disciplin A Kitschme (), a band influenced by a variety of music styles, which later rose to international prominence. Idoli, Prljavo kazalište and Film (the latter under the moniker Jura Stublić i Film) later became pop or pop rock and all of them respectively achieved great mainstream success. During the 1980s, Azra gradually moved to more conventional rock with occasional use of folk rock elements. Johnny Štulić’s poetic trademarks were still notable throughout their lyrics; Električni Orgazam soon became a successful mainstream rock band inspired mostly by the 1960s including artists such as The Rolling Stones.

Legacy#

The Yugoslav new wave period is still considered the golden age of pop and rock music in the countries that emerged after the breakup of Yugoslavia. The Yugoslav new wave scene gave birth to some of the most important Yugoslav acts ever and it was acclaimed by the Western media (notably by Melody Maker) for its quality and originality as well. In 2004, Igor Mirković made a film titled Sretno dijete (Happy Child) named after a song by Prljavo kazalište. The movie covers the events in the former Yugoslav new wave scene.

Bands#

In SR Slovenia:
Avtomobili (Nova Gorica) – early period
Borghesia (Ljubljana)
Buldožer (Ljubljana)
Demolition Group (Brežice)
Gast’r’bajtr’s
Lačni Franz (Maribor)
Pankrti (Ljubljana)
Otroci Socializma (Ljubljana)
In SR Croatia:
Aerodrom (Zagreb) – on album Tango Bango only
Animatori (Zagreb)
Azra (Zagreb)
Boa (Zagreb)
Denis & Denis (Rijeka)
Film (Zagreb)
Haustor (Zagreb)
Parlament (Zagreb)
Patrola (Zagreb)
Problemi (Pula)
Paraf (Rijeka)
Prljavo Kazalište (Zagreb)
Boye (Novi Sad) – early period
Bulevar (Belgrade)
Defektno Efektni (Belgrade)
Doktor Spira i Ljudska Bića (Belgrade)
Idoli (Belgrade)
Slađana Milošević (Belgrade)
Petar i Zli Vuci (Belgrade)
Profili Profili (Belgrade)
Radnička Kontrola (Belgrade)
Šarlo Akrobata (Belgrade)
In SR Bosnia and Herzegovina:
Bijelo Dugme (Sarajevo) – on album Doživjeti stotu only
Kongres (Sarajevo)
Zabranjeno Pušenje (Sarajevo) – on album Das ist Walter only
Bonton Baya (Sarajevo)
In SR Macedonia:
Cilinder (Skopje)
Mizar (Skopje) – early period
Badmingtons (Skopje)
Fol Jazik (Skopje)

References#

Petar Janjatović “Drugom stranom - Almanah novog talasa u SFRJ” (co-authors David Albahari and Dragan Kremer), 1983
Petar Janjatović “Ilustrovana Enciklopedija Yu Rocka 1960-1997”, publisher: Geopoetika, 1997
Petar Janjatović “EX YU ROCK enciklopedija 1960-2006”
Dragan Pavlov and Dejan Šunjka “Punk u Jugoslaviji” (Punk in Yugoslavia), publisher: IGP Dedalus, Yugoslavia, 1990.
Sretno dijete, documentary film

External links#

Film “Neprilagodjen” video
Idoli “Maljčiki” video
Šarlo Akrobata “Pečati” video
“Paket Aranžman” and “Artistička radna akcija” review at terapija.net e-zine
Essay: “Singing Cities: Images of the City in Ex-Yu Popular Music” at Blesok literature magazine, Skopje, Macedonia

Genre family: Montenegrin styles of music, New wave music, Rock music genres, Serbian rock music, Yugoslav rock music
Region: Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Yugoslavia