Balkan (band)

Balkan

Balkan (Serbian Cyrillic: Балкан; trans. Balkans) was a former Yugoslav hard rock band.

Band history

The band was formed in 1982, at the time of New Wave expansion, by guitarist and vocalist Aleksandar Cvetković, a former Leki frontman. Music of the band was hard rock oriented, and lyrics were inspired by lyrics of Bora Đorđević and Branimir Štulić. In the beginning Balkan performed as an opening band on Divlje Jagode, Riblja Čorba, Parni Valjak, Drugi Način, Galija and Atomsko Sklonište concerts in Vojvodina. Debut album Gola istina ("Bare thruth") Cvetković recorded with Željko Jerković (guitar), Saša Zavišić (bass guitar) and Radivoj Bugarski. Album was produced by Pop Mašina bass guitarist Robert Nemeček. Songs dealed with the problems of working class. Balkan's second album Na brdovitom Balkanu ("On the mountainous Balkans"), also produced by Nemeček and with similar subjects of the lyrics, was released in 1983. Album Homo Balcanicus continued the saga about the poor.

After a longer break, in 1989, with a group of younger musicians, Cvetković recorded album Kome verovati ("Who to trust") with lyrics filled with disappointment and resignation. Album was produced by Cvetković and Milan Ćirić. Sead Lipovača made a guest appearance on the album. After Kome verovati was released, Balkan disbaned.

Discography

Studio albums

1. Gola istina ("Bare thuth") (Jugodisk 1982)
2. Na brdovitom Balkanu ("On the mountainous Balkans") (Jugodisk 1983)
3. Homo Balcanicus (Jugodisk 1985)
4. Kome verovati ("Who to trust") (Panonija koncert 1989)

References

• EX YU ROCK enciklopedija 1960-2006, Janjatović Petar; ISBN 978-86-905317-1-4

See also

• SFR Yugoslav Pop and Rock scene
• Serbian rock