Another Yugoslav Rock Sensation
After writing a blog post on one of the most prominent alternative rock bands of the former nation, I now deliever the story of a pop sensation that rose to prominence in the mid to late 1980s.
That imposing figure above is that of notorious pop musician Sasha Loshich - Losha. Born in Banja Luka, he is one of the most recognizable musicians of the popular music scene in the former Yugoslavia. He is known for his many movie score compositions, featuring collaborations with many stars, but it was in 1983 that he started something more prominent as far as rock goes...
Plavi Orkestar
Before Plavi Orkestar, there was Shevin Orkestra (The Lark Orchestra). The band featured future Plavi Orekstar (Blue Orchestra) drummer Admir Cheramida (referred to in the band and among fans as "Chera II," while his younger brother is referred to as "Chera I)." The following year, they changed their name to Plavi Orkesar upon discovering that there was another, simillarly named band, in town.
At a different school for his junior and senior year, Loshich met future Plavi Orkestar guitarist Mladen Pavichich. Pavichich was a good choice for guitarist as he had played with Rock Apoteka (The Rock Pharmacy) up to a year ago.
They get discovered...
By the summer of 1983, things were really starting to cook. Plavi Orkestar began opening for big former Yusgoslav names of the day, and even played a gig at Sarajevo's club Trasha. Just their luck, Bata Vranjeshevich, owner and manager at Belgrade's Labaratorija Zvukova (The Sound Laboratory), In the fall of 1983, they made three demos - all of which would make the cut on their debut.
The army, and after
In September 1983, the quartet went to serve their required army stint. By the time they came back home in September of 1984, their primary rivals, Zabranjeno Pushenje ("No Smoking") had made success with their debut. That fall, Losha managed to book the quartet (before the band actually existed), some time in Zagreb to record with Husein Hasanefendich - Hus (of Croatian band Parni Valjak - Steam Roller fame). It was there and then that Losha convinced the staff at the then hottest record lable, Jugoton, to get the band signed.
The Golden Years: 1985-92
Their 1985 debut album, Soldatski Bal ("The Soldier's Ball)," spawned many of their best known hits among which were Goodbye Teens (there's some English in that one for you folks), Suada, Parajlija (Money Maker), Odlazi nam Raja (Our Friends are Leaving), Bolje biti Pijan nego Star (Being Drunk is Better than Being Old), and Medena Curice (Honey Girl).
Do yourselves a favor and copy the italisized titles and paste them into YouTube to give these tracks a listen. Oh, and take a look at the cover of their debut album.
Recognize it? Of course you do! It's a replica of the Fab Four's Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band!
Their 1986 follow-up Smrt Fashismu ("The Death to Facism") features politics in the title track as well the hit singles To je Sok ("That's a Shock," featuring a touch of Ave Maria in the opening), Save Tiho Tece ("Sava Flows Quietly)," and Kad si Sam Druze Moj ("When You're Alone, My Friend)."
The band peaked with 1989's Sunce u Prozoru ("Sun in the Window)," featuring hits such as Kaja, and Ti si Moja Sudbina ("You Are My Destiny), among others.
The last album before the war was 1991's Simpatija. Aside from the title track, the LP featured an interpolation of The Mamas and the Papas' California Dreamin, in the form of Ljubi se Istok i Zapad. ("The East and West Kiss)."
As was the case for many acts, 1992 led to a career "timeout" due to raging wars in the land.
1995-Present: Never the Same Band
The war did not mean the end of Plavi Orkestar; however, it did result in a hiatus. In 1995, the band hooked up with notable Croatian producer, Niksha Bratosh (of Valentino and Crvena Jabuka (Red Apple) fame). They only released one single, Ako su to Samo Bile Lazi ("If Those Were Only Lies)," that year, but by late 1997 produced a full album released the following year. 1998's Longplay also featured the song Linija Zivota ("The Line of Life).
In 1999, Plavi Orkestar issued Infinity, but it would be the last fans would hear of the band for literally a whole decade. The band came back with their seventh LP Sedam (translating to the number 7), and continued to hold concerts but short of being a live band, they have not released, nor are they planning to release, any new material anytime soon...
That imposing figure above is that of notorious pop musician Sasha Loshich - Losha. Born in Banja Luka, he is one of the most recognizable musicians of the popular music scene in the former Yugoslavia. He is known for his many movie score compositions, featuring collaborations with many stars, but it was in 1983 that he started something more prominent as far as rock goes...
Plavi Orkestar
Before Plavi Orkestar, there was Shevin Orkestra (The Lark Orchestra). The band featured future Plavi Orekstar (Blue Orchestra) drummer Admir Cheramida (referred to in the band and among fans as "Chera II," while his younger brother is referred to as "Chera I)." The following year, they changed their name to Plavi Orkesar upon discovering that there was another, simillarly named band, in town.
At a different school for his junior and senior year, Loshich met future Plavi Orkestar guitarist Mladen Pavichich. Pavichich was a good choice for guitarist as he had played with Rock Apoteka (The Rock Pharmacy) up to a year ago.
They get discovered...
By the summer of 1983, things were really starting to cook. Plavi Orkestar began opening for big former Yusgoslav names of the day, and even played a gig at Sarajevo's club Trasha. Just their luck, Bata Vranjeshevich, owner and manager at Belgrade's Labaratorija Zvukova (The Sound Laboratory), In the fall of 1983, they made three demos - all of which would make the cut on their debut.
The army, and after
In September 1983, the quartet went to serve their required army stint. By the time they came back home in September of 1984, their primary rivals, Zabranjeno Pushenje ("No Smoking") had made success with their debut. That fall, Losha managed to book the quartet (before the band actually existed), some time in Zagreb to record with Husein Hasanefendich - Hus (of Croatian band Parni Valjak - Steam Roller fame). It was there and then that Losha convinced the staff at the then hottest record lable, Jugoton, to get the band signed.
The Golden Years: 1985-92
Their 1985 debut album, Soldatski Bal ("The Soldier's Ball)," spawned many of their best known hits among which were Goodbye Teens (there's some English in that one for you folks), Suada, Parajlija (Money Maker), Odlazi nam Raja (Our Friends are Leaving), Bolje biti Pijan nego Star (Being Drunk is Better than Being Old), and Medena Curice (Honey Girl).
Do yourselves a favor and copy the italisized titles and paste them into YouTube to give these tracks a listen. Oh, and take a look at the cover of their debut album.
Recognize it? Of course you do! It's a replica of the Fab Four's Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band!
Their 1986 follow-up Smrt Fashismu ("The Death to Facism") features politics in the title track as well the hit singles To je Sok ("That's a Shock," featuring a touch of Ave Maria in the opening), Save Tiho Tece ("Sava Flows Quietly)," and Kad si Sam Druze Moj ("When You're Alone, My Friend)."
The band peaked with 1989's Sunce u Prozoru ("Sun in the Window)," featuring hits such as Kaja, and Ti si Moja Sudbina ("You Are My Destiny), among others.
The last album before the war was 1991's Simpatija. Aside from the title track, the LP featured an interpolation of The Mamas and the Papas' California Dreamin, in the form of Ljubi se Istok i Zapad. ("The East and West Kiss)."
As was the case for many acts, 1992 led to a career "timeout" due to raging wars in the land.
1995-Present: Never the Same Band
The war did not mean the end of Plavi Orkestar; however, it did result in a hiatus. In 1995, the band hooked up with notable Croatian producer, Niksha Bratosh (of Valentino and Crvena Jabuka (Red Apple) fame). They only released one single, Ako su to Samo Bile Lazi ("If Those Were Only Lies)," that year, but by late 1997 produced a full album released the following year. 1998's Longplay also featured the song Linija Zivota ("The Line of Life).
In 1999, Plavi Orkestar issued Infinity, but it would be the last fans would hear of the band for literally a whole decade. The band came back with their seventh LP Sedam (translating to the number 7), and continued to hold concerts but short of being a live band, they have not released, nor are they planning to release, any new material anytime soon...
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