The Yugoslav Punk and New Wave Scene
A few weeks ago, I discussed the flourishing youth culture and pop music scene in Yugoslavia during the '60s, particularly the mod scene. I want to finish the story with the '70s and '80s, and a look at Yugoslavian punk and new wave.
The Rise of Yugoslavian Music Labels in the '70s
Throughout the 1970s, Yugoslavian labels like Jugoton continued to grow and develop, giving rise to unique regional music scenes. Belgrade "party city" embraced funk and disco, while the rest of Serbia leaned heavily into heavy metal. Meanwhile, Bosnia and Macedonia gravitated toward progressive rock, and Slovenia produced some shocking Schlager-pop, influenced by Austria’s style.
The Punk and New Wave Explosion in Yugoslavia
By the late '70s, punk and new wave music made their mark in Yugoslavia, providing young people with an exciting, unique form of self-expression. Unlike many Eastern European countries (and even Western nations), Yugoslav punk bands were allowed a level of freedom to perform and record that was rare. Tito’s death in 1980 marked the end of an era, and punk music coincided with a time when youth were questioning what the country might look like post-Tito
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Yugoslavia's Influence on British Holidaymakers and Musicians
During the '60s and '70s, Yugoslavia became a popular destination for British holidaymakers, with many British working-class citizens experiencing their first foreign holiday there. At one point, the state-owned travel agency Yugotours was the fourth-largest travel agency in the UK. British journ
alists also took notice, with Melody Maker publishing a two-page spread on the Yugoslav punk scene.
The punk aesthetic even found its way into Mlad Borec, the official magazine of the Communist Party’s youth wing. Many believe this sound drew inspiration from the music that John Peel played on the BBC during that time, further connecting Yugoslav punk with broader Western trends.
Alternative Comedy and Political Commentary
In 1981, the alternative comedy show Top Lista Nadrealista (“The Surrealist Hit Parade”) began airing. The show humorously critiqued the growing ethno-nationalism that emerged following Tito’s death, providing an outlet for cultural and political commentary.
The Influence of Two-Tone and Ska Music
Yugoslav punk music was also influenced by the British Two-Tone movement. While I’d love to think this was because of the shared ideals of the Non-Aligned Movement, I suspect it’s more about the offbeat Ska rhythms that connected with the local audience, who were accustomed to the oompah beats of Schlager-pop.
I considered naming this hybrid genre Skagar or Shla, but ultimately decided to call it Yu-Tone. While the reggae elements in these tracks aren’t always authentic (think of them like The Police), songs like "Malijciki" by Idoli use the offbeat ska/oompah rhythm in a critique of Russian militarism. Idoli were nicknamed "The Boys" and marketed themselves through a campaign of graffiti across Belgrade. Most famously the slogan "Dečaci ne plaču"*
Legacy and the Rise of Bijelo Dugme
While many of these Yugoslav punk bands didn’t achieve mainstream fame, Bijelo Dugme remained a constant presence in Yugoslav rock for years. Their reunion concert in Belgrade in 2005 drew over 220,000 fans, making it one of the largest rock gigs of all time.
The Revival of Yugoslavian Music
Following the breakup of Yugoslavia, each newly formed country focused heavily on developing its own unique cultural and political identity. As a result, many of Yugoslavia’s cultural achievements, particularly in music and sports, faded into obscurity. Jugoton, the once-iconic music label, was rebranded as Croatia Records, and even today, reissues avoid using the famous Jugoton logo.
Over the last 20 years, the internet has revived many of these forgotten music scenes, making it easier to discover rare tracks.
Despite these changes, the music legacy of the mods in the '60s and the punks in the '70s still holds a remarkable place in history. These generations, the last to grow up under Tito’s rule, left behind a distinctive, if eccentric, cultural legacy.
Nostalgia for a Lost Era
Admittedly, there’s something a bit odd about a middle-aged, middle-class lefty like me indulging in nostalgia for a time and place I never visited. However, I’m unapologetic about my love for lost music from the '60s and '70s, no matter how unconventional the source. I also have a deep affection for the lost Socialist golden age that produced these mods and punks.
Left-Wing Populism and Tito’s Yugoslavia
In today’s era of aggressive right-wing populism, I’ve often wondered what left-wing populism would look like. Perhaps a good starting point would be to look back at the golden age of Yugoslavia under Tito’s leadership.
*Boys Don't Cry
See the Yugoton and Tito T-shirts for sale in the Store
