Babe (Serbian band)
| Company type | Supergroup |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1992 in Belgrade, Serbia |
| Headquarters | Belgrade , Serbia |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Number of employees | 6 (current members) |
Babe (; meaning Grandmas) is a Serbian rock ensemble that originated in Belgrade in 1992.
The group was established as a supergroup featuring guitarist and vocalist from Bajaga i Instruktori, drummer and vocalist from Električni Orgazam, guitarist from Riblja Čorba, and bassist Bojan Vasić, formerly of Bezobrazno Zeleno. Their goal was to create eccentric tracks that did not fit within their primary bands' styles. During the recording sessions, Vasić departed and was succeeded by Dejan Škopelja (previously with U Škripcu). Initially intended as a temporary side project, their 1993 album Slike iz života jednog idiota featured popular songs such as "Noć bez sna" and "Da te vidim golu," achieving unexpected widespread acclaim across FR Yugoslavia, which motivated the group to continue.
Although their follow-up album included the successful single "Ko me ter'o," it failed to match the debut's impact. After its release, Čavajda exited the band, which released one more studio album before disbanding in 1999. The band reassembled in 2013 with Milenković, Ilić, Škopelja, and new drummer Goran Ljuboja "Trut".
Formation and early commercial breakthrough (1992–1995)
Babe was created as a side venture by seasoned rock musicians Milenković, Čavajda, and Ilić during intervals away from their main projects. The bassist Bojan Vasić, who initiated the formation, had previously collaborated with Ilić in Bezobrazno Zeleno. Milenković contributed witty lyrics influenced by his education at Belgrade Faculty of Applied Arts and experience in theater, which became a distinctive feature of the band’s style.
Vasić left midway through recording to relocate to South Africa, having participated only on the track "Mirko i Marina." He was replaced by Dejan Škopelja. Their 1993 debut Slike iz života jednog idiota, produced by Ljubomir Jovanović "Jovec," showcased Milenković's clever songwriting focusing on societal outsiders and included guest appearances by notable figures from the Serbian rock scene. This release particularly resonated with younger listeners. Following the album’s launch, Babe toured as an opening act for Riblja Čorba.
In January 1994, Babe took part in an unplugged festival at Belgrade’s Sava Centar; their song "Adio stres," featuring contributions from Margita Stefanović and Vladimir Lešić, was included on the live compilation Bez struje. Additionally, they recorded a live rendition of Azra's "Lijepe žene prolaze kroz grad" for the 1995 compilation Groovanje live vol. 1. In April 1994, they performed at the Rock and roll zauvek event commemorating three decades of Yugoslav rock music.
December 1994 saw the release of Babe’s EP 4 Babe pesme, which featured a cover of "Dizel" (originally "Dizzy" by Tommy Roe). Concurrently, Milenković enhanced his artistic profile by starring in the theatrical production Elvira je cool. The band also appeared in Srđan Dragojević's film Two Hours of Quality TV Program, performing "Dizel". In 1995, Milenković and Čavajda contributed to the soundtrack for Marija Soldatović's play Zigi, Zvezdana Prašina, translating David Bowie songs and providing vocals on two tracks.
Decline, Čavajda's Passing, and Disbandment (1995–1999)
Towards the end of 1995, the group unveiled their sophomore album, Lažne slike o ljubavi (False Images of Love), which did not achieve the commercial success of their debut. The album produced modest hits such as "Ko me ter'o" ("Who's Made Me") and "Mesnica" ("Butcher Shop"), whereas most other songs, including the Serbian rendition "Stranac usranac" ("Stranger in the Shit"), failed to attract significant attention. Following this release, Čavajda departed from the band and was succeeded by Vlada Cvetković on drums. Čavajda later appeared in the film Geto (Ghetto) before moving to Tasmania, where he passed away from AIDS on February 16, 1997, at age 35.
In early 1998, Babe issued a compilation titled P.S Babe, which merged tracks from their debut and EP with fresh material like "Hoću da budem predsednik Srbije" ("I Want To Be The President of Serbia"). The group then worked on their third studio album, drawing lyrical influence from various literary figures and urban graffiti. Released in 1999, Slike sna i jave (Samo za ludake i buntovnike) (Images of Dream and Reality (For Lunatics and Rebels Only)) introduced new members Vladan Nedeljkov (guitar) and Blagoje Nedeljković (drums), featuring songs such as "Mexico" alongside a cover of Hazel O'Connor's "Will You?".
Shortly after this album's release, Milenković's main band Bajaga i Instruktori began production on Zmaj od Noćaja, effectively leading to Babe's quiet disbandment without an official statement. In 2000, their track "Hoću da budem P.S." was included on the protest compilation Gotov je! (He is Done!).
Reunion (2013–present)
The band reassembled in 2013 with Milenković, Ilić, Škopelja, drummer Goran Ljuboja "Trut", guitarist Stefan Aćimović, and keyboardist Luna Škopelja. Their reunion performance took place at Belgrade Youth Center’s Long Night festival on March 30.
In July 2014, they released their comeback single "Daj mu ga, Lola" ("Come On, Lola"), a song originally composed in 2001. Following this release, Babe appeared at prominent festivals such as Arsenal Fest and Belgrade Beer Fest. The single "Primabalerina" was unveiled in March 2017. Later, in October 2019, they issued the EP Volim život (I Love Life), containing four new tracks available for free digital download.
Legacy
Babe’s album Slike iz života jednog idiota was ranked 53rd among the 100 Best Serbian Albums Since the Dissolution of SFR Yugoslavia in 2021, as noted in the publication Kako (ni)je propao rokenrol u Srbiji (How Rock 'n' Roll in Serbia (Didn't) Came to an End).
Members
- Current members
- Žika Milenković – vocals (1992–1999, 2013–present)
- Zoran Ilić – guitar (1992–1999, 2013–present)
- Dejan Škopelja – bass guitar (1993–1999, 2013–present)
- Stefan Aćimović – guitar (2013–present)
- Goran Ljuboja – drums (2013–present)
- Luna Škopelja – keyboards (2013–present)
- Former members
- Bojan Vasić – bass guitar (1992–1993)
- Goran Čavajda – drums (1992–1995)
- Vlada Cvetković – drums (1995–1999)
- Vladan Nedeljković – guitar, bass, keyboards (1999)
- Blagoje Nedeljković – drums (1999)
Studio albums
- Slike iz života jednog idiota (1993)
- Lažne slike o ljubavi (1995)
- Slike sna i jave (Samo za ludake i buntovnike) (1999)
Extended plays
- 4 Babe pesme (1994)
- Volim život (2019)
Compilation albums
- P.S Babe (1998)
Other appearances
- "Adio stres" featured on Bez struje (1994)
- "Lepe žene" included in Groovanje live vol. 1 (1995)