Goribor
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Predecessor | Projekat (1988–1992) |
| Founded | 1988 in Bor, Serbia |
| Headquarters | Bor , Serbia |
Key people | Aleksandar Stojković "St" (vocals), Željko Ljubić "Pity" (guitar), Predrag Marković "Peđa" (guitar) |
| Products | Music albums, singles, demos |
| Parent | Dancing Bear (label since 2007) |
Goribor (; translated as BurningBor) is an alternative rock group originating from Bor, Serbia. The band initially operated under the name Projekat (; meaning The Project) between 1988 and 1992. It was re-established in 1996 by original members vocalist Aleksandar Stojković "St" and guitarist Željko Ljubić "Pity," who were later joined by guitarist Predrag Marković "Peđa." From their reformation until 2003, they created homemade demos that were eventually released by the Croatian independent label Slušaj Najglasnije! after being discovered by its founder Zdenko Franjić.
In 2006, Franjić entered their recordings into the demo contest at the Pula Art & Music festival, where Goribor secured second place and garnered attention for their distinctive rock sound. This achievement paved the way for their first studio album, issued through the major label Dancing Bear. Their self-titled debut album, Goribor, received widespread critical praise and earned several awards in both Serbia and Croatia, including recognition as the best album of the decade by the Popboks webzine.
Formation and early hiatuses (1988–1999)
The band Projekat was established in 1988 in Bor by two teenagers: Aleksandar Stojković "St" (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Željko Ljubić "Pity" (lead guitar). Drawing inspiration from indie and alternative rock bands associated with SST Records, they performed original compositions locally, such as "Neću da stojim gde sam sad" ("I Do Not Want To Be Where I Am Now Standing"). Despite showcasing their own material, they finished last in the Bor Guitar festival band competition. The group disbanded in 1992 when Stojković relocated to London for work and studies, while Ljubić fulfilled his military service.
In 1996, Stojković returned equipped with recording gear and resumed demo sessions alongside Ljubić. They were joined by guitarist Predrag Marković "Peđa" and drummer Goran Ljubić "Goger," officially forming Goribor. The band's name is inspired by the copper smelting process at RTB Bor, which resembles a volcanic eruption over the town.
Their live performances were limited to local venues in Bor until they paused activities again in 1999.
Years with independent labels (2003–2006)
After a four-year break, Stojković, Marković, and Ljubić reunited in 2003 to record new demos in Belgrade. In November of that year, with Goran Ljubić on drums and bassist Duško Spasojević, they performed twice in Bor before those members departed. The band continued to work intermittently despite members living in different cities: Stojković moved to Belgrade, Ljubić to Niš, while Marković stayed in Bor. A friend forwarded their demos to Vladimir Marković "Kraka," guitarist of Presing, who then passed them on to Zdenko Franjić of Slušaj Najglasnije!.
Their six-track demo appeared on the 2003 compilation Bombardiranje New Yorka vol.10 released by Slušaj Najglasnije!. The following year, this material was issued as a demo album titled Ono što te ne ubije, to te osakati. Franjić requested all available recordings, prompting Stojković to produce master versions. Earlier recordings from 1996–1997 were published as Stari radovi in 2005, alongside tracks from 1997–1999 on Krug u očima, which did not include Marković. Live recordings from November 2003 were released as an official bootleg named Live.
In 2005, Stojković began composing new songs; with Ljubić on guitar and Marković handling bass duties, they recorded the demo album Hoću kući, released that same year. Subsequently, Stojković, Marković (switching to guitar), and newcomer Predrag Trajković "Peda" (operating a rhythm machine) performed locally. This lineup introduced the rhythm machine as a central element of their sound. In 2006, they recorded Stondom do Tokija for Slušaj Najglasnije!, which featured revamped tracks plus a new song titled "Bolje je izgoreti".
During spring of 2006, the ensemble consisting of Stojković (vocals), Ljubić and Marković (guitars), along with Trajković (rhythm machine), made their debut appearances in Niš and Sopot. Although the band was reluctant to participate in a demo competition at the Pula festival suggested by Franjić, he submitted their demos without their consent. Their recordings advanced to the finals where Goribor finished second behind Rijeka metalcore group One Piece Puzzle and received acclaim for their innovative rock approach. By this time Trajković had left the band; his rhythm machine parts were replaced with backing tracks during live shows.
Following favorable reviews at Pula, Croatian organization Tempus Fugit arranged a solo concert for Goribor in Zagreb. On October 2nd, they performed at KSET; this concert was later released as an official bootleg titled Live u KSET-u (2.10.2006.) in 2007. The lineup featured Milan Stošić "Žaba" on samples and included songs from Hoću kući, Ono što te ne ubije, to te osakati, plus a fresh track named "Početka". Three days later, they made their Belgrade debut at club Akademija to positive audience response.
Major label era (2007–present)
After their notable performance at the Pula Art & Music festival, in January 2007 the band was recognized as the debut act of 2006 by the Serbian webzine Popboks. By March, they contributed the track "Čujem bluz" to the PGP RTS compilation Jutro će promeniti sve? – Nova srpska scena, which showcased leading groups from the New Serbian Scene and marked their first official release in Serbia. Subsequently, they signed with the prominent Croatian label Dancing Bear and commenced work on their debut album with producer Edi Cukerić, who had previously collaborated with The Bambi Molesters and Hladno Pivo, assembling songs from their prior recordings.
On April 21, 2007, Goribor served as the opening act for Supernaut at Belgrade SKC, featuring guest musician Danijel Kovač. That same year, they were included in the second edition of Petar Janjatović's EX YU ROCK enciklopedija 1960-2006. In August, they released the single "Sjajne niti" ("Glowing Threads"), produced by Cukerić and supported by remixes as well as a promotional video directed by Jasna Zastavniković. Additionally, they contributed the track "Ko sam?" to the compilation Rhythm Changes.
Their self-titled debut album Goribor was issued on November 11, 2007, through Dancing Bear in Croatia and Automatik Records in Serbia. This release was historically significant as it marked the first time a Serbian band launched an album via a major Croatian label after the Yugoslav wars. Produced by Cukerić, the album featured numerous guest artists and introduced two new songs, "Rolamo" and "Voli me". It garnered widespread critical acclaim from Croatian media such as Jutarnji list and Večernji list, along with Serbian outlets including Vreme and Popboks; notably, Popboks praised it as one of the finest rock albums produced over two decades and a cultural milestone for Serbia in the 21st century. The album was awarded best domestic release of 2007 by Popboks critics and ranked highly across various regional publications.
Following the album’s launch, Goribor incorporated drummer Marco Quarantotto—who brought experience from Dusty Miller and East Rodeo—and began live performances at Belgrade SKC featuring guests like Danijel Kovač and Dušan Petrović. In December, they delivered an unplugged set at Akademija bookstore and performed in Zrenjanin. Throughout 2008, the band toured Croatia (including Zagreb, Varaždin, Pula), Serbia (Bor), and Slovenia (Tolmin), appearing at festivals such as Rijeka’s Hartera, Novi Sad Exit Festival—where they introduced "Gradovi se lome"—and Belgrade Beer Fest.
In 2009, while continuing to promote their debut album, Goribor prepared their sophomore studio release under Dancing Bear as part of a three-album agreement. They embarked on a mini-tour across Serbia without Quarantotto and former guitarist Marković; jazz group EYOT’s Miloš Vojvodić joined some shows on drums. Their concert in Belgrade incorporated multimedia elements alongside new compositions like "Ljubavi moja" and "Svi ti ljudi". The June 16 performance at Zagreb’s Purgeraj festival was later issued as the Purgeraj DVD through Slušaj Najglasnije!. Toward year-end, guitarist Miroslav Užarević joined as they advanced promotion of upcoming tracks including "Vožnjica" and "Uzalud se budiš".
In 2010, frontman Stojković published a poetry collection combining earlier writings with fresh material. The band broadened their audience by performing beyond former Yugoslav countries in Sweden and Norway. They also appeared at major festivals such as Zagreb’s Žedno Uho, Baćin’s 7 Jezera, Belgrade Adrenalin Music & Tattoo Live, and Niš Nisomnia.
By February 2011, Popboks critics had ranked Goribor as the best Serbian album released during the previous decade. On May 31 of that year, Goribor unveiled the single "Uzalud se budiš", featuring backing vocals from Nenad Sinkauz of East Rodeo; it was made available for online streaming.
In May 2012, their double album Evo je banja, produced once again by Edi Cukerić through Dancing Bear, was released. On June 30, they performed at the final night of the Belgrade Calling festival.
Goribor continued releasing singles with "Jureći ljubav" ("Chasing Love") in September 2013 and "Dugo nisam bio tu" ("I Haven't Been Around for a Long Time") in August 2014; notably, the latter’s music video featured actor Filip Gajić.
Legacy
Three tracks by the band were included in Petar Janjatović's anthology Pesme bratstva, detinjstva & potomstva: Antologija ex YU rok poezije 1967 - 2007 (Songs of Brotherhood, Childhood & Offspring: Anthology of Ex YU Rock Poetry 1967 - 2007).
Official Demo Releases
- Ono što te ne ubije, to te osakati (2004)
- Stari radovi (2005)
- Krug u očima (2005)
- Hoću kući (2005)
- Stondom do Tokija (2006)
Official Bootleg Albums
- Live (2005)
- Live u KSET-u (2.10.2006.) (2007)
Studio Albums
- Goribor (2007)
- Evo je banja (2012)
Singles
- "Sjajne niti" (2007)
- "Uzalud se budiš" (2011)
- "Kiša" (2012)
Other Contributions
- Bombardiranje New Yorka vol.10 (2003)
- Jutro će promeniti sve? (2007)
- Rhythm changes (2007)
External links
- Serbian alternative rock groups
- Serbian indie rock groups
- Serbian experimental musical groups
- Serbian experimental rock groups
- Trip hop groups
- Serbian electronic music groups
- Serbian post-punk revival music groups
- Musical groups established in 1988
- Musical groups disestablished in 1992
- Musical groups reestablished in 1996