Lačni Franz

Lačni Franz

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1979 in Maribor, Slovenia
Founder	Zoran Predin, Oto Rimele, Zoran Stjepanovič, Andrej Pinterič, Mirko Kosi
Headquarters	Maribor , Slovenia
Products	Rock music, new wave music

Lačni Franz (meaning Hungry Franz) emerged as a Slovenian and Yugoslav rock ensemble originating from Maribor in 1979. They are widely regarded as a prominent contributor to the new wave and rock movements within the former Yugoslavia.

The group was established by vocalist Zoran Predin, guitarist Oto Rimele, bassist Zoran Stjepanovič, drummer Andrej Pinterič, and keyboardist Mirko Kosi. Their debut record, Ikebana, was released in 1981. The band's signature sound combined Predin's metaphor-laden lyrics, filled with irony and dark humor, which explored themes such as love, societal issues, and political satire. Although their lyrics were in Slovene and their music complex, their early works attracted considerable attention from both the Yugoslav press and audiences. Their 1983 album Ne mi dihat za ovratnik marked their initial breakthrough into mainstream popularity. After the commercially successful 1986 album Na svoji strani, Rimele left the band and was succeeded by Milan Prislan. Toward the late 1980s, Lačni Franz adopted a more mainstream rock approach. Post the 1989 release Tiha voda, the band went on an extended break while members engaged in separate ventures. They issued a farewell album titled Zadnja večerja in 1994 before officially disbanding in 1997; subsequently, Predin pursued a fruitful solo career as a singer-songwriter.

In 2000, Stjepanovič, Pinterič, Kosi, and Prislan briefly reunited with vocalist Boštjan Velkavrh to record V peni sprememb. The band reunited once more in 2005 with Predin for tours throughout the former Yugoslav republics. In 2014, Predin reassembled Lačni Franz alongside younger musicians, releasing three studio albums—including two acoustic reinterpretations of classic songs featuring Croatian lyrics—and a live album before concluding their journey with farewell concerts in 2022.

Formation and early years (1979–1982)

Prior to forming Lačni Franz, lead singer Zoran Predin had minimal performance experience. While still in high school, he wrote poetry and was encouraged by members of Maribor’s band Rdeči Dečki (Red Boys) to craft lyrics for their compositions. Preferring to develop his own material instead, he chose to write music for his lyrics. In June 1979, during Predin's birthday gathering on Pohorje, guitarist Oto Rimele from the band Zevs (Zeus) heard him sing and invited him to join Zevs as their vocalist. Since Predin's style did not align with Zevs' existing repertoire, he introduced his own songs which led the group toward creating an original setlist.

Lačni Franz officially formed in June 1979 with members Zoran Predin (vocals), Oto Rimele (guitar), Zoran Stjepanovič (bass), Andrej Pinterič (drums), and Mirko Kosi (keyboards). Except for Predin—who was married with a child and had worked various jobs to support his family—the other members were teenagers or in their early twenties; notably, Rimele was only sixteen at the time. The band’s name drew inspiration from Hungry Joe, a character in Joseph Heller’s novel Catch-22, symbolizing their craving for rock music amid the disco-dominated era; they altered the final letter from c to z as a playful twist.

Performing primarily in Slovene rather than Serbo-Croatian initially posed challenges for Lačni Franz. To bridge this gap during live shows, they incorporated extended monologues translating their lyrics and sharing stories with audiences. This approach earned Predin comparisons to "Yugoslav Lenny Bruce" by some media outlets. Their significant breakthrough occurred at the 1981 Subotica Youth Festival, where they won Best Interpretation for their performance of "Šankrok" ("Bar Rock"), which later appeared on the compilation album 60 godina festival Omladina.

Capitalizing on this momentum, they released their debut album Ikebana, produced by Boris Bele of Buldožer and recorded within just 36 hours. Due to drummer Andrej Pinterič’s mandatory military service at that time, Damjan Likavec performed drums on the record. The album featured intricate arrangements paired with Predin’s metaphorical and darkly humorous lyrics, including standout tracks such as "Praslovan" ("Early Slav"), "Stari vojak" ("Old Soldier"), "Šankrok", "Bitles" ("Beatles"), and "Bog nima telefona" ("God Doesn't Have a Phone"). Additionally, Stjepanovič contributed accordion parts and took lead vocals on "Ja sam sam" ("I Am Alone"), a song he authored himself. "Stari vojak," originally composed by Predin during high school, incorporates excerpts from James Jones’ novel From Here to Eternity. The label Helidon required censorship of explicit lyrics from "Praslovan," though Predin performed the uncensored version during concerts.

At the close of 1981, Lačni Franz recorded their sophomore album Adijo pamet (Goodbye Mind), again featuring Damjan Likavec on drums. This release maintained their established style with tracks like "Vaterpolist" ("Water Polo Player"), "Lent 1980."—named after a disadvantaged Maribor neighborhood predominantly inhabited by Romanis—and "Miss Evrope" ("Miss Europe"). Shortly after recording, several members were conscripted for military service causing a hiatus; consequently, the album was released in early 1982 without any live promotion.

Despite limited promotional activities at that time, Lačni Franz achieved notable acclaim: in the 1981 annual poll conducted by music magazine Džuboks, they ranked second among Bands of the Year alongside Riblja Čorba. Furthermore, Predin earned titles of Composer and Singer of the Year while Rimele placed second among Best Guitarists. They were also honored with the Seven Secretaries of SKOJ Award bestowed by the League of Socialist Youth of Yugoslavia.

Mainstream success (1983–1989)

In 1983, the group unveiled their third studio effort, Ne mi dihat za ovratnik (Don't Breathe Down My Neck), which embraced a more approachable, blues-infused style highlighted by the title song. Shortly after, Predin took part in Karpo Godina's film Red Boogie, while the band produced the live album Slišiš, školjka poje ti (Listen, the Shell Sings to You) recorded during performances in Maribor and Ljubljana. This release featured the well-received folk-influenced track "Naša Lidija je pri vojakih" ("Our Lidija Is With the Soldier"), broadening their appeal throughout Slovenia. Their rising acclaim was particularly evident in Sarajevo among admirers of New Primitives groups such as Zabranjeno Pušenje. In 1984, Predin collaborated with the Sarajevo ensemble Kongres on their album Zarjavele trobente.

The 1984 record Slon med porcelanom (Elephant in a China Shop) revealed underlying discord within the band, as members Predin, Rimele, and Stjepanovič contributed individual compositions and held contrasting views on the band's future direction. Rimele intended to depart after completing one final album.

In 1985, the band took part in the YU Rock Misija initiative for Live Aid, performing at Belgrade’s Red Star Stadium and lending vocals to the track "Za Milion Godina". Their independently produced 1986 album Na svoji strani (On Our Own Side) became their most commercially successful work so far, showcasing a variety of musical styles and featuring hits like "Naj ti poljub nariše usnice" and "Na svoji strani". During this album’s promotion, Bora Đorđević from Riblja Čorba joined them on stage. Additionally, Predin collaborated with Zagreb-based band Animatori on their album Dok ležim cijeli dan u sjeni, contributing Slovene lyrics and vocals. Following the tour, Rimele left to join Laibach and focus on painting; he also released solo projects and later became a university professor.

Guitarist Milan Prislan replaced Rimele and made his compositional debut on the 1987 album Sirene tulijo (Sirens Are Wailing), which marked a transition toward mainstream rock sounds. The album's standout single was "Zdravljica," a rendition of a Slovenian traditional anthem featuring guest vocals from notable musicians; its casual approach generated some controversy and limited radio exposure. Other significant songs included "Čakaj me" and the playful "Mravljinčarji in čeladarji".

At the beginning of 1989, Predin collaborated with acclaimed singer-songwriter Arsen Dedić to record Svjedoci priče (Witnesses to the Story), which contained reworked versions of their tracks along with joint efforts including Bora Đorđević. They organized several poetic and musical events following the album's launch. Later that year, Lačni Franz represented Yugoslavia at the EBU Rock Festival in Novi Sad alongside Bajaga i Instruktori and Ekatarina Velika. The band also released Tiha voda (Silent Water) featuring new percussionist Nino Mureškić; Milan Prislan composed half of its songs. This album included harmonica contributions from Vlado Kreslin and Serbo-Croatian lyrics translated by Dedić. Prominent tracks were "Tiha voda (Vzami si čas)", "Tam bi rad bio pokopan", and "Mirno morje Miki Maus".

Extended break, Zadnja večerja and dissolution (1989–1997)

Following the release of Tiha voda, the members of Lačni Franz engaged in separate projects, resulting in a period without new recordings or live appearances for several years. During this interval, the band only issued compilation albums, specifically Kaj bi mi brez nas (1989) and Ilegalni pubertetniki (1991). Frontman Predin concentrated on composing for film, television, and theatre, launching his solo debut Gate na glavu in 1992, which was recorded with the group Los Malancanos.

Eventually, the group produced a farewell album entitled Zadnja večerja (The Last Supper) without the participation of Mureškić, who had left to lead the drum ensemble Afir Bafir and later released a solo album in 2002. The backing vocals were provided by Cole Moreti and Robert Pešut "Magnifico". The title track featured the melody from the "State Anthem of the Soviet Union". This album blended poetic compositions such as "Ambasadorji užitka" and "Vetar iz Kazablanke" with politically themed songs like "Vedno iste face" and "Zanzibar". The track "Azra" was dedicated to Sarajevo. After its release, they held three concerts in Maribor during November 1994; these performances were captured on the double live album and VHS Lačni Franz v živo, distributed through their own label LF.

Their last significant appearances took place in April 1996 at the Sarajevo Academy of Performing Arts soon after the conclusion of the Bosnian War. With most members employed outside of music and only occasionally active, they decided to disband on 31 December 1997. Subsequently, Predin embarked on a successful solo career as a singer-songwriter.

Reformation without Predin (2000)

In 2000, Prislan, Stjepanovič, Pintarič, and Kosi reunited alongside vocalist Boštjan Velkavrh to produce the album V peni sprememb (In the Midst of Change). At the same time, all of Lačni Franz's studio albums were re-released as part of a nine-disc box set titled Kaj bi mi brez nas.

Reunion including Predin (2005–2008)

In 2004, a compilation entitled Starši vaših radosti (Parents of Your Joys) was issued, containing a CD with the band’s greatest hits alongside a DVD featuring concerts from November 1994 held at Maribor’s Štuk hall. The following year saw Predin reunite with Prislan, Stjepanovič, Pintarič, and Kosi for a performance at Ljubljana’s Križanke Outdoor Theatre, followed by tours throughout the territories of former Yugoslavia. In 2007, Lačni Franz took part in a tribute concert for Animatori frontman Krešo Blažević in Zagreb, performing "Bijeg," a song originally recorded by Predin and Animatori in 1987. Recordings from this event included Lačni Franz’s rendition of "Ne mi dihat za ovratnik" and were released on the live album Ostat će mlad (He'll Stay Young). In 2008, Lačni Franz participated in a concert commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Yugoslav new wave movement; their set was featured on the double live album Sedmorica veličanstvenih (The Magnificent Seven), alongside prominent artists from the region.

Reformation and dissolution (2014–2022)

In 2014, Zoran Predin revived Lačni Franz, assembling a lineup of younger musicians: Tine Čas on guitar, Anej Kočevar handling bass, Luka Čadež on drums, and Boštjan Artiček playing keyboards. This refreshed ensemble issued the 2016 album Lađa norcev (Ship of Fools), which combined fresh compositions with reinterpreted classics featuring revised lyrics addressing contemporary social and political issues. Additionally, a Croatian-language edition titled Svako dobro (All the Best) was made available. That same year, the band contributed a rendition of "Ja sjećam se" ("I Remember") to the KUD Idijoti tribute compilation Za tebe.

The 2017 release Akustična pusa (Acoustic Kiss) showcased acoustic reinterpretations of their well-known tracks with Croatian-language lyrics. Later in 2017, they followed up with Nova nebesa (New Heaven), continuing in a similar acoustic vein. In 2020, Lačni Franz unveiled the double live album Tu smo – vaši smo! (We're Here – We're Yours!), which was recorded during their November 2019 performance at Maribor's Štuk hall. The band wrapped up their journey with farewell shows and officially disbanded by the end of 2022. Notably, original drummer Andrej Pintarič passed away on 23 January 2022.

Legacy

The Slovenian group Rock Partyzani paid homage to Lačni Franz by covering "Praslovan," "Ne mi dihat za ovratnik," and "Tisoč modrobelih rožic" on their 2007 album Dan zmage!. Meanwhile, Serbian blues rock band Texas Flood included a cover of "Čekaj me" on their 2019 album Tražim ljude kao ja.

In the 1998 publication YU 100: najbolji albumi jugoslovenske rok i pop muzike, the albums Na svoji strani and Adijo pamet were ranked No. 72 and No. 81 respectively among the top 100 Yugoslav popular music records. The Croatian edition of Rolling Stone placed Ne mi dihat za ovratnik at No. 39 in its 2015 list of the greatest Yugoslav albums. Furthermore, the live album Slišiš, školjka poje ti was recognized as one of the twelve finest Yugoslav live recordings in the 1987 special issue YU legende uživo by Rock magazine.

On the B92 Top 100 Domestic Songs list from 2006, "Ne mi dihat za ovratnik" secured position No. 64 while "Praslovan" appeared at No. 75.

Thirteen songs penned by Predin were included in Petar Janjatović's anthology Pesme bratstva, detinjstva & potomstva: Antologija ex YU rok poezije 1967 – 2007, highlighting their significance in ex-Yugoslav rock poetry.

Current Members

• Zoran Predin – lead vocals (1979–1997, 2005–2008, 2014–2022)
• Oto Rimele – guitar (1979–1985)
• Milan Prislan – guitar (1985–1997, 2000–2001, 2005–2008)
• Zoran Stjepanovič – bass guitar (1979–1997, 2000–2001, 2005–2008)
• Mirko Kosi – keyboards (1979–1997, 2000–2001, 2005–2008)
• Andrej Pintarič – drums (1979–1997, 1982–1997, 2000–2001, 2005–2008)
• Damjan Likavec – drums (1981)
• Nino Mureškič – percussion (1989)
• Tine Čas – guitar (2014–2022)
• Anej Kočevar – bass guitar (2014–2022)
• Luka Čadež – drums (2014–2022)
• Boštjan Artiček – keyboards (2014–2022)

Studio albums

• Ikebana (1981)
• Adijo pamet (1982)
• Ne mi dihat za ovratnik (1983)
• Slon med porcelanom (1984)
• Na svoji strani (1986)
• Sirene tulijo (1987)
• Tiha voda (1989)
• Zadnja večerja (1994)
• V peni sprememb (2000)
• Lađa norcev (2016)
• Akustična pusa (2017)
• Nova nebesa (2017)

Live recordings

• Slišiš, školjka poje ti (1983)
• Lačni Franz v živo (1994)
• Tu smo – vaši smo! (2020)

Compilation releases

• Kaj bi mi brez nas (1989)
• Ilegalni pubertetniki (1991)
• Nasvidenje na plaži (1995)
• Starši vaših radosti (2004)
• The Ultimate Collection (2011)

Box set editions

• Kaj bi mi brez nas (2001)

Video recordings

• Lačni Franz v živo (1994)