Laboratorija Zvuka

Laboratorija Zvuka
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1977 in Novi Sad, Serbia
Founder	Predrag Vranešević, Mladen Vranešević
Headquarters	Novi Sad, Serbia
Products	Music albums, singles
Website	www.laboratorijazvuka.com

Laboratorija Zvuka (; translated as Sound Laboratory), occasionally referred to simply as Laboratorija, was a prominent rock group originating from Novi Sad, Serbia, in 1977. They became a distinguished presence within the Yugoslav rock scene, known for their unconventional style, bold lyrics, atypical band formations, and performances inspired by circus aesthetics.

The band was established by siblings Predrag and Mladen Vranešević, who brought with them experience in composing for theatre, cinema, radio, and television. Laboratorija Zvuka initially attracted attention through their singles. Their first conceptual album, Telo (1980), positioned them within the Yugoslav new wave movement and achieved considerable commercial success. Later releases such as Duboko u tebi and Nevinost revealed a broad range of musical styles while retaining their provocative edge. Towards the end of the 1980s, the group withdrew from active performance as the Vranešević brothers concentrated on scoring for visual media but resurfaced in the mid-1990s to issue their final record, Nema niđe te ljepote.

1960s and early 1970s: Early careers of the Vranešević brothers

Predrag "Peđa" Vranešević embarked on his musical journey in Novi Sad in 1962. Two years later, he co-founded The Best of Nothing in Belgrade, a band that transitioned from beat music to folk rock influenced by The Byrds, earning local acclaim for songs imbued with mystical themes. The group dissolved in 1968 following an injury sustained by a member during student demonstrations. Returning to Novi Sad, Predrag formed Med and recorded the track "Gajba". Alongside his musical endeavors, he worked as a film program editor and critic and engaged in conceptual art before graduating from the University of Belgrade Faculty of Architecture in 1972. Subsequently, he was employed at the Urbis architectural firm until 1981.

Mladen "Bata" Vranešević began his career as a vocalist with Falkoni and Neoplanti prior to joining Med. Starting in 1971, the brothers composed scores for over 150 projects spanning film, theatre, radio, and television, collaborating notably with directors Karpo Godina and Dragan Kresoja. Their work across multiple media earned them numerous awards both nationally and internationally. In 1975, they founded their own recording studio.

In 1976, teaming up with director Želimir Žilnik, they developed the politically charged theatrical production Gastarbajter opera, which premiered at the Serbian National Theatre in Novi Sad after being declined by Munich's Kammerspiel theatre due to its controversial portrayal of Yugoslav migrant workers in West Germany and Austria. This production provoked diplomatic tensions but eventually gained prominence following media exposure.

Late 1970s and 1980s: Formation of the band and rise to fame

The year 1977 marked the creation of Laboratorija Zvuka by the Vranešević brothers, a name reflecting their experimental approach to sound. The original ensemble featured musicians they had previously collaborated with: Aleksandar Pejak (guitar), Stevan Lukić (guitar), Laslo Pihler (drums), Vera Lajko (vocals, keyboards), Dina Kurbatfinsky Vranešević (vocals), Aleksandar "Caki" Kravić (bass), and Olah Vince (violin). Vince also performed with the Romani ensemble Zemlja, Točak i Nebo.

Their inaugural single "Dok vam je još vreme" was showcased at both the 1978 Opatija Festival and Subotica Youth Festival. This was followed by two additional singles and a contribution to Goran Marković's 1979 film National Class Category Up to 785 ccm. The debut album Telo, released by Jugoton in 1980, introduced new members Đorđe Urban (bass), Ivan Kašik (drums), and Renata Viegy (vocals). As a concept album exploring themes of asceticism versus physical indulgence, it fused new wave elements with other musical styles. Selling 60,000 copies across Yugoslavia, it earned a silver certification.

After this release, Laboratorija Zvuka expanded into a thirteen-member group that included bodybuilding champion Petar Čelik; his physical training was incorporated into their live performances, drawing significant media interest. Their single "Ska-kavac joj zaš'o u rukavac" became their most successful hit and introduced their mascot Vilmoš Kauboj—a street character who toured as an announcer.

The band's 1982 album Duboko u tebi, featuring cover artwork by comic artist Igor Kordej, demonstrated increased stylistic variety including rockabilly influences. It contained tracks connected to film projects and collaborations with lyricists such as Slobodan Tišma (credited under the pseudonym Bobo Misteriozo). New members Deže Molnar (saxophone) and Miroslav Cvetković "Pis" (guitar) joined at this time. That same year saw performances in West Germany aimed at children of Yugoslav guest workers along with recording a synth-pop single.

Later in 1982, Predrag Vranešević faced accusations of offending socialist morality due to concert posters depicting their mascot resembling Tito; these charges were ultimately dismissed.

In 1983, following shows in West Germany and participation at the Zagreb Music Biennale alongside Gang of Four and Classix Nouveaux, Laboratorija Zvuka connected with British management and performed at London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts under the moniker La Boratoria. Their multimedia event Jašući konje Svetog Marka merged art exhibition with theatrical elements and received favorable reviews from British media. During this period they also produced a documentary film. Mladen Vranešević began mentoring emerging groups including Plavi Orkestar and Ruž.

By 1986, the lineup comprised Predrag Vranešević (keyboards, guitar, vocals), Deže Molnar (saxophone), Mladen Vranešević, Renata Viegy, Dina Kurbatfinsky Vranešević (vocals), guitarist Zoran "Bale" Bulatović, drummer Ivan Fece "Firchie", bassist Stojan Jovanović, and keyboardist Senad Jašarević. The band’s mascots now included Vilmoš Kauboj alongside trans woman Dušica Ilić (later known as clairvoyant Kleopatra). Their album Nevinost featured innovative packaging requiring buyers to tear off the vinyl label before playing; it combined reimagined earlier singles with fresh material that received considerable airplay. Following this release, the Vranešević brothers shifted their focus primarily toward composing for film, theatre, and television while maintaining sporadic band appearances under official activity status.

1990s: Final releases and dissolution

Following a period of inactivity, the group issued the album Nema niđe te ljepote (No Such Beauty Exists) in 1996 under the Komuna label. This collection contained ten stripped-down tracks that resembled demo sessions, including the title piece originally composed for Montenegro's Tourism Board. The album compiled songs from different stages of the band's history that had not been previously recorded, such as "Čudnan susret u tmurno popodne," dating back to the Vranešević brothers' earlier project, Med. Some compositions incorporated lyrics inspired by Jonathan Loyd’s poetry and themes drawn from Ivo Tijardović’s work. The lineup featured the Vranešević brothers, Molnar, Bulatović, with Milana Vranešević providing backing vocals. Critical reception was largely unfavorable. Shortly after this release, the band formally ceased activities.

After the breakup

In 1991, Predrag Vranešević took on the role of musical editor at TV Novi Sad, a position he held until retiring in 2005 to dedicate himself fully to composition. In 2011, he partnered with Želimir Žilnik to create the opera Nema zemlja (Silent Land), which partially revisited their 1971 rock opera Fabrike radnicima, with its soundtrack issued as an album. A monograph entitled Ulaz slobodan (Free Entrance) was published in 2014 highlighting his theatrical music contributions, complemented by a DVD featuring 50 recordings from 18 different plays. Marking his 70th birthday, he released a solo record titled Argyle Street. His last musical work was composed for a documentary about Žilnik directed by Janko Baljak. Predrag Vranešević passed away on 6 February 2022.

Mladen Vranešević built a career in marketing until his death on 15 July 2006.

Dina Kurbatfinsky Vranešević also transitioned into marketing roles, serving as assistant marketing manager at Radio Television of Serbia before advancing to general manager of Radio Television of Vojvodina. Renata Viegy pursued acting at the Serbian National Theatre in Novi Sad. Following the band's disbandment, Deže Molnar worked with prominent musicians such as Tony Scott and Milan Mladenović; he died in Novi Sad on 18 November 2013.

Legacy

The Serbian rock group Minstrel recorded a cover of "Zaboravljena draga" for their 2008 album Iskra (The Spark). Additionally, Serbian pub rock band Optimal Problem featured the theme song for the TV program Poletarac on their 2017 release Ispred svih (Ahead of All).

In 2006, "Ska-kavac joj zaš'o u rukavac" was ranked number 84 on the B92 Top 100 Domestic Songs list.

The band was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 54th Belgrade Festival of Short and Documentary Film in 2007.

Studio albums

Telo (1980)
Duboko u tebi (1982)
Nevinost (1986)
Nema niđe te ljepote (1996)

Compilation albums

Laboratorija Zvuka (2005)

Singles

"Dok vam je još vreme" / "Sve je to bilo u proleće" (1978)
"Ko ne zna da se smeši" / "Brek boks" (1978)
"Kad postanem slab i star" / "Kas" (1979)
"Mod-deran" / "Ska-kavac joj zaš'o u rukavac" (1980)
"Poletarac"/ "Stočiću postavi se" / "Oproštaj od magneta" (1981)
"Devica 69" / "Šetnja" (1982)
"Još ovaj put" / "Još ovaj put – instrumental" (1983)

External links