Metak
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Founder | Mirko Krstičević, Momčilo Popadić |
| Defunct | 1981 |
| Headquarters | Split , Yugoslavia |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Metak (meaning Bullet) was a rock ensemble originating from Split, Yugoslavia, established in 1978.
The band was created by bassist Mirko Krstičević alongside poet Momčilo Popadić. Initially, the group comprised Krstičević, singer and guitarist Ranko Boban, and drummer Matko Jelavić. Shortly thereafter, guitarist Željko Brodarić "Jappa" joined. Following Boban’s exit, Brodarić took over as lead vocalist, with his brother Zlatko (guitar) and keyboardist Doris Tomić becoming part of the lineup. Metak produced two studio albums and achieved significant recognition within the Yugoslav rock landscape before disbanding in 1981. Afterward, members embarked on varied musical paths: Željko Brodarić pursued a solo career and production work, Krstičević composed for film and theatre, Zlatko Brodarić worked as a session musician, and Jelavić developed a career as a pop vocalist.
1978–1981
Metak came into existence in early 1978 through the collaboration of bassist Mirko Krstičević (formerly of Che) and poet-journalist Momčilo Popadić. The original roster featured Sarajevo-born singer/guitarist Ranko Boban (previously with Ajan and Vozdra) and drummer Matko Jelavić, soon complemented by guitarist Željko Brodarić "Jappa", who had experience with Delfini and his own band Put alongside his brother Zlatko. The members brought considerable professional background; Boban was a recognized songwriter whose works were recorded by prominent artists such as Zdravko Čolić and Indexi, while Popadić had authored four volumes of poetry.
Their first public appearance occurred at the 1978 Split Festival, where they performed "Šijavica" and "Gastarbajterska balada," songs later issued as a single. Due to apprehensions regarding the provocative nature of their name, they performed under the alias Meta ('Target'). Following Boban’s arrest in 1978, Brodarić stepped into the role of lead singer; Zlatko Brodarić (guitar) and Doris Tomić (keyboards) joined to complete the ensemble.
In 1979, Metak launched their debut album U tetrapaku, featuring compositions by Krstičević with lyrics by Popadić, alongside contributions from the Brodarić brothers. Tracks such as "Tetrapak" and "Miss Levi's (nema meni do Vinke)" received extensive radio play. They also served as opening act for Bijelo Dugme at Belgrade’s JNA Stadium. The following year saw the release of their single "Da mi je biti morski pas," which became their most successful hit.
Their sophomore album Ratatatatija (1981) marked a transition towards the Yugoslav new wave style, including compositions from both Brodarić siblings and Krstičević, with lyrics penned by Željko Brodarić and Popadić. Released during Željko Brodarić's military service period, it featured well-regarded songs like "Split at Night" and the instrumental "Bijela soba." The band dissolved later that year.
Post breakup
After Metak's split, Željko Brodarić embarked on a solo venture, issuing the album Majmuni (Monkeys) in 1982, which contained material originally intended for Metak’s unrecorded third album. Throughout the 1980s, he produced records for notable Yugoslav groups including Haustor, Regata, Animatori, D' Boys, Đavoli, and Crvena Jabuka. Following periods spent in Italy and England during the 1990s, he returned to Split and formed the jazz fusion trio Jappa Band in 2008. Since 2016, he has performed alongside his daughter Sara Brodarić Ševgić under the name Sara & Jappa.
Krstičević dedicated himself to composing scores for film and theatrical productions.
Zlatko Brodarić continued his work as a studio musician while releasing six solo instrumental albums: Between Perpendiculars (2000), Going West Looking East (2002), It's Chemical (2004), Dalmacija na gitari (Dalmatia on Guitar, 2021), along with two volumes titled Acoustic Guitar (2022); the latter three are available on Bandcamp. He also established the band Dva Brata i Tata (Two Brothers and Dad) with his sons Gogi (drums) and Luka (bass).
Jelavić sustained a fruitful career as a pop singer-songwriter with multiple album releases.
Following Metak’s breakup, Popadić continued crafting lyrics for other performers while publishing additional poetry collections, autobiographical prose, essays, and plays. He died in Split on 20 November 1990. In 2005, musicians from Split—including the Brodarić brothers—performed songs featuring his lyrics at a concert that was later released in 2006 as the album Čovik od soli 2 (Man Made of Salt 2). In 2017, Croatia Records issued a double compilation titled Gold Collection, showcasing various artists interpreting Popadić’s lyrics. He was also featured in Toni Volarić’s documentary film Pope, vrati se (Pop, Come Back) released that same year.
In 2019, Croatia Records published the five-disc box set Splitska djeca – od zidića do vječnosti (Children of Split - From Little Wall to Eternity), which contains an unreleased live recording of "Da mi je biti morski pas".
Legacy
The track "Da mi je biti morski pas" has been interpreted by several notable bands. Croatian/Yugoslav hard rock group Osmi Putnik featured their version on the 1987 album Glasno, glasnije. Additionally, Serbian/Yugoslav funk rock ensemble Deca Loših Muzičara covered the song for Srđan Dragojević's 1994 movie Dva sata kvalitetnog TV programa. More recently, Croatian rock band Lili Gee recorded it for the 2023 White Shark initiative aimed at shark preservation. The 1999 film Wish I Were a Shark, directed by Split native Ognjen Sviličić, was influenced by this composition. In 2006, it secured the No.55 position on the B92 Top 100 Yugoslav songs ranking.
Lyrics from Metak’s 1979 piece "Nalazim nebo" ("I'm Finding the Sky"), authored by Željko Brodarić, are featured in Petar Janjatović's collection Pesme bratstva, detinjstva & potomstva: Antologija ex YU rok poezije 1967 - 2007.
Studio albums
- U tetrapaku (1979)
- Ratatatatija (1980)
Compilations
- Da mi je biti morski pas (1995)
Singles
- "Šijavica" / "Gastarbajterska balada" (1978)
- "Ona ima svoju dragu mamu" / "Revolver" (1979)
- "Da mi je biti morski pas" / "Rock'n'roller" (1980)