Osmi Putnik
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | May 7, 1985 in Split, Yugoslavia |
| Founder | Zlatan Stipišić "Džibo", Nenad Mitrović, Igor Makić, Davor Gradinski, Dražen Krolo |
| Headquarters | Split , Croatia |
| Products | Hard rock music albums |
| Website | www |
Osmi Putnik (meaning The Eighth Passenger, the Yugoslav title for the film Alien) is a hard rock group originating from Split, Croatia, established in 1985 during the Yugoslav era.
The band initially rose to prominence under the leadership of singer Zlatan Stipišić "Džibo", achieving nationwide acclaim with their debut album Ulična molitva released in 1986. Their subsequent two albums reinforced their influential position within the Yugoslav hard rock and heavy metal community. Following the release of their third album, the group disbanded in 1989 when Stipišić joined Divlje Jagode. In 2002, former members Bojan "Božo" Antolić (guitar), Davor Gradinski (bass), and Mirjan Jovanović (guitar) revived Osmi Putnik with Stipišić’s consent. With new frontman Dean "Clea" Brkić, they launched a successful comeback album titled Živ i ponosan in 2005. After Brkić’s exit post their fifth studio project, Antolić assumed leadership alongside vocalist Giuliano Đanić.
1985–1989
Osmi Putnik was established on 7 May 1985 in Split by vocalist Zlatan Stipišić "Džibo", guitarists Nenad Mitrović and Igor Makić, bassist Davor Gradinski, and drummer Dražen Krolo. The band’s name was inspired by the Yugoslav release title of Ridley Scott’s 1979 movie Alien. Their inaugural show took place on 1 August 1985 at Split’s Arena Gripe, where they opened for Zabranjeno Pušenje. They secured first place at both the Dalmatia Youth Rock Meetings festival and the Radiotelevision Zagreb program Stereovizija with the track "Lutko moja, takav sam ti ja".
By early 1986, the lineup stabilized to include Stipišić, Mitrović, Gradinski, Bojan "Božo" Antolić on guitar, and Miro Marunica on drums. That year, they released their first album Ulična molitva under Jugoton, featuring songs exclusively penned by Stipišić. This glam metal-influenced record propelled them to prominence within Yugoslavia’s hard rock scene. In 1987, Alen Koljanin replaced Mitrović on guitar.
Their sophomore album, Glasno, glasnije, came out in 1987 via PGP-RTB and was produced by Mirko Krističević from Metak. It included a rendition of Metak’s "Da mi je biti morski pas" and featured backing vocals from players of Hajduk Split. The title track became their signature hit and an unofficial anthem among Hajduk Split supporters. Following this release, drummer Mirjan Jovanović joined the ensemble. Readers of the Yugoslav magazine Rock voted them Band of the Year, while Glasno, glasnije earned second place in Albums of the Year rankings.
In 1988, Osmi Putnik unveiled their third studio effort titled Drage sestre moje... Nije isto bubanj i harmonika. Although critics offered mixed reviews, fans responded positively. Several months later, Stipišić departed to join Divlje Jagode, which resulted in the band's dissolution.
Post breakup
After spending a year with Divlje Jagode, Stipišić left and briefly became part of the German band V2 before embarking on a successful solo career as Gibonni. Meanwhile, Koljanin emigrated to Australia and by 2009 was performing with Canberra-based band Knights of the Spatchcock.
2002–present
In early 2002, Bojan Antolić, Davor Gradinski, and Mirjan Jovanović reassembled Osmi Putnik with approval from former frontman Stipišić, who continued his solo pursuits. The renewed lineup comprised guitarist Antolić, bassist Gradinski, guitarist Jovanović, vocalist Dean "Clea" Brkić (previously of Pandora), and drummer Kristijan Barišić. Their comeback album Živ i ponosan (Alive and Proud) was released in 2005; produced by Brkić, it featured new material alongside refreshed versions of classics such as "Glasno, glasnije" and "Srce od kamena." On 11 June 2006, they supported Motörhead during a Zagreb concert. That same year saw PGP-RTS reissue both Glasno, glasnije and Drage sestre moje... Nije isto bubanj i harmonika together on one CD.
The band’s fourth studio album Tajna (Secret) appeared in 2010 with new drummer Danijel Stojan contributing. This album combined original songs with a cover of Zdravko Čolić’s hit "Glavo ludo." Guest appearances included Žak Tataj (ex-Divlje Jagode) on vocals; Eki Alilovski from Mary Rose on guitar; and Alogia members Srđan Branković (guitar), Miroslav Branković (guitar), and Nikola Mijić (vocals).
Following a period of inactivity, Osmi Putnik returned in 2021 with Rock 'n' Roll se kući vratio (Rock 'n' Roll Came Back Home), named after a track from their third record. This release introduced new vocalist Giuliano Đanić—formerly associated with Apokalipsa and Feeling—and combined reimagined older songs with the fresh track "Nada." The updated version of "Tajna" featured pop singer Doris Dragović as a guest vocalist.
Legacy
In 2011, listeners of Radio 202 voted the track Glasno, glasnije among the top 60 most influential songs produced by PGP-RTB/PGP-RTS.
Studio albums
- Ulična molitva (1986)
- Glasno, glasnije (1987)
- Drage sestre moje... Nije isto bubanj i harmonika (1988)
- Živ i ponosan (2005)
- Tajna (2010)
- Rock 'n' Roll se kući vratio (2021)
External links
- Articles with short description
- Croatian rock music groups
- Croatian heavy metal musical groups
- Yugoslav hard rock musical groups
- Yugoslav heavy metal musical groups
- Yugoslav glam metal musical groups
- Musical groups established in 1985
- Musical groups disestablished in 1989
- Musical groups reestablished in 2002
- 1985 establishments in Yugoslavia