Pankrti
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Founder | Gregor Tomc, Peter Lovšin |
| Headquarters | Ljubljana , Slovenia |
| Products | Punk rock music |
Pankrti (translated as The Bastards in Slovene) is a punk rock group originating from Ljubljana, Slovenia, that gained prominence during the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s. Renowned for their politically charged and provocative lyrics, they promoted themselves as The First Punk Band Behind The Iron Curtain. They hold a notable position as one of the pioneering punk outfits in a communist nation and are considered among the most influential former Yugoslav punk ensembles.
Biography
The band was established in 1977 by Gregor Tomc and Peter Lovšin, who hailed from the Ljubljana suburb of Kodeljevo. Their musical direction was strongly shaped by the UK punk movement. Lovšin took on the role of lead vocalist and principal songwriter, collaborating closely with Tomc, who also handled band management and chose the group's name.
Beginning rehearsals in late 1977 within the basement of Kodeljevo's music school, Pankrti made their first public appearance at Moste General Middle School. Initially, their performances featured covers of punk icons such as the Sex Pistols, The Clash, and New York Dolls. Over time, their original compositions—including "Za železno zaveso" (Behind the Iron Curtain), "Anarhist" (Anarchist), and "Lublana je bulana" (Ljubljana is Sick)—garnered significant attention. Their inclusion on the Novi Punk Val compilation preceded the release of their debut album Dolgcajt (Boredom) in 1980, which achieved cult status throughout the former Yugoslavia.
Their sophomore effort, Državni ljubimci (State Lovers), earned critical praise and was honored as Yugoslavia's best album of the year. In 1984, they unveiled Rdeči album (Red Album), a title playing off The Beatles' White Album, with red symbolizing communism. This record featured a rendition of the Italian communist anthem Bandiera Rossa (Red Flag), which became one of their signature songs.
The band's last studio release, Sexpok (1987, ZKP RTVLJ), was produced by Tomo in der Muhlen at SIM studio, located in Zagreb. Among their concluding live performances was the 1987 event titled Zadnji pogo (The Last Pogo Dance) held at Ljubljana’s Tivoli Hall.
In 1996, Pankrti briefly reunited to open for the Sex Pistols during their Filthy Lucre Tour concert in Ljubljana. Later, in 2003, they were featured in Sretno dijete, a Croatian rockumentary reflecting on the late 1970s and early 1980s punk and new wave scene across Yugoslavia.
Reunion
On December 1, 2007, original members Gregor Tomc and Peter Lovšin—who had since pursued a solo career supported by the band Španski borci (Spanish Fighters, named after Yugoslav volunteers in the Spanish Civil War)—announced a reunion concert at Hall Tivoli. This event commemorated their 30th anniversary and quickly sold out. Subsequently, they performed shows in Serbia and Croatia, aligning with the Sex Pistols' own 2007 reunion celebrating three decades since Never Mind The Bollocks.
In celebration of their 40th anniversary in 2017, Pankrti staged a sold-out concert at Arena Stožice featuring guest musician Glen Matlock. The evening was opened by Hellcats, an all-female hard rock/heavy metal group.
Popular references
- A film was created centered on their debut album Dolgcajt (Boredom).
- The documentary Totalna revolucija (Total Revolution) examined their impact on punk rock’s rise within socialist Slovenia.
- In the Croatian film Sretno dijete (Fortunate Child), Pankrti are depicted as pivotal figures in launching Yugoslavia’s new music movement.
- Their photographs have been displayed at Slovenia's Modern Culture Museum.
- The rock band Azra mentions Pankrti in their song "Balkan":
- Brijem bradu, brkove, da ličim na Pankrte
(English: I shave my beard and mustache to look like Pankrti).
- The Slovenian film Outsider incorporates original tracks by Pankrti into its soundtrack and features character names inspired by their songs.
- Slovenian punk band Racija produced "To ni bla Metka" (That Was Not Metka), a parody of Pankrti’s track "Metka," which appeared in the Yugoslav new wave movie Dečko koji obećava.
- Renowned BBC Radio DJ John Peel played a significant role in introducing them to a wider audience in the UK.
- Several articles about Pankrti were published by NME.
Members
- Peter Lovšin (vocalist/songwriter)
- Gregor Tomc (songwriter/manager)
- Bogo Pretnar (guitarist)
- Dušan Žiberna (guitarist)
- Marc Kavaš (guitarist)
- Boris Kramberger (bass guitarist)
- Slavc Colnarič (drummer)
Discography
- "Lublana je bulana" (1978, SKUC)
- "Dolgcajt" (1980, ZKP RTLJ)
- "Novi Punk Val" (1981)
- "Namesto tebe" (1981, ZKP RTLJ)
- "Državni ljubimci" (1982, ZKP RTLJ)
- "Svoboda" (1982, ZKP RTLJ)
- "Rdeči" (1984, ZKP RTLJ)
- "Pesmi sprave" (1985, ZKP RTLJ)
- "Slovan" (1985, Slovan)
- "Sexpok" (1987, ZKP RTVLJ)