U škripcu

U škripcu
Company type	Rock band
Industry	Music
Founded	1980 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia
Founder	Milan Delčić, Aleksandar Vasiljević, Zoran Vulović
Headquarters	Belgrade, Yugoslavia (now Serbia)
Area served	Yugoslavia, Serbia
Products	Rock music albums and singles

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article U škripcu, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 29 November 2025

U škripcu (; translated as In Dire Straits) was a rock group originating from Belgrade in 1980, during the era of Yugoslavia.

The band was initially established by Milan Delčić "Delča" (vocals), Aleksandar Vasiljević "Vasa" (guitar), and Zoran Vulović "Vule" (keyboards). Shortly thereafter, Aleksandar Lukić took on bass duties, and Miloš Obrenović joined as drummer. Rising from the Yugoslav new wave movement, they gained recognition through their artistic performances and participation in the 1981 compilation Artistička radna akcija. Their first album, Godine ljubavi (1982), featured a more experimental post-punk sound, while the 1983 releases O je! and the mini album Nove godine!—inspired by New Romanticism—achieved widespread commercial acclaim. Following these, the synth-pop oriented album Budimo zajedno was released but did not meet commercial expectations, resulting in the group's disbandment in 1985.

In 1986, Vulović and Delčić revived U škripcu; however, after Delčić exited, a revised lineup with vocalist Aleksandar Tabaš produced the power pop-influenced self-titled album U škripcu. Due to insufficient commercial impact, this iteration disbanded by 1988. The following year, Vulović reunited with Delčić, Vasiljević, Lukić (now on guitar), bassist Dejan Škopelja, and drummer Ratko Ljubičić to create their critically acclaimed fifth album Izgleda da mi smo sami. The onset of the Yugoslav Wars curtailed further activity, limiting performances to occasional major events such as the 1996–1997 protests. Afterward, Vulović shifted focus to production and artist management; Delčić embarked on a solo path with Sklekovi; meanwhile, Vasiljević and Lukić became members of the supergroup Familija.

In 2006, the original members reunited during a Delča i Sklekovi concert. This reunion was documented and released as a live album titled Jubilarnih 20 i nešto godina in 2008 under the name Delča a i U škripcu (Delča and also U škripcu).

Formation and early years (1980–1985)

The band originated from high school acquaintances Milan Delčić "Delča" (vocals and briefly guitar), Aleksandar Vasiljević "Vasa" (guitar), and Zoran Vulović "Vule" (keyboards). Initially performing under names such as Prolog za veliki haos and later Furije furiozno furaju, they also contributed as associate journalists to Studio B radio’s program Mladi novi svet, which was subsequently renamed Ritam srca.

By 1980, adopting the name U škripcu ("In Dire Straits") due to persistent equipment challenges and financial constraints, they completed their lineup by adding Miloš Obrenović on drums and Aleksandar Lukić "Luka" on bass. Their debut recordings "Južno voće" and "Pamflex dom" were featured in 1981 on the compilation Artistička radna akcija, highlighting Belgrade's new wave scene. The band developed an innovative concept called "Pamflex," conceived by Delčić as a fictional company whose products were promoted through songs styled as commercials, incorporating theatrical elements and ironic monologues into live shows. By that time, they had cultivated a dedicated following through performances in cities like Belgrade and Zagreb.

Their first studio album, Godine ljubavi (1982), was released via PGP-RTB. Due to Lukić’s mandatory military service during recording sessions, bass parts were performed by Zdenko Kolar from Idoli, while Dejan Grujić took over for the promotional tour. This album marked the beginning of collaborations with producer Saša Habić and design collective Aux Maniere. The record explored various themes across tracks such as "Ti imaš dosta godina," "Hamuamule," and "Proleće."

In 1983, after signing with Jugoton, U škripcu issued both the well-received album O je! and the mini album Nove godine!, garnering praise from critics and listeners alike. Slobodan Svrdlan of heavy metal band Gordi handled bass duties and contributed arrangements; additional guest artists included Đorđe Petrović, Nenad Jelić, and Jovan Maljoković. Singles like "Beograd spava," "Kockar," and "Siđi do reke" achieved substantial radio rotation. The mini album featured cover art by Mirko Ilić; its title track alongside "Koliko imaš godina" became popular nationwide during New Year's celebrations.

With Lukić returning in 1984, the band embarked on extensive tours primarily within SR Croatia. In 1985, they released Budimo zajedno!, which combined elements of pop music with electronic influences. Despite moderate airplay for songs such as "Tama me prati" and "Crni anđele," this release did not replicate earlier successes, ultimately leading to the group’s breakup.

Reformation with new lineup (1986–1987)

Following the band's breakup, Delčić completed his studies in dramaturgy at the Belgrade Faculty of Dramatic Arts and dedicated himself to writing theatrical plays. Meanwhile, Vasić and Lukić shifted their focus to production, collaborating with Obrenović and keyboardist Aleksandar Ralev to establish the pop rock group Košava. This band released the album Crveno vino (Red Wine) in 1986 but soon dissolved; only the track "Daj mi snagu košave" ("Give Me the Strength of Košava") achieved modest recognition. Some of the lyrics were co-authored by Delčić and Vida Crnčević.

After completing his military service, Vulović initially formed Bang Bang as the lead singer but soon reunited with Delčić to revive U Škripcu in 1986. They recorded new songs with musicians from Zagreb: guitarist Zdravko Jurković, bassist Dario Kumerle, and drummer Davor Vidiš (formerly of Kristalno plavo). When Delčić left for his army duty, Vulović restructured the band with Belgrade-based artists—vocalist Aleksandar Tabaš (ex-Rolly), guitarist Zoran Veljković, bassist Dejan Škopelja "Škopi" (ex-Kanibal fru fru, Belo belo), and drummer Marko Milivojević (ex-Morbidi i mnoći). This ensemble released a self-titled album in 1987 produced by Rijan Nemurin, incorporating some tracks from the previous lineup alongside guest guitar contributions from Aleksandar Vasiljević and Vlada Negovanović. The album's more intense power pop style produced minor hits such as "Vreme je za nas" ("It Is Time for Us") and "Ne brini" ("Don't Worry"), though it did not achieve significant commercial success, resulting in another disbandment. Tabaš later returned to Titograd, where he joined Zona X and won the 2000 Music Festival Budva with the song "Sivi soko" ("Grey Falcon").

Original members reunion (1989–1991)

Upon completing his military obligations, Delčić began working on a solo album with a pop sensibility, produced by Mato Došen, former leader of Hobo; however, this project was abandoned when U Škripcu reassembled with its original members—Delčić, Vasiljević, Vulović, Lukić, Škopelja—and Ratko Ljubičić from Disciplina Kičme on drums. Their 1990 release Izgleda da mi smo sami ("It Looks like We're Alone"), produced by Lukić and Vasiljević, featured hit singles including the title track and "Ako ti kažem (Je, je, je)" ("If I Say to You (Yeah, Yeah, Yeah)"). The band also recorded a cover of Đorđe Marjanović's "Stjuardesa" ("Stewardess") for the 1991 Belgrade Spring Festival compilation Beograde.

The onset of the Yugoslav Wars caused the band to become inactive; they reunited occasionally for significant occasions such as the 1996–1997 student protests and Gitarijada festival while working on new material that remained unreleased.

Post-breakup and 2006 reunion

Following U Škripcu’s final breakup, Delčić embarked on a solo career accompanied by his band Sklekovi. Vasiljević and Lukić formed Familija alongside former Vampiri members Pejović, Petrović, and Redžepi. Vulović transitioned into music management. Unreleased tracks originally intended for U Škripcu’s seventh album surfaced on Delčić’s solo debut Delča i Sklekovi as well as Familija’s album Narodno pozorište. After Familija disbanded, Lukić released music under Radio gerila and Meksikanac s Kosmaja while Vulović established Long Play concert agency.

In 2002, Taped Pictures issued a compilation combining O je! and Nove godine!.

In 2006, original members of U Škripcu reunited as guest performers during a Delča & Sklekovi concert in Belgrade. This show was recorded and later released in 2008 as the live album Jubilarnih 20 i nešto godina credited to Delča a i U Škripcu. Delčić emphasized that this event did not represent a full-fledged band reunion or comeback.

Delčić passed away on 24 July 2011 after a battle with leukemia.

In 2019 Croatia Records released a compilation titled Greatest Hits Collection, which was promoted in Belgrade with participation from Vulović, Vasiljević, Lukić, Obrenović, Škopelja, and Ljubičić.

Legacy

In 2013, a memorial plaque dedicated to Delčić was installed at his former home in Belgrade.

The impact of U škripcu is evident through a variety of covers by notable regional musicians: Block Out issued two renditions of "Beograd spava" in 2011; Massimo Savić paid homage with a cover of "Siđi do reke" in 2012; Vampiri performed "Koliko imaš godina" as a tribute; Damir Urban recorded "Ne brini" for the 2014 film The Kids from the Marx and Engels Street; Divna Ljubojević released "Siđi do reke" as a single in 2017; punk group NBG included a cover of "Nove godine" on their 2020 album; jazz duo Lidija Andonov & Andy Pavlov featured "Siđi do reke" on their tribute record in 2021; and Croatian band Fit presented a wordplay version titled "Siđi do Rijeke" in 2023.

The track "Siđi do reke" secured the 71st position on the B92 Top 100 Domestic Songs chart in 2006. Additionally, in 2011, Radio 202 listeners ranked "Izgleda da mi smo sami" among the top 60 songs spanning PGP-RTB/PGP-RTS's six-decade history.

Lyrics from both "Proleće" and "Šuma" were incorporated into Petar Janjatović's anthology Pesme bratstva, detinjstva & potomstva: Antologija ex YU rok poezije 1967 – 2007.

Members

Past members

Milan Delčić "Delča" – lead vocals (1980–1985, 1986, 1989–1991, 2006; deceased 2011)
Aleksandar Vasiljević "Vasa" – guitarist (1980–1985, 1989–1991, 2006)
Zoran Vulović "Vule" – keyboards (1980–1985, 1986–1987, 1989–1991, 2006)
Miloš Obrenović – drummer (1980–1985, 2006)
Aleksandar Lukić "Luka" – bass guitar (1980–1985), guitar (1989–1991, 2006)
Zdravko Jurković – guitarist (1986)
Dario Kumerle – bass guitar (1986)
Davor Vidiš – drums (1986)
Aleksandar Tabaš – vocalist (1987)
Zoran Veljković "Kiza" – guitarist (1987)
Dejan Škopelja "Škopi" – bassist (1987, 1989–1991, 2006)
Marko Milivojević – drummer (1987)
Ratko Ljubičić – drummer (1989–1991)

Session and touring musicians

Dejan Grujić – bass guitar (1983)

Studio albums

Godine ljubavi (1982)
O je! (1983)
Nove godine! (1983)
Budimo zajedno! (1984)
U škripcu (1987)
Izgleda da mi smo sami (1990)

Live albums

Jubilarnih 20 i nešto godina (credited as Delča a i U Škripcu; 2008)

Compilation albums

Greatest Hits Collection (2019)

Singles

"Nove godine" / "Beograd spava" (1983)
"Uzmi sve što želiš, crni anđele" / "Baj, baj" (1987)

Other appearances

"Pamflex dom" / "Južno voće" (from Artistička radna akcija; 1981)
"Stjuardesa" (featured on Beograde; 1991)

External links