Such are the times. The times to take the offensive and to be able to say “niet”! On Friday the 13th, the major event to celebrate the 4th anniversary of Kino Šiška will bring the performance of two legendary bands that were breaking new ground in punk of the 1980s and that today, renovated to
Such are the times. The times to take the offensive and to be able to say “niet”! On Friday the 13th, the major event to celebrate the 4th anniversary of Kino Šiška will bring the performance of two legendary bands that were breaking new ground in punk of the 1980s and that today, renovated to perform socially committed, always topical and existentially poetic tracks that have almost become folk tunes, address both veterans and younger generations, while providing emerging bands with a determined example of perseverance and boldness.
Who is Via Ofenziva
In the early 1980s, four guys whose common interests included sports and books, but also rock ‘n’ roll, were getting to know each other in the Vodmat (Ljubljana – Center) basketball court and in Rio inn. They formed a band: Zoran Železnik taking up the guitar, Ivo Frančič toiling with the bass, Robert Fritsch sitting behind the drum kit, and Esad Babačić becoming a singer as well as being labelled “one of the most unique and pronounced authors of punk poetry” by Nela Malečkar in 1983. The name was contributed by the then guitarist of Berlinski zid, Miha Štamcar, who also originates in Vodmat and so did his band.
They practiced in Disco Študent at the campus, together with some other legendary bands from the alternative scene of the time. At first, the drummer used a suitcase instead of the bass drum, pounding it with the bass pedal. They played their own music, and lyrics were contributed by Babačić. Their first gig took place in the Bežigrad secondary school in spring 1982. This was followed by almost 30 years of silence, which was broken only for the promotion of a poetry collection and release of the CD featuring all the tracks they ever recorded. The newly revived band played a gig in December 2010 in Kino Šiška, where they joined Otroci socializma, Pankrti, Lublanski psi, Nieti and other bands to celebrate the 60th birthday of Igor Vidmar.
Now creating new music, Via Ofenziva also wish to awaken some time-tested tracks that have acquired a new pertinence in present times when the old world has been breaking apart, thus urging a new questioning of the world and ourselves.
At the end of 2012, the band was reinforced with the arrival of the bassist Toni Semerl, who replaced Ivo Frančič from the original line-up. They seem to be having serious intentions, which will soon be up to the fans of new wave and punk to decide, as the band goes on a tour of live gigs across Slovenia, beginning in Kino Šiška.
Niet
Niet is a Slovenian punk band that was formed in late 1983. Its original members were Primož Habič (vocals), Igor Dernovšek (guitar) and Aleš Češnovar (bass).
1984
The band performed for the first time at a New Year’s party in MC Zgornja Šiška, Ljubljana. In January, they recorded the first tracks with Borut Činč as the producer (he also produced the majority of their other recordings). In April they recorded their first hit, Depresija. A month later, they were joined shortly by the female singer Tanja Ukmar. In August, they recorded the hits Perspektive and Ritem človeštva. In September, they performed triumphantly at the largest Slovenian rock festival to date, Novi Rock. Their cassette Srečna mladina was released by the end of the year, and they also recorded the song that was to become their greatest hit – Lep dan za smrt.
1985
In February and March, Niet toured France, and returned in May the same year to play two gigs in Paris. In early spring they recorded the hit Vijolice. In April they played the largest festival of new Yugoslav bands at the time – Yurm in Zagreb, Croatia. In September they appeared at Novi Rock as guests. Niet also supported some major punk names, such as Angelic Upstarts, played festivals together with the greatest names of Yugoslav rock of the time, played a solo gig in Sarajevo and Zagreb and toured Dalmatia. At the end of the year they recorded the hit Februar.
1986
In January, Niet played three gigs in Belgrade and a month later played their last gig with the singer Primož Habič in the Rožna dolina campus, Ljubljana, together with Paraf from Rijeka, Croatia.
1988 – 1991
Following two years that members of the band spent in military service, the band rejoined in March 1988. In summer, the last recordings with the singer Primož Habič were made (Sam, Tvoje oči), and in May 1991, he died due to a fatal overdose of heroin.
1993 – 2008
In mid 1993, the author of most of their tracks, Igor Dernovšek, restored Niet, also assuming the role of the singer (apart from being the guitarist). The beginning of 1994 saw the release of the album Niet, which featured most of their best tracks from the past era, as well as some new ones, including four songs in English and the future major hits Ruski vohun and Bil je maj. After the promotional tour of Slovenia, the band disintegrated in spring 1994. In 1995, the CD and cassette Niet Live were released on Vinilmanija, comprising the recording of gigs in Trieste, Italy and Kodeljevo, Ljubljana, where they supported Angelic Upstarts. In 1995, the CD and cassette Lep dan za smrt were also released on Vinilmanija, featuring all their tracks, excluding the English songs.
2008 – The Comeback of Niet
Niet in almost complete original line-up (Igor Dernovšek (guitar), Aleš Češnovar (bass), Tomaž Bergant (drums) and Robert Likar (second guitar) with the new singer Borut Marolt (ex – Prisluhnimo tišini) performed for the first time in March in Orto bar, Ljubljana. The album Bil je maj was released in spring 2008, presenting old hits as well as three new tracks sung by Borut Marolt – Vsak dan se kaj lepega začne, Strah in Krik and a new version of Bil je maj. In May they played a magnificent comeback gig in the sold-out Križanke venue, which was followed by many gigs and festivals across Slovenia. December saw the release of the CD and DVD Niet – Unplugged, which contains live acoustic versions accompanied by a string quartet and piano.
2009
Numerous concerts across Slovenia. The new single Čas za revolucijo announced the release of their first original new album. Release of the DVD Niet – Križanke, featuring the recording of the complete 2008 comeback gig.
2010
The single Dekle izza zamreženega okna was released at the beginning of the year. The album Trinajst was released on CD in April, and on LP in May. Also in May, they played a promotional gig at the Križanke venue, which was again brimming full. In summer, the bassist Aleš Češnovar was replaced by Janez Brezigar. Autumn brought the third single from the album Trinajst – Ti in jaz in noč in večnost. Many gigs across Slovenia.
2011
In February, Niet recorded two new tracks – Just Like a Woman, as part of the Bob Dylan cover project, and the hard-core song Nihče ne ve zakaj.
