Rokaj fest 2008 - Line Up
Line-up 2008
This year´s program is improved in all segments, especially one regarding foreign line up:
Foreign performersThe Fall
First name for independence, second for cult, third for durability, fourth for influence - The Fall is all this together. English alternative post punk band from Manchester since 1976.keeps attacking British and world`s discography with new albums, nurturing the myth of the frontman and spiritus movens Mark E. Smith as the last great music workaholic. At the same proving that during most of his career the quality of his albums didn`t suffer due to the quantity. During three decades of continuous work, the band went through numerous stylistic changes remaining loyal to their key determinants: Mark E. Smith´s mumbling vocal, natural lyrics` sarcasm and cynism often used to disclose urban England and so the rest of the world, repetitive minimalist instrumental rhythms and hard guitar sounds. All of the above was enough for generating numerous followers, which resulted with the throne of the world`s alternative scene.
Check out WHITE LIGHTNING
Lemonheads
During their music career so far, they sold over 5 million album copies from their catalogue. Along with covers of "Luka" (Suzanne Vega) and "Mrs. Robinson" (Simon&Garfunkle), there´s a huge number of other hit singles leading the music charts, such as: Into your arms, If I could talk I´d tell you, My Zero Hero, Confetti, Big gay heart, My drug buddy, Great big no... They´ll be performing in Croatia for the first time as the headliners of Rokaj Fest where they´ll promote respectable discography together with new stuff.
Godfathers
Two times sold out concerts in the small Sport Hall in Zagreb (´91 & ´94) and Zagreb deliriously approved them! Endorsers of one of the best verses in r´n´r history and embodiment of rebellion. New album – the best of – in the original set up and the world´s promo tour starting soon! Zagreb´s favorite British band, The Godfathers, return as the headliners of Rokaj Fest.
Check out BIRTH SCHOOL WORK DEATH
Wire
British legendary new wave band. Together with Gang of 4, The Fall and Joy Division they are considered to be one of the most influential British post punk and rock band of all times – with one of the best known and most appreciated and especially the most influential albums in Britain´s rock culture – Pink Flag. Their songs were covered and performed by REM, RHCP, U2, The Cure and many others.
Check out HEARTBEAT
The Dwarves
One of the cult punk bands from the USA of all times. Fast and dangerous live! Nude sometimes – provocative always! Twenty years of continuous work, about half a million albums sold.
Check out OVER YOU
These New Puritans
Currently one of the freshest British hype bands. They list The Fall, Gang Of 4 and Joy Division as their greatest influences. Quite danceable and often aired on MTV. Their hit wonder is the song Elvis.
Datsuns
Led Zeppelin of the 21st century! 4th album coming out soon. Performance on Rokaj Fest is the only exclusive performance in these parts of Europe for this summer.
Check out MOTHERFUCKER FROM HELL
Bogart&Addictives
"We dance like joy Division, move like Talking Heads, and play like disco punk garage dance floor maniacs..."
Soprano
Brit pop rock band Soprano is the only world´s Soprano not related to the famous Cosa Nostra character Tony from the popular TV series. They are currently one of the hottest stuff independent labels are competing for. Soprano weighs and records the material for their debut album expected in Britain by the end of this year. Stars in arrival...and Rokaj Fest is introducing them!!
Navel
Nothing too wise, it´s only r´n´r. Navel doesn´t even hide that. Worshiping the music traces of Curt Cobain, led by nearly a copycat front man Jari Altermatt, they don´t waste much time on words. Within their first wider European tour, they will perform on Rokaj Fest, promoting their debut album "Frozen Souls".
Kira
This different from everything else was only Bjork... Hear Kira and her soul punk.
Dead Elephant
Guys from the other coast of Adriatic sea create loud sonic attack to all senses, influenced by those who they are being compared with: Unsane, Cherubs, Jesus Lizard, Cluster, Neurosis...
Local and regional performersUrban&4
This is probably the only performer who can allow himself the luxury of a 6 year discography break, between 2nd and 3rd album, during which he constantly had sold out clubs and concert halls in Croatia and region.
After recording and stopping on purpose the complete album "Merkur" the time has come to introduce this work to the audience. It´s been planned to add new songs "Negativ" to this album.
While expecting the album, Urban will perform on Rokaj Fest as the leader of local headliners in direct clash with foreign ones!
Watch the video
TRNOKOP (Edo Maajka/Damir Avdić)
Exclusive – it´s when you have the opportunity to witness promo presentation of music project created by two different music worlds, whose solo work reached the peak of both commercial and underground music success this year! Hear Bosnia breathe loud and clear!
Album out by the end of this year and this is their first public appearance ever!
Trnokop is: hard rhythm, strong bass, tempered riffs, work and truth...
RAMBO AMADEUS
After inauguration of turbo folk, new sound getaway was titled "Hipšizik metafizik" and the regional premiere takes place on Rokaj Fest where Rambo will perform as one of the headliners.
Watch the video
PIPS CHIPS & VIDEOCLIPS
The most famous newborn Croatian astronauts always had followers among those who understand prudent music. Recruited intellectuals into the army of believers of ideas of Dubravko Ivaniš Ripper with huge respect watch how their favorites still promote their album "Pjesme za gladijatore". On Rokaj Fest, they will show the highlights of their career. Whether they´ll perform in space suits or do they plan a countdown is still unknown information.
Watch the video
PARTIBREJKERS
When you say r´n´r – you mean Partibrejkers. It´s a long time apprehension among those who carefully follow rock currencies in ex-Yu countries, new Balkan region. Cane and Anton, as the constant duo forcing their classic rock and riff and boogie and blues film, became the synonyms of greatness and quality. Their last album "Sloboda ili ništa" clearly states the band´s views. Years may have eroded the spine and congested few pounds more on their stomachs, but the energy and attitude of uncompromised street fighters remain untouched. Watch them with gusto cause they became the festival´s inventory.
Watch the video
RAMIREZ
As it´s been previously announced we closed ourselves into a hole and plan to get out along with our 3rd album. We´ve exchanged loads of ideas and we are now trying to create 10-11 songs. We changed the approach and sound; recording and production will also be trusted to some new, less known people. You can expect harder and stronger Ramirez, differently produced and packed – says Aljoša Šerić, after closing discography circle with Pavel.
Watch the video
VIVA GLORIO
Bunch of boys in their early 40´s playing new loud atomic r´n´r came in the hands and ears of Andy Gill – one of the best music producers (RHCP, GO4, Boss Hog, The stranglers, Killing Joke, The Jesus Lizard, Michale Hutchence, Robert Plant, Dave Gilmour, John Peel, The Others, The Datsuns, The Young Knives, Futureheads...), the member of the post new wave group GO4 mixed and formed their debut album "Viva glorio".
Watch the video
DJEČACI
Why? Cause they haven´t got anything in common with TBF except the quality of songs Cause they are the biggest in the hood. Cause their songs have 2000 downloads per day. Cause they have the masterpiece album in production. Cause you´ll be talking more about them than they´ll talk about you.
How? Master rhythms, fun samples, ingenious lyrics, fresh approach.. Simply put, they are different, original, lucid, fun and special.
Watch the video
CHWEGER
Their debut album Chweger got good reviews of the critics and concert audience. Now you have the opportunity to see them on big screen. It´s the band that can headline Reading or other famous festivals!
Watch the video
ONE PIECE PUZZLE
From Rijeka. They wash yellow, they wash white. They have a "superwashing machine". They have a lady singer and their performances are the talk of the town. They have a label contract. They kick live. They appeared on one of the Franci Blašković 100 albums. Their debut is out soon. Until then, they kick...
Watch the video
PSYCHO-PATH
On this famous Slovenian band, which has had more success abroad, one can only write in English. Because Anglo-Saxon world is where they belong. So:
With their unique brand of alternative rock, fronted by a charismatic singer, two powerful guitars and a tight rhythm section, Slovenian quintet PSYCHO-PATH is a formidable force. Take the coolness of, let's say, Girls Against Boys and some other bands with heavy rock riffs, pack it into a driven guitar-soundwall, that is based on a very tense and quite groovy rhythm section and as the cherry on top: sexy & harsh female vocals. No pretension - eclectic, honest, sweaty and very guitar-laden.
Watch the video
MIROSLAV EVAČIĆ ČARDAŠ BLUES BAND
His style is authentic. Originality and prolific authorship is like the bed of river Drava. "Čardaš blues" was a masterpiece, "Blues Reke Drave" logical progress and "Fulmination" even brings the Violent Femmes to this album. Need more?
Watch the video
ZADRUGA
Even though they haven´t been active or actual, their rock from Croatian Zagorje left plenty of traces on domestic rock territory. They are everyone´s favorite smiling band for special occasions. Rokaj Fest is one of them.
Watch the video
VATRA
Played on each of 3 Rokaj festivals, they prove how willful and omnipresent they are, even when they are recording their new album with which they try to inject a little change in their mainstream r´n´r, influenced by Muse-a-like bands.
Watch the video
STAMPEDO
Ivanka Mazurkijevic´s band has gone through personal and time changes before the album "Možda stvarno", but the consistency stays the same. You´ll hear their feel good sound from hotel´s summer balconies on r´n´r stage!
Watch the video
Euforia
Euforia is the leader of the new generation of guitar bands from Serbia. They appeared on the music scene at the beginning of the new century and in 2005 they signed their first contract with Automatik Records. The same year Euforia released the debut album "Euforia". Four very successful singles came as a result of their work: "blokovi", "Plastika", "Ako, ako" and "Bakuta" which was also used for promoting the popular film "Mi nismo anđeli 3" and is the integral part of the original soundtrack. Vlada Divljan personally approved the cover of the song "Plastika" which he composed back in the 80's while playing with his band Idoli, and later on said that this is his absolutely favorite version of all the covers of the band Idoli so far!
Watch the video
Đana Šegon
Đana Šegon started her music career back in 1995. preparing the material with the band "Kultura", recorded as her first demo material in 1996. 2Kultura" released 2 albums for Menart Records, she was awarded with Porin as the debutant of the year, but she very quickly chooses to go with the solo career. Solo album "Luna" by Đana Šegon & Superneon was released in March this year. "Luna" brings the stories of women presenting themselves in many varieties and problems they run into in the modern world. The anatomy of sparkling single lives in "Male stvari", chest refreshments in hardships within relationships in "Dišem", busyness in the rhythm of biological clock in "Ogladalo", socio-culinary skills in "Zagor", etc... Đana was and is one of the most interesting vocal appearances in croatian music scene, and you will witness this on this year´s Rokaj Fest!!
