Thompson (band)

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Thompson
Thompson in Frankfurt
Thompson in Frankfurt
Background information
Origin Čavoglave, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia
Genre(s) Rock
Christian rock
Years active 1991-present
Website www.thompson.hr
Members
Marko Perković
Tiho Orlić
Damir Lipošek Kex
Fedor Boić
Tomislav Mandarić
Damir Šomen

Thompson is a Croatian rock band. The frontman, songwriter and lead vocalist of Thompson is Marko Perković, who is often identified with the band. Thompson is often considered his stage name. The lineup also includes Tiho Orlić as supporting vocalist and bass guitarist, while the remaining members of the bend are less prominent. The remaining members of the band (as of Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj tour) are: Damir Lipošek Kex, Fedor Boić, Damir Šomen, & Tomislav Mandarić. The name "Thompson" comes from the Thompson submachine gun, which was Perković's nickname. Originally from Čavoglave in the Dalmatian hinterland, Perković now makes his home in the Croatian capital of Zagreb.[1]

Thompson annually performs for Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day in Perković's hometown of Čavoglave. In 2006, he was joined by Mate Bulić, Tiho Orlić, Dražen Zečić, Ivan Mikulić and Baruni for a performance in front of 60,000.[2] In 2007, he was again joined by Dražen Zečić, Mate Bulić and rapper Shorty, for a performance in front of 50,000. [3]

Thompson has been banned from performing in The Netherlands because the government forbids fascist promotion and deemed the band's lyrics to contain such.[4] However, he has recently been promoting a point of view, saying in an interview before the start of his Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj Tour in Borovo Naselje (one of starting points of the Croatian War of Independence), "Wear the insignia of the victorious Croatian Army. It is sad that young people return so far in history and fall for propaganda."[5]

Contents

[edit] History

Marko Perković, the founder of the group, was born 27 October 1966 in the village of Čavoglave in the rural Dalmatian hinterland of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.[6] The band, however, first gained prominence in 1991 at the beginning of the Yugoslav wars, more specifically the Croatian War of Independence, with the song "Bojna Čavoglave" (trans. Čavoglave battalion). Perković performed the song under the pseudonym Thompson. The song starts with "Za dom - Spremni!", a phrase which dates back to the 19th century Croatian Ban Josip Jelačić, but the modern meaning of wich was redefined by its usage as a fascist Ustaše salute during World War II. From there, the song mostly deals with a call to Croatian armed forces to defend Čavoglave against the rebel Serb forces. It was seen as fueling the morale of Croatian fighters and was very popular at the time. It appeared on the compilation of Croatian war songs Rock za Hrvatsku (Rock for Croatia).

In 1992 Thompson published his first album Moli mala. By this time he had left the Croatian Army but he returned to military service for a short time in 1995 to participate in Operation Storm.[7] As time passed Perković lost his early popularity and through the 1990s he remained relatively less popular. He did release some minor hits such as Zmija me za srce ugrizla (trans. "Snake bit my heart") and Grkinjo, znaj, svemu je kraj (trans. "Greek woman, know that we're through"), but repeated his popularity after the hit Prijatelji in 1998.[8]

After the parliamentary elections in 2000, a center-left government was formed, led by the president of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Ivica Račan, last secretary-general of the League of Communists of Croatia and a prominent leader in Croatia's push for independence.[9][10] This sparked angry reactions among Croatian nationalists and Thompson once again gained popularity. During his concerts he often made obscene remarks on the Croatian Prime Minister at the time, Ivica Račan, and the President of the Republic, Stipe Mesić.[8]

Many of Thompson's songs (such as "Bojna Čavoglave", "Lijepa Li Si", "Vjetre s Dinare") have become major hits in Croatia, and are played at football games and other large events. The band has won the Croatian music competitions Melodije Mostara (in 2001) and the Croatian Radio Festival (in 2006), and has performed annually on Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day, with all benefits going to families of Croatian soldiers.[citation needed]

On one occasion, he performed the song Jasenovac i Gradiška Stara (not after 2003) that recalls the times of when Croatia was a fascist country and where Serbs, Jews and Romas were exterminated in Jasenovac concentration camp. This song has been viewed as vehemently anti-Serb and as a promotion of Croatian chauvinism in this modern day and age.

[edit] E, Moj Narode tour

After the release of E, Moj Narode in 2002, Thompson began touring to promote the album. The height of his tour was a " magnificent"[11] concert at the Poljud football stadium in Split. The concert was attended by 40000 spectators. During the song "Lijepa li si", Miroslav Škoro, Alen Vitasović, Mate Bulić, Giuliano and Mladen Grdović joined him on stage. At the concert Perković again repeated that his songs mark three loves: God, homeland and family.[11]

The concert sparked many controversies at the time. Two seats in the audience were reserved for general Mirko Norac (convicted war criminal, at the time on trial) and general Ante Gotovina (as of 2007 in custody of ICTY, at the time fugitive from ICTY). At the beginning of the concert, just few moments before Perković stepped on the stage, the audience sang the fascist Ustaše song "Evo zore, evo dana".[11] [8]

In 2003, Thompson released a best-of CD. Also, in 2004 the band's vocalist and bassist Tiho Orlić released a solo album Tiho which contained a couple of Thompson songs, and which Marko Perković also collaborated in.

This tour continued sporadically into 2005. Internationally, he played at Sydney's Entertainment Centre and Melbourne's Vodafone Arena in May of 2005.[12] By the end of the tour, the album was declared a Diamond Record after more than 60,000 copies were sold.[13]

In June of 2006, Marko Perković participated in a celebrity football match held in Maksimir in support of children and families affected by malignant disease.[14] Perković was not played by former Croatia international manager Miroslav Blažević, due to an injury.[14]

[edit] Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj tour

Concert at Maksimir Stadium
Concert at Maksimir Stadium

Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj was released in December of 2006. Despite the late release, it became the second-highest selling Croatian album of the year.[15] Soon after, Thompson announced an initial tour of Croatia and select European cities beginning after the Lenten season through to the summer, and culminating with a performance at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb. The tour began in Vukovar in the Borovo Naselje neighborhood where approximately 4000 fans came out to watch the group perform.[5]

The tour continued to Đakovo before going to Frankfurt, Germany's Ballsporthalle where he performed for a crowd of approximately 15,000. In adjacent hall Bob Dylan performed with an audience of about 2,000 people. When he heard that Thompson had an audience of 15,000 people he asked to be taken to the concert. After that he said that he liked the music.[16] By June, the album had sold 100,000 copies - very high by Croatian standards.[17]

The first tour leg in Croatia ended in biggest concert on Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb. He performed in front of 60 000 spectators. Concert was broadcast live on Croatian Public Television. As part of the second leg, Thompson performed at Split's Stari plac in front of 25,000. The show was recorded for a live CD release.[18]

Banner from Toronto-area concert
Banner from Toronto-area concert

After the Kornati firefighter tragedy of the summer of 2007, Thompson participated in the recording of a memorial song Ovo nije kraj (This is not the end), as well as a charity football match at Poljud.[19]

He had two shows scheduled in November 2007 for New York City, which provoked protests from several Jewish groups.[20] These lobby groups called on the Archdiocese of New York to stop the show, but this failed as the diocese found no evidence that the group promotes Nazism. [21] A Washington Post reporter who attended one of the concerts was also not convinced of the alleged Neo-Nazi link.[22] Thompson's concert in the Toronto area attracted 5000 people to the Croatian centre where it was held, after the original venue of 2500 capacity, Kool Haus, cancelled.[23] The rest of the tour continued as planned.

Thompson returned to Croatia in November of 2007, and continued with shows in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Tomislavgrad, Novi Travnik, Široki Brijeg and Čapljina.[18] His last show in Croatia before heading to Australia was Cibonas annual Christmas benefit show at Dražen Petrović Basketball Hall with proceeds going to the Zagreb Cathedral.[24] The tour in Australia included shows at Melbournes Festival Hall, Sydney's Sydney United Sports Centre on New Year's Eve, Adelaide and Perth. The B'nai B'rith Anti-Defamation Commission of Australia lobbied to prevent the band from receiving Australian visas, but this failed as government officials found that the band did not violate any Australian legislation.[25] After several guest appearances in Croatia, the rapper Shorty was confirmed to be joining Thompson for the Australian leg of tour which collectively drew in 22,000 fans at four shows.[26][27]

In the new year the tour continued with shows in Rijeka, Krapina and Čakovec before pausing for the group's usual Lenten break.[28][29] After the break the group had shows in Zadar's Jazine Arena and in Gothenburg, Sweden.[29] A show in Nova Gradiška had all proceeds go to the building of a local Catholic church.[30] After Nova Gradiška the band proceeded with shows in Varaždin, Karlovac and Županja. Local authorities threatened to block the band's May 21 concert in Stuttgart.[31] However, they backed down after the concert's German Croat backers threatened legal action against the city and translated twenty of the band's songs into German for the authorities' benefit.[31] Thompson was asked by Croatian veteran groups to perform at the Defender's Day celebrations on Zagreb's Ban Jelačić Square, the concert being free of charge.[32] An estimated 55-60,000 people attended the concert by the official police estimates[33] , some figures place it to 100 000 people attending the concert.[34]

[edit] Lyrics and themes

Thompson's songs are often marked with Christian and historic themes, and often include folklore elements.

Thompson, along with fra Šito Ćorić and Miroslav Škoro, performed the official anthem of the Croatian World Games.[35] Thompson also composed the anthem of the Croatian Party of Rights.[36] Thompson's Lijepa Li Si was recorded with Miroslav Škoro, Mate Bulić, Giulliano, Mladen Grdović and Alen Vitasović. Other projects have included Ljuta guja with Jasmin Stavros, and Reci brate moj with Miroslav Škoro. [37][38]

Marko Perković has said that he is personally a fan of Nightwish, Iron Maiden, AC/DC and Dream Theater among others.[39][40] Thompson recorded similar hard-rock as these bands for the first time on album Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj, considered by some to be a rock opera. A Washington Post writer described the New York stop on the Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj tour as sounding "like Iron Maiden doing Eastern European folk".[22]

[edit] Thompson's music and football

Thompson's hit song Lijepa li si(meaning "You're beautiful" and referring to Croatia) is traditionally played prior to and at halftime at all matches of the Croatian national football team at Maksimir stadium.[41] A controversy resulted in 2007 when during a match against Israel, the song was not played. After the match Croatian players Josip Šimunić and Darijo Srna voiced their concerns about the song not being played.[42] Former Croatian international and longtime member of the Israeli league Giovanni Rosso went on to say that the song did not bother anyone at the Israel Football Association.[42] Later, Croatian manager Slaven Bilić also came to Thompson's defence.[43] The controversy was apparently put to rest when the national team began singing the song themselves along with the Croatian fans after their 3-2 win over England at Wembley Stadium.[44]

[edit] Controversy

A man going to Thompson concert wearing Ustaše insignia
A man going to Thompson concert wearing Ustaše insignia

Thompson became popular with their 1991 hit song "Boj na Čavoglave", which was released during the Croatian War of Independence; a time when Croats were pitted against Serbs who opposed Croatia's Declaration of Independence from the SFR Yugoslavia. The song depicts a battle involving a battalion of Croat soldiers from Čavoglave, a village in the Dalmatian rural hinterland (and the birthplace of Marko Perković). The song includes the "Za dom - Spremni!" slogan which was used by the Ustaše in World War II. The term did not originate as a Ustaše slogan. It dates back to the 19th century when it was used as a salute to Josip Jelačić, ban of Croatia. In its initial form, the salute was: Za dom! - Spremni umrijeti!, transl. For the homeland! - Ready to die!. This is little known today and it's modern meaning is seen as that of an NDH slogan much like the Nazi salute which dates back to the Middle Ages. The song was seen as boosting the morale of the Croatian armed forces. It was later modified by Bosniaks and re-recorded as a song about the Bosnian Serb Siege of Sarajevo.[45]

Their song Anica - Kninska Kraljica from 1993 includes the lyrics:

Zbog Anice i bokala vina, zapalit ću Krajinu do Knina
Zapalit ću dva, tri srpska štaba, da ja nisam dolazio džaba

Which roughly means:

Because of Anica and a jug of wine, I'll set fire to Krajina all the way up to Knin
I'll set fire to two or three Serb headquarters, for my trip not to be in vain.

This is seen by Serbs a blatant call for violence against Serb civilians.[citation needed] As the Croatian Army was at war with the so-called Republic of Serb Krajina, it's more of a call to arms against the rebellious territory and it armed forces and paramilitaries. The band used hate speech in songs created at the time of the war against the Serbs.[citation needed]

A young boy going to Thompson concert on 17 June 2007 in Zagreb, wearing a Crna Legija T-shirt.
A young boy going to Thompson concert on 17 June 2007 in Zagreb, wearing a Crna Legija T-shirt.

In 2003, a 2001 a supposed recording of Perković performing a modified version of the song Jasenovac i Gradiška Stara was made public by journalist Matija Babić.

The lyrics included:

Jasenovac i Gradiška Stara, to je kuća Maksovih mesara
U Čapljini klaonica bila, puno Srba Neretva nosila
Sjajna zvijezdo iznad Metkovića, pozdravi nam Antu Pavelića

Which roughly translates to:

Jasenovac and Stara Gradiška, that's the house of Maks' butchers
There was a slaughterhouse in Čapljina, and Neretva (river) carried away many Serbs
Shining star above Metković, send our greetings to Ante Pavelić

Other than those WWII-related remarks in the original, the song was also to include the lyrics: Račane, jeba ti pas mater, i onome tko glasa za te (which roughly translates to "Račan, may a dog fuck your mother, and the mothers of those which voted for you") and Gospe sinjska, ako si u stanju, uzmi Stipu a vrati nam Franju ("Our Lady of Sinj, if you're able, take Stipe and bring back Franjo"), statements related to the then-current political leaders of Croatia. Despite the alleged performance, Thompson has not recorded any music with any anti-semitic or Ustashe messages.[46]

Perković has on numerous occasions expressed sympathies to the Ustaša movement (a WW2 fascist organisation), which ruled the Axis controlled Independent State of Croatia from 1941 to 1945.[47]

In 2004, the band was barred from having a concert in Amsterdam, Netherlands.[4][48] In response, Perković said, "I have nothing against the Jews, but neither did Jesus Christ, yet still they crucified Him".[49] This statement caused an outcry in the Croatian media.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center posted a letter to Croatian President Stipe Mesić in June 2007 and expressed "its sense of outrage and disgust in the wake of a massive show of fascist salutes, symbols and uniforms at a rock concert by popular ultra-nationalist Croatian singer "Thompson" attended by 60,000 people in Zagreb."[47] Some Jewish groups have been known to mislead the public about the band's lyrics, such as B'nai Brith Anti-Defamation Commission executive officer Manny Waks who claimed that Perković sang "My father was an Ustasha, and so am I" despite not having any songs even remotely similar to this.[50]

Two weeks after the concert in Zagreb on 17.6.2007, Perković made this statement regarding claims of the Simon Wiesenthal Center that he is a fascist: "Me and members of my band saw nobody with Ustaša iconography among 60 and more thousand people on Maksimir."[51]

At Thompson's Zagreb concert for the Day of Defenders, a group of youths was heard chanting "Ubi Srbina" ("Kill the Serb"), according to some Croatian media[52][53]

[edit] Controversial statements

Perković has been known to publicly express controversial pro-Ustaše beliefs:[54]

"Anyway, why shouldn't the crowd chant 'Ustaše!, Ustaše!' during my concert? This should be an example to all political structures of how the youth can be unified."
June 2002, in the Večernji list daily newspaper.

"There is nothing wrong with my voicing right-wing, Ustaše, beliefs."
July 2002, in the Jutarnji list daily newspaper.

"Serbs lie, they are that kind of a people. They can't love us, nor is that natural. They are our eternal sworn enemies."
July 2002, in the Jutarnji list daily newspaper.

"I'm glad you cherish our legacy, our songs!"
September 2002, when the crowd started chanting "Evo zore, evo dana", a famous Ustaše song, during his concert on the Poljud stadium in Split, Croatia.

"Displaying Ustaše symbols in public should not be illegal."
January 2004, in the Jutarnji list daily newspaper.

"I don't mind Ustaše symbols. Why should I?"
August 2005, in the Globus weekly newsmagazine.

[edit] Perković's response to accusations

Perković has stated that he is not Ustaše or fascist, but a patriot.[5] He publicly stated on that he means no harm to any other nation, religion or people of different ideology[citation needed]. Despite this, he has publicly voiced his support for the NDH a number of times[55]. His credibility in these statements is diminished not only by this fact but also by the legal necessity to denounce any fascist movement in order to avoid further banning (or other legal action).[citation needed]

At his concert in Vukovar on 13 April 2007 he stated: I can't command anybody what to wear at my concert, and I have never encouraged anybody to wear a cap or shirt with letter "U". My message to all of them (and that I would say this evening too, if I saw [anything like that]): "Wear the insignia of the victorious Croatian army from Croatian War of Independence". It is sad that young people return so far in history and fall for propaganda.[5]

Perković's last tour, Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj, was protested by various Jewish Organizations. Held in Frankfurt, the organizations vehemently requested that the German government ban the concert because of its alleged fascist lyrics. When the German government received the transcript of Thompson's songs, the request to ban the concert was immediately rejected.

At the 17 June 2007 concert at Maksimir Stadium, Zagreb, Perković once more stated that he is not a fascist. English translation of his words:

I'm often attacked and accused that we are fascists, Nazis, and because of this that you who listen to my music and follow are also. And we hereby say to them that we are not fascists, Nazis, but Croatian patriots. We tell them that there are values that we live for.[1] There were people that we will never forget. And there are dreams that we will never give up. Because this country was made, our Croatia, on the blood and suffering of this generation, victorious generation.

The audience, in a sign of approval, shouted a medieval Croatian battle-cry (mostly known from Ivan Zajc's opera Nikola Šubić Zrinski and today used mostly to boost morale at soccer matches), "U boj, u boj - za narod svoj!". English translation, "To battle, to battle - for our people!".

[edit] Band members

The only permanent member of the band is Marko Perković and he is often identified with the band.

Band line-up on the Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj tour is:

  • Fedor Boić
  • Damir Lipošek Kex
  • Tomislav Mandarić
  • Tiho Orlić
  • Marko Perković
  • Damir Šomen

[edit] Discography

Further information: Thompson discography

[edit] Studio albums

Title Release date Label
Moli mala 1992 Croatia Records
Vrijeme škorpiona 1995 Croatia Records
Geni kameni 1996 Croatia Records
Vjetar s Dinare 1998 Croatia Records
E, moj narode 2002 Croatia Records
Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj December 2006 Croatia Records

[edit] Compilation albums

Title Release date Label
Sve najbolje 2003 Croatia Records

[edit] Concert albums

Title Release date Label
Bilo Jednom u Hrvatskoj: Split - Stari plac[18] 2007 Croatia Records

[edit] Concert videos

Title Release date Label
Turneja: E, moj narode 2004 Croatia Records
Turneja: Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj Maksimir 2007 Croatia Records

[edit] By Tiho Orlić

Title Release date Label
Tiho 2004 Croatia Records

[edit] Festival appearances

In Croatian music, festivals play a large role, with new songs frequently being released for a festival and the best song being declared winner. Thompson has appeared at the following festivals:

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Marko Perković Thompson, Tena. Retrieved April 25, 2008.
  2. ^ Celebrations in Čavoglave at Večernji.hr
  3. ^ More than 50,000 in Čavoglave at Večernji.hr
  4. ^ a b An article on Thompson on index.hr
  5. ^ a b c d Perković's interview for Index.hr before the concert in Vukovar at Index.hr
  6. ^ Marko Perkovic (singer) - Biography Research Guide
  7. ^ Marko Perković (1966 - )
  8. ^ a b c Boris Dežulović article on Thompson
  9. ^ http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Mz-fXRsedPMC&pg=PT147&lpg=PT147&dq=Ivica+Ra%C4%8Dan+walkout&source=web&ots=-EF0TG_AcS&sig=O-MZe-GRejlH-dhWLxTMPS_JFwU&hl=en#PPT147,M1
  10. ^ Croatian opposition leader resigns over health reason
  11. ^ a b c Article about 2002 Poljud concert in Vjesnik
  12. ^ 2005 Australian Concert
  13. ^ Promotion for Thompson's Concert in Germany
  14. ^ a b Derbi
  15. ^ Most played song 'Srce nije kamen', Gibonni's album the highest sold
  16. ^ Thompson article at Slobodna Dalmacija
  17. ^ Marko Perković Thompson: I am an ordinary father and husband
  18. ^ a b c Thompson's first live CD on sale with Večernji
  19. ^ With big hearts, 30 thousand at Poljud for dead firefighters
  20. ^ "Neo-Nazi Band Set To Play Amid Protests", New York Sun, October 24, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-10-17. 
  21. ^ N.Y. Archdiocese sees no Nazi evidence in Croat rock band
  22. ^ a b Rocking The Boat, Washington Post
  23. ^ Thompson lights up Toronto at "forbidden concert"
  24. ^ 19th Christmas in Cibona
  25. ^ Jewish outrage at 'anti-Semitic' singer
  26. ^ Exclusive Interview: Marko Perkovic Thompson in Australia!
  27. ^ Thompson in Australia: More than 22,000 people at four concerts
  28. ^ Thompson brought love to people of Rijeka
  29. ^ a b Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj: Thompson going forward
  30. ^ Thompson conert for the building of a church in the Jug parish
  31. ^ a b Marseillaise decides that Thompson's concert will go on after all, Večernji list, May 14, 2008. Retrieved on May 14, 2008.
  32. ^ Thompson Exclusive
  33. ^ Thompson greated the full Square, as well as generals Norac and Gotovina, Večernji list
  34. ^ [http://www.jutarnji.hr/dogadjaji_dana/clanak/art-2008,5,30,,121416.jlmJutarnji list
  35. ^ Croatian World Games
  36. ^ HSP anthem
  37. ^ Ljuta guja
  38. ^ Reci, brate moj
  39. ^ Exclusive interview before the sought-after release of "Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj"
  40. ^ Thompson: God-willing, maybe I'll sing in English, Slobodna Dalmacija, April 17, 2008. Retrieved on April 24, 2008.
  41. ^ Šimunić: Why didn't they allow Thompson
  42. ^ a b Thompson kicked out of Maksimir
  43. ^ Bilić gives interview for journalist who wrote that Šimunić was an idiot
  44. ^ A trip to remember
  45. ^ BiH Army's morale raised by Čavoglave
  46. ^ Fighting genes, Slobodna Dalmacija
  47. ^ a b Wiesenthal Center Expresses Outrage At Massive Outburst of Nostalgia for Croatian fascism at Zagreb Rock Concert; Urges President Mesic to Take Immediate Action by Simon Wiesenthal Center
  48. ^ Episode of TV show Latinica about Thompson
  49. ^ Je li pjevač Thompson opasniji od marihuane. (Croatian)
  50. ^ Vijesti.net - Zbog australske turneje Thompson će morati na savjetovanje o toleranciji?
  51. ^ Thompson interview in Večernji list
  52. ^ Thompson greeted Norac, swarm chanted "Kill the Serb", Index.hr
  53. ^ http://dnevnik.hr/bin/article.php?article_id=48080&page=5&p_all_items=44
  54. ^ Tromblon
  55. ^ Tromblon

[edit] External links

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Pop and Rock music of Croatia
Music of Croatia - Croatian popular music - Hrvatski Band Aid - Croatian music festivals - Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest
Record labels
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