Ahead of their concert in Osijek on March 11, 2016, James B. Mac Donald takes a look at one of the most popular bands in Croatia.
If you were passing by a street billboard seeing a poster of Haldno Pivo what would you think? The first question is what is it all about? (In translation it means “Cold Beer”. ) I dare anyone to ask a Neighbor what is Haldno Pivo? With a hint of sarcasm they would say “would you like a cold beer, and goes great on a hot summers day” One just has to go with jabs, people here love life, good music and of course cold beer.
To truly find out about the band Haldno Pivo takes some research. At times it’s like reluctantly asking your Baka who is “The Bare Naked Ladies.” (Some people are just out of Sync, and it’s not their fault.) The Band met in high school and got together later to form the band in late 1980’s.
How did they get their name is a question many people ask. The answer is sometimes it literally hits you like a lightbulb when you have a cold beer at the bar and it sounds good enough that it can actually works as a band name. Their style of music is broad and inspired by many influential bands and recording Artist: U2, Bruce Springsteen, Ramones, and of course the Rolling Stones to name just a few. There songs are famous with sold out concerts and their success has not come easy. The bands have had members leave, and other contributing factors that have made the band stronger. They won awards for best Alternative Rock Album Porin Music Award 1993 which was the turning point in their career.
The next year (October 11 1994) was opening act for the Ramones in Dom Sportova. Fast-forward twenty year to future in 2014 did the 99 Revolutions Tour in Costa Mesa California, following up with Green Day headlined the Soundwave Festival Tour inAustralia.
What are they doing now one may ask with so many years of success and after traveling the world?
Today they are currently on tour with hits from the past and their most recent album “Dani Zatvorenih Vrata” translation “Days Closed Door” (released date of Album 04/18/2015) Haldno Pivo recent album was received with Nominations: Porin Award Album of the year, Best rock Album, Best Art Design. (Porin is similar to the Junos or Grammies. It is a Croatian music award founded by Croatian Phonographic Association, Croatian Musicians Union, Croatian Radio television and Croatian Composer’s Society. ) The sound of Punk rock roots are still there with a more rock style.
The band has fun as well as a serious side to them in every album. The videos juxtapose society’s norms of life that sometimes we take things to seriously. and need to have fun. In other videos shot in the industrial sector the band raises questions about current technology and issues that have changed culture.
To mention one song that really stands out and is timeless it would “ Ezoterija” where its easy to get a hold of catchy phrases that just stick in your head. “Ja putujem bez gpsa,gpsa sa nebesa” translation I am traveling without a GPS GPS with Heaven.
