Ivica Čuljak

Ivica Čuljak (4 June 1960 – 27 January 1992), better known as Satan Panonski, was a Croatian punk musician, poet, artist and freak performer.

Early life and career Čuljak was born on 4 June 1960 in Cerić, near Vinkovci. In 1977, he first appeared in the Vinkovci punk scene as Kečer II. In 1978, Čuljak moved to Hamburg, where he claimed to have had his "punk communion". By then, Čuljak already had problems with the law; he spent three months in a correctional facility as punishment for avoiding mandatory military service. In 1980, Čuljak became a singer for the alternative punk band , enjoying minor success with the song "Trpi, kurvo" ("Suffer, Whore").

While performing, Čuljak would engage in gruesome acts of self-harm (which he labeled as "autodestruction") by cutting, smashing bottles on his head, and stabbing himself with safety pins. He justified his acts as a form of catharsis, to liberate the audience from "barricades put on by education and other brainwashing tortures". His acts of self-harm were also described as partially influenced by the body art of Marina Abramović. On 29 November 1981 (Yugoslavia's Republic Day), following a violent altercation at a Meri Cetinić concert, Čuljak stabbed a man 15 times, arguing that the man had previously molested his brother. Čuljak defended himself on the count of self-defence. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison and was expected to serve his sentence at the notorious Goli Otok, but ended up in Popovača prison hospital. He would spend nine years in Popovača, where he was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. The murder would leave a lasting effect on Čuljak. Čuljak's bizarre performances continued. During his concert at KSET, he cut himself heavily while giving a tirade against "punkers with nationalities". The cause of his death is unknown. It was rumored that he died after slipping and accidentally discharging the gun he was carrying. This was confirmed by Vlado Čuljak, Čuljak's brother. Ivan Glišić wrote about Čuljak's life in his book Čizme slobode.

Discography Ljuljajmo ljubljeni ljubičasti ljulj (1989) Nuklearne olimpijske igre (1990) Kako je panker branio Hrvatsku (1992)