Marko Brecelj

Marko Brecelj (born 30 April 1951 – 4 February 2022) was a Slovenian and Yugoslav musician, conceptual artist and activist. Known for his work with the avant-rock band Buldožer and as a solo artist, Brecelj was noted for his experimental and deconstructivist music, humorous and provocative performances and public actions, as well as eccentric public persona.

Brecelj first attracted the attention of the Yugoslav public in early 1970s, as the leader of the band Krik. His first solo album Cocktail, released in 1974, brought an unusual blend of avant-garde and schlager music. In 1975, Brecelj formed Buldožer with former members of the band Sedem Svetlobnih Let, the group gaining large attention of the Yugoslav public with their experimentation with different genres, satirical lyrics and provocative performances. Brecelj left Buldožer after recording three albums with the group, returning to his career of singer-songwriter, maintaining provocative and satirical style established during his stint with Buldožer, closely collaborating on his works with poet and musician Ivan "Feo" Volarič. As an activist, Brecelj expressed his stance on various social issues with a number of imaginative public actions in his home city of Koper and in former Yugoslav region.

Biography Early life Brecelj was born on 30 April 1951 in Sarajevo. He lived in Maribor, eventually moving to Koper. and winning the Union of Composers of Yugoslavia Award for his song "Duša in jaz" ("Soul and Myself"). At the same edition of the festival, Brecelj's violin was stolen, which led to his decision to give up playing the instrument. The first lineup of Buldožer featured Brecelj on vocals, Boris Bele on guitar and vocals, Borut Činč on keyboards, Uroš Lovšin on guitar and Štefan Jež on drums.

Following the disbandment of Marjanov Čudni Zajec, during 1985 and 1986, Brecelj performed as a solo artist, recording the album Desant na Rt dobre nade (Desant on the Cape of Good Hope). In 2015, the album was polled No.19 on the list of 100 Greatest Yugoslav Albums published by the Croatian edition of Rolling Stone. In 2000, "Novo vrijeme" was polled No.91 on the Rock Express Top 100 Yugoslav Rock Songs of All Times list. In 2006, "Novo vrijeme" was polled No.76 and "Ne brini, mama" ("Don't Worry, Mom") was polled No.98 on the B92 Top 100 Yugoslav songs list.

The lyrics of Buldožer song "Novo vrijeme", authored by Brecelj, were included in Petar Janjatović's Pesme bratstva, detinjstva & potomstva: Antologija ex YU rok poezije 1967 - 2007 (Songs of Brotherhood, Childhood & Offspring: Anthology of Ex YU Rock Poetry 1967 – 2007).

Discography Solo Studio albums Cocktail (1974) Desant na Rt dobre nade (1986) Javna vaja (1988) Hojladrija, svinjarija, diareja, gonoreja (With Strelnikoff, 1994)

Singles "Duša in jaz" / "Tri ženske" (1974) "Parada" / "Majmuni" / "Trotoari" (1981)

Compilations Cocktail / Obilni poslovilni (2024)

Video albums Samospevi (2015)

With Buldožer Studio albums Pljuni istini u oči (1975) Zabranjeno plakatirati (1977) Živi bili pa vidjeli (1979)

Singles "Rastem" / "Svaki čovjek ima svoj bluz" (1975)

With Marjanov Čudni Zajec Svinjam dijamante (1985)