The work of the Novi Sad band Obojeni program  is among rare exemplary cases of how the top results are achieved on the ex-Yugoslav territories through efforts to dream up their own rock music, the music as good as American or British. Founded in 1980 as a result of new-wave liberal thought and a boyish (cultural) adventurism, Obojeni program grew up on the fine foods made from the most daring of the British new-wave and punk music ingredients. The worn vinyl records on Branislav Babic Kebra’s shelf, the only active member left from the original line-up, speaks volumes about the heritage this band belongs to: The Fall, Wire, Magazine, Joy Division, Slits, Pop Group, Raincoats.

For many years, Obojeni program worked on an absolutely daring line-up: bass, drums and voice. A singular understanding of the singer’s role came as an addition to that – a monotonous narrative (white man’s rap) from which choruses with catchy melodies pop out. These very melodies, which could be remembered, and images from the lyrics, engraved into the memory, were the features which made the band recognizable to everybody in the early 90s. Obojeni program was a case of avant-garde with an ear for tradition.    

In the mid 90s, Kebra’s songs became regarded as somewhat of a statement of a generation surrounded by war and anarchy. In the new circumstances, Obojeni program became the voice of civil conscience, a connection with the healthy and happy years of the old country, as well as emotional and moral refuge for those who still saw rock music as the key element in growing up, without too much political engagement, but on the side of an individual threatened by incomprehensible destruction of everything civilized around them. Today, Obojeni program not only represents what is best from the musical Novi Sad, but also what is modern in such a way that it is comparable to anything else in contemporary rock music.

Discography:
Najvaznije je biti zdrav (1990)
Ovaj zid stoji krivo (1991)
Verujem ti jer smo isti (1994)
Ili pet minuta ispred tebe (1996)
Sva sreca general voli decu (1999)
Ako nisam dobra sta cemo onda? (2002)
Da li je to covek ili je masina? (2005)

Obojeniare: Dragan, Tamara, Milos, Cina, Ljuba, Kebra

www.obojeniprogram.co.yu