In Search of Tito's Punks: On the Road in a Country That No Longer Exists

The book explores the story of how a song recorded in 1981 by a young punk rock band from a cultural backwater on the English-Welsh border became famous in a Yugoslavia formed in the image of Marshall Tito. It was 30 years before the members of the band found out, and the book explores the life stories of the heroes of Yugoslavian punk and the punks themselves from the Tito era to the present.

Format: Hardback
Length: 260 pages
Publication date: 16 June 2023
Publisher: Intellect Books

The book delves into the captivating tale of how a song recorded in 1981 by a young punk rock band hailing from a cultural backwater on the English-Welsh border, and released on a tiny independent record label, achieved worldwide fame in a Yugoslavia that was modeled after Marshall Tito. The intriguing question that arises is why it took the band members thirty years to discover this remarkable fact. Furthermore, how did a "socialist country" like Yugoslavia boast one of the most vibrant punk scenes in the world?

Gloucester, England, in 1981, witnessed the formation of the multi-racial teenage street-punk band Demob, which embarked on a musical journey that would ultimately leave an indelible mark on the world. Their most renowned and enduring song, "No Room for You," was recorded and released, encapsulating the essence of a bygone era. The lyrics, whether interpreted as a furious protest against injustice, a poignant lament for the loss, or a romantic ode to a bygone era, resonated with listeners from all walks of life.

More than three decades later, the author, who served as the bassist for Demob in 1981, embarked on a quest to trace the origins of the song across a country that no longer exists. Along his journey, he encountered the remarkable life stories of the heroes of Yugoslavian punk and the punks themselves. The book spans from the era of Tito's rule through the disintegration, wars, forced displacements, and permanent exiles that marked the country's history. It also provides a poignant glimpse into the current turbulent "reconstruction" phase.

Through the lens of punk and punk rockers, the book offers an unvarnished yet affectionate portrayal of Yugoslavia in the years preceding its demise, leading up to the present. It serves as a mural and soundtrack of a journey through a time and place that has vanished into the annals of history. This latest addition to the Global Punk series from Intellect offers a unique perspective on the cultural and musical landscape of a bygone era, providing a captivating glimpse into the lives and experiences of the individuals who shaped the punk scene in Yugoslavia.

Weight: 568g
Dimension: 154 x 217 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789387315