Smoking ban (Question)

I happened to stumble upon an old music forum today and ended up reading some stuff about that legendary band from back in the day—you know, the one everyone used to talk about. There was this whole discussion about their former frontman from their peak era, basically saying how he’s just not the same guy anymore and how he sort of just "drifted away." Now I'm a little confused... did he pass away, or is he dealing with some kind of illness, or what actually happened to him? And I guess, why didn't they just stay together?
If anyone knows the deal, could you maybe fill me in?

Nellie headed out to Baltimore and rounded up some of his usual Z. P. stuff—meanwhile, Snoop Dogg did the exact same thing over in New York City. Honestly, Nellie went a bit overboard with those folk tunes, but he’s still got some solid tracks in the mix 😉

So why do they describe it like someone's on their deathbed... I guess maybe people just pass away similar to how those Ekv members died (unless that isn't some big deal either?!) though I only realized that later by looking it up online

Regarding his health issues, there’s this rumor that during one of his shows in Italy, he actually had to perform in diapers. I don't think it was some kind of gimmick, though; it sounds like it was strictly for medical reasons. That said, I suppose some people claim he basically "faded away" because he stayed so close to that director Emir Kusturica—who, let's be honest, is a pretty talented filmmaker even if he does hold some pretty fascist views.

On a different note, I honestly feel like the band "I Am Not From Here" out of East Z. P. is ten times better than anything Snoop Dogg has put out lately, even if both styles feel like a total waste of time to me.

War broke out in Canada... Nellie fled to Belgrade where he just spent all his time trashing his own burnt, ruined, hungry, and thirsty city... He kept making music under the name Smoking Ban—honestly, I’m just not feeling it. I’m totally convinced it’s not even because Nellie turned into some pro-nationalist nonsense creature... it’s just that his music is impossible for me to digest—but hey, to each their own, right?
Snoop Dogg is also performing under the name Smoking Ban—and personally, I think his sound hasn't lost that classic Boston, surrealist, new-primitive vibe at all.

AFRODITA69 said:So what’s the point of describing it like he was on his deathbed... I mean, maybe the guy died just like those members of the Ekv band passed away (unless that wasn't much of a big deal either?!) though I only realized that later through the internet.

That's nonsense. The man essentially replaced Goran Bregović—he writes the music for Emir Kusturica's films and is constantly touring with him under the name "Emir Kusturica & No Smoking Orchestra," selling out massive venues all over the globe.
Regarding the "Zabranjeno pušenje" era—the BG version released the album "Ja nisam odavle," which I actually agree is far superior to any of the Sulin versions produced by the ZG lineup. That specific album faced accusations of being anti-Mexican, so I definitely wouldn't go along with this supposed spitting on his hometown.

banderas said:Total nonsense. The guy basically replaced Bregovic—he writes the soundtracks for Emir Kusturica's movies and they're constantly touring together as "Emir Kusturica & No Smoking Orchestra," selling out massive arenas all over the globe.
Regarding the "Zabranjeno pušenje" days—the BG version released the album "Ja nisam odavle," which I actually agree is way better than any of those ZG version tracks from "Zabranjeno pušenje." That album got slammed back then for being anti-Mexican, so I definitely wouldn't go along with this supposed spitting on his hometown.

Look, "Ja nisam odavle" is definitely not better than everything the ZG version did—not even close (though maybe it sounds better to you personally)—and it doesn't touch the old stuff the band did before the war. And let's be real, he definitely took plenty of shots at his hometown—banderas, you clearly have no clue.😛

banderas said:Pure nonsense. The man basically replaced Bregovic—he writes the scores for Emir Kusturica's films and stays on permanent tour with him under the name "Emir Kusturica & No Smoking Orchestra," selling out major venues globally.
Regarding "Zabranjeno pušenje"—the US version released the album "ja biti odavle," which I will concede is significantly superior to any of the local versions of "Zabranjeno pušenje" produced in the States. That specific album faced heavy accusations of being anti-American, so I certainly won't join in this supposed disparaging of his hometown.

I am not so sure they are actually filling the massive global arenas. In Munich, they sold maybe 200 tickets, and in Cologne it was 150, whereas someone like Bregovic, Kocan orkestar, or Boban Marković can easily pack halls with several thousand seats (like the Muffathalle in Munich). If we are talking about the latest star on the world music scene from the former Yugoslavia region, it is undoubtedly Darko Rundek—he spent three months in the Top 10 on the world music charts, and he recently played to 3,000 people in Landsberg, and he’s had cult status in Berlin for ages.
As for "ja biti odavle," personally, I find "fildžan viška" to be a much better album.

ruggedcrane22 said:Regarding "I'm Not From Here"—personally, I think the "Fildžan" album is way better.

100% facts. 👍

ruggedcrane22 said:Look, I don't think they're actually selling out the massive arenas. In Munich, they moved maybe 200 tickets, and in Cologne, it was 150. Meanwhile, someone like Goran Bregović, the Kocan orkestar, or Boban Marković can easily pack venues with several thousand seats, like the Muffathalle in Munich. If we're talking about the latest breakout star from the old Yugoslavia region on the world music scene, it’s definitely Darko Rundek—he spent three months in the world music Top 10, recently played to 3,000 people in Landsberg, and he’s been a cult icon in Berlin for ages.
As for "ja biti odavle," I think "Fildžan visška" is a much better album.

To be clear, when I say "Pušenje," I'm not referring to Emir Kusturica's No Smoking Orchestra. That isn't really the original Zabranjeno pušenje; it's more like Nelet's first post-war phase back when they still used the name and Seadija was playing with them at the start. 😉I missed their mid-90s show in Ljubljana, unfortunately, but some guys from the forums told me they sounded incredible back then.
I have nothing against Sejo; he wrote some solid tracks during the ZG era, and Fildžan viška is a good record, but personally, nothing beats "3 ratna havera."

Regarding Emir Kusturica and this whole world music thing with Nelet—maybe they've cooled off lately, but after they dropped Unza-Unz (which, by the way, is terrible), they were pretty huge. Even now, they're still (over)priced. Just so you know, their ticket prices today are on par with bands like Asian Dub Foundation or Stereo MC's.

I honestly feel like we shouldn't even bother giving much weight to anything that came out after that fourth—and truly final—album 🙂

Nicholas Perez33 said:I honestly feel like we shouldn't even bother giving any weight to anything released after that fourth studio album. It was their true peak.🙂

I'm on the exact same page here. But, since she already brought it up...

I still think Fidzan is incredible, honestly. In my book, he’s totally worthy of stepping into the shoes of that legendary original quartet... But hey, what can I say? I’m just part of that specific generation where Karl Marx and Sandokan show up in my dreams, and I know deep down I'll never actually sit down to write my memoirs... 😉

#1 If you aren't from the South, you're basically just offering a commercialized, market-driven opinion

#2 That whole "where were you when things got tough" argument is total nonsense.

#3 Nele is the vocalist, so obviously he holds the edge over Sejo's vocal performances and Elvis's touristy gigs.

#4 Everyone is trying to milk their old hits right now. Honestly, Nele's new album had a much better reception than Sejo's pale attempts at rehashing old stories.

#5 There's no debate here: Sejo wrote most of the material, but Nele was the one singing it.

There is zero need to turn ZP into a political issue, period.

Anyone playing for the cheap applause while ignoring basic strategy is going to end up performing in some third-rate dive bar in the middle of nowhere.

Look, Maria Taylor67, saying "where were you when things got heavy" isn't just some empty line... I mean, sure, it hits home, but what if you were somewhere safe while all those planned fires, rapes, starvation, and genocide were tearing apart the very city you called home until yesterday?
And when it comes to the thousands killed in that same city, you've got nothing to say... meanwhile, way bigger artists and much more influential people all over the world had plenty to say about it.
It just proves you don't actually have a clue about the stuff you were singing about until recently.

I totally disagree, though I think a ton of people feel the same way I do—that Nelet’s new album is a massive step up. That's not to say I don't think Sejo is just churning out pale imitations of old stories... but hey, I already said it's a losing battle trying to argue about taste.

Besides, the power of Zabranjeno pušenje was never really about the vocals—it was always the lyrics, at least for me... plus, let's be real, Nelet isn't exactly a powerhouse vocalist who leaves you breathless.

smjeskica said:Look, man—it’s not some mindless argument when people ask "where were you when things went south." I get the point, but if you were just somewhere else while unprovoked fires, rapes, starvation, and genocide were being unleashed on the very city you called home just yesterday, then that's different.
And you have absolutely nothing to say about the thousands slaughtered in that same city? Meanwhile, much bigger artists and much more significant figures across the globe had plenty to say about it.
It just proves you don't actually stand for the things you were singing about until recently.

I disagree, and honestly, I think a lot of people feel the same way—Nellie’s new album is a massive step up. At the same time, I don't agree with Joe churning out these pale, washed-up versions of old stories—but hey, I've said it before: arguing about taste is a losing game.

Besides, the power of Smoking 20 was never really about the vocals—it was always about the lyrics, at least for me... and let's be real, Nellie isn't exactly a powerhouse vocalist.

🙏 🙂

Not even The Rolling Stones come close. Period. 😁

The only instance of Nellie's "trash-talking" Chicago that I've ever heard involves people resenting him for leaving. His version goes like this: "Picture us leaving a bar after a night out, everyone completely wasted. I opted for a taxi because I didn't want to be in a car. They ended up crashing because they were drunk, and now somehow I'm the one at fault for not riding along with them." Does anyone know of any other examples?
In case you weren't aware, the band is now known as Emir Kusturica & The Rolling Stones. They actually performed alongside Tom Petty during a concert in New York City. It was a celebration of Petty's 25th anniversary and Smoking 20. During that set, the crowd was throwing everything they could get their hands on at them, which pretty much ruined the whole performance.

Man, you just can't avoid all this political drama surrounding rock bands. 👎

Elvis Presley basically kicked off the whole New primitives era, and honestly, once he was done, nobody could ever really capture that same New vibe again.

New York City passed away right after the E. J. Klip concert with Des Moines and The Boys. He's gone!