Wednesday 30 December 2009

DEMANT


demant was band from Križevci (Croatia) playing their own version of crust punk.. they were active from 1996.. members of the band were: Sajo (guitar), Đoni (vox), Mićo (drums), Tonč and later Dodo (bass)..
with their fast crusty punk music they sound quite original at their time.. they were actually one of first crust punk band from this area which I ever heard for..


in 1997 they record first demo which wasn't never officially released, they just copy it to their friends and the thing was spreading further among people and it was accepted very well.. one year later, in 1998 they release 1st album on split tape with band S.P.K... after this release they toured almost whole Croatia and Slovenia, and played in almost all clubs and on all festivals here.. besides this two releases they also have one live split with Bad Justice from Požega on tape.. in 2000 they record and release their 2nd and last album "Najbolji".. also they have song on various compilations like "kž shit", "benefit for attack infoshop", "benefit for obrana istine" and so on..
the members were active in some other bands like Raport, Ramones(ramones tribute), AK-47,... they was always into d.i.y. way of thinking and against any music industry, so they worked on their releases alone or with help of their friends and small d.i.y. labels.. lyrics was about some social themes, religion, war profiteering etc..
in 2004 band was broke up because 3 members were into some hare krishna thing, and with that other bands in which they was active broke up too..

discography:
-demo - 1997
-first album on split with S.P.K. - 1998
-live split with Bad Justice - ???
-2nd album "Najbolji" - 2000

you can download their split with S.P.K. HERE

Tuesday 29 December 2009

just few words about...

after plenty of thinking about this blog, fanzine thing I decided that there will not be a paper fanzine.. at least for now.. I know, you now think: another lazy bastard.. okay, maybe I'm a little bit lazy but it's not just that.. problem is in hundred of things, like lack of my free time for it, all stuffs with printing which is not so cheap, and so on.. this is not excuse, just letting you know..
but, anyway, the blog continues!!.. in near future you can expect here more interviews (I wait some bands to answer the questions already for a month or two..), some stories about bands which doesn't exist no more, but it will be shame to forget on them (that will be the most bands from Croatia, but maybe some from abroad, as well..), and all other stuffs for which I think it will be good to post them here.. if anybody want to get involved in just write and we will figure out something..
okay, that's it for now, cheers 'n' happy holidays to everyone!!..

Monday 28 December 2009

CHARLIZE GIC - "miris smrti" video



here is the video of new one-man project Charlize Gic which is run by my friend.. all work at music is done on computer except vocals.. 1st demo will be out somewhere at the beginning of next year.. more details here soon.. until then: comment, comment, comment..

3 FOR 60/HELLSHOCK 22.11.2009. Time, Zagreb


I was waiting for this concert for 2 months,since I was heard that Hellshock will have euro tour and among other, they will play in Zagreb,too.. I mean, it isn't every day that some famous American band comes to play in Croatia,hehe..
this time we go as as a full crew, 5 of us in my car.. we arrived there about 7:30 PM when in front of Time were just few people..it was cold outside, so we go in the club and there wait for beginning of a gig.. at this moment Slovenians 3 For 60 was having sound rehearsal.. I heard that they are ex Sodn Dan, so I was glad to hear them 'cause I liked Sodn Dan very much..after some time concert begins and in club comes more and more people.. first on stage were, already mentioned, 3 For 60..they even played one song of S. Dan "I disagree" and that was their the best song.. I liked their music but didn't like vocalist..it doesn't sound me good..he shout a little then he talk, like some rap,hehe.. I didn't like that but as a whole band they were okay.. after them a little break which we used for checking some distribution, Agipunk from Italy, I think.. great distro with lots of great records.. I noticed that on concert was many people from abroad, like Italy, Slovenia, and from all parts of Croatia..

and then Americans, Hellshock start with playing..they come from Portland,Oregon(USA), exist from 2000. and they are quite known all over the world..some members plays or were playing in some other bands like Atrocious Madness, Detestation, From Ashes Rise,Warcry...
what to say about their performance?! explosion and destruction from the beginning..after some problems with the microphone (btw, which was problem for 3 For 60,too) at the first song, furious show continues 'till the end.. they play exactly how they should, not too short, and not too long.. they sound really powerful, like on their records too, and they didn't disappointed me at all, like no one else too, i think..

after the gig we was discuss about what they play, is this crust or metal.. I still think that this is good crust core, or stench core as some call that kind of music and this have nothing with metal, hehe.. anyway, another one great band in the row that are visited Croatia in last time, and that is great.. again one small reproach to organizers, because there wasn't any local bands included, but never mind.. it's better something that nothing.. 'till the next time!..
p.s. - photos are stolen from my space pages of some friends..hope they don't mind..

club Time
Hellshock

Friday 11 December 2009

POŽAR U KUTIJI ŠIBICA #1 fanzine


actually, I don't know anything about the current situation in croatian fanzine scene, so I force myself to investigate a little to find some new fanzines here.. so here is first one, I hope not last one, too..
it is made in good old d.i.y. cut 'n' paste style with nice black layout and unusual front page.. 32 pages,A4 format, written in croatian except interviews which are on english.. I like the thing that there are some personal articles, not only interviews with bands.. besides those author's personal lines there're interviews with The Assassinators and  Utrida Tapes, info about band Smack Attack and some gig reviews..
this 1st number was published in April this year, and 2nd will be out somewhere after new year..
author of this zine is is also singer in band Pedestal so check the band too..
order the zine at pedestal.zd@gmail.com
support the band HERE

Wednesday 2 December 2009

CKN 13 SQUAT info

Independent Culture Centre „13” (CKN 13) was established in 2005 as an effect of activity of the “Krzyk” Association . CKN 13 exists to support non-commercial culture. CKN 13 venue offers both intellectual and utility space for people who want to realize the ideas that are either difficult to or impossible to realize in other places. It’s a venue for concerts, exhibitions, theatre shows, meetings.
By now we have already started some of our enterprises and ideas, there are concerts of bands involved in the independent/non-commercial scene taking place regularly, there are meetings organized, there’s the internet radio - ECHOPUNK , broadcasting music and live programs.
There’s also the band Exmisja connected with CKN13, which has it’s rehearsal room and mini recording studio. There’s screen-print workshop where patches, t-shirt and suchlike gadgets are made. Renovation works still held in the CKN 13 building employ a lot of our energy. Arts workshop and the Food Not Bombs kitchen are about to be founded. The closest plans include opening a regular INFOSHOP, a place where you could discuss with others, have a tea/coffee etc, access the internet, read/buy independent/freedom press. There are also plans to start a freeware-using computer workshop in the future.
We invite and everyone interested in joining our already existing projects or willing to start new ones of their own!
web page
my space

CRK SQUAT info


We are part of global alternative movement. We are not donated by city government nor any kind of sponsorship. All work we’ve done, we’ve done by our hands. CRK is a platform of cooperation of artists and pro-social activists. We trying to create atmosphere to inspire and promote ideas what We share. We prefer methods than specific esthetics or taste, so we can’t be called one genre name. One for sure is a common: DIY.

In our culture activity one of the main goals is cooperation with artists, whose art is an alternative for consumerism - it's enough huge meaning to include either punk rock, or more avant-garde music which is in formal way giving many ways out from pop-culture. In our concert hall till now we had arranged almost 150 concerts, but also theater performances, exhibitions, video installations, multimedia spectacles and regular parties.

We participate in several wroclawian festivals like Wrocław Industrial Festival, 16 Days Against Domestic Violence, Lesbians, Gays and Friends Festival, Grafftii festivals, and Punx Picnic. CRK is also background for political actions and demonstrations.

We also offer space and support for pro-social, non- hierarchical movements. Since 11 years as a community we are organizing Food Not Bombs Action. Every week we cook free meal for homeless people, without any economical support, using a vegetables which are given by farmers on the wroclawian markets. Our association organized several workshops for children from our area.

CRK is a complex of two buildings in closed backyard in city center. We are trying to arrange our place proper and still have some space for new people with their ideas. Till now we run a record studio, screen printing workshop, utopia café, concert room, rehearsal room for bands, bike workshop, internet radio, and guest room for bands and travellers. We’re planning to start with gallery, big kitchen to cook big meals . Our space can be used in different ways. Its all about imagination. Currently we’re giving space for regular poetry events, political meetings, cinema, african dance workshops and others.

It has been almost 8 years of CRK. The place is changing with us. Still creating asylum and background for alternative initiatives. Promoting diverse music and art. Playing with walls, roof and floor.

CRK Collective - crkblabla(at)gmail.com
source: http://www.crk.wroclaw.pl/index.php?/en/
my space: http://www.myspace.com/crkwroclaw

Thursday 19 November 2009

SCHIZOFREHN #3 fanzine




new issue of this 'zine from Sweden..this time on 40 pages, written in English.. main theme of this number are other fanzines so it have interviews with: The Nightmare Continues, Voice Of The Street, Skrut and I.B.I.M. 'zine story, and with some bands: Project Hopeless, For Fuck Sake, Maniati Katz, Gonna Get Yours, Sig Reg, and with editor of Ungovernable Resistance DIY radio show.. also there is tour report from Russia of great band Massgrav, some reviews and so on.. big respect goes to Micke because of his wish for unity on the scene by interviewing various genres bands so everyone can find something for yourself..
'zine is completely free so you must only download it from the net and print it!.. enjoy!..

read or print
my space

Tuesday 10 November 2009

just few words about...

you've noticed that I post few infos about some squats in previous posts..  squats and similar places was always fascinating to me.. this way of living, various activities, constant struggle with city government and police, and all those stuffs which goes with squatting.. I admire to the people who lives in squats..
it's supposed to be a main theme in 1st number of 'zine, so if YOU have any experience, you live in squat or you have just visited some and want to share that here, please feel free to write at crufreedom@gmail.com
and yes..I almost forgot.. don't be afraid to comment stuffs posted here,heh..all this doesn't have much sense if it don't provoke any reactions and comments.. okay..enjoy the reading..
cheers!..

Sunday 8 November 2009

METELKOVA SQUAT info


AKC Metelkova mesto (Metelkova City, Alternative Cultural Center) is an artistic space in the heart of Ljubljana, Slovenia, formerly a republic of Yugoslavia. It is a non-residential squat for artists and activists. It pays no taxes, sells liquor without a license, and has never had any legal status within the city. Metelkova can therefore be thought of as its own city comprised of the subcultures of the surrounding metropolis. The complex consists of four buildings, which hold art studios, galleries, music venues, cafes, bars, and dance clubs. Two other buildings at the site, Hostel Celica and Metelkova 6, collaborate with Metelkova but have separate legal status. The Hostel Celica is legally owned and run by the Student Organization of the University of Ljubljana, while Metelkova 6 is owned by the Ministry of Culture and contains offices of various non-profit organizations.
 

There has been a long and complicated history between the city of Ljubljana and Metelkova.  Unlike the Eastern Bloc, Yugoslavia during the Communist era was open to Western influences and its citizens were free to travel to Western countries. When punk spread throughout England and the U.S. in the late 1970s, many in Yugoslavia took to the development of their own cultural scene. The punk scene in Yugoslavia was well received by mainstream media and flourished. By the time Slovenia declared its independence, punk and alternative culture were already well woven into the region. With the development of Metelkova, this culture found a home.


Following the independence of Slovenia from Yugoslavia in June of 1991, the Yugoslav People’s Army abandoned its head barracks on Metelkova Street. The Network for Metelkova, which was established in 1990 in order to reconfigure social and artistic space.  It requested that Ljubljana permit the use of the former barracks as a cultural center.  The Network was still forming and in regular negotiations with the city of Ljubljana when on September 10th, 1993, the government attempted to illegally demolish the buildings. In response, about 200 people squatted the space and began holding concerts and artistic exhibitions. Throughout the fall of 1993, the center held around 200 musical and artistic events. The subsequent public and media support for the squatters helped foster its growth. However, this did not dissuade the government from attempting to demolish Metelkova. Successful attempts occurred in 1997, when the “Old School” was demolished, and in 2006 with the destruction of the “Small School.” Metelkova’s relationship with the government has been an ever-changing process as Ljubljana’s City Council members have come and gone. As of June 2009, Metelkova has a much-improved relationship with the surrounding authority. A constructive dialogue has developed and there have been talks over the last year about Metelkova becoming city-owned. This would allow Metelkova projects to attain more solid legal status, but some AKC activists fear signing a contract with the city would threaten the voluntaristic, experimental orientation that has been a hallmark of Metelkova Mesto.

With constant struggles throughout the community’s history, it is not surprising that Metelkova is facing an uncertain future. This uncertainty is not based on maintaining the physical space; in fact, many people are certain that the physical community will continue to exist. The troubles come from the larger community of Ljubljana, where the city government has plans to legalize Metelkova by placing it under a contract, possibly changing the entire structure of the community. One member of the Meteorology community was able to articulate the irony, explaining that fighting against the more conservative government of the recent past was easier than protecting themselves from the liberals who, in their current support, may drastically change Metelkova.
  

source: http://metelkova.goucher.edu/history.html
web page: http://www.metelkovamesto.org

MILADA SQUAT info


The story of villa Milada, one of the best known and longest existing czech squat, began 1st May 1998, when was squatted by group of people evicted from another building. Milada is situated in Holešovice district in Prague, north of the city center, near a river. On the place it stands was old villa quarter, which had to fall back on account of new colleges project planned in „communist“ regime. But from the college project are finally realized only three high-raised buildings. Milada also had to be demolished, but finally it was only deleted from the cadastre. Demolition never happened and since the time, Milada didn’t exist in documents. Squatters wanted to make an agreement with Institute for informations in education, the administrator of Milada and surrounding land, all the time, but despite this, unsuccessful attempt to evict the squat followed soon. Eviction was unsuccessful, also thanks to support of college students. In Milada took place concerts, annual Resistance feast (reminder of eviction attempt), Food Not Bombs cooking, projections….
In 2003, a large part of squatters left the house after disagreement and four years of activity decline followed, house served primary only for habitation. In 2007 was unsuccessful tryout to squat a house in the Prague periphery. Squatters, who had idea to build an independent space with clear political direction, turned to Milada, where they decided to stay and revitalize it again. Since then, new collective organized, and helped to happen, hundreds of miscellaneous events: in addition to concerts of many music styles also projections with freegan dinners, poetry reading, theater performances, DIY screen printing and other workshops, discussions, thematic benefit parties, fire show…. It was not only about magnificent actions like celebration of International Women’s day „Toys for boys“ (an exhibition of paintings, theater, projection, squatters fashion parade, gig), Radical graffiti jam or week lasting anniversary of 10 and 11 year of existence. Milada was been valuable because it was a free space where anything was possible. Milada was place for meeting people and space for learning…. Place where we could do benefit concert if somebody got into hard situation, where bands, which haven’t money, could practice, where we cooked for homeless people, where we met lots of interesting and inspiring people, where we realized ourselves, felt free….    
30th june 2009 squat Milada was evicted by private security group hired by Institute for informations in education. Since this day, Milada is posted into the cadastre again, legaly it is again existing house. Police assisted the eviction and didn’t intervened when security employees (lot of them were monitored nazis) were throwing furniture, computers and other stuff from windows, even when they endangered lifes of squatters on the roof, police just covered them. Before the eviction nobody told squatters to leave. After discussion with last squatters on the roof, when the house was already destroyed, cabinet minister for minorities promised to find new substitute space. Now, three flats and cellar in apartment house in centre of Prague (Truhlárská 11), which offered private businessman connected to this minister, are provisory place. Squatters accepted to use this space as a centre for further actions. Soon appeared information, that squatters have to force neighbours to leave. After the emigration of last apartments in the house, which should ensure the squatter, the house would be converted into a hotel. Squatters immediately started to communicate with neighbours, who were scared by negative media campaign. Now, we have good relations with our neighbours, they see we are friendly, active and thinking people – the opposite image that is presented by mass media. Squatters also didn’t want to live here, but use the room just for an action basement – now e.g. as place for cooking and meeting, infoshop, gallery, theatre, gym, storage and multifunction room.

-links: 
http://milada.org/zpravodajstvi/
http://www.milada.org/projekty.php
http://www.myspace.com/klubsquatmilada

Friday 6 November 2009

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT MOVEMENT info


What is the "International Student Movement"?
The "International Student Movement" is a platform used by groups and activists around the world struggling against the commercialization and privatization of public education to network and co-ordinate protests together.
The platform is independent from any political parties, unions or other institutions. It is dominated by grassroots movements and generally open to everyone [students, pupils, teachers, parents, workers,...]. The forces pushing for the commercialization of education [unleashed by global competition] - just like the commercialization of every other aspect of life - are located on the global level. To effectively counter this development groups struggling for free and emancipatory public education need to unite internationally and globally.


"Education is NOT for $A£€ - Global Week of Action"
After the "International Day of Action against the Commercialisation of Education" [05/11/2008] and the "Reclaim your Education - Global Week of Action" [20 - 29/04/2009] activists from various countries agreed to call for another Global Week of Action later this year: Nov. 5th 2009 ["Warm-up" Day of united Action] + Nov.9th - 18th 2009.
Why this time frame? Last year on Nov.5th this platform called for the "International Day of Action against the Commercialization of Education". To have some sort of continuation we agreed during an international chat, that Nov.5th should be the "Warm-up day of united action". Nov.17th marks the "International Students' Day". Groups on the Philippines are already planning protests against the commercialization of education on that day.
An "info pamphlet" can be downloaded here. [print 2 pages on 1 + duplex!]
Please also consider to be added to the list of supporters for this Global Week of Action.

Materials, such as poster designs, can be accessed here.



What is this struggle about?


Students, teachers, workers and parents around the world ask themselves: Is the public education system still serving the interests of the public, or is the focus shifting to implement education systems that primarily serve private and business interests? Tuition fees are – once introduced – sky-rocketing, universities and schools are turned into businesses, student debt keeps increasing and education budgets cut.
Institutions of higher education become highly dependant on their ability to attract sponsorships (usually from economic actors). Consequently only those institutions and departments are able to survive, that are deemed valuable by sponsors.

Public education systems, from kindergarten to university, must prioritize emancipating aspects, be free and accessible to all. A proper democracy only exists, if society consists of emancipated and self-determined individuals, that are able to critically reflect their (social) environment, developments and power structures. Any system, that doesn’t fulfill these criteria is not democratic.

The fact, that groups in more than 20 countries on 5 continents joined the international day of action in November and the Global Week of Action in April this year shows how international this struggle is.

It is up to each group how and for how many days they want to express their protest during the week of action. It can be a smaller or bigger action. But it is important that we co-ordinate this together.
Therefore please leave a message inside this forum or send a mail to:

united.for.education[at]gmail.com
if you have any questions or decide to unite in protest against the commercialization of public education with groups and activists around the world.


- sign petition for free education HERE   
- source: "Emancipating Education For All"

Thursday 5 November 2009

EKH SQUAT info





The Ernst Kirchweger Haus (EKH) in Vienna, Austria, has been squatted in 1990 in order to establish an internationalist, anti-fascist and autonomous centre. It takes its name from the Anti-fascist Ernst Kirchweger, who had been active in the resistance against national socialism during the Second World War. He was murdered during an anti-fascist demonstration in Vienna in 1965. Including an autonomous living space and numerous political as well as cultural initiatives and groups, the project has played an important role in the radical left of Austria and beyond.

Since the 20th of October 2004 it has been known that the former owner, the Communist Party of Austria (KPÖ), has sold the building for much less than its worth to speculators from the extreme right-wing. Shortly afterwards, all the symbol leases have been quit and all users of the house were given notice that they have to be out by the 31st of December 2004. After that, there have been a lot of attacks of the new owner to the people in the house. But at the same time a lot of people have done solidarity actions and protests against the sale of the EKH. They have started several big demonstrations, street parties and action squatted some new houses and party headquarters around the area of Vienna. So the city of Vienna and the “Fonds Soziales Wien” have decided to start negotiations with the new owner the Porr AG. The Porr AG has done a verbal promise that they won’t evict the house before June 2006. But then they have started a new eviction process. So after all there are still no leases for the house and the future of all the projects, initiatives and groups in the house is very uncertain.

The EKH defines itself as a free zone for cultural, political and artistic activities.

To find more information’s to the initiatives and groups in the house go to http://www.med-user.net/ekh/.

In addition to the EKH there are several autonomous projects in Vienna that are threatened like the TÜWI , the female centre in the WUK, Echo and Public Netbase. The “Gruppe Freiraum” still want to have the „Altes AKH“(university campus Vienna) for spaces that allow different ways of life and we still need a Punker house in Vienna!

You will find the EKH in Wielandgasse 2-4 in the 10th district (Favoriten!) in Vienna (Austria) near the red metro-line or bus 14A -station "Keplerplatz", or tram number 6 "Reumannplatz"



Infomaden
INFOMADEN (info-maggots) ...is the name of the new infoshop. The Infomaden is open Thur-Sat from 4pm-8pm. The new infoshop, in the same space as the old one, has been open since January, 2006. The collective re-formed and reorganized itself, some left and others came. But the agenda remains the same: there will once again be the availability of undogmatic-left, radical information, a communication platform and availability of our space for left-leaning debate and praxis, offerings of products from the non-commercial, d.i.y. scene (music, clothes, zines, autonomous-lifestyle-chic, etc), places to sit, internet access, warm and cold drinks. Whoever is interested in our work and wants to join us is warmly invited to do so. Because there are a few bridges to the past and we don't want to be stuck in a paradigm, we will not retain the name "Infoladen X." That affects how we are reached electronically. Starting immediately there is a new e-mail address and URL:
infomaden@med-used.net
www.med-user.net/infomaden
Also the library shares our space in the Portiersloge with the Infomaden.
EKH SQUAT: web page my space

KØPI SQUAT info




The Köpenicker Str. 137 was squatted on the 23.02.1990. Short time before that, the house stopped being rented. The house didn`t got torn down, how it was planned, because of the squatting. In summer 1991 there was made a pre-contract with the administrator of the estate, the W.B.M. (housing association Berlin-Mitte), for the use of all rooms. The contract included measures for D.I.Y. building up as well as making single contracts for the housing space.
On the 01.05.1993 there were made unlimited contracts for the housing space, with the new administrator of the estate, the G.S.E. (association for urban development).

 
failed tryings of eviction:

1994 Volquard Petersen became the new owner of the house with a back-assignment. He quit the contracts and made a action for possession in 1996 to have room for his plannings to built an office block. The case got dismissed and the quittings void by law.
Meanwhile Petersen got huge bills so that the house got distrained and set under forced administration. The Commerzbank applied for a forced sale, what got tried 1999 several times.
Because of a lot of protests and solidarity actions, and also because of valid rent contracts, there was not even one interested investor on the first two auctions. The third auction got taken back in Mai 2000.



forced administration of the house:
The forced administration of the house was stopped and given back to Petersen, from whom noone heard since then. The people who lived in
KØPI started a rent community and made contracts with public utility companies. Since then the rent community ist handling the whole administration of the house.
The drink- and wastewater system as well as the roof was rebuilt totally D.I.Y. Also the basement got developed. Comprehensive reconstructions in the living spaces and smaller reparations are people here doing themselves.
There is no owner or administration needed to keep our project.



the forced auction:

On the 8th of may there was another forced auction. The local court and the creditor Commerzbank talked beforehand and tried to keep the auction secret. They sold KØPI and the KØPI- trailerpark for half of the value to the speculator "Besnik Fichtner", which is operating out of a dubios company mixup. The public prosecution department investigates a case, against him and several persons behind him, because of hard fraud and a lot of other things. Fichtner said to a newspaper "Berliner Zeitung" that he wants to built luxuslofts and berths for yachts. It seems like Fichtner forgot in his greed, that the KØPI is not built up right next to water and it´s going to be difficult to built a harbour on our ground.


Kopi - autonomous and self-organized culture and living project:
The house gives around 50 people living space including their children, from which some of them are living here since their birth. The common used rooms offer space for all different kinds of uncommercial cultural events. There were hundreds of bands from all over the world playing in the two concerthalls, the last 18 years. Young talents from berlin as well as well known musicians from America, Europe or Asia. For a lot of east-european musicians was KØPI the place for their first gig in Germany. Also a lot of theatrical performances or Dance- and other performances are taking place on the stages in KØPI.
We also have a non-commercial cinema, charge free sport- and theaterrooms, a self-organized screen- printing workshop, the techno- basement, berlins oldest climbing room, the open office, vegan/vegetarian Soupkitchens, a band-exercise room and a lot of more.
And all that in conscious of without one cent from the state, city, partys or any other "benefactors"...

 

 

After the auction in March 2007, and the following cancellations of the house contracts, the future of Köpi was unclear.  But since then, the situation has changed in some concrete ways – therefore this update.
It came to long and hard negotiatons with the new owner of the house to secure the Köpi as a living and cultural project.
The first priority in the negotiations was the idea to bring the whole of the Köpi complex, for an extended length of time, under self-management (eg. in the form of a contract that is continueously passed on i.e. that is linked to the project and not specific people so that it has no ending).  We wanted to keep the Köpi for as long as possible out of the capitalist economy.
A possible solution was canceled by the Commerzbank, who, still officially, has veto rights (and is still using them against the Köpi).  Therefore, we have concentrated on maintaining the present contracts and getting them extended.
On the 18th birthday of Köpi, the owner extended the contracts for to the whole ground floor, the first floor and the side wing (the concert spaces, some living spaces and the office) for 30 years (based on the conditions for the rest of the house).  The cancellation of the old contracts for the rest of the house for the 31st of May have also been withdrawn.  Through this, there are no longer any unclear legal positions for the whole house and the land it sits on, i.e. all rooms, including the yard and the land in front all are covered by contracts.
These contracts allow us a continues existance for an unforseeable length of time, without us having to compromise or bring to an end our concept of a non-commercial living and cultural centre.
Our concept: „Köpi stays – and the way it is!“ is and was not negotiable.
This success would not of been possible without the help and support of our thousands of friends from around the world.




The various acts of support, the demos, solidarity actions, donations, the massive publicity, created a lot of pressure and put us in a strong position with regards to negotiating with the owner to halt his plans for an eviction of the house.  To all our supporters, once again, a massive thank you -  we could not of done it without you.
Thanks For All The Support – We W ill Never Forget It!
However, even though the threat of eviction has been lifted from the house, this does not mean that we can sit back.
The situation that has existed for a long time with regard to the Köpi Trailer Park is still unclear.  There exists at the moment an allowance by the owner but there is still no long-term contractual solution.  At the moment there is no danger of eviction but if the owner of the land changes, the next conflict will be forseeable.  We need to stay alert.  Please keep your eyes open and come to the action days at the end of May and show that they cannot push projects like the Köpi out of the life of our city’s so easily.
Apart from that, we still need to show solidarity with the other projects in Berlin that are faced with eviction.  The situation being faced by Rigaer 94, XB-Liebig, Liebig 14 and Schwarzer Kanal remains critical.
The example of the Köpi shows that through massive public pressure, we can win.  We see the saving of the Köpi as just a small step in the struggle for the maintaining of all our free spaces.


KØPI SQUAT

Thursday 29 October 2009

DEFEKT interview



DEFEKT is anarcho/street punk band from Skopje (Macedonia) formed in 2002 by the its vocalist and ex guitar player..questions was answered by Pepe (vocal), so big thanks goes to him.. enjoy in the interview!..



c.f.: first question,maybe a little boring but important.. beginnings of the band, current line up, etc.?

DEFEKT: well the band have its first rehearsal in 2002. In that time we were 4 people,but line up was changing constantly,some were coming others were going.But from the beginning of Defekt it has always been more like a crew full with our friends and people who share the same ideas like us.Now its me(vox and guitar)and Pucha(drums).

c.f.: I know that you have a lot of line up changes in your past.. you even stopped with your work for  some time.. tell us something about that..

DEFEKT: Oh yea,at the beginning the line up was changing very often.Honestly I don't know why,but that's like a curse on our band.And the first gig was in 2007..the band was disfunctional for few years.But then finally defekt was in full line up witch was result for constant practicing,gigs and our first album "Sezona na Lov"(Hunting Season).

c.f.: on your my space page I saw that you put there download links for your releases.. that means you don't have nothing against downloading music from the net for free!? your opinion about the internet in general?
DEFEKT: yes,they are free to download 'cause we don't want any profit,we are for social changes,and in other way I think its good for bands like us who don't have much material support for spreading the music.And about internet it has its good and bad stuff.

c.f.: you have songs named "pivo", "pijan pesak" but also some like "policijska država".. would you describe yourself as politically engaged band or not? and what are your lyrics about?
DEFEKT: defekt is politically engaged band.I mean how can we not be,when there are so bad things happening in the society and world,and in our songs you can find lyrics from political,what we hate and love,problems in society,through that to the alcohol,drugs,having fun,bored times...

c.f.: how are currently things in Macedonia? how is situation with the scene, bands, gigs...? and how is everyday life?

DEFEKT: The scene is good,I mean there are a lot more bands than few years ago,not just in the punk scene,in underground scene.I can remember before there was like defekt,losi deca,druzinta vep the only really active bands.today situation is much better.

c.f.: this days there are many debates about E.U., especially here in Croatia.. what is your opinion about E.U. and would you like that one day Macedonia become member of it?
DEFEKT: More of the people think that if the country become part of E.U.that will be the end of all unemployment,better life...Witch i think its not really correct.I doubt that the things will be better than,but i know that the state system and police are becoming much more brutal.trying to accomplish the requests for becoming part of E.U.,even now there are many more laws and shit,and it is becoming to look like police state.

c.f.: your opinion about fanzines? is there any sense to do a paper fanzine considering on all today wonders of technology? is there any 'zines in Macedonia?
DEFEKT: In Macedonia there are not any fanzines in this moment.Witch is really fucked up I think. my opinion about fanzines,all about it is great especially cause they are D.I.Y. thing.

c.f.: is it hard to be a band now a days? I mean equipment and all that stuffs are pretty expensive.. and with today economical situation in the whole fckn world.. is this "crisis" affected on you in any way?
DEFEKT: Its hard,yes,especially when people stand to think that being in the band is like a job.And if they not play with love and passion than it sucks.There are not much people who don't take being in the band like responsibility.And there were always problems with not having the whole equipment,so we have to improvise.Usually we get a crew of few band and share the same equipment and place for practice.But this days gotta say that even that is really fucking hard to find.

c.f.: okay, back to the band.. few years ago you was played in Croatia.. how are your experiences with people, gigs, etc. from here?
DEFEKT: What to say,the people are really very friendly,we make a lot of friendships,I'm in touch with someone still,we shared the life experiences,got drunk and have fun..

c.f.: something about your gigs.. do you like them and do you like to play drunk (heheh)?

DEFEKT: the most thing I like about our gig is that they are total chaos.And alcohol comes together with that.For me being sedated on gigs is the elixir..hehee...And a good gig mixed with alcohol and drugs are perfect combination.hehe

c.f.: do you know crew from NEW POLICE STATE? I would say that in your music feels a little of their influence!?.. or its maybe because of the language, I don't know..
DEFEKT: yes,it was real pleasure for us to play with them on The Best Of Rock Fest.having in mind that they exist somewhere about 1994 and are one of my favorite bands.When defekt started playing my biggest wish was to play with New Police State and Disorder.And it happend.

c.f.: who is working on your releases, you alone or maybe some label? your opinion about big major labels? if you will have chance to work with some major label someday, would you sign up for them or you will stay d.i.y. forever?
DEFEKT: We are D.I.Y. band  there is no way to sing for some label.Like that we will lose our freedom.

c.f.: any future plans with the band, gigs, releases, etc.?
DEFEKT: to practice more,gig all over the country,balkan tour and have fun as always..

c.f.: something for the end.. wishes and greetings?
DEFEKT: Cheers to everyone,have good time and fun,if you need something you know where to find us...


contact:  http://www.myspace.com/defektni

Saturday 24 October 2009

SENATA FOX/CYNESS/WOJCZECH 20.10.2009. AKC Medika, Zagreb


another usual day at my work till the noon when I received SMS.. something like: "would you like to go on the gig today?".. after a little hesitation, because I was still tired from the crushing weekend (we was celebrating friend's birthday and all that turns in 2 days intoxication, as usually), I decide to go.. after agreement with 2 mates we go somewhere around 6:30PM.. drive to Zagreb was all well, but then standard losing all over around.. if there is some competition how to get lost in Zagreb I shall sign in and I'll probably win.. after 1 hour of unsuccessful searching of Medika squat we take deep concentration (hehe) and map in our hands and we finally find the squat.. when we arrived there we figured that we passed by at least 10 times but we didn't see the squat..horror.. that was first time that we was in Medika, and I must say that I was surprised because of its size.. all the building looks nice and it have a lot of space..
when we was entered, there was Senata Fox already played.. fast trashy hardxcore.. we saw just few songs of them..
after them Germans Cyness grind band from Podsdam (Germany).. they was interesting, especially their singer which was, with his jumping around, running and performing acrobatics with the microphone all the time, warm up the crowd.. I would say that there feels influence of Napalm Death in their music.. at least I experience them like that..
after short pause on the stage comes Wojczech form Rostock (Germany).. grind core slaughtering with 3 vocals which are alternating all the time.. the lead vocalist sounds like someone slaughter him.. the last song they played cover of some German trash band (I forgot its name) and that was maybe the best song.. very fast..
BTW, this gig was part of euro tour of those two bands..beside Croatia they was visited Slovenia, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria.. after the gig much of the crowd stay to hang out at Medika (there was a lot of people considering that was Tuesday) and we goes home because I was working in the morning.. and finaly, as one of my mates has been said: "and we saw this,too".. another two bands which was worth to see live..

SENATA FOX
CYNESS
WOJCZECH
AKC MEDIKA

Thursday 22 October 2009

STIGMA interview


STIGMA is crustcore punk band from Zagreb (Croatia).. they exist for quite short time (for about year and half).. they sound pretty originally in view on other bands here in Croatia so it is the main reason why this interview with them..my questions was answered by Vuk and Branko..my apologies to them because of my lousy translation on english..


Stigma at Gromka/Ljubljana, 2009

Puky | MySpace Video

c.f. : for the beginning please introduce yourself to the readers..
Vuk: cheers dude!

Branko: hi! let me introduce the band - Klen is on guitar, Gradski is on bass, Vuk is vocals and I am on drums..this line up is in full strength for about year and half..
c.f.:in the start band was named Pogrebno Poduzeće.. why you changed the name, and does those two bands have anything in common except line up?
Vuk: look, when Branko ask me to sing with Pogrebno poduzeće that was the first thing, we all agreed that the name should be changed.. as things continued to develop Stigma is no more Pogrebno Poduzeće, I consider that as a completely new project..


Branko: we changed the name because line up was changed.. as Vuk have said Stigma is completely new band and it doesn't have anything in common with Pogrebno Poduzeće except few songs for which we all agreed that will be a shame that they failed, so we improved them and recorded for the first album..
c.f.:few words about  1st album "Apokalipsa", where it can be bought etc.?
Vuk: even in spring this year we have shared for about 100 CDs only because of the fact that doesn't everyone have internet at their homes, and for now, until we don't finish this CD officially (cover,printings and that shits) you can download it from the net.. anybody interested in contact as at my space or at stigma.zghc@gmail.com..

Branko: first CD is very raw, charged with energy and realistic because it is recorded live in the studio (we all together played and recorded it at once).. CD is not computer processed as it could be because we think that then will be lost this raw and realistic sound as we wish to be.. in next few days cover will be finished and we will print album in about 200 pieces and it would be able to buy at our site or at gigs..
c.f.: I was found and download your album from the net.. what is your opinion about downloading music from the net and about internet in general?
Vuk: oh only positive.. today music is finally available to everyone.. you don't need more to request someone to re-record some tape to you, its 5th copy.. in my opinion music on internet should be free of any payment.. it's other case if you want some "hard" release CD or LP with cover/booklet etc. it is normal to pay for it and support the band which you are listen to..

Branko: well, that's okay.. but there is no nothing like good old "hand to hand".. I don't have some opinion about internet, even I don't have it at my home and that is no problem to me..
c.f.: your lyrics are dark, about war, apocalypse etc.. from where inspiration for them? which is more important for the band: music or lyrics?
Vuk: look, that's not something what we are imagine to ourselves, this things were happened around as and still they happens all over the world.. we must start to look in the eyes of truth.. we are not some Scandinavians, so unlike them we know what we are talking about.. some "gangs of New York"(this american sayings like "my magnum is watching you") or rhinos, seals, Tibet etc. that aren't things that border on us and I'm personally  not interested in that.. I don't wanna jump around and scream : "I'm doctor pop and I listen punk rock gaba gaba".. it makes me go shit myself 'cause of that..

Branko: you just watch the news and you already have materials for few lyrics.. all kind of craps are happening so it's not a problem to write that kind of lyrics.. in general when someone gets idea on their minds this brings out on our rehearsal and we work this out.. both are very important, music and lyrics: good music and dumb lyrics are easy to create, the same is with good lyrics and bad music, but bring both of that in one good thing is not so easy..
c.f.: you sing mainly on croatian, what is good in my opinion.. but people from abroad will not understand your lyrics..have you ever think about that?
Vuk: we have lyrics on croatian and on english, but anyway, even the crowd from here told us that they don't understand those one on croatian.. I don't know suomi but listen to some bands from Finland, that is actually answer at your question..

Branko: I don't understand croatian but I listen to some bands from here..
c.f.: how often do you have live shows, do you like play live on the gigs?
Vuk: we didn't play very much during the summer but this don't means that we won't now.. there's no nothing better then gigs.. look,fuck it, we will playing more gigs that we don't have our jobs, so it would not be a problem for us to travel during the week..

Branko: as a matter of fact we play when someone call us..there will be more gigs when people adapt on our music..tell me what is better than adrenaline, booze, noise and a good crowd for the mosh?
c.f.: how is today situation with the scene in Zagreb? is there enough of bands, fanzines, gigs...?

Vuk: oh no dude, those are things which is never enough.. in my opinion in town with million citizens there should be gig at least every weekend or like some days in the past when things happened in rhythm "Wednesday - Saturday".. the biggest problem here is in a lack of space like "rojc" in Pula, "swimming pool" in Kranj, or "pekarna" in Maribor or something like this..

Branko: "scene" is a crap, maybe a few bands which are worth, and which are not melody, there's not a single fanzine and every 4th month maybe some gig..horror..
c.f.: there's no much bands like Stigma in Croatia.. respect for your originality.. is there any bands that have some influence on you?
Vuk: that was always strange to me, too.. and  about influences I can tell you for me they are: Extreme Noise Terror, Hellkrusher, Discharge, Wolfpack, Riistety and from domestic bands Anti Otpad..

Branko: we are trying to push out some our own style so that in such a way isn't the same like some other related bands, and if sometimes it sounds like that this isn't on purpose because it's hard to invent something new today because all is already invented and played.. our playing is mostly influenced by Extreme Noise Terror, Wolfpack, Toxic Holocaust, Discharge..
c.f.: you told me that you works on a new album.. when we can expect its publishing? do you have any other plans in a near future?
Vuk: first to us is to publish this 1st CD.. and now we have some 11 new songs which you can expect to be recorded somewhere around December.. we still didn't decide  if we will push that also at our own or it will go like split with someone.. for now everything is open..

Branko: I think that Vuk is pretty clear here so I don't have anything to add..
c.f.: thanks for the interview, fell free to add something for the end..
Vuk: thank you dude.. cheers!

Branko: Hi mate.. enjoy!

contact: my space
             stigma.zghc@gmail.com

Saturday 26 September 2009

GRIDE/DEZINFEKCE 18.09.2009. Time, Zagreb


another great gig at club TIME which is host to almost every band which is touring this part of Europe in last two years.. it is a great stuff, but in my opinion it would be better if there will be some local bands included like support for guests from abroad..but okay,this is theme for some other time..

when I heard that GRIDE comes to Zagreb I was enthusiastic even if I know that means another sober night for me because I was driving there but it worthed.. gig started somewhere about 10 PM and first band on the stage was DEZINFEKCE.. they exist for quite long time (started at fall of 1991,but with today line up somewhere in 1996).. they play, as they say, hardcore punk with a lot of negative energy.. they try to warm up the people and bring up the atmosphere but they didn't succeed in that.. it was obviously that all the crew was waiting for GRIDE .. I must admit that isn't my type of music,but guys was put some effort in that what they are doing and that is good.. even I liked few songs..
in the break between two bands I talked with some friends which I haven't seen for quite long time, so it was great to talk with them..

and then GRIDE, legendary Czech grinders which everyone was waiting for.. I was surprised with their great and energetic performance.. they should be example to some younger bands which are a little bit boring with their passive shows.. after so many years of making noise (they started in 1996) they still looks as they are giving all from themselves (especially their vocalist) and that was nice to see..they have two bas drums on their drummer set and that was something new and interesting to me.. I was very satisfied with their show.. yes, and two members of DEZINFEKCE also play in GRIDE, that was interesting too..
after the gig we was talking with a rest of mainly drunk crew and after that we go home happy and satisfied because of one more great gig.. after a little losing all over Zagreb (thanks to my drunk friends, hehe..) we find a way to out of Zagreb and happily arrived home..
club TIME
GRIDE
DEZINFEKCE

Wednesday 16 September 2009

ZAGREB: SOLIDARITY ACTION WITH SERBIAN ANARCHISTS


on Monday, the 14th of September 2009, a protest of solidarity with the arrested Serbian  anarchist took place in Zagreb.. the protest was organized by the "Stop the repression!" campaign initiated by The Network of Anarcho-Syndicalists (MASA)..
the beginning of the protest took place at the Petar Preradovic Square with the gathering of approximately 30 people.. since the protest was reported to the police, quite number of police officers were present.. the protesters marched trough the street of Ilica towards the British Square carrying the banner that said: "stop the repression! freedom for the anarcho-syndicalists!" and those words were accompanied with the picture of the caged snow owl.. the snow owl that is actually the logo of Anarcho-Syndicalist Initiative (ASI), now caged, became the symbol of this campaign on the international level.. while the protesters approached the British Square, some of them have been distributing leaflets to people passing by.. all the leaflets were distributed even before we reached the British Square..
on the British Square our official statement was read, it was the same statement as the one on the leaflets.. after that, our unexpected visitors, a folk band of squatters from Belgium, played for us one of their songs.. but since they were not planned, the police didn't allow them to perform more than just one song..
after the performans had been completed, three of our delegates, accompanied by two police officers, went by bus to the Serbian Embassy, where they put the protest letter and the leaflet into the letter-box..

the letter to the Serbian Embassy:
Respected Ambassador!
With this letter we protest against the arrest, harassment and the media lynch of five of our fellows and friends: Tadej Kurepa, Ivan Vulović, Sanja Đokić, Ratibor Trivunac and Nikola Mitrović. The majority of them are the members of the Anarcho-Syndicalist Initiative (ASI), the Serbian section of the International Workingmen's  Association (IWA). They are accused for throwing two molotov cocktails on the Greek Embassy in Belgrade, on the 25th of August 2009, and they are being charged for the criminal act of international terrorism. Although there are no evidence and no proof whatsoever that they commited that act, that did not prevent the media from writing about the accused as if they are proven to be guilty. This kind of behavior is deliberate and it has as its goal the ruination of ASI's reputation and the criminalization of ASI's syndical work. Except that, the state of Serbia would this way inaugurate a new praxis of punishing everybody who may present a threat to it, and who fight for a more just human society, for a society that above all respects the human life, and not the needs of profit. the "Stop the repression!" initiative strongly condemns this kind of behavior and demands the immediate release of the imprisoned anarchists.
If our demands won't be respected, we shall continue with the pressure through the media and with further actions of solidarity, as well as our comrades throughout the world.
                                                                                                                   "Stop the repression!" initiative

source: http://libcom.org/news/zagreb-solidarity-action-serbian-anarchists-14092009
            http://masa-hr.org/content/zagreb-odrzan-prosvjed-solidarnosti

Saturday 12 September 2009

MEDIKA SQUAT info

in time when the world based on money is stuck in recession, when management and economy are threaten in our city, there is almost nobody talking about death of culture which is chocking between capital logic of newborn cultural industry and closed doors of city office for culture..
autonomic cultural centre Medika is thoughtful as place of opened doors where everybody can get space for keeping cultural, educationally, socially-useful activities and we are hoping that this space will be properly used.. the main goal of Medika is everyday maintenance of miscellaneous program and if we can make some fun, educate, inform or be inspiration to someone we won't have anything against that..

the reasons for creating akc Medika:
big number of associations, independent collectives or free artists are confronted with problems such as where and how perform their activities.. the price of space for performing cultural events in most of clubs, theaters and halls are to expensive for the programs which are non profit and which are engaged in youth and independent culture..
because of that rental of the space and technical equipment is often the main reason of inability of performing independent cultural events.. without presentation of their work and without scene where artist would be situated, the creativity of youth is sentenced on amateurism, isolation and many financial difficulties, which shouldn't conditioning status of the independent cultural scene and youth cultural scene..

history:
preceding to the project of Medika was cooperation of few Zagrebs squatters and association "Atack!" (which was without their own space from 2003).. in that time collaboration was realized on organizing ilegal parties in most unusual locations in town which would be squatted just for that one night.. after about 20 squat parties invasion at the "Lapidarij" was happened.. it was first organized action for assignment of space to youth and independent cultural scene.. http://www.h-alter.org/vijesti/kultura/attack-na-lap
but as the space at "Lapa" didn't satisfy conditions of all people interested in, the action was transfered at Medika.. the space of former factory of medications Medika is complex area of few thousand m2.. it is located in the canter of town, it is on good shape and from 2003 it is in property of Zagreb city and from then is empty, worthless and exposed to decay.. after initial cleaning and making space in order, in November 2008 there was organized big, supported by media, opening of Medika.. but police arrived very quickly and dispel for about 500 people.. even if we was contacted leaders of city office for culture, education and sport before occupation of Medika, we was remained without answer.. although, with undefined status "Attack!" and squatters was started with renovation of broken parts, cleaning and recovering spaces on their own cost and using factory illegal to December 2008, when the police followed by city security services throw out on the street squatters and all property of all associations which was using space until then.. http://www.zarez.hr/pages/245/z_info.html
this day there was officially born the "initiative Medika", action of unions consist of associations and independent collectives which was demanding legal using of former factory.. 1 January 2009 there was signed a contract with the city and that's how Zagreb was getting first autonomic centre.. first legalized squat..
http://www.vjesnik.hr/html/2009/01/10/Clanak.asp?r=kul&c=1
if you are interested in using space or you simply want to know something about it contact as at medikainfo@gmail.com .. all other informations find at http://www.pierottijeva11.org/ or http://www.myspace.com/medikasquat