Thompson (band)
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2008-07-17T03:41:08Z
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/212.200.151.114|212.200.151.114]] to last version by DIREKTOR (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| Name = Thompson
| Img = M. P. Thompson.jpg
| Img_capt = Thompson in Frankfurt
| Img_size = 200
| Background = group_or_band
| Origin = [[Čavoglave]], [[Socialist Republic of Croatia|SR Croatia]], [[SFR Yugoslavia]]
| Genre = [[Rock music|Rock]]<br/>[[Christian rock]]
| Years_active = [[1991]]-present
| Label =
| URL = [http://www.thompson.hr/ www.thompson.hr]
| Current_members = Marko Perković<br />Tiho Orlić<br />Damir Lipošek Kex<br />Fedor Boić<br />Tomislav Mandarić<br />Damir Šomen
| Past_members =
}}
'''Thompson''' is a [[Croatia]]n [[rock music|rock]] band. The [[frontman]], [[songwriter]] and [[lead vocalist]] of Thompson is Marko Perković, who is often identified with the band. Thompson is often considered his [[stage name]]. The lineup also includes Tiho Orlić as supporting vocalist and bass guitarist, while the remaining members of the bend are less prominent. The remaining members of the band (as of [[Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj]] tour) are: Damir Lipošek Kex, Fedor Boić, Damir Šomen, & Tomislav Mandarić. The name "Thompson" comes from the [[Thompson submachine gun]], which was Perković's nickname. Originally from [[Čavoglave]] in the [[Zagora (Croatia)|Dalmatian hinterland]], Perković now makes his home in the Croatian capital of [[Zagreb]].<ref>[http://www.tena.revije.hr/clanak.aspx?id=742 Marko Perković Thompson], Tena. Retrieved April 25, 2008.</ref>
Thompson annually performs for [[Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day]] in Perković's hometown of [[Čavoglave]]. In 2006, he was joined by Mate Bulić, Tiho Orlić, [[Dražen Zečić]],
[[Ivan Mikulić]] and [[Baruni]] for a performance in front of 60,000.<ref name="Thanksgiving1">[http://www.vecernji.hr/newsroom/news/croatia/605062/index.do Celebrations in Čavoglave] at Večernji.hr</ref> In [[2007]], he was again joined by Dražen Zečić, Mate Bulić and rapper [[Shorty (rapper)|Shorty]], for a performance in front of 50,000.
<ref name="Thanksgiving2">[http://www.vecernji.hr/newsroom/scena/2279904/index.do More than 50,000 in Čavoglave] at Večernji.hr</ref>
Thompson has been banned from performing in [[The Netherlands]] because the government forbids fascist promotion and deemed the band's lyrics to contain such.<ref name="index.hr">[http://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak.aspx?id=178032 An article on Thompson on index.hr]</ref> However, he has recently been promoting a point of view, saying in an interview before the start of his [[Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj]] Tour in [[Borovo Naselje]] (one of starting points of the [[Croatian War of Independence]]), "''Wear the insignia of the victorious [[Croatian Army]]. It is sad that young people return so far in history and fall for propaganda."''<ref name = "Vukovar">[http://www.index.hr/xmag/clanak.aspx?id=344183 Perković's interview for Index.hr before the concert in Vukovar] at Index.hr</ref>
==History==
Marko Perković, the founder of the group, was born [[27 October]] [[1966]] in the village of Čavoglave in the rural [[Zagora (Croatia)|Dalmatian hinterland]] of the [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]].<ref>[http://www.123exp-biographies.com/t/00034489787/ Marko Perkovic (singer) - Biography Research Guide<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The band, however, first gained prominence in 1991 at the beginning of the [[Yugoslav wars]], more specifically the [[Croatian War of Independence]], with the song "Bojna Čavoglave" (''trans.'' Čavoglave [[battalion]]). Perković performed the song under the pseudonym ''Thompson''. The song starts with "[[za dom spremni|Za dom - Spremni!]]", a phrase which dates back to the 19th century Croatian Ban Josip Jelačić, but the modern meaning of which was redefined by its usage as a [[Ustaše]] salute during World War II. From there, the song mostly deals with a call to [[Croatian Ground Army|Croatian armed forces]] to repel greater serbian [[Chetnicks]] (bandits,) to stops their etnic cleansing crimes <ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.iwpr.net/?p=tri&s=f&o=259675&apc_state=henftri259753
|title=Martić “Provoked” Croatian Conflict
|accessdate=2007-06-12
|author=Goran Jungvirth
|date=[[2006-02-17]]
|publisher=[[Institute for War and Peace Reporting]]
}}</ref> and to track down they and their accomplices also in Serbia<ref>Song text (in English) [http://www.thompson.hr/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=113]</ref>. It was seen as fueling the morale of Croatian fighters and was very popular at the time. It appeared on the compilation of Croatian war songs [[Rock za Hrvatsku]] (''Rock for Croatia'').
In 1992 Thompson published his first album ''Moli mala''. By this time he had left the Croatian Army but he returned to military service for a short time in [[1995]] to participate in [[Operation Storm]].<ref>[http://www.vojska.net/hrv/zivotopis/p/perkovic/marko/ Marko Perković (1966 - )<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> As time passed Perković lost his early popularity and through the 1990s he remained relatively less popular. He did release some minor hits such as ''Zmija me za srce ugrizla'' (''trans.'' "Snake bit my heart") and ''Grkinjo, znaj, svemu je kraj'' (''trans.'' "Greek woman, know that we're through"), but repeated his popularity after the hit Prijatelji in 1998.<ref name="Dezulović">[http://www.bhdani.com/arhiva/275/t27518.shtml Boris Dežulović article on Thompson]</ref>
After the [[Croatian parliamentary election, 2000|parliamentary elections in 2000]], a center-left government was formed, led by the president of the [[Social Democratic Party of Croatia|Social Democratic Party]] (SDP) [[Ivica Račan]], last secretary-general of the [[League of Communists of Croatia]] and a prominent leader in Croatia's push for independence.<ref>http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Mz-fXRsedPMC&pg=PT147&lpg=PT147&dq=Ivica+Ra%C4%8Dan+walkout&source=web&ots=-EF0TG_AcS&sig=O-MZe-GRejlH-dhWLxTMPS_JFwU&hl=en#PPT147,M1</ref><ref>[http://english.people.com.cn/200704/12/eng20070412_365749.html Croatian opposition leader resigns over health reason]</ref> This sparked angry reactions among Croatian nationalists and Thompson once again gained popularity. During his concerts he often made obscene remarks on the Croatian Prime Minister at the time, Ivica Račan, and the President of the Republic, [[Stipe Mesić]].<ref name="Dezulović"/>
Many of Thompson's songs (such as "''Bojna Čavoglave''", "''Lijepa Li Si''", "''Vjetre s Dinare''") have become major hits in Croatia, and are played at [[Football (soccer)|football]] games and other large events. The band has won the Croatian music competitions [[Melodije Mostara]] (in 2001) and the [[Croatian Radio Festival]] (in 2006), and has performed annually on [[Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day]], with all benefits going to families of Croatian soldiers.{{Fact|date=June 2007}}
On one occasion, he performed the song [[Jasenovac i Gradiška Stara]] (not after [[2003]]) that recalls the times of when Croatia was a fascist country and where Serbs, Jews and Romas were exterminated in Jasenovac concentration camp. This song has been viewed as vehemently anti-Serb and as a promotion of Croatian chauvinism in this modern day and age.
===E, Moj Narode tour===
After the release of ''[[E, moj narode|E, Moj Narode]]'' in [[2002]], Thompson began touring to promote the album. The height of his tour was a " magnificent"<ref name="vjesnikPoljud2002">[http://www.vjesnik.hr/Pdf/2002%5C09%5C17%5C21A21.PDF Article about 2002 Poljud concert in Vjesnik]</ref> concert at the [[Gradski stadion u Poljudu|Poljud football stadium]] in [[Split]]. The concert was attended by 40000 spectators. During the song "Lijepa li si", [[Miroslav Škoro]], [[Alen Vitasović]], [[Mate Bulić]], [[Giuliano]] and [[Mladen Grdović]] joined him on stage. At the concert Perković again repeated that his songs mark three loves: God, homeland and family.<ref name="vjesnikPoljud2002" />
The concert sparked many controversies at the time. Two seats in the audience were reserved for general [[Mirko Norac]] (convicted [[war criminal]], at the time on trial) and general [[Ante Gotovina]] ([[as of 2007]] in custody of [[ICTY]], at the time fugitive from [[ICTY]]). At the beginning of the concert, just few moments before Perković stepped on the stage, the audience sang the [[Ustaše]] song "[[Evo zore, evo dana]]".<ref name="vjesnikPoljud2002" /> <ref name="Dezulović"/>
In 2003, Thompson released a [[Sve najbolje (Thompson)|best-of CD]]. Also, in [[2004]] the band's vocalist and bassist Tiho Orlić released a solo album [[Tiho]] which contained a couple of Thompson songs, and which Marko Perković also collaborated in.
This tour continued sporadically into [[2005]]. Internationally, he played at [[Sydney]]'s [[Sydney Entertainment Centre|Entertainment Centre]] and [[Melbourne]]'s [[Vodafone Arena]] in May of 2005.<ref>[http://www.mir.net.au/thompson/m_venues.php 2005 Australian Concert]</ref> By the end of the tour, the album was declared a Diamond Record after more than 60,000 copies were sold.<ref>[http://www.crorec.hr/crorec.hr/vijest.php?OBJECT_ID=207619 Promotion for Thompson's Concert in Germany]</ref>
In June of [[2006]], Marko Perković participated in a celebrity football match held in Maksimir in support of children and families affected by malignant disease.<ref name = "Derbi">[http://www.hrt.hr/derbi/ Derbi]</ref> Perković was not played by former Croatia international manager [[Miroslav Blažević]], due to an injury.<ref name = "Derbi"/>
===Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj tour===
[[Image:Thompson-hrt.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Concert at Maksimir Stadium]]
''[[Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj]]'' was released in December of [[2006]]. Despite the late release, it became the second-highest selling Croatian album of the year.<ref>[http://www.vecernji.hr/newsroom/scena/1593026/index.do Most played song 'Srce nije kamen', Gibonni's album the highest sold]</ref> Soon after, Thompson announced an initial tour of [[Croatia]] and select [[Europe]]an cities beginning after the [[Lent]]en season through to the summer, and culminating with a performance at [[Maksimir Stadium]] in [[Zagreb]]. The tour began in [[Vukovar]] in the [[Borovo Naselje]] neighborhood where approximately 4000 fans came out to watch the group perform.<ref name="Vukovar"/>
The tour continued to [[Đakovo]] before going to [[Frankfurt]], [[Germany]]'s [[Ballsporthalle]] where he performed for a crowd of approximately 15,000. In adjacent hall [[Bob Dylan]] performed with an audience of about 2,000 people. When he heard that Thompson had an audience of 15,000 people he asked to be taken to the concert. After that he said that he liked the music.<ref name="slobodna">[http://www.slobodnadalmacija.hr/20070607/reflektor02.asp Thompson article] at [[Slobodna Dalmacija]]</ref> By June, the album had sold 100,000 copies - very high by Croatian standards.<ref>[http://www.tena.revije.hr/clanak.aspx?id=3864 Marko Perković Thompson: I am an ordinary father and husband]</ref>
The first tour leg in Croatia ended in biggest concert on Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb. He performed in front of 60 000 spectators. Concert was broadcast live on Croatian Public Television. As part of the second leg, Thompson performed at Split's Stari plac in front of 25,000. The show was recorded for a live CD release.<ref name = "Live CD">[http://www.vecernji.hr/newsroom/scena/2967075/index.do;jsessionid=CEC21DD8A3955BE1136A6F321E0A5CD3.2 Thompson's first live CD on sale with Večernji]</ref>
[[Image:Thompson Toronto.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Banner from Toronto-area concert]]
After the [[2007 Croatian coast fires|Kornati firefighter tragedy of the summer of 2007]], Thompson participated in the recording of a memorial song ''Ovo nije kraj'' (This is not the end), as well as a charity football match at [[Poljud]].<ref>[http://www.glasdalmacije.com/index.php?show=0&article=4056 With big hearts, 30 thousand at Poljud for dead firefighters]</ref>
He had two shows scheduled in November 2007 for [[New York City]], which provoked protests from several Jewish groups.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nysun.com/article/65117 | title=Neo-Nazi Band Set To Play Amid Protests | publisher=[[New York Sun]] |date= October 24, 2007 | first= | last= | accessdate =2007-10-17}}</ref> These lobby groups called on the [[Archdiocese of New York]] to stop the show, but this failed as the diocese found no evidence that the group promotes Nazism. <ref>[http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/11/01/2007-11-01_ny_archdiocese_sees_no_nazi_evidence_in_-1.html N.Y. Archdiocese sees no Nazi evidence in Croat rock band]</ref> A [[Washington Post]] reporter who attended one of the concerts was also not convinced of the alleged Neo-Nazi link.<ref name="WashingtonPost">[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/04/AR2007110401620.html Rocking The Boat], [[Washington Post]]</ref> Thompson's concert in the [[Toronto]] area attracted 5000 people to the Croatian centre where it was held, after the original venue of 2500 capacity, [[The Guvernment|Kool Haus]], cancelled.<ref>[http://www.index.hr/xmag/clanak.aspx?id=363880 Thompson lights up Toronto at "forbidden concert"]</ref> The rest of the tour continued as planned.
Thompson returned to Croatia in November of 2007, and continued with shows in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]: [[Tomislavgrad]], [[Novi Travnik]], Široki Brijeg and [[Čapljina]].<ref name = "Live CD"/> His last show in Croatia before heading to Australia was [[KK Cibona|Cibona]]s annual Christmas benefit show at [[Dražen Petrović Basketball Hall]] with proceeds going to the [[Zagreb Cathedral]].<ref>[http://www.katolici.org/dogadjanja.php?action=c_vidi&id=12009 19th Christmas in Cibona]</ref> The tour in Australia included shows at Melbournes [[Festival Hall, Melbourne|Festival Hall]], Sydney's [[Sydney United Sports Centre]] on [[New Year's Eve]], Adelaide and Perth. The [[B'nai B'rith]] Anti-Defamation Commission of Australia lobbied to prevent the band from receiving Australian visas, but this failed as government officials found that the band did not violate any Australian legislation.<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22958965-5005961,00.html Jewish outrage at 'anti-Semitic' singer]</ref> After several guest appearances in Croatia, the rapper [[Shorty (rapper)|Shorty]] was confirmed to be joining Thompson for the Australian leg of tour which collectively drew in 22,000 fans at four shows.<ref>[http://newgeneration.croatianherald.com/Interview/tabid/100/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2360/Default.aspx Exclusive Interview: Marko Perkovic Thompson in Australia!]</ref><ref>[http://www.vecernji.hr/newsroom/scena/2986150/index.do;jsessionid=90E90964EC1346A12E68B97934AAB957.2 Thompson in Australia: More than 22,000 people at four concerts]</ref>
In the new year the tour continued with shows in [[Rijeka]], [[Krapina]] and [[Čakovec]] before pausing for the group's usual [[Lent]]en break.<ref>[http://www.r-1.hr/view.asp?idp=8339&c=11 Thompson brought love to people of Rijeka]</ref><ref name="Javno135812">[http://www.javno.com/hr/film-i-glazba/clanak.php?id=135812 Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj: Thompson going forward]</ref> After the break the group had shows in [[Zadar]]'s [[Jazine Basketball Hall|Jazine Arena]] and in [[Gothenburg]], [[Sweden]].<ref name="Javno135812"/> A show in [[Nova Gradiška]] had all proceeds go to the building of a local Catholic church.<ref>[http://www.novagradiska.com/site/v2/default.php?ngdefault=ng-central.php&ngnovosti=news-id.php&id=1077276 Thompson conert for the building of a church in the Jug parish]</ref> After Nova Gradiška the band proceeded with shows in [[Varaždin]], [[Karlovac]] and [[Županja]]. Local authorities threatened to block the band's [[May 21]] concert in [[Stuttgart]].<ref name="Vecernji3081552">[http://www.vecernji.hr/home/showbiz/3081552/index.do Marseillaise decides that Thompson's concert will go on after all], [[Večernji list]], May 14, 2008. Retrieved on May 14, 2008.</ref> However, they backed down after the concert's German Croat backers threatened legal action against the city and translated twenty of the band's songs into German for the authorities' benefit.<ref name="Vecernji3081552"/> Thompson was asked by Croatian veteran groups to perform at the Defender's Day celebrations on Zagreb's [[Ban Jelačić Square]], the concert being free of charge.<ref>[http://www.javno.com/hr/film-i-glazba/clanak.php?id=151868 Thompson Exclusive]</ref> An estimated 55-60,000 people attended the concert by the official police estimates<ref>[http://www.vecernji.hr/home/showbiz/3094249/index.do;jsessionid=473A53CD37FA0781A2447E211058F0E5.1 Thompson greated the full Square, as well as generals Norac and Gotovina], [[Večernji list]]</ref>
, some figures place it to 100 000 people attending the concert.<ref>[http://www.jutarnji.hr/dogadjaji_dana/clanak/art-2008,5,30,,121416.jlm[[Jutarnji list]]</ref>
==Lyrics and themes==
Thompson's songs are often marked with Christian and historic themes, and often include folklore elements.
His own claim to sing about three big loves: God, Family and homeland, are not simply a self-defence statement, or a political [[manifesto]]: a lot of his most successful (and most appreciates by critics) songs deal about religion [ Radost s Visina (Joy from Above), Necu izdat ja (I will not betray/give up), Dan dolazi (It come the days), Pocetak ( In Principium)] or his own family and birthplace [ Vjetar s Dinare (Winds from [[Dinaric Alpes|Dinara]], Sine Moj (Oh, my Son) Moj Dida i Ja (My Granpa and I)].
Thompson, along with fra Šito Ćorić and Miroslav Škoro, performed the official anthem of the [[Croatian World Games]].<ref>[http://www.crowc.org/hrvatski/events/info.asp?id=3868 Croatian World Games]</ref> Thompson also composed the anthem of the [[Croatian Party of Rights]].<ref>[http://www.hsp.hr/osnovno/hsp_himna.htm HSP anthem]</ref> Thompson's ''Lijepa Li Si'' was recorded with [[Miroslav Škoro]], [[Mate Bulić]], Giulliano, Mladen Grdović and [[Alen Vitasović]]. Other projects have included ''Ljuta guja'' with [[Jasmin Stavros]], and ''Reci brate moj'' with Miroslav Škoro. <ref>[http://www.diskografija.com/pjesma/ljuta-guja-1893.htm Ljuta guja<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.diskografija.com/pjesma/reci-brate-moj-1558.htm Reci, brate moj<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
As time goes by, that contacts lead to the forming of a more-defined group of singers and performers, first know as the [[Tri kuma]] (the three stepfathers): M.P. Thompson himself, [[Miroslav Škoro]] and [[Mate Bulić]] who were the stepfathers of his first-born Šimun Petar , and now popularly referred as the "Narodni" (Nationals or better Patriotics).
That group is not a fixed one, it's instead an (ever-growing) large and loose one, enlisting a great number of famous croatian performers of different musical tendences ( from folk[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Najbolji_Hrvatski_Tamburaši]] to rock to rap[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shorty_%28rapper%29]]), the patriotic and rightist political tendences and the opposition to cosmopolitan, [[globalized]] [[Mtv]]-style music, seemingly being the only pre-requisite needed.
That group , thanks to the great popularity of its associates, the media it controls or influences (the very popular Narodni radio, the Croatian Music Channels, and expecially the largest croatian [[label]] Croatia records, whose director is Škoro itself) , got great influence in contemporary croatian popolar music and ultimately seems to have achieved its main cultural goal, winning over the opposite "urbanized" easy-listening tendences also in the younger parts of the audience.
Marko Perković has said that he is personally a fan of [[Nightwish]], [[Iron Maiden]], [[AC/DC]] and [[Dream Theater]] among others.<ref>[http://www.thompson.hr/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=22&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0 Exclusive interview before the sought-after release of "Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj"]</ref><ref>[http://www.slobodnadalmacija.hr/Reflektor/tabid/92/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/4131/Default.aspx Thompson: God-willing, maybe I'll sing in English], [[Slobodna Dalmacija]], April 17, 2008. Retrieved on April 24, 2008.</ref> Thompson recorded similar hard-rock as these bands for the first time on album [[Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj]], considered by some to be a rock opera. A [[Washington Post]] writer described the New York stop on the ''Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj'' tour as sounding "like Iron Maiden doing Eastern European folk".<ref name="WashingtonPost"/>
==Thompson's music and football==
Thompson's hit song ''Lijepa li si''(meaning " How much are you beautiful?" and referring to Croatia) is traditionally played after to and at halftime at all matches of the [[Croatia national football team|Croatian national football team]] at Maksimir stadium.<ref>[http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/simunic-zasto-nam-nisu-pustili-thompsona/361533.aspx Šimunić: Why didn't they allow Thompson]</ref> The tradition came from fact that Lijepa li si, was widely recognised by croatian audience like a true twenty-one century [[re-enacting]] of [[ Lijepa naša domovino]] (Oh, Our beautiful little homeland), the croatian anthem<ref> Songs text comparison: [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lijepa_naša_domovino]][[http://www.thompson.hr/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=127]]</ref>.
A controversy resulted in 2007 when during a match against [[Israel]], the song was not played. After the match Croatian players [[Josip Šimunić]] and [[Darijo Srna]] voiced their concerns about the song not being played.<ref name = "Reic">[http://www.slobodnadalmacija.com/20071015/novosti02.asp Thompson kicked out of Maksimir]</ref> Former Croatian international and longtime member of the Israeli league [[Giovanni Rosso]] went on to say that the song did not bother anyone at the [[Israel Football Association]].<ref name = "Reic"/> Later, Croatian manager Slaven Bilić also came to Thompson's defence.<ref>[http://www.nogometni-magazin.com/euro2008-626d.shtml Bilić gives interview for journalist who wrote that Šimunić was an idiot]</ref>
The controversy was apparently put to rest when the national team began singing the song themselves along with the Croatian fans after their 3-2 win over England at [[Wembley Stadium]].<ref>[http://www.glasdalmacije.com/?show=0&article=5890 A trip to remember]</ref>
==Controversy==
[[Image:Thompson Maksimir 17.6.2007 1.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A man going to Thompson concert wearing [[Ustaše]] insignia]]
Thompson became popular with their 1991 hit song "''Bojna Čavoglave''", which was released during the [[Croatian War of Independence]].The song depicts a battle involving a battalion of Croat soldiers from [[Čavoglave]], a village in the [[Dalmatia]]n rural hinterland (and the birthplace of Marko Perković). The song includes the ''"Za dom - Spremni!"'' slogan which was used by the Ustaše in World War II. The term did not originate as a Ustaše slogan. It dates back to the 19th century when it was used as a salute to [[Josip Jelačić]], [[Ban (title)|ban]] of Croatia. In its initial form, the salute was: ''Za dom! - Spremni umrijeti!'', [[English language|''transl.'']] ''For the homeland! - Ready to die!''. This is little known outside Croatia and its modern meaning is seen as that of an NDH slogan much like the Nazi salute which dates back to the Middle Ages. The song was seen as boosting the morale of the Croatian armed forces. It was later modified by [[Bosniaks]] and re-recorded as a song about the [[Bosnian Serb]] [[Siege of Sarajevo]].<ref>[http://www.poskok.info/index.php?Itemid=2&id=8381&option=com_content&task=view BiH Army's morale raised by Čavoglave]</ref>
Their song ''Anica - Kninska Kraljica'' from 1993 includes the lyrics:
:''Zbog Anice i bokala vina, zapalit ću Krajinu do Knina''
:''Zapalit ću dva, tri srpska štaba, da ja nisam dolazio džaba''
Which roughly means:
: ''Because of Anica and a jug of wine, I'll set fire to [[Republic of Serb Krajina|Krajina]] all the way up to Knin''
:''I'll set fire to two or three Serb headquarters, for my trip not to be in vain.''
This is seen by Serbs a blatant call for violence against Serb civilians.{{Fact|date=November 2007}} As the [[Croatian Army]] was at war with the so-called [[Republic of Serb Krajina]], it's more of a call to arms against the rebellious territory and it armed forces and paramilitaries.
The band used [[hate speech]] in songs created at the time of the war against the [[Serbs]].{{Fact|date=January 2008}}
[[Image:Thompson Maksimir 17.6.2007 2.jpg|left|thumb|200px|A young boy going to Thompson concert on [[17 June]] [[2007]] in Zagreb, wearing a [[Crna Legija]] T-shirt.]]
In 2003, a 2001 a supposed recording of Perković performing a modified version of the song ''[[Jasenovac i Gradiška Stara]]'' was made public by journalist [[Matija Babić]].
The lyrics included:
: ''Jasenovac i Gradiška Stara, to je kuća Maksovih mesara''
: ''U Čapljini klaonica bila, puno Srba Neretva nosila''
: ''Sjajna zvijezdo iznad Metkovića, pozdravi nam Antu Pavelića''
Which roughly translates to:
: ''[[Jasenovac concentration camp|Jasenovac]] and [[Stara Gradiška concentration camp|Stara Gradiška]], that's the house of [[Maks Luburić|Maks]]' butchers''
: ''There was a slaughterhouse in [[Čapljina]], and [[Neretva]] (river) carried away many Serbs''
: ''Shining star above [[Metković]], send our greetings to [[Ante Pavelić]]''
Other than those WWII-related remarks in the original, the song was also to include the lyrics: ''Račane, jeba ti pas mater, i onome tko glasa za te'' (which roughly translates to "[[Ivica Račan|Račan]], may a dog fuck your mother, and the mothers of those which voted for you") and ''Gospe sinjska, ako si u stanju, uzmi Stipu a vrati nam Franju'' ("''Our Lady of [[Sinj]], if you're able, take Stipe and bring back [[Franjo Tuđman|Franjo]]''"), statements related to the then-current political leaders of Croatia. Despite the alleged performance, Thompson has not recorded any music with any anti-semitic or Ustashe messages.<ref name="SlobodnaDalmacija4134">[http://www.slobodnadalmacija.hr/Urednik/Vijesti/tabid/61/ArticleType/ArticleView/ArticleID/4134/PageID/3937/Default.aspx Fighting genes], [[Slobodna Dalmacija]]</ref>
Perković has on numerous occasions expressed sympathies to the [[Ustaše|Ustaša]] movement (a WW2 fascist organisation), which ruled the [[Axis forces|Axis]] controlled [[Independent State of Croatia]] from 1941 to 1945.<ref name="wiesenthal">[http://www.wiesenthal.com/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=fwLYKnN8LzH&b=245494&ct=3969137 Wiesenthal Center Expresses Outrage At Massive Outburst of Nostalgia for Croatian fascism at Zagreb Rock Concert; Urges President Mesic to Take Immediate Action] by [[Simon Wiesenthal Center]]</ref>
In 2004, the band was barred from having a concert in [[Amsterdam]], [[Netherlands]].<ref name="index.hr" /><ref>[http://www.denis-latin.com/arhiva_odjeci.php?id=21 Episode of TV show Latinica about Thompson]</ref> In response, Perković said, "I have nothing against the Jews, but neither did Jesus Christ, yet still they crucified Him".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vjesnik.hr/Pdf/2003%5C11%5C27%5C07A7.PDF|title=Je li pjevač Thompson opasniji od marihuane}} {{hr icon}}</ref> This statement caused an outcry in the Croatian media.
The [[Simon Wiesenthal Center]] posted a letter to Croatian President [[Stipe Mesić]] in June 2007 and expressed "its sense of outrage and disgust in the wake of a massive show of fascist salutes, symbols and uniforms at a rock concert by popular ultra-nationalist Croatian singer "Thompson" attended by 60,000 people in Zagreb."<ref name="wiesenthal" /> Some Jewish groups have been known to mislead the public about the band's lyrics, such as [[B'nai Brith]] Anti-Defamation Commission executive officer Manny Waks who claimed that Perković sang "My father was an Ustasha, and so am I" despite not having any songs even remotely similar to this.<ref>[http://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak.aspx?id=368832 Vijesti.net - Zbog australske turneje Thompson će morati na savjetovanje o toleranciji?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Two weeks after the concert in Zagreb on 17.6.2007, Perković made this statement regarding claims of the Simon Wiesenthal Center that he is a fascist: "Me and members of my band saw nobody with Ustaša iconography among 60 and more thousand people on Maksimir."<ref name="vecernjiStatement">[http://vecernji.hr/newsroom/news/croatia/1220062/index.do Thompson interview in Večernji list]</ref>
At Thompson's Zagreb concert for the Day of Defenders, a group of youths was heard chanting "Ubi Srbina" ("Kill the Serb"), according to some Croatian media<ref>[http://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak/thompson-pozdravio-norca-rulja-uzvikivala-ubij-srbina/388987.aspx Thompson greeted Norac, swarm chanted "Kill the Serb"], Index.hr</ref><ref>http://dnevnik.hr/bin/article.php?article_id=48080&page=5&p_all_items=44</ref>
===Controversial statements===
Perković has been known to publicly express controversial pro-[[Ustaše]] beliefs:<ref>[http://feral.mediaturtle.com/look/weekly1/article.tpl?IdLanguage=7&IdPublication=1&NrArticle=16272&NrIssue=1138&NrSection=12 Tromblon<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
''"Anyway, why shouldn't the crowd chant 'Ustaše!, Ustaše!' during my concert? This should be an example to all political structures of how the youth can be unified."''<br>
June 2002, in the ''[[Večernji list]]'' daily [[newspaper]].
''"There is nothing wrong with my voicing right-wing, Ustaše, beliefs."''<br>
July 2002, in the ''[[Jutarnji list]]'' daily newspaper.
''"Serbs lie, they are that kind of a people. They can't love us, nor is that natural. They are our eternal sworn enemies."''<br>
July 2002, in the ''Jutarnji list'' daily newspaper.
''"I'm glad you cherish our legacy, our songs!"''<br>
September 2002, when the crowd started chanting "Evo zore, evo dana", a famous Ustaše song, during his concert on the Poljud stadium in Split, Croatia.
''"Displaying Ustaše symbols in public should not be illegal."''<br>
January 2004, in the ''Jutarnji list'' daily newspaper.
''"I don't mind Ustaše symbols. Why should I?"''<br>
August 2005, in the ''[[Globus (weekly)|Globus]]'' weekly [[newsmagazine]].
===Perković's response to accusations===
Perković has stated that he is not [[Ustaše]] or fascist, but a patriot.<ref name="Vukovar" /> He publicly stated on that he means no harm to any other [[nation]], [[religion]] or people of different [[ideology]]{{Fact|date=October 2007}}. Despite this, he has publicly voiced his support for the NDH a number of times<ref>[http://feral.mediaturtle.com/look/weekly1/article.tpl?IdLanguage=7&IdPublication=1&NrArticle=16272&NrIssue=1138&NrSection=12 Tromblon<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. His credibility in these statements is diminished not only by this fact but also by the legal necessity to denounce any fascist movement in order to avoid further banning (or other legal action).{{Fact|date=April 2008}}
At his concert in Vukovar on 13 April 2007 he stated: ''I can't command anybody what to wear at my concert, and I have never encouraged anybody to wear a cap or shirt with letter "U". My message to all of them (and that I would say this evening too, if I saw [anything like that]): "Wear the insignia of the victorious Croatian army from [[Croatian War of Independence]]". It is sad that young people return so far in history and fall for propaganda.''<ref name="Vukovar" />
Perković's last tour, ''Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj'', was protested by various Jewish Organizations. Held in Frankfurt, the organizations vehemently requested that the [[Germany|German]] government ban the [[concert]] because of its alleged fascist lyrics. When the German government received the [[Transcription (linguistics)|transcript]] of Thompson's songs, the request to ban the concert was immediately rejected.
At the 17 June 2007 concert at [[Maksimir Stadium]], [[Zagreb]], Perković once more stated that he is not a fascist. English translation of his words:
<blockquote>''I'm often attacked and accused that we are [[fascism|fascists]], [[Nazism|Nazis]], and because of this that you who listen to my music and follow are also. And we hereby say to them that we are not fascists, Nazis, but [[Croats|Croatian]] patriots. We tell them that there are values that we live for.{{ref|salute}} There were people that we will never forget. And there are dreams that we will never give up. Because this country was made, our Croatia, on the blood and suffering of this generation, victorious generation.''
</blockquote> The audience, in a sign of approval, shouted a medieval Croatian battle-cry (mostly known from [[Ivan Zajc]]'s opera ''[[Nikola Šubić Zrinski]]'' and today used mostly to boost morale at [[football (soccer)|soccer]] matches), "[[U boj, u boj]] - za narod svoj!". English translation, "To battle, to battle - for our people!".
In anticipation of its New year's eve tour in [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]], Marko released an interwiew with the local [[Croatian diaspora|croatian community]] magazine "[[Croatian herald|Hrvatski Vijesnik]], a translation of which was also published in the "New Generation" [[English language]] supplement [http://newgeneration.croatianherald.com/Interview/tabid/100/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2360/Default.aspx].
In It, he clearly stated that he and also the great mayority of [[Croats]] don't have any negative feeling about [[Jew|Jewish]] people and religion, also after the recent controversy and also showed same sympathy with [[Israel]], saying: I have no idea why this is the case, again I stress that there is no ill-feeling between the Jewish and Croatian people, but rather these false reports arise from certain individuals with their own agenda. I think that there are many similarities between the Croatian and Jewish people, one obvious being our religious beliefs regarding the old testament of the Bible, with the works of Moses and Abraham. '''We also fought for many years in order to have our own independent nations'''. I have no control of the media and what they publish, I am more concerned with what I do on stage.
==Band members==
The only permanent member of the band is Marko Perković and he is often identified with the band.
Band line-up on the ''Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj'' tour is:
* Fedor Boić
* Damir Lipošek Kex
* Tomislav Mandarić
* Tiho Orlić
* Marko Perković
* Damir Šomen
It have to be noted, that, given the relevance that the album got in Marko's projects, they are some of the best performers of [[Rock music]] in the [[Croatian music]] scene, expecially the former [[Prljavo Kazaliste]] members Damir Lipošek "Kex" (guitar) and Fedor Boić (Synthesizer), along with the long time [[Thompson]] members [[Tiho Orlić]]( bass and back vocal) and "Kralj"Tomislav Mandarić (guitar).
That also reflect in the band's live performances, with a great space given to [[Solo]] plays.
==Discography==
{{see|Thompson discography}}
===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Title
! Release date
! Label
|-
|''[[Moli mala]]''
|1992
|[[Croatia Records]]
|-
|''[[Vrijeme škorpiona]]''
|1995
|[[Croatia Records]]
|-
|''[[Geni kameni]]''
|1996
|[[Croatia Records]]
|-
|''[[Vjetar s Dinare]]''
|1998
|[[Croatia Records]]
|-
|''[[E, moj narode]]''
|2002
|[[Croatia Records]]
|-
|''[[Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj]]''
|December 2006
|[[Croatia Records]]
|}
===Compilation albums===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Title
! Release date
! Label
|-
|''[[Sve najbolje (Thompson)|Sve najbolje]]''
|2003
|[[Croatia Records]]
|}
===Concert albums===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Title
! Release date
! Label
|-
|''[[Bilo Jednom u Hrvatskoj: Split - Stari plac]]''<ref name = "Live CD"/>
|2007
|[[Croatia Records]]
|}
===Concert videos===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Title
! Release date
! Label
|-
|''[[Turneja: E, moj narode]]''
|2004
|[[Croatia Records]]
|-
|''[[Turneja: Bilo jednom u Hrvatskoj Maksimir]]''
|2007
|[[Croatia Records]]
|}
===By Tiho Orlić===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Title
! Release date
! Label
|-
|''[[Tiho]]''
|2004
|[[Croatia Records]]
|}
==Festival appearances==
In [[Music of Croatia|Croatian music]], festivals play a large role, with new songs frequently being released for a festival and the best song being declared winner. Thompson has appeared at the following festivals:
*[[Croatian Radio Festival]]: [[1999]], [[2002]], [[2006]]
*[[Etnofest Neum]]: [[1996]], [[1998]], [[1999]], [[2000]]
*[[Melodije Mostara]]: [[2001]]
*[[Split Festival]]: [[1992]], [[1993]], [[1994]], [[1995]], [[1996]], [[1997]], [[2002]]
==Footnotes==
{{reflist|2}}
==External links==
{{Commonscat|Thompson (band)}}
* {{hr icon}} [http://www.thompson.hr/ Official website]
* [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/04/AR2007110401620_pf.html Rocking The Boat], ''[[Washington Post]]'', November 5, 2007
*[http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/07/01/europe/croatia.php?page=1 A Croatian rock star flirts with the Nazi past], ''[[International Herald Tribune]]'', July 1, 2007
* [http://emperors-clothes.com/croatia/times1.htm ‘Slightly Fascist’? The New York Times Prods Croatia, Gently] www.tenc.net
*[http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2007/11/voinovich_urges_cancellation_o.html Voinovich urges cancellation of concert by Croatian rock star Thompson]
*[http://www.thestar.com/News/article/273366 (Secret) show may go on for rocker accused of fascism]
*[http://www.index.hr/images2/Thompson-JasenovaciGradiskaStara.mp3 MP3 of the pro-Ustasha song Jasenovac and Gradiska Stara]
*[http://www.cuspajz.com/tekstovi-pjesama/marko-perkovic-thompson.artist-lyrics.html Marko Perković Thompson lyrics]
*[http://www.cuspajz.com/tekstovi-pjesama/tiho-orlic.artist-lyrics.html Tiho Orlić lyrics]
{{CROpoprock}}
[[Category:Croatian musical groups]]
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