Bad Music
The Australian Jewish News reports that Croation ultra-Nationalist Marko Perkovic and his band Thompson (not to be confused with this band), have been cleared to enter Australia and play a series of concerts (hat tip: Jewgle Perth).
According to the ADL:
Croatian-based singer Marko Perkovic (who is also called Thompson) and his band Thompson are known for singing nationalistic songs about Croatia and publicly supporting the Ustashe, a fascist, pro-Nazi regime in Croatia responsible for murdering tens of thousands of Jews, Serbs, and Roma from 1941-1945.
Various media accounts report that Thompson’s concerts in Europe begin with the traditional “war cry” of the Ustashe.
Concertgoers, comprised mostly of young people, many wearing black shirts with Ustashe insignia and carrying banners with anti-Serb and anti-Roma rhetoric, often respond with Nazi salutes. Ustashe paraphernalia is allegedly sold at the concerts, as well.
At his concerts, Thompson also reportedly plays a song that relates the killing of Serbs at the Jasenovac death camp, where tens of thousands of people were killed by the Ustashe during World War II.
At a June 2007 concert in Zagreb, Perkovic reportedly opened his act by shouting a traditional Ustashe slogan, which was met with Nazi salutes from fans. The concert, attended by over 40,000 people, was aired on state-owned television.
While Perkovic denies he is Ustaše or fascist, he has allegedly let his guard down on occasion.
In November 2003, a Thompson concert scheduled in Amsterdam was cancelled amidst accusations of Perkovic giving the Nazi salute at previous concerts and his band’s alleged sympathy with Nazi “ideas.” The concert was relocated to Rotterdam, but Perkovic himself was banned from singing. In responding to the cancellation, Perkovic allegedly told a Croatian newspaper, “It is all to blame on the Jews. I have nothing against them and I did nothing to them. I know that Jesus Christ also did nothing against them, but still they hanged him on the cross. So what can I expect as a small man?”
Sounds to me like Perkovic and his band should change their name to Johnson.
About the Author
An Australian immigrant to Israel, Aussie Dave has been blogging since early 2003.Filed Under: Uncategorized
It is NOT “bad music”. I’m completely outraged by the amount of judging that goes on in this world!!Thompson is a band just the same as any other, and because people choose to hold on to the past this band has to suffer. I listen to Thompson because every single one of his songs has a special meaning. His songs are about loving God your Family and your country. His concert in Sydney was fantastic the atmosphere was great and I would recommend that any Croatian go whether or not you’re born in Australia or Croatia. I was born as part of the first generation of my family to be living Australia, but Croatian moral and beliefs have been as a foundation in our family. I’m glad I was brought up with pride for my country and respect for others. I consider myself a Croatian and so many other teens my age and people older who were born here do. I’m proud of my heritage and to have such influential artist represent our country. I don’t understand how people give visas to bands who sing about suicide rape hate etc but someone accuses Thompson of something and automatically he is labelled a Nazi? Do people completely ignore the many songs that Thompson has written about relationships between grandfather n grandchildren (Moj Dida I Ja) Relationships between father and children (sine moj) Love songs (draga, poljubi me, budi uzmene, etc) songs about the homeland (Lijepa li si)?? Geni Kameni is a song about how the war and such has separated all the Croatians and that you have to stay true to your homeland never forget who you are and where you come from!! That doesn’t just go for Croatians that can be about anyone! Never forget your home land be it Spain Germany Russia china Serbia new Zealand Anywhere! That’s who you are the blood runs thick and true! I’m sorry if there are people who are offended by the music but I have been deeply offended by the amount of negative articles I have read about Thompson! Croatians were killed as well! What about the Cetniks? I’m pretty sure there is a Serbian equivalent to Thompson out there too.
Yep, Sabina, keep those blinkers on tight. Wouldn’t want to spoil your listening pleasures just because of an inconvenient reality.
I’d like to add that being an Israeli Website and There Are Many Israeli Readers (obviously) that You Would All Understand How It Feels to Be Separated from Your Homeland. I’m not denying that as political Protest Thompson Hasn’t Sung Controversial songs, but has anyone ever thought it Of a Story?? These Things Happened In Real Life. War Happened In Real Life and I’m Not Saying Deny reality I’m just saying try and see it from another perspective.
Great Website, by the Way. Helped Me With My Israeli Palestinian Conflict Assignment.
Indeed.
Not to happy about this. And im greek lol!
*shakes head*
Knowing sabina and all that lol =P
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