Interview: Maja Trstenjak
Photo: Adela Zember

Suho Grlo Nos is most famous Koprivnica’s underground band. They played many gigs all over Croatia, so we asked bassist Ivan Grobenski to indroduce this great punk band to Venia.

VENIA: For the beginning, introduce yourself and your band.
IVAN: Good evening. I am Ivan Grobenski, bassist from Koprivnica’s punk/rock band Suho Grlo Nos, and the rest of band are: Bruno Antolić (vocals, guitar) and Ivan Horvatić (vocals, drums)

VENIA: How did it all start? Who founded the band and why?
IVAN: Band was founded in 2004. under name Hailstome, which was later renamed in current Suho Grlo Nos. Bruno, burning rebel, and most of all teenager held an an guitar in his hand with deal to change something in his town and environment in which he lives in. And that is how band became into what it is now.

VENIA: Name Suho Grlo Nos (Sore Throath & Nose) is pretty weird. Where did you get an idea from?
IVAN: Huh, as far as I know,  it was hospital sign fault on which is written section for ear, throath and nose, and in that time that was really funny to Bruno and his friends (because influence of many substances) and fact to add S in front of uho made it really interesting.

VENIA: As most famous band of Koprivnica’s underground scene, how would you introduce that scene to some stranger?
IVAN: Koprivnica’s underground scene was always considered quality one, poverful and influentive and also alive, but during last few years, the truth is a bit diffrent. In all underground activities (which includes the bands) is usually one group of people, so i think our scene is drastically going down. If stranger asks me that i don’t know would i be ashamed to introduce it or say real truth, or i would make it a bit better. I think it is best to introduce it and describe as “solid underground scene with its constant in existance and work.”

VENIA:You have an EP which consists of quality songs, which one is your favourite and why?
IVAN: I like most our new thing Gregor Samsa, which we performed live few days ago on fallen KC ROCK. Song is based on hard emotions and problems of leader of band so it carries some special energy in itself. I must admit that i enjoy the most playing that song.

VENIA:Your songs have very interesting lyrics, who writes the music and who lyrics?
IVAN: Music and lyrics is written by leader of band Bruno Antolić. He sings and plays the guitar, he is a founder of Suho Grlo Nos, so its kind of natural and logic for him to make lyrics and music, and me and Ivan just do some arrangments and other small details.

VENIA: Which bands had most influence on your work?
IVAN: Influences on our work are pretty diffrent because the music we listen is diffrent.. Although we love music we play we have some differences in our personal taste. I prefer bands like Joy Division, Violent Femmes, The Velvet Underground, fIREHOUSE etc., Ivan likes Fugazi, NoMeansNo, Can, Lou Reed, Minutemen etc. Bruno it totally diffrent then us, he is most punk alike in a band and he listens to Overflow, Nirvana, Pasi, Blink 182, Juilette and The Licks etc.

VENIA:You played many gigs in whole Croatia, which one remained in your memory as the best?
IVAN: Yes there were many concerts, but i must say that our first concert in Zaprešić and KC ROCK 2008 were the best.

VENIA: How does audience react on you, where is the best?
IVAN: Audience is always explosive, full of energy and life. We always earn an applouse and they support our play with singing, and the best audience is in Koprivnica because we love the most what is ours.

VENIA: Have there been some embarrasing moments on stage?
IVAN: There aren’t usually embarassing moments on stage. The most embarrasing thing that may happen to you is that you don’t get an applouse or they whistle for you to get down from stage. Well it never happened to us, so i can’t say there were embarrashing moments. Every gig is special, and so are emotions related to her.

VENIA: What kind of equipment do you use?
IVAN: Equipment that we use isn’t so special. We don’t need much, and financies don’t allow us to much to pick our equipment. Bruno has Marshall amp and Epiphone guitar, i have hand made bass and amp by need, and Ivan plays on standard Sonor drums. Equipment is least important. As long the band is good. Good band will sound good even on worst equipment, while bad band with most expensice instruments and amps will continue to be only bad band.

VENIA:You have even made an video, for song Pony in beautiful ambiente of most modern High school in Europe. What was atmosphere like on shooting, how were working conditions like, and what do you think about final masterpeice?
IVAN: Atmosphere on projects like this is always good. Ofcourse we were all a bit nervous and cranky but that is all part of buisness, and those special magic things about playing, shooting and band. Conditions were great, although matrice was a bit silent. After all , i think the final work is great, and you can check this on bands official myspace.

VENIA:You are pretty popular in town and local area, how do you deal with looks on street and fact people recognize you?
IVAN: There aren’t many looks on street. Still many people knows me. That is actually and pretty nice, and i am friend with all band’s fans and those who sometimes say hi to me after concert in Kc. I wouldn’s say that i have to deal with it on some special way. It is something that comes with playing in band and what is definitelly nice and positive. Thats why i don’t have problems dealing with that.

VENIA: What is music for you?
IVAN: First of all art. Music is the way we express ourselfes, our feelings, problems, things that bother us, which we thing ok, what we think that is beautiful, things we wish to change… Music is attitude, lifestyle.

VENIA: What are your future plans?
IVAN: We don’t have some special planns. We plann to record a single and new video, but let that be secret. I can only say that there will be a gig soon in Koprivnica.

VENIA: Do you have message for fans and Venia readers?
IVAN: People listen and live the music, come to concert, have fun and enjoy!