Zoster

Band Zoster was formed in autumn 2000 on the initiative of Mario Knezović and Dražan Planinić. A year later, drummer Goran Rebac and singer Marijana Pejić joined the band so four of them make the backbone of the band. ‘Zmajevi’, ‘Flomasteri’ are just a few names that band had changed during their first performances.

The present name of the band came up after Mario recovered from herpes zoster that he was diagnosed by a great fan of the band, a certain doctor Miško. Herpes zoster is a virus living in a human body and in the case of low immune system it results in a skin rash spreading gradually, whereas, Zoster came up as a result of a low immune system of the society and as a need to act and say something about it. 

Zoster believes that reggae is the appropriate music for this turbulent area in which just a little dosage of aggressiveness is too much even when it comes to music. Thus, band wants to convey the message of tolerance, peace, progress and affirmation and also a bit of education here and there. 

And love of course…

When the singer left the band Mario became the lead singer. The first time Zoster entered the studio was in 2003 in order to record a single ‚Majko Jamajko‘. After going through several crisis (the hardest one was to find people who think alike and who are good musicians at the same time), Goran, Mario and Dražan have decided to record a demo album. They did it in February 2004, never suspecting to become the Number 1 on the local radio stations. In the summer of the same year, Marko Jakovljević and Atilla Aksoj joined the band acting as a breath of fresh air bringing the band back to life. Their first gig in West Herzegovina Festival brought them their first victory. 

After releasing album Ojužilo, Dražan Planinić left the band and embarked on different life adventures. His place in the band was taken by saxophone player Boris Gutić, who also appeared as guest artist on Ojužilo.
The same names make the band Zoster today. 

Mario Knezović – vocals, guitar 
Boris Gutić – saksofon
Atilla Aksoj – guitar, keyboards, percussions, vocals
Marko Jakovljević – bass, guitar
Goran Rebac – drums, marimba, percussions, vocals