Hello little xpunksx, Mr. Moonlee speaking. Sit down and listen, I’ve got a cool story to tell.

You see, there’s a little band of mine, well, not that little anymore as they are rocking out since 1994, that earned a special recognition on the scene throughout the years. Born in Osijek, the capital of Slavonia region, which is musically to Croatia kind of what 90s California is to the world, Debeli Precjednik / Fat Prezident have established themselves as one of the best hardcore punk bands from this part of the globe, and rightfully so.

Their impressive discography started back in 1996 with the release of a self-titled 7″ EP, followed by debut album “Rat (Her) Burnt His Record” in 1998, both on Dirty Old Town label. The next release, an EP named “Tribute To Zli Farmeri” (HIT Records, 2001), gave a good preview of their sophomore album “Fist From The East”, self-released in 2003 through their own Double Penetration Records. Through all these years Fat Prezident played countless shows, constantly building a strong fanbase, especially in area of ex-Yugoslavia.

Let me tell you, it’s been six long years since Moonlee Records released their last album “Through The Eyes Of The Innocent” which blew the minds of everybody who heard it, from Balkans to Europe and beyond – and even brought them “Zlatna Koogla” award for best Croatian band in 2007. Their energetic, high-paced and emotion ridden live performances made the hunger for new material even bigger, and now the boys are finally back with their fourth full length album, entitled “Bruto Slavo / VBK”, which brings you fifteen punk-rock hymns that, in a way, unify the feeling from all their earlier albums, while carrying a certain pronounced sound of its own. Take my word for it, it was worth the wait!

12 songs from the album, the “Bruto Slavo” part, represent the good old Fat Prezident that we all know and love – think of Propagandhi guitar riffage meets Descendents on speed. The rest, named “VBK” (short for Vijenac Borisa Kidriča, former name of a district in Osijek where the guys grew up), has a bit mellower, brighter sound and it’s sung in Croatian – take it as a mini-EP integrated into the album. Lyrically, “Bruto Slavo / VBK” is as insightful, deeply emotional and socially engaged as Fat Prezident records have always been. All in all, if you dare to call yourself a fan of bands in the vein of Strung Out, Good Riddance, Rise Against, Satanic Surfers, Poison Idea and SNFU, you will love this album by default.

“Bruto Slavo / VBK” was recorded, mixed and mastered at Depth Studio, Požega by Filip Sertić. Petar Gerstman Gera of Dislike and Nonsense fame contributed a guitar solo on one song, and the great cover art you’re looking at was handled by Venko Burčul. The album will be released at the beginning of May 2012 on LP, CD and as a name-your-own-price download through Moonlee Records Bandcamp profile.

Now, where was I? Oh yeah, time to wrap up the story and send you little ones off to bed. I know you would love to listen to me more, but it’s Debeli Precjednik / Fat Prezident who are in the spotlight right now. There’s so much more to tell, but I can’t let out all the secrets now, you know, the magic behind this mighty band has to be experienced personally by each one of you. Yes, they all lived happily ever after and… – what does Bruto Slavo mean, you ask? Well, come see Fat Prezident live one day and you’ll probably find out. Let me just give you a piece of advice – keep an eye on your beer at all times!

RELEASES ON MOONLEE RECORDS:
HMRL009 “Through The Eyes Of The Innocent” CD / download | More details
HMRL025 “Bruto Slavo / VBK” CD / LP / download | More details