Emir Kusturica & The No Smoking Orchestra

Emir Kusturica & The No Smoking Orchestra

Emir Kusturica & The No Smoking Orchestra is a Serbian garage rock group from Beograd, Serbia, active since 1993. It is frequently credited under the shorter name The No Smoking Orchestra.

History

The group forms in Belgrade in 1993. It is first formed by Nele Karajlić after he relocates to Belgrade from Sarajevo and decides to revive Zabranjeno Pušenje, the band he co-founds with Sejo Sexon in 1980. That earlier group has been dormant since 1990 when the project begins again. At first the band performs as Zabranjeno Pušenje, then later takes the name Emir Kusturica & The No Smoking Orchestra after filmmaker Emir Kusturica rejoins it in 1998.

Membership and identity

Emir Kusturica is listed as a member of the group, and the band is closely associated with him in its later name. Kusturica had previously played with the band in 1987 before returning in 1998.

Musical style

The band is described as a Serbian garage rock act, and is also associated with Balkan, Gypsy, folk, world and soundtrack music.