Hladno pivo is a seminal Croatian punk rock band that emerged from the Gajnice neighborhood of Zagreb in 1987, making their live debut in May 1988 in Kumrovec. Founded by frontman Mile Kekin, guitarist Zoki, guitarist Tedi, drummer Suba, and later bassist Deda, the band quickly became known for witty and politically sharp lyrics reflecting local social norms.
Their debut album Džinovski (1993) established them on the national scene, followed by G.A.D. (1995), Desetka (1997)—recorded in Ljubljana in just eight days—and Pobjeda (1999). Subsequent albums like Šamar (2003), Knjiga žalbe (2007), Svijet glamura (2011), and Dani zatvorenih vrata (2015) cemented their influence, producing iconic tracks such as “Ne volim te,” “Šamar,” “Zimmer frei,” “Soundtrack za život,” “Ezoterija,” “Nije sve tako sivo,” “Konobar,” and “Samo za taj osjećaj.”
Hladno pivo has won numerous Porin awards for alternative and rock albums and music videos. For their 30th anniversary, they performed two sold‑out shows at Zagreb’s Dom sportova, playing both early punk-era tracks and greatest hits before crowds around 8,000 people.
Renowned for their live energy, honesty, and deep connection with fans, they have evolved from a raw punk band into a beloved punk-rock institution. While they’ve embraced new sounds and themes over time, they’ve remained true to their uncompromising artistic ethos.
