The Bastardz is a Croatian funk band formed in Zagreb in 1990 by guitarist and songwriter Zoran Jaeger Jex. From the beginning, the group developed a distinctive sound that combines funk, jazz, soul, and pop influences, becoming one of the key names of the Croatian urban music scene.
The original lineup featured Jex, Zvonimir Bučević, Goran Markić, Alan Bjelinski, and Miha Hawlina. During their early years, the band performed regularly in Zagreb clubs and served as the house band for the television show Top-Cup. After a brief hiatus in the early 1990s, The Bastardz reunited in 1995 with a new lineup that included vocalist Helena Bastić.
That same year, they released the EP Your Love, featuring the hit single “Tvoja ljubav,” which topped Croatian music charts and established the band as one of the leading names in the country’s emerging urban music movement. In 1996, the group received the Porin Award for Best New Artist.
Over the following decades, The Bastardz released several albums, including C’est Universal, The Groove Resistance, Muzika Ljubavi, and The Bastardz 30, celebrating thirty years of the band’s career. Their music is characterized by groove-oriented arrangements inspired by American funk, acid jazz, soul, and dance music traditions.
The band is also known for collaborations with both Croatian and international artists, including Joseph Bowie of the cult band Defunkt, Davor Gobac, Zdenka Kovačiček, Mario Huljev, and Songkillers.
In addition to their work in Croatia, The Bastardz have also been active in the Netherlands, where Jex collaborated with several funk and acid jazz groups over the years. The band became recognized for its skilled musicianship, energetic live performances, and dedication to groove-based music.
Today, The Bastardz are regarded as pioneers of the Croatian funk scene and an important influence on the development of urban music in the region.
