Let 3
{{Short description|Croatian modern rock band}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Let 3
| image = Let 3, Dora 2023.png
| landscape = yes
| alt =
| caption = Let 3 in 2023
| alias =
| origin = Rijeka, Croatia
| genre = {{hlist|Alternative rock|punk rock|shock rock}}
| years_active = {{Start date|1987}}–present
| label = {{hlist|Helidon|Dallas Records}}
| website =
| current_members = {{ubl|{{ill|Damir Martinović|hr}}|Zoran Prodanović|Ivan Bojčić|Dražen Baljak|Matej Zec}}
| past_members =
}}
Let 3 ({{IPA|hr|lêːt trîː}}; {{Translation|'Flight 3'}}) is a Croatian rock band based in Rijeka, Croatia formed in 1987. The frontmen are Damir Martinović "Mrle" (born 15 July 1961) and Zoran Prodanović "Prlja" (born 18 December 1964). Particularly popular in the SFR Yugoslavia, the band is known for their original approach to rock music and their obscene live performances.{{cite book |last1=Peddie |first1=Ian |author2=Rajko Muršič |work=Yugoslav and Post-Yugoslav Encounters with Popular Music and Human Rights |title=Popular Music and Human Rights; Vol. II |date=2011 |publisher=Ashgate Publishing |isbn=9780754668534 |page=102 |quote=The Croatian band Let 3, for example, is well known for provoking outrage, including by sometimes performing nude on stage.}} Their songs often contain provocative and vulgar lyrics. They represented Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with the song "{{Lang|hr|italic=no|Mama ŠČ!}}".
History
File:Let_3_performing_in_2023.jpg
Let 3 was formed in Rijeka in the late 1980s. The band soon gained a reputation for their unprecedented, controversial and sometimes obscene performances, exemplifying the eclectic nature of Rijeka's music scene.{{cite web |last1=Bousfield |first1=Jonathan |title=Rijeka Rock City |url=https://www.straysatellite.com/rijeka/ |website=Stray Satellite |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212175230/http://www.straysatellite.com/rijeka/ |url-status=live }} The band's members have voiced support for liberal causes, such as women's and LGBT rights, and have taken a vocal stance against conservative politics and the Catholic Church.{{cite web |title=Let3 – Proglas Slovencima: "Zabranite djelovanje Katoličke crkve!" |url=https://www.muzika.hr/let3-proglas-slovencima-zabranite-djelovanje-katolicke-crkve/ |website=muzika.hr |date=27 January 2009 |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212175231/https://www.muzika.hr/let3-proglas-slovencima-zabranite-djelovanje-katolicke-crkve/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Mrle o splitskom Prideu: Neka se svi lijepo jebu u guzicu, možda poslije promijene mišljenje |url=https://www.index.hr/magazin/clanak/mrle-o-splitskom-prideu-neka-se-svi-lijepo-jebu-u-guzicu-mozda-poslije-promijene-misljenje/557197.aspx |website=Index.hr |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212175230/https://www.index.hr/magazin/clanak/mrle-o-splitskom-prideu-neka-se-svi-lijepo-jebu-u-guzicu-mozda-poslije-promijene-misljenje/557197.aspx |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Morić |first1=Danijela |title='Žene, pederi i crnci jednako su važni u društvu' |url=https://www.vecernji.hr/showbiz/zene-pederi-i-crnci-jednako-su-vazni-u-drustvu-561458 |website=Vecernji.hr |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212182236/https://www.vecernji.hr/showbiz/zene-pederi-i-crnci-jednako-su-vazni-u-drustvu-561458 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Let 3 i TBF koncertom na trgu pozivaju na toleranciju |url=https://www.tportal.hr/magazin/clanak/let-3-i-tbf-koncertom-na-trgu-pozivaju-na-toleranciju-20131126 |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=tportal.hr |archive-date=25 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525205010/https://www.tportal.hr/magazin/clanak/let-3-i-tbf-koncertom-na-trgu-pozivaju-na-toleranciju-20131126 |url-status=live }}{{Citation |title=Le Zbor & Svi za ljubav - Ljubav za sve |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmeHnaEGrQE |access-date=2023-05-25 |language=en |archive-date=25 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525211544/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmeHnaEGrQE |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Let 3 odgovorio zabrinutoj Mladeži HDZ-a: Fakat nije daleko od pizde do guzice |url=https://www.index.hr/clanak.aspx?id=822069 |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=www.index.hr |language=hr}}
In 1997, the band released their fifth album, titled {{Lang|hr|Nečuveno}} (translated as 'Outrageous' or 'Unheard-of'). It was distributed as a CD, but it had nothing recorded on it.{{cite web |last1=Rowlands |first1=Marc |title=Let 3: 'I went to high-school in Bakar and we beat each other onto the school bus. It was great.' |url=https://www.timeout.com/croatia/music/let-3-i-went-to-high-school-in-bakar-and-we-beat-each-other-onto-the-school-bus-it-was-great |website=Time Out |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212053535/https://www.timeout.com/croatia/music/let-3-i-went-to-high-school-in-bakar-and-we-beat-each-other-onto-the-school-bus-it-was-great |url-status=live }} Nonetheless, 350 copies of the album were sold.{{cite web |title=LET 3: GLAZBENA AVANGARDA IZ RIJEKE; 'Mrle i ja smo ko guzica i gaće' |url=https://arhiva.nacional.hr/clanak/40054/mrle-i-ja-smo-ko-guzica-i-gace |website=Nacional.hr |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-date=16 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316092401/https://arhiva.nacional.hr/clanak/40054/mrle-i-ja-smo-ko-guzica-i-gace |url-status=live }} Just one copy of their follow-up, {{Lang|hr|Jedina}} ({{Translation|'The only one'}}), was initially made; the band refused to sell or distribute it. The record company eventually released the album in slightly different versions. As a protest, the band staged a mock suicide by firing squad on Ban Jelačić Square in Zagreb.
In late 2000, the band unveiled a four-metre tall statue named {{Lang|hr|Babin kurac}} ({{Translation|'Grandma's dick'}}), depicting a woman with a horseshoe moustache and a one-metre long phallus.{{cite web |title=Zagreb - "Babin Kurac" na Trgu žrtava fašizma |url=https://net.hr/danas/zagreb-babin-kurac-na-trgu-zrtava-fasizma-482e07fa-b1cf-11eb-bd66-0242ac15001f |website=Net.hr |date=4 December 2000 |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212055432/https://net.hr/danas/zagreb-babin-kurac-na-trgu-zrtava-fasizma-482e07fa-b1cf-11eb-bd66-0242ac15001f |url-status=live }} It was exhibited in various cities throughout Croatia.
In 2005, Let 3 released the single "{{Lang|sh|italic=no|Rado ide Srbin u vojnike (Pička)}}" ({{Translation|'The Serb gladly enlists in the army (Pussy)'}}), a play on the Serbian patriotic song "{{Lang|sh|italic=no|Rado ide Srbin u vojnike}}". In the song's music video, extras dressed in Serbian and Albanian national costumes are seen masturbating. The single featured on the studio album {{Lang|hr|Bombardiranje Srbije i Čačka}}, which parodies Balkan machismo and militarism. The band stated: "We wanted to create an album of what people here fear the most; namely peasantry… and pornography".{{cite web |last1=Tomić |first1=Ante |title=Naš album govori o seljaštvu i pornografiji |url=https://www.jutarnji.hr/naslovnica/nas-album-govori-o-seljastvu-i-pornografiji-3362030 |website=Jutarnji.hr |date=18 December 2005 |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212062908/https://www.jutarnji.hr/naslovnica/nas-album-govori-o-seljastvu-i-pornografiji-3362030 |url-status=live }}
In December 2006, the band was sanctioned by police after performing naked at an open-air concert in Varaždin. The band's defence that they had not been naked because they had corks in their anuses did not convince the judge; the court found them guilty and fined each member {{Currency|350|HRK}} ({{Currency|{{To EUR|350|HRV|year=2006}}|EUR}}).{{cite web |title=Let 3 golotinjom ipak uvrijedio građane Varaždina? |url=http://www.rirock.com/rirock-novosti/let-3-golotinjom-ipak-uvrijedio-gradane-varazdina/ |website=rirock.com |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212064711/http://www.rirock.com/rirock-novosti/let-3-golotinjom-ipak-uvrijedio-gradane-varazdina/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Kaznena prijava - Let3 - Blog.hr |url=https://blog.dnevnik.hr/let3/2007/09/1623282369/kaznena-prijava.html?page=blog&id=1623282369&subpage=0&subdomain=let3 |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=blog.dnevnik.hr |postscript=(Post on Let 3 blog about the lawsuit) |archive-date=27 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227132907/https://blog.dnevnik.hr/let3/2007/09/1623282369/kaznena-prijava.html?page=blog&id=1623282369&subpage=0&subdomain=let3 |url-status=live }} On 14 December 2008, the live afternoon talk show {{Lang|hr|Nedjeljom u dva}} was cut short by the host after two of the band members simulated the ejection of a cork from their rectums.{{cite web |title=Prekinuta emisija Nedjeljom u 2 nakon što su Mrle i Prlja iz Leta 3 pucali čepove iz stražnjice |url=https://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak/prekinuta-emisija-nedjeljom-u-2-nakon-sto-su-mrle-i-prlja-iz-leta-3-pucali-cepove-iz-straznjice/413583.aspx |website=Index.hr |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212053959/https://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak/prekinuta-emisija-nedjeljom-u-2-nakon-sto-su-mrle-i-prlja-iz-leta-3-pucali-cepove-iz-straznjice/413583.aspx |url-status=live }}
On 9 December 2022, Let 3 was announced as one of eighteen participants in {{Lang|hr|Dora 2023}}, the Croatian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, with the song "{{Lang|hr|italic=no|Mama ŠČ!}}".{{cite web|last=Granger|first=Anthony|title=Croatia: Dora 2023 Participants Announced|url=https://eurovoix.com/2022/12/09/croatia-dora-2023-participants-announced/|publisher=eurovoix|access-date=12 February 2023|date=9 December 2022|archive-date=16 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216012601/https://eurovoix.com/2022/12/09/croatia-dora-2023-participants-announced/|url-status=live}} For their performance, they were joined by artist Žanil Tataj Žak as the character "{{Lang|hr|italic=no|Njinle}}" (meaning 'Lenin' in {{Lang|hr|italic=no|Šatrovački}}).{{cite web |title=Tko je Njinle? Tip koji je ispalio rakete na pozornici i prije je surađivao s Letom 3 |url=https://www.index.hr/magazin/clanak/tko-je-tip-koji-je-s-letom-3-palio-rakete-na-pozornici-ovo-im-nije-prva-suradnja/2438176.aspx |website=Index.hr |access-date=17 February 2023 |language=hr |date=14 February 2023 |archive-date=20 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220221830/https://www.index.hr/magazin/clanak/tko-je-tip-koji-je-s-letom-3-palio-rakete-na-pozornici-ovo-im-nije-prva-suradnja/2438176.aspx |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Filipović |first1=Miroslav |title=Let 3 na Eurosongu – spektakularna rokerska buka ili obična bruka? |url=https://balkans.aljazeera.net/blogs/2023/2/15/let-3-na-eurosongu-spektakularna-rokerska-buka-ili-obicna-bruka |website=Al Jazeera Balkans |access-date=17 February 2023 |language=bs |date=15 February 2023 |archive-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328215013/https://balkans.aljazeera.net/blogs/2023/2/15/let-3-na-eurosongu-spektakularna-rokerska-buka-ili-obicna-bruka |url-status=live }} They went on to win the competition by a landslide with a total of 279 points, thus gaining the right to represent Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.{{cite web |last1=Santos |first1=Pedro |date=11 February 2023 |title=Let 3 win Dora 2023 in Croatia with "Mama ŠČ!" |url=https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/let-3-wins-dora-2023-in-croatia-with-mama-sc |accessdate=12 February 2023 |website=Eurovision World |archive-date=11 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211221152/https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/let-3-wins-dora-2023-in-croatia-with-mama-sc |url-status=live }} They performed at the first semi-final on 9 May 2023, placing eighth and thus qualifying for the final, where they ultimately came 13th with a score of 123 points (7th in the televote).{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=Lauren |date=14 May 2023 |title=Eurovision 2023 results: Full scoreboard and points |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/eurovision-2023-results-scoreboard/ |access-date=14 May 2023 |website=Radio Times |archive-date=13 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513235530/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/eurovision-2023-results-scoreboard/ |url-status=live }}
For the "Mama ŠČ" video, visuals and staging, as well as numerous live shows and performances, Let 3 collaborated with the drag artist Jovanka Broz Titutka, famous in the Croatian queer scene.{{Cite web |title=Urnebesna drag kraljica koja je pratila Let 3 u Liverpool stiže na solo nastup u Močvari |url=https://www.vecernji.hr/kultura/urnebesna-drag-kraljica-koja-je-pratila-let-3-u-liverpool-stize-na-solo-nastup-u-mocvari-1712578 |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=www.vecernji.hr |language=hr |archive-date=1 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201093920/https://www.vecernji.hr/kultura/urnebesna-drag-kraljica-koja-je-pratila-let-3-u-liverpool-stize-na-solo-nastup-u-mocvari-1712578 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-04-04 |title=Jutarnji list - Jovanka Broz Titutka, drag plesačica koja nastupa s Letom 3: 'Modni mi je uzor Tereza Kesovija' |url=https://www.jutarnji.hr/scena/domace-zvijezde/jovanka-broz-titutka-nudim-ja-skupocu-ali-kroz-filter-jeftinjare-uzor-mi-je-tereza-a-pljeskali-su-mi-i-bbb-i-15322715 |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=www.jutarnji.hr |language=hr-hr}}{{Citation |title=Let 3 - Ero s onoga svijeta |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXBRKnVwgKI |access-date=2024-03-07 |language=en |archive-date=12 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312091256/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXBRKnVwgKI |url-status=live }}
Let 3 was again among the twenty-four participants of {{Lang|hr|Dora 2024}} with the song "{{Lang|hr|italic=no|Babaroga}}";{{cite web|date=15 December 2023|title=Croatia 2024: HRT reveal the 'Dora' lineup|url=https://eurovision.tv/story/croatia-2024-hrt-reveal-dora-lineup|access-date=15 December 2023|website=Eurovision.tv|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|archive-date=15 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215121324/https://eurovision.tv/story/croatia-2024-hrt-reveal-dora-lineup|url-status=live}} they advanced from their semi-final on 22 February 2024. In addition, they performed an interval act of their Croatian Eurovision Mama ŠČ! entry during voting.
Band members
File:Rijecki novi val 150208 Let3.jpg in 2008]]
= Members =
{{As of|2024}}
- {{Ill|Damir Martinović|hr}} (Mrle) – bass guitar, effects, vocals
- Zoran Prodanović (Prlja) – vocals
- Ivan Bojčić (Bin) – drums
- Dražen Baljak (Baljak) – guitar, mandolin
- Matej Zec (Knki) – guitar, backing tracks
= Former members =
- Branko Kovačić (Husta) – drums, percussion
- Kornelije Đuras (Korni) – keyboards, samples
- Ivan Šarar (Faf) – keyboards, programming, samples
- Ivica Dražić (Miki) – guitar, vocals
- Nenad Tubin – drums, vocals
- Igor Perović (Gigi) – guitar
- Zoran Klasić (Klas) – guitar, vocals
- Orijen Modrušan – guitar
- Alen Tibljaš – drums
- Marko Bradaschia – drums
- Dean Benzia – drums
- Siniša Banović – drums
- Ljubomir Silić – bass guitar
- Raoul Varljen – keyboards
Discography
= Studio albums =
- 1989 – Two Dogs Fuckin'
- 1991 – El Desperado
- 1994 – Peace
- 1996 – {{Lang|hr|Živi kurac}} ({{Translation|'Live cock'}})
- 1997 – {{Lang|hr|Nečuveno}} ({{Translation|'Unheard-of'}})
- 2000 – {{Lang|hr|Jedina}} ({{Translation|'The only one'}})
- 2005 – {{Lang|hr|Bombardiranje Srbije i Čačka}} ({{Translation|'Bombardment of Serbia and Čačak'}})
- 2008 – {{Lang|hr|Živa pička}} ({{Translation|'Live cunt'}})
- 2013 – {{Lang|hr|Kurcem do vjere}} / Thank You, Lord ({{Translation|'By dick to faith'}})
- 2016 – {{Lang|hr|Angela Merkel sere}} ({{Translation|'Angela Merkel shits'}})
= Charted singles =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of charted singles, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions |
| style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| LTU {{cite web|url=https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/s20-2/|title=2023 20-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)|publisher=AGATA|language=lt|date=19 May 2023|access-date=19 May 2023|archive-date=19 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519080551/https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/s20-2/|url-status=live}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Mama ŠČ!"
| 2023 | 24 |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col" |Year
! scope="col" |Association ! scope="col" |Category ! scope="col" |Nominee / work ! scope="col" |Result ! scope="col" |{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
|---|
| scope="row" | 1997
| rowspan="2"| Porin Award | Best Original Vocal or Instrumental Composition for Theatre, Movies and/or Television | "{{Lang|hr|italic=no|Pipi}}" | {{won}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="3" | 2001
| Best Alternative Album | {{Lang|hr|Jedina}} | {{won}} |
| rowspan="2"| {{Lang|hr|italic=no|Crni Mačak}}
| Best Performer | Let 3 | {{won}} |
| Song of the Year
| "{{Lang|hr|italic=no|Profesor Jakov}}" | {{won}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="8"| 2006
| rowspan="6"| {{Lang|hr|italic=no|Zlatna Koogla}} | Album of The Year | {{Lang|hr|Bombardiranje Srbije i Čačka}} | {{won}} |
| Band of The Year
| rowspan="2"| Let 3 | {{won}} |
| Performer of The Year
| {{won}} |
| Best Music Video
| "{{Lang|hr|italic=no|Rado ide Srbin u vojnike (Pička)}}" | {{won}} |
| Producer of The Year
| Iztok Turk for {{Lang|hr|Bombardiranje Srbije i Čačka}} | {{won}} |
| Best Album Design
| rowspan="2"| {{Lang|hr|Bombardiranje Srbije i Čačka}} | {{won}} |
| rowspan="2"| Porin Award
| Rock Album of The Year | {{won}} |
| Best Music Video
| "{{Lang|hr|italic=no|Ero s onoga svijeta}}" | {{won}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="3" | 2023
| Dora | {{N/A |
| rowspan="2" | Mama ŠČ!
|{{won|place=1|1st place}}
|-
| {{N/A|}}
| {{won|place=13|13th place}}
|-
| You're A Vision Award
| {{N/A|}}
| Their outfits at Eurovision
|{{won|place=2|2nd place}}
|
|}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-ach|ach}}
{{s-bef |before=Mia Dimšić
with "Guilty Pleasure"}}
{{s-ttl |title=Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest |years=2023}}
{{s-aft |after=Baby Lasagna
with "Rim Tim Tagi Dim"}}
{{s-end}}
{{Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest 2023}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Croatian rock music groups
Category:Musical groups established in 1987
Category:Yugoslav rock music groups
Category:Yugoslav punk rock groups
Category:Musical groups from Rijeka
Category:Croatian post-punk music groups
Category:Croatian dark wave musical groups