"I must admit that G17-plus had worked out a route before the rally, since we wanted to finish some business before the rally, by visiting various institutions. First, a judge from the public prosecutor's office accepted our suit in the Hall of Justice. Then around 12:30pm we went to Studio B. Mladan Dinkic, Slobodan Vucetic, Predrag Markovic, Mijat Damjanovic [G17-plus members] and others simply entered the offices of that media house as if cutting through Swiss cheese. We expected resistance, but we went all together with the drummers and people behind us. We went to see the president of Serbia but, of course, he was not in the building, because of important meetings and could not see us. However, we visited other institutions. We cannot walk the streets for the sake of it. People demand results instead of talking. I would compare my engagement with that of someone seeing a man drowning in the sea. While he knows how to swim he nevertheless waits for a lifeguard. I decided not to wait for a lifeguard, since someone pushed us 50 years in the past. The drumming was the only way to sound the alarm, to bring the people together and let them know what they were being offered for their future. The people perhaps did not know who to vote for, but they did know who not to vote for.
How did you feel in those crucial moments, leading the mass of people?
I must admit that I sorely need rest because I will develop a phobia of crowds. You know, when two hundreds of thousands of people follow you and everything depends on your drum, that implies a lot of responsibility. I was not exactly prepared for that, but I did have enough courage to go in front of them. I trusted my "cover". I only offered sincere energy to return smiles to the faces of the people and improve their morale, after the collective apathy that went on for ten years. There are no good armies without good drummers. If the former authorities understood that, they would not have been buried by a drumstick. I am proud that I participated in something so important and of historical significance, since one day I will tell my son - major in architecture and finish the college. Otherwise you're going abroad to wash dishes.
Will the young people return to the country?
We have currently taken control of the media only. Consequently we can tell people the truth and what we offer them at this moment. In the future, the people must choose themselves and express their will. Many young people who escaped abroad because of the disastrous policy here will definitely return. I've met our people everywhere I traveled. All of them quickly settle, and live well, but they always wonder why they are abroad. The feeling of belonging, that is the most important thing and this people has no need to search for its identity through its history. I, the drummer, was followed by a crowd of people, so that I could not be afraid, and had strength to go through any Police cordon. That is the strength I am talking about. We have the strength of our nation. Our young educated people will return from abroad with new experiences and knowledge. We shall go forward with huge steps. I really believe in the success of this country, since the will of the people has won. Not of one man, or a party, or a coalition.
After the liberation of the media, you showed up with your drummers in many TV programs, even in TV Pink?
I was a good friend with Zeljko Mitrovic even before all of these political events. I called him and he invited me to TV Pink. It made sense that I, as a musician, start a program about music, after its brief cancellation. I must admit that the staff at TV Pink approved, not my action, but the will of the people. No one here wants to live in anarchy.
Are the better times for rock-and-roll near?
The former authorities were fearful of rebellious nature, energy and force of rock-and-roll. The basic strength of rock-music, as a philosophy of life, is in its youthful, rebellious energy. That is why the former authorities chose Otpor for its main enemy, since it has no leader, because it is a movement. Rock-and-roll survived in this country within our chests, in souls of individuals, although it had been destroyed deliberately for years. All sorts of music are necessary, folk music, turbo-folk as well. Let the people chose what they want to listen to. It is ridiculous that in this state an artist could not appear on TV because of his political views. My only desire is to stop playing on the streets, and to return to music and concerts.
Maybe they will offer you an important function?
I am not talented for that. I am one of rare individuals who are really bad with money. Some people are born with love for money, but I am not one of those. We are responsible to all those people who come to my concerts, with special love and respect for every individual. That is what I want to do in the future. For the benefit of the people I will do all sorts of things, but I am convinced that it would be highly foolish if these authorities appointed me, an ordinary drummer, for a minister.