Tomaz Hostnik and LaibachTomaz Hostnik continues to be a source of fascination even amongst those who have only recently discovered the music of Laibach. Given the length of Laibach's existence, it is all the more remarkable for someone whose spell in the group was brief and was long gone before the band was known outside Yugoslavia. However his importance to Laibach is significant and the band would have been quite different without the imput of Toma�.
Born in the town of Medvode in 1961, about 8 km to the northwest of Ljubljana. Formed Laibach with Dejan Knez along with a group of friends from Trbovlje and guided by Dejan's artist father Janez. Laibach was created in Janez 's Trbovlje studio, who also had an important influence in the creation of the band and its work.
However Tomaz was very much the leader of Laibach with a forceful, dynamic personality and had been attending a college that prepared Slovenia's political elite. He completely dominated in interviews and had a huge presence, intellectually and physically. His ideas and designs have continued to shape Laibach to this day and it's no surprise that his presence is soon felt by those interested in the work of Laibach.
The year 1982 saw a dramatic increase in activity from Laibach as members finished their military service; performing their first concert in January 12th at the FV 112/15 Club in Ljubljana. Other concerts soon followed including the New Rock Festival at Krizanke where Laibach stole the show, so much so that the band appearing after Laibach were reluctant to take to the stage fearing their performance would be very much an anticlimax. Laibach's impact was immense; their slot opened with a women reading a provocative letter concerning Laibach's use of their name, rousing the fury of some members of the audience, even more so when Toma� appears in military uniform resulting in a number of projectiles being thrown with one smashing into and cutting his chin. Toma� stood defiantly as Laibach launched their set with a tremendous and powerful rendition of Cari Amici Soldati.
The last performance with Laibach was on 11th December 1982 in Zagreb, shortly later through the effects of serious depression he committed suicide on December 21st. He was buried on December 23rd in Zale cemetery. Igor Vidmar on his radio show created and broadcasted Smrt Tomaza Hostnik on 2nd of January 1983; the piece created from Apologia Laibach read by Toma� shortly before his death with Ohm Sweet Ohm by Kraftwerk (one of his favourite bands) playing in the background.
Above photos supplied by Stephan Esleben
