Balkan was formed in 1982 in Novi Sad by the guitarist and vocalistAleksandar Cvetković, a former Leki frontman. The band's sound was hard rock-oriented, but also featured elements of ska and new wave, and the lyrics were inspired by the lyrics of Bora Đorđević and Branimir Štulić and dealt with the problems of the working class. Initially, Balkan performed as an opening band on Divlje Jagode, Riblja Čorba, Parni Valjak, Drugi Način, Galija and Atomsko Sklonište concerts in Vojvodina. Cvetković recorded Balkan's debut albumGola istina with Željko Jerković, Saša Zavišić and Radivoj Bugarski. The album was produced by a former Pop Mašina member Robert Nemeček. It featured the song "Tridesetpeta-šesta" Cvetković wrote in 1971 and dedicated to his father. Balkan's second albumNa brdovitom Balkanu, released in 1983, was also produced by Nemeček, and besides Cvetković and Jerković featured Zlatko Marušić and Miroslav Papić. Na brdovitom Balkanu featured lyrics dealing with similar subjects as on Gola istina. In 1985 Balkan released the albumHomo Balcanicus, produced by Srđan Marjanović, which also featured lyrics about the poor. On June 15 of the same year, Balkan, alongside 23 other acts, performed on Red Star Stadium, on the concert which was a part of YU Rock Misija, a Yugoslav contribution to Live Aid. After a longer break, in 1989, Balkan, now featuring Cvetković, Jerković, Bugarski, Željko Glamočanin, and Zoran Vasiljević, recorded the album Kome verovati with lyrics filled with disappointment and pessimism. The album features the song "Tridesetpeta-šesta II deo", which tells the story of Cvetković's father who found peace after his death. Album was produced by Cvetković and Milan Ćirić. Divlje Jagode guitarist Sead Lipovača made a guest appearance on the album. After Kome verovati was released, Balkan officially disbanded. In 1996 Balkan's first two albums were rereleased on the disc Na brdovitom Balkanu by Raglas Records. In 2007 Cvetković self-released the studio albumBoli me nepravda under the name Balkan. The album consisted of songs Cvetković recorded between 1989 and 2006.
