The band was formed in 1981 in Sarajevo by a group of friends who worked on the early radio version of Top Lista Nadrealista . Contrary to the then-prevalent punk rock and new wave, Zabranjeno Pušenje created a distinctive garage rock sound with folk influences, often featuring innovative production and complex story-telling, sometimes even dark premonitions of war. They went on to record four albums and tour the country extensively, occasionally sparking controversy and even getting into trouble with authorities for their criticism of the socialist system, and the habit of making light of issues considered sensitive at the time.