By
Adam Pugh
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Bosnian punk band assaults Tucson
The Bosnian punk band Mighty Idaho has seen it all - the war-torn streets of its European hometown of Tulza, the death of a family member and the ravages of social and political unrest.
"When we lived in Bosnia, we had very little freedom to do anything," said G-reg, lead singer and guitar player for the band. "We knew we needed to get out of the country."
G-reg, a media arts junior at the University of Arizona, and Ross, bass player and lifelong friend, struggled for years through high school in Bosnia. But the friends, who had a love for music and a desire to be free, sought to make their dreams come true in the United States. What spurred the two into action was an event Ross said he would never forget - his brother was killed.
"When we heard that his (Ross') brother was dead, we both knew we had to get out of there as soon as we could," G-reg said.
Moving to Idaho more than a year ago, the two began playing together in different bands but were let down by the lackluster music scene in the local area.
"We thought Idaho was the best place in America - that's how we got our name," G-reg said. "But it turned out to be a hoax."
Making their new home in Tucson, the two met up with local drummer Rian Smith and started practicing together six times a week. After four months and numerous practice sessions, the group decided to let the city know Mighty Idaho had arrived.
The Rhino Pub, a local bar at 1112 E. Sixth St., was looking for local talent. Mighty Idaho fit the description and was booked for a show.
"I just walked into the club and talked to the owner," Ross said. "I didn't think it would be so easy."
Establishing a fast pace with punk rock music, Mighty Idaho brought new life into an old sound that had once begun with bloody noses and anarchy. But, the two Bosnian friends have not forgotten the struggle they faced in their lives not so long ago.
"After witnessing and living through the violence and atrocities in Bosnia, I don't want to see anything like that at our shows," G-reg said.
The group wants people to have a good time and enjoy the music, Ross said. Focusing on their music and rigorous practice schedule, the band members said they are anxious to get their music heard by more people. This do-it-yourself attitude has quickly garnered the band a solid following - and it is recording songs for an upcoming demo.
"People always ask us where they can get our stuff, so we decided to start working on a recording as soon as possible," Ross said.
The two friends have quickly adapted to life in the United States and have taken their music further here than would have ever been possible in Bosnia. Although the group agrees the Tucson music scene is not as strong as it could be, it is better than Idaho ever was, Ross said.
With more shows on the way, the members of Mighty Idaho said they want people to know that there is more than just one type of music.
"We want to blow up the music scene in Tucson," G-reg said. "It's a long shot, but something needs to happen."
