Divlje jagode

Divlje Jagode (trans. "Wild Strawberries") is an ex-Yugoslav and Bosnian heavy metal band formed in 1977. The band is widely considered to be regional pioneers of the heavy metal genre and one of the most popular enduring icons of rock music in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region. In almost 40 years since its founding, the band has released 12 studio albums, the latest being 2013 release Biodinamička ljubav, several singles and compilation albums.

Biography

1970s

Divlje Jagode were formed in 1977 in Bihać by guitarist Zele Lipovača (a former Biseri, Selekcija and Zenit member). The first Divlje Jagode lineup featured vocalist Ante Janković, bass guitarist Nihad Jusufhodžić (a former Zenit member), keyboardist Mustafa "Muc" Ismailovski (a former Grešnici member) and drummer Adonis Dokuzović (a former Novi Akordi member).^[1] The band achieved high popularity with their first singles: hard rock ballads "Jedina moja" and "Patkica" and a cover of Bosnian folk song "Moj dilbere". In 1978 they released their debut self-titled album Divlje Jagode, which featured a number of Deep Purple and Black Sabbath inspired songs, a new version of "Jedina moja" and ballad "Krivo je more" among others. After the album was released the band made a break because part of the band's members' army obligations. Ismailovski joined Srebrna Krila, and Lipovača, alongside Marina Tucaković became spiritus movens of a disco band Mirzino Jato.

1980s

In 1980 Divlje Jagode continued their activity in the new lineup: Janković, Lipovača, drummer Nasko Budimlić and bass guitarist Alen Islamović. This lineup recorded album Stakleni hotel ("Glass Hotel") which marked their complete shift towards heavy metal. Songs lyrics were written by Elvis J. Kurtovich & His Meteors vocalist Goran Petranović, Marina Tucaković and Islamović. Album's biggest hits were "Autostop" and ballads "Dodirni me, skloni bol" and "Potraži put". On the tour that followed the album release Divlje Jagode played around one hundred concerts. At this time Lipovača took over Angus Young's schoolboy image.

In 1981 Janković started his solo career, and Divlje Jagode released Motori ("Motorcycles") with Islamović on vocals. Title track became huge hit, and songs "Šejla", "Zagrizi rokenrol" and ballads "Nasmiješi se" and "Ne želiš kraj" were well accepted. On the part of the tour that followed Motori release they were joined by Janković. Two following albums Čarobnjaci ("Wizards"), which featured hits "Morrison" and "Čarobnjaci", and Vatra ("Fire"), which featured hits "Ciganka", "Let na drugi svijet" and "Moja si...", were both well accepted, and the band signed a contract with British record company Logo Records under the name Wild Strawberries

Wild Strawberries

In 1986 they started recording an English language album with new bass guitarist Zlatan Čehić. Eight of their old songs were rerecorded with English language lyrics and the album featured two new songs, "Fire on the Water" and "Wild Boys". Album featured keyboardist Don Airey as guest musician. At this time Lipovača was approached to join Whitesnake as lead guitarist, but refused focusing on Wild Strawberries career. Adopting a glam metal outlook, the band performed at The Marquee and a number of English clubs. The pilot single with song "Shayla" was released, but being suspicious about Wild Strawberries' success in Great Britain, Islamović accepted Goran Bregović's invitation and joined Bijelo Dugme, and Wild Strawberries' debut release was delayed. Album Wild Strawberries appeared in 1987, but the band did not have any live performances following the album release. Wild Strawberries was soon released in Sweden, Germany, Italy and Netherlands.

The same year Budimlić temporarily retired. Stevie Doherty, vocalist of the band Zero Zero from Glasgow was approached to join the band, but eventually Mladen "Tifa" Vojičić, the former Bijelo Dugme singer, joined the band as the new frontman. The album Konji was recorded by Lipovača, Tifa, Čehić, keyboardist Vladimir Podany (a former Armija B member) and drummer Edin Šehović (a former Country Carma, Bandoleros and Tusk member). It featured rerecorded "Divlje jagode" from their first album and a cover of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Turkish March. This lineup did not last long either: in the middle of 1988, during a tour, Tifa, Podany and Šehović left the band. Čehić took over the vocals and the drums were played by Dragan "Điđi" Jankelić. In 1989 the former Osmi Putnik frontman Zlatan Stipišić became the new Divlje Jagode vocalist. This lineup recorded demos, helping Lipovača sign a five-year contract in the United States, but that project was never realised, and Divlje Jagode disbanded.

1990s

During the war Lipovača lived in London and Zagreb. After releasing his solo album Magic Love Lipovača reunited Divlje Jagode. In 1994 they released album Labude, kad rata ne bude ("Swan, when there Is no more War"). In 1996 Lipovača, Budimlić, bass guitarist Sanin Karić and vocalists Žanil "Žak" Tataj and recorded a softer, ballad-oriented album Sto vjekova ("Hundred Centuries").

2000s

At the end of 1990s Lipovača, Budimlić and Thomas Balaz and vocalist Pero Galić recorded Divlje Jagode latest album Od neba do neba ("From Sky to Sky") which was released in 2003. First Divlje Jagode singer Ante Janković, as well as other former members Žanil Tataj, Emir Cerić, Livio Berak and Marko Osmanović, joined the band on their live performances on several occasions. In 2006 the band released the single "Piramida", which was accompanied with a music video. On January 25, 2012, the band released a new single "Ne, Nisam Ja", which will be also released on the band's new album. The music video was shot in Sarajevo.^[2] In February and March 2012, Jagode went on tour in Australia, performing three concerts in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane on "On the Road Again" tour.^[3]

2013

Divlje Jagode released a new album, called Biodinamička Ljubav, after a 10-years break. The album featured 11 songs. The line-up consisted of Zele Lipovača (guitars, backing vocals), Livio Berak (vocals), Damjan Deurić (keyboards), Nasko Budimlić (drums) and András Ispán (bass). Guest musicians were Žanil "Žak" Tataj (vocals), Ivane Peters (vocals), Vladimir Kmoniček (vocals), Zlatan "Čeha" Čehić (bass) and Vlatka Pokos (backing vocals).

Discography

Studio albums

• Divlje jagode (1979)
• Stakleni hotel (1981)
• Motori (1982)
• Čarobnjaci (1984)
• Vatra (1985)
• Wild Strawberries (1987) - as Wild Strawberries
• Konji (1988)
• Magic Love (1993)
• Labude, kad rata ne bude (1994)
• Sto vjekova (1997)
• Od neba do neba (2003)
• Biodinamička ljubav (2013)

Compilations

• Najbolje (1986)
• Sarajevo ti i ja (1993)
• The Very Best Of: Let na drugi svijet (2004)
• Najljepše balade: Krivo je more (2004)

Singles

• "Jedina moja" / "Rock 'n' Roll" (1977)
• "Moj dilbere" / "Prijatelj" (1977)
• "Patkica" / "Kad bi vi, gospođo" (1978)
• "Nemam ništa protiv" / "Bit će bolje" (1979)
• "Piramida" (2006)
• "Ne, nisam ja" (2011)
• "Samo da znaš" (2013)

References

External links

• Official Site
• Official YouTube profile
• Official Facebook profile
• Official Twitter profile