Doktor Spira I Ljudska Bića
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Doktor Spira i Ljudska Bića ( sr-cyr, Доктор Спира и Људска Бића; trans. ''Doctor Spira and the Human Beings'') were a Serbian new wave/
alternative rock Alternative rock (also known as alternative music, alt-rock or simply alternative) is a category of rock music that evolved from the independent music underground of the 1970s. Alternative rock acts achieved mainstream success in the 1990s w ...
band from
Belgrade Belgrade is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Serbia, largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers and at the crossroads of the Pannonian Basin, Pannonian Plain and the Balkan Peninsula. T ...
. They were a prominent act of the Yugoslav new wave scene. Formed in the late 1970s by Dušan Mihajlović "Spira" (acoustic guitar, vocals), who had already gained prominence on the Yugoslav
acoustic rock Acoustic music is music that solely or primarily uses instruments that produce sound through acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means. While all music was once acoustic, the retronym "acoustic music" appeared after the ad ...
scene, Doktor Spira i Ljudska Bića were a part of the Yugoslav new wave scene. Despite Spira's
cult status A cult following is a group of fans who are highly dedicated to a person, idea, object, movement, or work, often an artist, in particular a performing artist, or an artwork in some medium. The latter is often called a cult classic. A film, book ...
on the Belgrade scene, ''Dijagnoza'' was refused by major Yugoslav record labels, so Mihajlović self-released the album in 1981. The band's debut album was reissued by
PGP-RTB PGP-RTB ( sh-Cyrl, Продукција грамофонских плоча Радио телевизије Београд, translit=Produkcija gramofonskih ploča Radio televizije Beograd ) was a major state-owned record label and chain record ...
, and in 1987 with an extended line-up and a number of guests they recorded the double album "Dizajn za stvarni svet" ("Design for the real world"), which remained unreleased until 2007. The band stopped performing in near the end of 1987 and Spira moved to London, Unioted Kingdom. In 2007, the band's debut and previously unreleased second studio album were released together on the CD compilation album ''Arheološki artefakti tehnofilskih civilizacija prošlosti ili naučna fantastika kao žanr u umetničkim delima s kraja dvadesetog veka'', and Doktor Spira i Ljudska Bića in the new line-up performed in Pozorište na Terazijama. In November 2023 with a new line-up consisting of the youngest generation of Beograd's jazz musicians Spira triumphantly returned to performing with a concert in Beograd's Zappa Baza to promote vinyl re-release of "Dijagnoza" and final release on vinyl of "Dizajn za stvarni svet". In May 2024 the bend returned to Zappa Baza for another high-energy concert.


History


Spira's early career, band formation (1972–1979)

The singer-songwriter Dušan Mihajlović "Spira" started his musical career during the late 1972 in an
acoustic rock Acoustic music is music that solely or primarily uses instruments that produce sound through acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means. While all music was once acoustic, the retronym "acoustic music" appeared after the ad ...
duo called Mira i Spira (''Mira and Spira''), featuring Spira on guitar and vocals and Mirjana "Mira" Marković on vocals. After a series of performances on Belgrade
happenings A happening is a performance, event, or situation art, usually as performance art. The term was first used by Allan Kaprow in 1959 to describe a range of art-related events. History Origins Allan Kaprow first coined the term "happening" in t ...
and concerts, especially the ones organized by
Pop Mašina Pop Mašina ( sr-cyr, Поп Машина; trans. ''Pop Machine'') was a SFRY, Yugoslav progressive rock band formed in Belgrade in 1972. The group blended hard rock sound with blues, psychedelic rock, psychedelic and acid rock elements and is co ...
members in the Belgrade Sports Hall, Mihajlović achieved a major affirmation after the inclusion of his song "Prvi sneg" ("The First Snow") into the repertoire of the acoustic rock band
Suncokret Suncokret ( sr-cyr, Сунцокрет; trans. ''Sunflower'') was a Yugoslav acoustic rock band from Belgrade. Band history 1975 — 1980 The band was formed in 1975 by former Zajedno member Bora Đorđević (vocals and acoustic guitar), a for ...
, being eventually released on their debut album ''Moje bube'' (''My Bugs'') in 1977. During the late 1970s, Mihajlović had given up the acoustic sound, turning towards the current trends of the time, the upcoming
new wave music New wave is a music genre that encompasses pop music, pop-oriented styles from the 1970s through the 1980s. It is considered a lighter and more melodic "broadening of Punk subculture, punk culture". It was originally used as a catch-all fo ...
, forming the band Doktor Spira i Ljudska Bića, which in its initial period had changed numerous lineups.


Recording "Dijagnoza"

In 1980, the lineup consisting of Mihajlović (vocals, acoustic guitar), Zoran Dašić (guitar), Stevan Milinković (bass guitar) and Želimir Vasić (drums) recorded the debut album ''Dijagnoza'' (''
Diagnosis Diagnosis (: diagnoses) is the identification of the nature and cause of a certain phenomenon. Diagnosis is used in a lot of different academic discipline, disciplines, with variations in the use of logic, analytics, and experience, to determine " ...
''). The album, produced by Mihajlović himself, featured the unusual and original songs "Buđenje" ("The Awakening"), "Ima dana kada mene moja duša boli" ("There Are Days When My Soul is Aching"), "Dr. Paranoja" ("Dr.
Paranoia Paranoia is an instinct or thought process that is believed to be heavily influenced by anxiety, suspicion, or fear, often to the point of delusion and irrationality. Paranoid thinking typically includes persecutory beliefs, or beliefs of co ...
"), "Uvek isto zbogom" ("Always the Same Farewell"), and "Igrač na žici" ("
Tightrope Tightrope walking, also called funambulism, is the skill of walking along a thin wire or rope. It has a long tradition in various countries and is commonly associated with the circus. Other skills similar to tightrope walking include slack rope ...
Dancer"), bearing a strong narrative notion of alienation. Recorded at the
Enco Lesić Enco may refer to: * Enco River in Chile * Enco (brand), a secondary brand used by Humble Oil (now part of ExxonMobil) in certain parts of the United States from 1960 to 1973. *Enco Manufacturing Company, acquired by MSC Industrial Direct. { ...
's Druga maca studio in Belgrade and mastered at the Trident studio in London, the album featured guest appearance by Enco Lesić on electric piano. All music and Lyrics were written by Spira except "Psychoneurosis" for which Dragan Popović DAG wrote music and Spira lyrics At the time, Mihajlović enjoyed a
cult status A cult following is a group of fans who are highly dedicated to a person, idea, object, movement, or work, often an artist, in particular a performing artist, or an artwork in some medium. The latter is often called a cult classic. A film, book ...
among the audience, however, this did not affect the major Yugoslav record labels to release the album. Since he could not find a publisher among Yugoslav labels, during 1981, Mihajlović went to London and financed himself the printing of 50 copies of the album, which he brought to Belgrade and distributed to his friends. The LP had a white paper cover without any images and the track listing was written by hand. The album promotion of the exclusive album release was held in December 1981 at the
Atelje 212 Atelje 212 ( sr-Cyrl, Атеље 212) is a theatre located in Belgrade, Serbia. Established in 1956 on the premises of the '' Borba'' building in front of 212 chairs, its opening play was the staging of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's '' Faust'' dir ...
theatre. The band continued performing the material, enjoying cult status among audience and musicians alike—in 1982,
Momčilo Bajagić Momcilo or Momčilo () is a masculine given name of South Slavic origin. It is often found in Serbia and Montenegro. Notable people with the name include: *Momchil (died 1345), Bulgarian soldier * Momčilo Bajagić, Serbian rock musician * Momčilo ...
, at the time
Riblja Čorba Riblja Čorba ( sr-Cyrl, Рибља Чорба, pronounced ; ) is a Serbian and former Yugoslav Rock music, rock band formed in Belgrade in 1978. The band has been one of the most popular and most influential acts of the Popular music in the So ...
guitarist, later the leader of
Bajaga i Instruktori Bajaga i Instruktori (Serbian Cyrillic: Бајага и Инструктори; trans. ''Bajaga and the Instructors'') are a Serbian and Yugoslav rock band formed in Belgrade in 1984. Founded and led by vocalist, guitarist and principal compose ...
, named ''Dijagnoza'' one of his ten most favourite albums—until 1985, when they disbanded.


Comercial release of "Dijagnoza"

In 1986, the
pop rock Pop rock (also typeset as pop/rock) is a fusion genre and form of rock music characterized by a strong commercial appeal, with more emphasis on professional songwriting and recording craft, and less emphasis on attitude than standard rock musi ...
musician
Oliver Mandić Oliver Mandić (Serbian Cyrillic: Оливер Мандић; born 13 July 1953) is a Serbian and former Yugoslav rock musician, composer, and producer. Early life Musically involved from a young age, Mandić first started playing the accordion be ...
became an editor for the
PGP-RTB PGP-RTB ( sh-Cyrl, Продукција грамофонских плоча Радио телевизије Београд, translit=Produkcija gramofonskih ploča Radio televizije Beograd ) was a major state-owned record label and chain record ...
record label. In a discussion at a local
bistro A bistro or bistrot (), in its original Parisian form, is a small restaurant serving moderately priced, simple meals in a modest setting. In more recent years, the term has become used by restaurants considered, by some, to be pretentious. Style ...
with
Bora Đorđević Borisav "Bora" Đorđević ( sr-Cyrl, Борисав, Бора Ђорђевић; 1 November 1952 – 4 September 2024), also known as Bora Čorba ( sr-Cyrl, Бора Чорба), was a Serbian singer-songwriter and poet. He was best known as th ...
, frontman o the
hard rock Hard rock or heavy rock is a heavier subgenre of rock music typified by aggressive vocals and Distortion (music), distorted electric guitars. Hard rock began in the mid-1960s with the Garage rock, garage, Psychedelic rock, psychedelic and blues ...
band
Riblja Čorba Riblja Čorba ( sr-Cyrl, Рибља Чорба, pronounced ; ) is a Serbian and former Yugoslav Rock music, rock band formed in Belgrade in 1978. The band has been one of the most popular and most influential acts of the Popular music in the So ...
, Mandić claimed that he, as the new editor, would bring changes to PGP-RTB. Đorđević, annoyed with Mandić's statements, made a bet with him to release ''Dijagnoza''. Without any promotion, the album was released in a minimal printing of 2,000 copies, and quickly sold out. At the time Mihajlović designed and built a mini guitar amplifier called "Gvozdeno Pile" (Iron Chicken") and mini amplifier for bass called "Drveno Pile"
amp Amp or AMP may refer to: * Ampere, a unit of electric current, often shortened to amp * Amplifier, a device that increases the amplitude of a signal Arts and entertainment Music * After Midnight Project, Los Angeles alternative rock band * A ...
. The amplifiers were used in a number of commercial studios in Beograd and
Kornelije Kovač Kornelije "Bata" Kovač ( sr-Cyrl, Корнелије "Бата" Ковач, ; ; 1 January 1942 – 13 September 2022) was a Serbian composer. Early life Born in Niš during World War II in the Nazi-occupied Serbia to a Hungarian father an ...
named one of the tracks on his album "Gvozdeno pile" after the little amplifier.


Recording of "Dizajn za stvarni svet"

In 1987, Mihajlović recorded the second studio album, ''Dizajn za stvarni svet'' (''A Real World Design''), featuring diverse musical influences which could stylistically be called
world music "World music" is an English phrase for styles of music from non-English speaking countries, including quasi-traditional, Cross-cultural communication, intercultural, and traditional music. World music's broad nature and elasticity as a musical ...
, even though the expression was not used at the time, combined with
krautrock Krautrock (also called , German for ) is a broad genre of experimental rock that developed in Germany in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It originated among artists who blended elements of psychedelic rock, avant-garde composition, and electron ...
,
gothic rock Gothic rock (also called goth rock or simply goth) is a style of rock music that emerged from post-punk in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s. The first post-punk bands which shifted toward dark music with gothic overtones include Siouxsie an ...
,
dance music Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole piece or part of a larger musical arrangement. In terms of performance, the major categories are live dance music and recorded dance musi ...
,
boogie Boogie is a repetition (music), repetitive, swung note, swung note or shuffle rhythm,Burrows, Terry (1995). ''Play Country Guitar'', p.42. Dorling Kindersley Limited, London. . groove (music), "groove" or pattern used in blues which was origina ...
,
jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...
and
atonal music Atonality in its broadest sense is music that lacks a tonal center, or key. ''Atonality'', in this sense, usually describes compositions written from about the early 20th-century to the present day, where a hierarchy of harmonies focusing on a ...
. Following the musical and production trends of the time, Mihajlović retained the same lyrical style on the new material as on ''Dijagnoza''. The album would, however, remain unreleased until 2007. In 1988, he had moved to London and dedicated himself to business with computers.


Slight return (2007)

In 2006, Mihajlović started remastering the album ''Dijagnoza'' and the album ''Dizajn za stvarni svet'', which were rereleased on CD by Multimedia Records in 2007 on the deluxe compilation album ''Arheološki artefakti tehnofilskih civilizacija prošlosti ili naučna fantastika kao žanr u umetničkim delima s kraja dvadesetog veka'' (''The Archeological Artifacts of the Past Technophilic Civilizations or Science Fiction as a Genre in the Late Twentieth Century Artistic Works''). During October of the same year, Mihajlović made several live appearances in Belgrade with Doktor Spira i Ljudska Bića in a new lineup which, beside him, featured the former member Predrag Milanović (bass guitar), Predrag Kozomara (guitars), Aleksandar Miletić (keyboards), Slobodan Jurišić (drums), Ana Milanović (backing vocals) and Sanja Bogosavljević (backing vocals). Special guest appearances included Emily Jane Šarić (vocals) and Dragan Popović's Mitropa Music Project from Sweden.


Vinyl Re-release of "Dijagnoza"

- Album re-mastered and re/cut in Abbey Road.


Vinyl release of "Dizajn za stvarni svet"

- Album re-mastered and re/cut in Abbey Road.


Return to performing

* 9th November 2023 - Zappa Baza, Beograd * 9th May 2024 - Zappa Baza, Beograd


Legacy

The song "Ima dana kada mene moja duša boli" was covered by singer
Bilja Krstić Biljana "Bilja" Krstić (Serbian Cyrillic: Биљана Биља Крстић, Serbian pronunciation: ǐʎana bǐːʎa kř̩ːstitɕ born 9 November 1955) is a Serbian and Yugoslav singer and songwriter. Starting her musical career as a teena ...
on her solo album ''Iz unutrašnjeg džepa'', released by
PGP-RTB PGP-RTB ( sh-Cyrl, Продукција грамофонских плоча Радио телевизије Београд, translit=Produkcija gramofonskih ploča Radio televizije Beograd ) was a major state-owned record label and chain record ...
in 1985. The
garage rock Garage rock (sometimes called garage punk or 60s punk) is a raw and energetic style of rock music that flourished in the mid-1960s, most notably in the United States and Canada, and has experienced a series of subsequent revivals. The style is ...
band
Kazna Za Uši Kazna Za Uši ( sr-Cyrl, Казна За Уши; trans. ''Ear Punishment'') is a Serbian garage rock band from Belgrade. History Band formation, first releases (1986–1991) The band was formed in Autumn 1986 by lead guitarist and vocalis ...
on one of their first recordings paid a tribute to the band with the lines "Devojčice tvoja majka stvarno nije imala sreće..." ("Little girl, your mother really didn't have much luck..."), taken from the song "U znaku lava" from "Dijagnoza". The lyrics of 4 songs by the band were featured in
Petar Janjatović Petar Janjatović (born June 30, 1956 in Belgrade) is a Serbian author, journalist, and music critic. Biography Janjatović was born in Belgrade on June 30, 1956. Journalism As a teenager, he contributed to Radio Beograd show ''Veče uz radio' ...
's book '' Pesme bratstva, detinjstva & potomstva: Antologija ex YU rok poezije 1967 - 2007'' (''Songs of Brotherhood, Childhood & Offspring: Anthology of Ex YU Rock Poetry 1967–2007'').


Discography


Studio albums

* ''Dijagnoza'' (1981, 1996, 2023) * Dizajn za stvarni svet (1987, 2023)


Compilation albums

*''Arheološki artefakti tehnofilskih civilizacija prošlosti ili naučna fantastika kao žanr u umetničkim delima s kraja dvadesetog veka'' (2007)


See also

*
New wave music in Yugoslavia New wave in Yugoslavia ( sr-Cyrl-Latn, Нови талас, Novi talas; ; ; ) was the new wave music scene of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. As its counterparts, the British and the American new wave, from which the main influences ...


References


External links


Doktor Spira i Ljudska Bića
at
Discogs Discogs ( ; short for " discographies") is a database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. Database contents are user-generated, and described in ''T ...

Doktor Spira i Ljudska Bića
at Prog Archives {{DEFAULTSORT:Doktor Spira i Ljudska Bica Serbian new wave musical groups Serbian post-punk music groups Serbian alternative rock groups Serbian art rock groups Serbian experimental musical groups Yugoslav art rock groups Musical groups from Belgrade Musical groups established in 1979 Musical groups disestablished in 1985 Musical groups reestablished in 2007