S.T.R.A.H.
| S.T.R.A.H. | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Belgrade, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia |
| Genres | Garage rock, power pop |
| Years active | 1985 – 1991 |
| Labels | Produkcija Slovenija |
| Past members |
Milutin Krstić Željko Debeljević Aleksandar Žikić Saša Ristić Nenad Ivković Aleksandar Timofejev |
S.T.R.A.H. (Serbian Cyrillic: С.Т.Р.А.Х.; trans. F.E.A.R.) was a Yugoslav rock band from Belgrade.
History
1985 – 1991
Inspired by American garage rock and British pub rock, Milutin Krstić (vocals), Željko Debeljević (guitar, vocals), Aleksandar Žikić (previously a music journalist, guitar), Saša Ristić (bass guitar) and Nenad Ivković (drums) formed the band S.T.R.A.H.[1] The band chose their name after a fictional secret organization from the British comic The Steel Claw.[1]
A year after the formation, Krstić left the band, so Debeljović took over lead vocals.[1] The band performed rarely, but managed to gain cult status thanks to their innovative songs.[1] In 1988, the band released their only release, the EP Mesec (The Moon), though Produkcija Slovenija record label.[1] The EP, featured four songs, "Mesec (Lunarni Mix)" ("The Moon ("Lunar Mix)"), "Mesec (Vampire State Dub Mix)", "Noćas" ("Tonight") and "Vudu lutka" ("Voodoo Doll").[2] The songs lyrics were horror-influenced, and the album artwork featured horror images and the inscription Metus dominus unus est (Latin for "Fear Is the Only Master").[2] The back cover featured the logo and the address of the Count Dracula Fan Club from New York City.[2]
After the release of the EP, Ivković was replaced by Aleksandar Timofejev.[1] With the outbreak of Yugoslav Wars, the band disbanded, while in the middle of recording their full-length début.[1]
Post breakup
Žikić continued his career as a journalist, writing for music magazines and working on television and radio.[1] He wrote theatre plays Elvira je kul (Elvira Is Cool), Overdouz (transliteration for Overdose) and Ples aveti (The Dance of the Spectres).[1] He wrote music books Fatalni ringišpil: Hronika beogradskog rokenrola 1959 - 1979 (Fatal Carousel: The Cronicle of Belgrade Rock 'n' Roll 1959, 1979, 1999), Mesto u mećavi: Priča o Milanu Mladenoviću (A Spot in the Blizzard: The Story of Milan Mladenović, 1999), and a book about whiskey entitled Vatra iz vode (Fire from Water, 2003).[1] He also wrote a pull-out book Electrodeo: Almanah nove američke muzike (Electrodeo - The Almanac of New American Music) published by magazine NON.[1]
Timofejev was a journalist on RTV Studio B, Later, he moved to Radio B92, later becoming program editor on TV B92,[1] for a time hosting his own talk show, Timofejev.[3]
Discography
EPs
- Mesec (1988)