Bulevar (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Defunct | 1982 |
| Headquarters | Belgrade , Serbia |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Bulevar (; transliterated as Boulevard) was a new wave band from Belgrade, active in the Serbian and former Yugoslav music scenes.
Formation of the band
Bulevar originated from the earlier ensemble Tilt, which consisted of high school musicians Dejan Cukić (vocals), Nenad Stamatović (guitar), Dušan Bezuha (guitar), Miroslav Cvetković (bass), and drummers Vlada Golubović and Predrag Jakovljević. Following the departure of several members to other groups like Suncokret and Pop Mašina, Tilt eventually disbanded.
In 1978, Stamatović, who was then part of Zebra, reunited with Cukić, Jakovljević, and Suncokret's bassist Branko Isaković to establish Bulevar. The band's name was inspired by their proximity to Belgrade’s Boulevard Of Revolution. Their initial performances in 1979 included opening for Riblja Čorba, leading up to a significant concert at Tašmajdan Stadium on September 1, 1979. Upon the dissolution of Zvuk Ulice, keyboardist Dragan Mitrić joined Bulevar.
Rise and dissolution
With encouragement from Riblja Čorba’s guitarist Momčilo Bajagić, Bulevar produced their first single "Moje bezvezne stvari" ("My Silly Stuff"), which was released by Jugoton in 1980. Their follow-up single, "Nestašni dečaci" ("Wild Boys"), showcased a fusion of punk rock with symphonic elements arranged by Mitrić, who was studying composition at the Music Academy. This song was featured on the notable new wave compilation Svi marš na ples! and stirred controversy due to its perceived political undertones amid the 1981 Kosovo unrest.
After signing with PGP-RTB, Bulevar launched their debut album Loš i mlad (Bad and Young) in 1981, co-produced with Tahir Durhalić. Their sophomore album, Mala noćna panika (Little Night Panic), contained standout tracks such as "Unutarnja panika" ("Inner Panic") and "Trenutni lek" ("Momentary Remedy"). However, military obligations for Mitrić, Stamatović, and Cukić hindered live promotion; their only live performance during this period was at Belgrade Dok alongside producer Kornelije Kovač on keyboards. The group’s final show occurred in Skopje in 1982 before they disbanded.
Activities following disbandment
Post-breakup, Branko Isaković became a member of Propaganda and subsequently joined Idoli. Predrag Jakovljević went on to perform with Divlji Anđeli, later joining Zana, Zamba, and eventually Viktorija, before retiring from the music industry. After completing their military service, Stamatović and Mitrić briefly rehearsed under the Bulevar name before both joined Bajaga i Instruktori; Mitrić soon shifted focus back to his studies but returned when Cukić embarked on a solo path.
Dejan Cukić contributed articles to Rock magazine and recorded three albums with Bajaga i Instruktori. Following a tour in the Soviet Union with the band, he launched a successful solo career. Both Mitrić and Isaković became part of Cukić's backing ensemble, Spori Ritam Band.
Cukić’s solo repertoire featured several Bulevar songs: "Nestašni dečaci" appeared on his 1991 album as well as a live rendition on DC & SRB @ SC, and "Trenutni lek" was included on the compilation San na pola puta. His 1998 release Igramo na ulici contained the track "Bulevari".
In 2008, PGP-RTS issued Retrologija: Nestašni dečaci, a remastered collection compiling Bulevar’s two studio albums alongside their second single.
Legacy
In 2011, the Serbian hard rock and heavy metal group Trigger recorded a rendition of "Trenutni lek" featured on their album EX.
Discography
- Loš i mlad (1981)
- Mala noćna panika (1982)
References
- EX YU ROCK enciklopedija 1960-2006, authored by Janjatović Petar