DAG (Yugoslav band)
| Industry | Music |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1972 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia |
| Defunct | 1975 |
| Headquarters | Belgrade , Yugoslavia |
| Products | Rock music, albums, singles |
DAG (), sometimes referred to as Trio DAG (Трио ДАГ), was a rock ensemble originating from Belgrade in 1972, notable within the Yugoslav acoustic rock movement despite their short tenure.[1]
The lineup included Dragan Popović on guitar and vocals, alongside brothers Grujica (percussion, vocals) and Aleksandar Milanović (guitar, vocals). Initially dedicated to acoustic performances, they transitioned to electric instrumentation on their only studio release, Sećanja (1974). The album featured lyrical contributions by Marina Tucaković and garnered critical praise, though it did not achieve significant commercial success. Shortly after its release, Popović exited the group, leading to the band's dissolution.
1972–1975
Established in 1972 as an acoustic trio composed of Dragan Popović and the Milanović brothers, Grujica and Aleksandar, the band’s name derived from the initials of its members.[1]
Their first 7-inch single, "Voz" ("Train") / "Smiljana" ("Resilient"), debuted in 1972.[1] The following year, their track "Rastanak" ("The Leave") secured third place at the Zagreb Festival.[1] The 1974 album Sećanja marked a shift towards electric instrumentation.[1] Co-produced by the band alongside Boban Petrović, it featured guest contributions from musicians such as Sloba Marković (keyboards), Robert Nemeček (bass), Ljubomir Ristić (sitar), Branimir Malkoč (flute), and drummers Raša Đelmaš, Nikola Jager, and Mihajlo Popović.[1] The poetic lyrics were crafted by Marina Tucaković, while the album cover was designed by Grujica Milanović.[1] Although well received by critics, commercial success was limited.[1] After this release, Popović departed to establish the acoustic group Maj alongside Aleksandar Bijelić and Bane Zarin.[1]
The Milanović brothers collaborated with vocalist Miki Jevremović on the single "Kako ti je ime, devojčice" ("What's Your Name, Little Girl"), with its B-side "Za dečji san" ("For a Child's Dream") issued under the DAG name.[1] They also briefly performed with singer Suzana Mančić,[1] and reunited with Popović to record the single "Daj mi ruku" ("Give Me Your Hand") before disbanding in 1975.[1]
Post breakup
Following DAG’s breakup, Aleksandar Milanović sold some of his unreleased compositions to Oliver Mandić and worked with him as guitarist and arranger on his early records.[1] Additionally, he penned songs for artists including Dado Topić, Slađana Milošević, Jadranka Stojaković, and Dušan Prelević.[1]
Dragan Popović recorded singles such as "Još uvek sanjam" ("I'm Still Dreaming") / "Vreme žetve" ("Time of Harvest") and "A ja bih je ljubio" ("And I Would Kiss Her") with Maj; the latter appeared on the tribute compilation Uspomene dedicated to San frontman Predrag Jovičić. Maj also participated in the theatrical production (Ne)sumnjivo lice (The (Un)Suspicious Person) at Atelje 212, directed by Zoran Radmilović.[1] After Maj dissolved, Popović pursued music journalism for publications such as Omladinske novine and Mladost. He composed pieces for Radio Belgrade’s program Index 202, with four tracks included on the 1981 compilation album of the same title.[1] In 1981, he joined Dragstor (Drugstore), a short-lived band, and later formed Lift (Elevator) alongside bassist Slobodan "Boba" Orlić.[1] He contributed to Doktor Spira i Ljudska Bića’s album Dijagnoza. Throughout the 1980s, Popović worked as a sound engineer at Akademija Studio and composed music aimed at children.[1] During the 1990s, he relocated to Sweden, where he taught music at an elementary school and briefly worked for Ericsson, all while continuing to compose, perform, and engage in acting. He also founded Teater Kapija (Gate Theatre) and recorded Isabelle – A Desert Blues with actress Janna Eriksson.[1]
In 1994, DAG's track "Daj mi ruku" was included on Komuna’s compilation Sve smo mogli mi: Akustičarska muzika (We Could Have Done All: Acoustic Music), which showcased prominent Yugoslav acoustic rock artists.[2]
The album Sećanja saw a CD reissue in 2013 via the Austrian label Atlantide.[3]
Legacy
Verses from four tracks by the band were featured in Petar Janjatović's compilation Pesme bratstva, detinjstva & potomstva: Antologija ex YU rok poezije 1967 - 2007 (Songs of Brotherhood, Childhood & Offspring: Anthology of Ex YU Rock Poetry 1967 - 2007).
Studio albums
- Sećanja (1974)
Singles
- "Voz" / "Smiljana" (1972)
- "Rastanak" / "Svitanje" (1973)
- "Kako ti je ime devojčice" / "Za dečji san" (featuring Miki Jevremović, 1974)
- "Tragovi u pesku" / "I sad..." (1974)
- "Daj mi ruku" / "Jedan dan u Vojvodini" (1975)
External links
- Serbian rock music groups
- Serbian progressive rock groups
- Serbian art rock groups
- Yugoslav rock music groups
- Yugoslav progressive rock groups
- Yugoslav art rock groups
- Musical groups from Belgrade
- Musical groups established in 1972
- Musical groups disestablished in 1975
- Yugoslav musical trios
- Serbian musical trios