Haustor

Haustor

Company type	Music group
Industry	Music
Founded	1979 in Zagreb, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Founder	Darko Rundek, Srđan Sacher
Headquarters	Zagreb , Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Products	Rock music, albums including Haustor (1981), Treći svijet (1984), Bolero (1986), Tajni grad (1988)

Haustor (meaning Passageway) emerged as a prominent rock ensemble from Zagreb in 1979, within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Renowned as a pivotal contributor to the Yugoslav new wave movement, Haustor also left a significant mark on the wider Yugoslav rock scene.

The group was established by lead vocalist and occasional guitarist Darko Rundek alongside bassist Srđan Sacher. Their distinctive sound combined new wave rhythms with ethnic musical influences and was complemented by their dramatic stage presence. Their debut album, released in 1981 and bearing the band's name, is widely regarded as a foundational work of Yugoslav new wave and earned them widespread recognition. The 1984 release Treći svijet introduced elements of world music alongside Rundek’s lyrically rich compositions, drawing inspiration from literature, cinema, and graphic novels. Following the tour supporting this album, Sacher exited the band, leaving Rundek as the primary songwriter and lyricist. Subsequent albums, Bolero (1986) and Tajni grad (1988), achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. The group unexpectedly dissolved in 1990 amid the production of their fifth studio record. Afterward, Rundek embarked on a flourishing solo career.

In 1996, Haustor briefly regrouped for a live show in Zagreb featuring Rundek and Sacher. More recently, in 2022, the lineup responsible for Treći svijet reunited to reimagine its title track for a vinyl reissue of the album.

New wave era (1979–1982)

The origins of Haustor date back to 1977 when Rundek and Sacher initiated Komuna, performing sporadically. Prior to forming Haustor in 1979 with drummer Boris Leiner and guitarist Ozren Štiglić, Rundek pursued literary studies and worked as a cultural columnist. Initially called Nagradni Bataljon, the band rehearsed regularly at Kugla glumište, where they also collaborated with other artists.

Leiner initially divided his time between Haustor and Azra before Zoran Perišić took over drumming duties. The group expanded its roster by adding keyboardist Zoran Vuletić, saxophonist Damir Prica "Capri," and trombonist Nikola Santro. In 1980, with support from radio journalist Anđelko Maletić and critic Dražen Vrdoljak, they recorded two tracks for Radio Zagreb. The song "Moja prva ljubav" became popular on airwaves; its lyrics were partially inspired by Irwin Shaw's short story "The Girls in Their Summer Dresses." A notable performance at the 1980 Subotica Youth Festival further elevated their profile.

Rundek’s theatrical background from his studies at the Zagreb Academy of Dramatic Art influenced the band's live shows, while Sacher infused their sound with ethnic music elements drawn from his expertise in archaeology and ethnology, blending these with their new wave foundation.

At the start of 1981, they released a single featuring an updated version of "Moja prva ljubav" along with "Pogled u bolju budućnost," with Leiner on drums. Their set at Belgrade’s Pozdrav iz Zagreba festival attracted significant attention, outshining more established groups like Prljavo Kazalište. Drummer Perišić was succeeded by Srđan Gulić as recording began for their first album.

Their self-titled debut album appeared in 1981 under Jugoton, produced by Husein Hasanefendić "Hus" from Parni Valjak, who also contributed guitar work. Alongside the hit "Moja prva ljubav," it included psychedelic tracks such as "Radio," "Mijenjam se," "Tko je to," "Duhovi," "Crni žbir," "Lice," and "60–65." Several songs like "Lice" and "60–65." featured in Adi Imamović’s film Nemir. A politically charged piece titled "Radnička klasa odlazi u raj" was omitted prior to release due to pressure from Yugoslav cultural authorities. Haustor rapidly established themselves as one of Zagreb’s foremost new wave bands alongside peers such as Prljavo Kazalište, Azra, and Film. They served as opening act for British post-punk band Gang of Four during the 1981 Music Biennale Zagreb festival. Later that year, they issued a single containing "Zima," "Majmuni i mesec," and "Capri," dedicated to saxophonist Damir Prica.

Progress on their sophomore album came to a halt in February 1982 when several members were drafted into the Yugoslav People's Army. Their final performance before this pause took place at Zagreb’s club Kulušić, where they presented a concept concert themed around traveling to the future.

Treći svijet and Sacher's exit (1983–1984)

At the beginning of 1983, with guitarist Zoran Zajec now part of the lineup, the band recorded their sophomore album Treći svijet (Third World) under the guidance of producer Željko Brodarić "Jappa" and featuring a brass ensemble. This release demonstrated a diverse range of musical styles, incorporating elements from reggae, Latin American rhythms, and pop. Rundek’s songwriting incorporated themes drawn from Biblical imagery, literary sources, adventure cinema, and the comics of Hugo Pratt. Songs such as "Neobičan dan," "Zadnji pogled na Jeršaleim," and the album’s title track introduced a unique ambiance previously unseen in Yugoslav rock. The record also reinstated "Radnička klasa odlazi u raj," which had been omitted from their debut by Jugoton’s management. Although critics praised the album, the following tour did not achieve commercial success, prompting Sacher and Prica to leave in 1984 and establish the group Brojani (The Counted).

Rundek-led era and dissolution (1984–1990)

The band’s third album, Bolero, was created by Rundek, Prica, and Zajec, with contributions from former members Gulić and Santro. Rundek took on bass guitar duties, while some tracks featured a rhythm machine. Guest artists included Jurij Novoselić (Film), Rastko Milošev (Parni Valjak), jazz keyboardist Neven Frangeš, backing vocals by members of Naturalna Mistika, and actress Anja Šovagović. Actor Rade Šerbedžija provided spoken word on the track "Take the Money and Run". The production was handled by Dragan Mačinović and Mitar Subotić, featuring Rundek-composed hits such as "Ena," "Šejn," "Šal od svile," "Ja želim," "TV Man," "Sejmeni," along with the rap-influenced "Take the Money and Run." To promote the album, Gulić, Prica, and Santro reunited with new members bassist Mario Barišin, keyboardist Alen Bjelinski, and trumpeter Igor Pavlica. In 1986, Haustor participated in Zagreb Fest performing "Samo na čas".

The subsequent album Tajni grad (Secret City) introduced bassist Marino Pelajić (formerly with Film) and keyboardist Julije Rejić, while Sacher appeared as a guest on five tracks. All compositions were authored by Rundek. The album was well-received critically, featuring notable songs like "Ula ulala," "Bi mogo da mogu," "Uzalud pitaš," "Samo na čas," and "Uhode."

In 1990, during sessions for their fifth album Dovitljivi mali čudaci (Quick-Witted Little Weirdos), the group unexpectedly disbanded.

Post-breakup: Former members’ ventures and archival releases

Following Haustor’s breakup, Rundek moved to Paris where he launched a successful solo career with his 1996 release Apokalipso (Apocalypse). Sacher became involved with bands such as Brojani, Ayllu, Naturalna Mistika, and Dee Dee Mellow, eventually founding the acclaimed group Vještice.

Prica collaborated with Duboko Grlo before forming the free jazz ensemble Cul-de-Sac in 1986 alongside guitarist Dragan Pajić "Pajo". Cul-de-Sac performed informal concerts and released two albums in 1990: a live recording titled The End... Some More (Part Four) and a studio album named The End of the World and the Other Songs Including Hit Single. They also composed scores for animated films and theatrical productions. After relocating to Amsterdam in 1993, Prica and Pajić revived Cul-de-Sac. Pajić returned to Zagreb in 2000 and continued the project under the new name Orkestar za ubrzanu evoluciju (Orchestra for the Accelerated Evolution). In 2013, Prica rejoined Zagreb’s Franz Kafka Ensemble, contributing to the 2018 release Circus Noir. Cul-de-Sac’s double vinyl compilation L'Equipue Extraordinaire, released in 2019, compiled recordings spanning from 1986 to 2006.

Srđan Gulić became a member of Ritam S Ovoga Sveta, participating on their 1986 album, and collaborated with Disciplina Kičme on their 1991 work Nova iznenađenja za nova pokolenja. He later established Gul Y Marlones de Brando, releasing Osvježavajući plod in 2006. Gulić earned recognition for his film scores including Antonio Nuić's 2009 movie Donkey, which garnered him the Golden Arena for Best Film Music. Additionally, he composed theme music for Croatian children’s television programs and initiated the project Gul United together with his son Pavle.

Igor Pavlica worked alongside Darko Rundek Band as well as groups like Jinx and Kawasaki 3P. Several other former Haustor members eventually withdrew from musical pursuits.

In 1995, Blind Dog Records in partnership with Dallas Records issued Ulje je na vodi, a live album documenting Haustor's 1982 performance at Zagreb's club Kulušić. Despite its modest audio quality, it featured six previously unreleased tracks and was reissued as a double vinyl set in 2019.

In 2015, Croatia Records released a box set titled Original Album Collection, compiling all four studio albums from Haustor. Two years later in 2017, an EP named Dovitljivi mali čudaci appeared containing five songs intended for their unfinished fifth studio record: "Hiawatha", "Disanje" ("Breathing"), "Ista slika" ("The Same Picture"), "More, more" ("Sea, Sea"), and "Señor".

1996 and 2022 reunions

Towards the close of 1995, Rundek made his way back to Zagreb from Paris, delivering a series of concerts that attracted an audience of around 10,000 attendees. This momentum sparked Haustor’s reunion for a 1996 performance at the Zagreb gori (Zagreb's Burning) festival. The lineup featured Darko Rundek, Srđan Sacher, Zoran Zajec, Damir Prica, Nikola Santro, and Igor Pavlica, with Boris Leiner and Ozren Štiglić joining as guest musicians. Additional contributions came from Robert Lovrić, Max Wilson, and Sergej Novoselić on violin.

In 2021, Croatia Records released a vinyl edition of Haustor. The following year saw the vinyl reissue of Treći svijet by the same label. To commemorate this launch, the original members—Rundek, Sacher, Prica, Gulić, and Zajec—came together again to reinterpret "Treći svijet" as "Trijeći svijet Dub 2022". Subsequently, in 2023, Bolero was also reissued on vinyl.

Legacy

Haustor’s legacy is evident through numerous reinterpretations by key regional artists. The Serbian and Yugoslav reggae ensemble Del Arno Band performed a rendition of "Treći svijet" on their 1995 album Reggaeneracija. The Serbian crossover group Eyesburn produced a notable cover of "Šejn" for the 1999 compilation Korak napred 2 koraka nazad. The tracks "Moja prva ljubav" and "Ena" appeared as covers on the 2001 album Yugoton, which featured Polish musicians’ takes on Yugoslav rock classics. Additionally, "Ena" was revisited by Croatian band Postolar Tripper in 2007 and by Bosnian group Jall aux Yeux in 2024, with Rundek participating as a guest. The Serbian Romani band Kal covered "Mijenjam se" in 2014, while Croatian band Flyer contributed a version of "Radio" for the 2017 compilation Zimzeleno a novo 3.

All four studio albums by Haustor were included among the top 100 Greatest Albums of Yugoslav Popular Music in the 1998 publication YU 100: najbolji albumi jugoslovenske rok i pop muzike: Treći svijet at No. 20, Haustor at No. 29, Bolero at No. 39, and Tajni grad at No. 45. In addition, the Croatian edition of Rolling Stone featured all four albums in its 2015 list of Greatest Yugoslav Albums: placing Haustor at No. 4, Treći svijet at No. 8, Bolero at No. 35, and Tajni grad at No. 78.

Regarding individual songs, "Šejn" achieved No. 26 on Rock Express’s Top 100 Yugoslav Rock Songs of All Time (2000) and climbed to No. 2 on B92’s Top 100 Domestic Songs list in 2006; meanwhile, "Ena" secured the No. 11 spot and "Moja prva ljubav" ranked No. 41 on the same list.

Sixteen Haustor tracks—thirteen composed by Rundek, two by Sacher, and one co-written—were selected for inclusion in Petar Janjatović’s anthology of ex-Yugoslav rock poetry, highlighting the enduring cultural significance of the band.

Studio albums

• Haustor (1981)
• Treći svijet (1984)
• Bolero (1985)
• Tajni grad (1988)

Live albums

• Ulje je na vodi (1995)

Extended plays

• Dovitljivi mali čudaci (2017)

Compilation albums

• 1981. 1984. 1985. 1988. (1995)
• The Ultimate Collection (2008)
• Greatest Hits Collection (2017)

Box sets

• Original Album Collection (2015)

Singles

• "Moja prva ljubav" / "Pogled u BB" (1981)
• "Radio" / "Crni žbir" (1981)
• "Majmuni i mjesec" / "Zima", "Capri" (1981)
• "Ena" / "Take the Money and Run" (1985)
• "Ula ulala" / "Skidaj se" (1988)
• "Ena" (BilloGorz Remix) (2023)
• "Treći svijet" (Dub 2025) (2025)