Heroji
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1986 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia |
| Defunct | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Belgrade , Yugoslavia |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Heroji (, meaning Heroes) was a rock ensemble from Yugoslavia, established in Belgrade in 1986.
The group originated with vocalist Vladimir Đurić "Đura," soon joined by fellow vocalist Milutin Petrović; both were alumni of the Belgrade Faculty of Dramatic Arts. By 1988, the lineup had solidified, featuring Đurić, Petrović, drummer Ivan Vdović "Vd", keyboardist Miša Savić, and guitarist Vladan Aćimović. That same year, they issued their sole studio album before disbanding. Although their existence was short-lived, Heroji gained recognition within the 1980s Yugoslav rock scene for their distinctive campy and comedic approach. Following the group's breakup, Đurić, Petrović, and Savić engaged in various cultural endeavors, with Đurić leading the band Đura i Mornari.
1986–1988
Formed in Belgrade in 1986, Heroji were initiated by vocalist Vladimir Đurić "Đura," a graduate of dramaturgy from the Belgrade Faculty of Dramatic Arts. The early lineup experienced instability but attracted media attention through their demo track "Noću haramo" ("We Raven at Night"). Milutin Petrović, also a Faculty of Dramatic Arts graduate and former synthesizer player for Stalker, joined as a second vocalist and co-composer. Petrović had directed approximately thirty music videos for Yugoslav rock artists and hosted the TV Belgrade music program Hit meseca between 1984 and 1986.
Their first release was a 7-inch single containing "Bilder" ("Bodybuilder") and "Instruktor skijanja" ("Ski Instructor"), distributed by PGP-RTB. This single featured straightforward rock compositions paired with witty lyrics. In 1987, they followed up with another single comprising "Kiza rock" and "E = mc²," maintaining their characteristic style; notably, actor Slobodan Ninković appeared on "Kiza rock." Both singles displayed minimalist white covers typical of PGP-RTB promotional records and were embellished with unique drawings created by band members.
By the time they recorded their debut album, Heroji's roster included Đurić, Petrović, drummer Ivan Vdović (formerly of Suncokret, Šarlo Akrobata, Katarina II, Du Du A), keyboardist Miša Savić, and guitarist Vladan Aćimović. The group's only studio album, titled 88, was released in 1988 through PGP-RTB. Produced by Momčilo Bajagić "Bajaga," it featured a logo crafted by architect Aleksandar Deroko. The album presented camp-infused tracks such as "Zgromiću te ja" ("I Will Crush You"), "Gagarin," "Nikad robom" ("Never a Slave"), and "Majmun" ("Monkey"), which enjoyed substantial radio play. After conducting promotional concerts that year, the band disbanded.
Vladimir Đurić
Following Heroji's disbandment, Vladimir Đurić shifted his focus toward screenwriting, directing, and television production. He re-emerged musically in 1993 with the album Maštarije (Fictions), released by L.V.O. Records; this work included material from the Heroji period along with contributions from former member Miša Savić and others. The album incorporated Caribbean rhythms accompanied by nostalgic lyricism.
In 1997, Đurić issued Mediteran (Mediterranean) with his ensemble Mornari (Sailors), featuring musicians such as accordionist Miško Petrović "Plavi" and guitarist Mladen Arsenijević. Produced by Vlada Marković, this album stylistically resembled Maštarije and originated from compositions created for Đurić's radio drama Balada o unutrašnjem moru.
The 1998 compilation The Best of Đura combined selections from his earlier albums alongside Heroji tracks and previously unreleased pieces. In 2000, the band Đura i Mornari released Tropikalizam (Tropicalism), produced by Arsenijević. The 2005 release Letnja terasa (Summer Terrace) appeared under the name Đura Mornar with collaborators including Milan Milosavljević and producer Aleksandar Janković.
In 2014's Algeria, Đurić was joined by Radivoje Bojanovski, Dejan Resanović, Milan Milosavljević, Nikola Đokić, and Boris Đurić; the track "Tekila Meksiko" featured guest vocals from Prljavi Inspektor Blaža. Three years later, in 2017, Đura i Mornari partnered with folk group Vojvođanski San on Nove gradske pesme, blending Latin influences with traditional Balkan urban music styles.
Beyond his musical career, Đurić contributed as screenwriter and director to television productions such as Neobavezno, Petkom u 22, and Kult. Between 1992 and 1994 he hosted programs centered on creative writing and cultural topics. His theatrical works have been staged at prominent venues throughout Belgrade.
As an author, Đurić published numerous books encompassing novels, essays, poetry collections, and cultural analyses—including studies on Yugoslav new wave music and anthologies related to turbo-folk genres. He also penned the screenplay for the television film Koju igru igraš (1992) and appeared as an actor in Srđan Koljević's film The Red Colored Grey Truck (2004).
Milutin Petrović
Petrović made his directorial debut in 1987 with the television film Telefonomanija. The following year, he helmed the TV adaptation of the rock opera Kreatori i kreature, penned by Vladimir Milačić and featuring renowned Yugoslav musicians including Snežana Jandrlić, Dejan Cukić, Massimo Savić, Zana Nimani, Bora Đorđević, Amila Sulejmanović, and Goran Čavajda "Čavke". In 1989, he directed the television program Dome, slatki dome.
During the early 1990s, Petrović was at the helm of the pop culture TV show Popovanje. In 1992, he directed the acclaimed musical Trinidad, which was staged at Bitef Theatre and inspired by Robert Mitchum's album Calypso – Is like So…. The production showcased live performances by Trinidad Trip Band, featuring Miša Savić alongside members of Plejboj. Leading roles were played by Ivana Mihić, Branislav "Bane" Vidaković, and Slobodan "Boda" Ninković. Tracks from this musical were later compiled on the 1994 album The Trinidad, with contributions from Miša Savić and members of Vera Kvark band. In 1994, Petrović collaborated with Trinidad Trip Band for an unplugged concert at Belgrade’s Sava Centar; songs like "Kiza rock" and "Ona hoće mambo", with actress Branka Katić providing vocals, were featured on the live album Bez struje. The album also contains Đurić’s rendition of "Zgromiću te ja".
Petrović’s filmography includes seven feature films: Land of Truth, Love & Freedom (2000), South by Southeast (2005), the children’s movie Agi and Emma (2007), documentaries such as Novo je da sam bila zlostavljana (2010) and I Pledge (2020), as well as The Loop (2015) and Bad Blood (2021). His television directing credits encompass three series: Plaško Habrović uzvraća udarac (2016), the teen-oriented Nebojša Čelik šou! (2019), and again Bad Blood (2021). Petrović has also appeared as an actor in his own productions including Land of Truth, Love & Freedom, South by Southeast, and the series Bad Blood, as well as in films like Munje! (2001), State (2013), and Humidity (2016). Additionally, he co-composed the soundtrack for Land of Truth, Love & Freedom alongside Miša Savić.
Miša Savić
During the 1980s, Savić established himself as a prominent figure within minimal music circles and took on the role of editor for the Students' Cultural Centre’s classical music programming. He collaborated with alternative rock artist Rambo Amadeus on a musical project performed at Sava Centar in 1994 during a screening of Fritz Lang’s film Metropolis. This collaboration was later issued on the 1998 album titled Metropolis B Tour de Force. Savić also contributed to composing scores for Milutin Petrović’s films Land of Truth, Love & Freedom and South by Southeast.
Ivan Vdović
After Heroji disbanded, Vdović stepped away from his musical career. Notably, he was Yugoslavia’s first officially documented HIV-positive person and succumbed to AIDS on 25 September 1992.
Studio albums
- 88 (1988)
Singles
- "Bilder" / "Instruktor skijanja" (1986)
- "Kiza rock" / "E = mc²"