Hipodil
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | late 1980s |
| Headquarters | Sofia , Bulgaria |
| Products | Music albums, singles, live performances |
Hipodil () was a Bulgarian rock group established in the late 1980s in Sofia by four classmates attending the local Mathematics High School.
The band became well-known for their sharp, sarcastic, and often explicit yet witty lyrics. Recognized as a "rebellious and provocative" ensemble, their songs frequently tackled subjects such as alcohol, sex, women, and challenged the status quo, often mocking politicians and public figures. Alongside their humorous material, they also created more earnest, socially conscious pieces. All lyrics were penned in Bulgarian by lead singer Svetoslav Vitkov (Svetlyo), while the majority of the music was composed by guitarist Petar Todorov (Pesho). The band regularly featured guest artists, especially to enrich the brass arrangements.
History
In 1988, four schoolmates—Nikola Kavaldjiev, Miroslav Tellalov, Nikolay Savov, and Petar Todorov—formed a punk outfit performing original Bulgarian compositions under a name combining "Hippo" and "Crocodile."
Their initial live appearance took place at Sofia’s Summer Theatre, where they played "Zidaromazachi" ("Wallplasterers"), a satirical take on the communist regime that attracted limited official attention.
Following several lineup shifts and the addition of vocalist Svetoslav Vitkov in 1992, Hipodil recorded tracks such as "Bira s vodka" ("Beer With Vodka") and "Klitoren orgasm" ("Clitoral Orgasm"). Their debut album Alkoholen delirium (Alcoholic Delirium) was released in 1993 alongside a self-organized national tour. A notable episode occurred in Varna when alcohol-fueled disturbances led to arrests among band members and attendees, further cementing their controversial reputation.
This incident inspired the track "Hipodili," featured on their 1994 album Nekuf ujas, nekuf at (Some Kind of Horror, Some Kind of Hell), which became an anthem for the group. The release was supported by a tour spanning 20 cities nationwide.
The 1998 album Nadurveni vuglishta (Horny Charcoal) showcased musical advancement with ska elements and enhanced production quality. It stands as their most commercially successful work and was their first issued on CD. Despite drawing criticism from the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture due to provocative lyrics, the album’s sales surged, establishing Hipodil among Bulgaria’s leading sellers and most frequently broadcast bands. Its lead single "Bate Gojko" ("Big Brother Gojko") reached number one on airplay charts and received a rare music video treatment. The album also introduced Hipodil’s inaugural instrumental piece, "Otnesen!" ("Scatter-Brained").
In late 1999, Vitkov relocated to the United States; nevertheless, the band proceeded with recordings featuring guest vocalists. Their 2000 release Hora ot naroda (People of the Folk) preserved their signature style but incorporated softer ska influences with greater keyboard presence. Vitkov contributed lead vocals on two tracks.
A promotional single for "Skakauec" ("Grasshopper") appeared in 2002 ahead of an unreleased album titled Aa, Bb, Vv, Gg, Zz..., which was never completed due to the band's dissolution in 2004.
Although Hipodil was not distinguished by musical or lyrical complexity, they played a significant role in shaping post-Communist Bulgarian popular culture. Their work mirrored societal transformations during the 1990s in a manner relatable to youth from diverse backgrounds.
In 2006, Hipodil reunited for a performance at Sofia’s Zimen dvorec alongside Review and Upsurt, premiering "Let Me Da Te Love You," later released by their successor project Svetlio & The Legends. Riva Sound issued Tu'pest 2 in 2009 as a follow-up to their original compilation. The band came together again for concerts in 2011 and 2013 commemorating anniversaries of Alkoholen delirium, and performed once more in 2018 at Arena Armeec celebrating two decades since Nadurveni vuglishta, accompanied by reissued vintage merchandise.
Studio albums
- Alkoholen delirium/Alcoholic Delirium (1993)
- Nekuf ujas, nekuf at/Kinda Horror, Kinda Hell (1994)
- S gol v rukata.../With a Naked ... in Hand (1996)
- Nadurveni vuglishta/Aroused Charcoal (1998) (wordplay on Na durveni vuglishta - 'On Charcoal')
- Hora ot naroda/People of the Folk (2000)
Other
- Tu'pest/The Best (1999) (compilation) (a pun combining the Bulgarian word tup meaning 'dumb' with the English superlative suffix '-est')
- "Hipodil" EP (also referred to as Скакауец/Skakauec, Grasshopper) (2002)
- Tu'pest 2 (compilation) (2009)