Nepočin
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Headquarters | Zagreb , Croatia |
| Products | Studio albums, compilations, singles |
Drugi Način (meaning The Other Way) is a rock ensemble originating from Zagreb, Croatia, previously part of the Yugoslav music scene, established in 1974.
The original members were Branko Požgajec (vocals, keyboards, flute), Halil Mekić (guitar), Željko Mikulčić (bass guitar), Ismet Kurtović (guitar, flute, vocals), and Boris Turina (drums). Their initial release, a self-titled progressive and hard rock concept album themed around isolation, came out in 1975 and received widespread acclaim as well as popularity across the country. Although this debut was successful, frequent changes in membership postponed their follow-up record until 1982. Their sophomore album, Ponovo na putu, did not achieve the same level of success as their first. Throughout the 1980s, the band engaged in extensive touring but gradually curtailed their activities without officially breaking up. During the 1990s and early 2000s, Drugi Način made sporadic live performances and issued a compilation in 1992 featuring re-recorded versions of earlier tracks. The group made a full comeback in 2016 with the release of their third studio album titled Zgubidan. Branko Požgajec has remained the sole permanent member throughout the band's history.
1974–1976: Origins, debut release, and commercial success
Drugi Način originated from the early 1970s Zagreb band Novi Akordi, which included Požgajec, Mekić, Mikulčić, and drummer Adonis Dokuzović. Following Mekić’s conscription for military duty, Ismet Kurtović joined the lineup. Novi Akordi issued singles in 1972 and 1973 under Diskos and Jugoton record labels. In July 1974, Dokuzović was replaced by Boris Turina—formerly associated with Crveni Koralji and Zlatni Akordi—who transitioned from athletics to a music career.
By autumn of 1974, the group adopted the name Drugi Način, inspired by a poem by Federico García Lorca. Their unique emblem—a stylized eye featuring two irises—was designed by comic artist Igor Kordej. The band held regular performances at Zagreb’s Big Ben club and independently financed their debut album’s recording sessions late that year. The songwriting was primarily handled by Kurtović and Požgajec; Turina contributed most of the lyrics and shaped the album’s conceptual framework. After unsuccessful contract discussions with Jugoton and Suzy over terms and cover artwork, they ultimately signed with PGP-RTB based in Belgrade.
Released in 1975, this concept album showcased a sound influenced by bands like Wishbone Ash, Deep Purple, and Free, blending dual guitars with two flutes complemented by an elaborate album cover design. It quickly gained commercial traction and critical praise throughout Yugoslavia; PGP-RTB continued to reissue it for several years. Notable tracks included ballads "Stari grad" ("Old City") and "Lile su kiše" ("The Rain Was Pouring"), both featuring lyrics penned by Gojko Bjelac.
Meanwhile, Kurtović established a folk rock project named Prošlo Vrijeme alongside Đurđa Kavež and Borislav Ostojić; they released two singles between 1975 and 1976 that featured guest appearances from Drugi Način members.
1976–1977: Temporary pause and Nepočin formation
At the close of 1976, Požgajec departed to fulfill mandatory military service obligations, resulting in a temporary suspension of band activities. During this interval, Kurtović and Mekić formed a new group called Nepočin with Božo Ilić on bass, Branko Knežević on drums, and Damir Šebetić on keyboards. The name was inspired by Vasko Popa’s poetry collection Nepočin polje. Kurtović’s interest in Popa’s work began during his own army service in Zaječar where he performed in a theatrical production based on Popa’s writings. On January 7, 1977, Nepočin appeared at a rock festival held at Pinki Hall in Zemun under the moniker Drugi Način 2; live renditions of "Carstvo samoće" and "Novi dan" were included on the compilation album Pop parada I. Nepočin released their only studio album titled Svet po kojem gazim through PGP-RTB in 1978 featuring cover art created by Igor Kordej. The record achieved modest reception but faced criticism for its ostentatious musical style and weak lyrical content, which ultimately led to the band’s disbandment.
1976–late 1980s: Revival, Ponovo na putu, waning popularity
Following Požgajec's military service, Drugi Način reassembled, incorporating guitarists Branko Bogunović and Nikola Gečević, the latter previously part of Stakleno Zvono.[1] This formation issued the single "Prođe ovaj dan," a composition originally by Dženan Salković.[1] The group toured extensively throughout Yugoslavia,[1] but Turina, Bogunović, and Gečević soon exited—Bogunović went on to create the jazz rock ensemble Obećanje Proljeća, while Gečević founded the hard rock bands Žuta Minuta and Regata.[1] Subsequently, Robert Krkač (guitar) and Miroslav Budanko Ajzić (drums) joined the band, with Ismet Kurtović returning alongside Božo Ilić, formerly of Nepočin.[1] After Krkač departed to join Film, Danijel Veličan took over guitar duties.[1]
Their sophomore album, Ponovo na putu, was released in 1982 and showcased a mellower, more accessible sound. Some of the lyrics were penned by Fikret Kurtović, Ismet’s brother.[1] Although it featured the modest hit "Piši mi," the album did not achieve the same level of success as their debut.[1] Following its release, the band embarked on extensive tours, performing as many as 150 concerts annually and frequently covering international rock songs.[1] In 1988, guitarist Davor Senčar from the heavy metal group Legija joined,[1] yet Drugi Način struggled to adapt to evolving musical trends and gradually reduced their recording activities, focusing instead on sporadic live shows.[1]
Early 1990s–2016: Sporadic releases and live performances
In 1991, Drugi Način reunited to contribute "Mir za Hrvatsku" ("Peace for Croatia") to the compilation Rock za Hrvatsku No.2. The following year saw Branko Požgajec, Božo Ilić, Davor Senčar, keyboardist Mario Mauer, and drummer Dražen Kovač re-recording earlier material along with two new tracks for the compilation album titled Drugi Način. Keyboardist Branko Bardun briefly joined before Darko Hajsek replaced him. The band performed at the Neum Festival in 1998 with the song "Seoska devojka" ("Village Girl"). In 1999, Taped Pictures reissued Drugi Način’s debut album together with Nepočin’s sole album on a single CD called Drugi Način + Nepočin. In May 2000, they were the opening act for Jethro Tull in Zagreb. Guitarist Davor Senčar passed away on 21 October 2011.
Full-scale comeback (2016-present)
Drugi Način made a full return in 2016 with their third studio album Zgudiban ("Idler"). The lineup comprised Branko Požgajec, Božo Ilić, guitarists Ernest Vinković and Mario Domazet, keyboardist Damir Vuk (previously of Animatori and Pips, Chips & Videoclips), and drummer Mladen Palenkaš. This release blended fresh compositions with a live rendition of "Prođe ovaj dan" and included covers of Focus’s "House of the King" as well as Drago Mlinarec’s "Trebao sam ali nisam" ("I Should Have, But I Didn't"). Former drummer Miroslav Budanko Ajzić passed away on 9 June 2020. In 2022, Scardona reissued the band’s debut album on vinyl format.
Legacy
The first album, Drugi Način, was placed 88th on the 1998 ranking of the 100 Greatest Yugoslav Popular Music Albums featured in YU 100: najbolji albumi jugoslovenske rok i pop muzike. In 2011, their track "Stari grad" ("Old Town") was selected by Radio 202 listeners as one of the top 60 songs issued by PGP-RTB/PGP-RTS throughout the label's six-decade existence. Additionally, verses from "Na mom dlanu" ("On the Palm of My Hand") and "Lile su kiše" are included in Petar Janjatović's collection Pesme bratstva, detinjstva & potomstva: Antologija ex YU rok poezije 1967 - 2007.
Studio albums
- Drugi Način (1975)
- Ponovo na putu (1982)
- Zgubidan (2016)
Compilations
- Drugi Način (1992)
- Drugi Način + Nepočin (a joint release with Nepočin, 1999)
Singles
- "Dugi put" / "Izgubljena žena" (1975)
- "Jugoslavija" / "Crnogorsko kolo" (1976)
- "Prođe ovaj dan" / "Zadnji put" (1978)
- "Balada o osmijehu" / "Obećaj mi proljeće" (1979)
External links
- Drugi Način on Discogs
- Drugi Način at Prog Archives