Novembar
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1992 in Niš, Serbia |
| Founder | Goran Kostić |
| Headquarters | Niš , Serbia |
| Products | Punk rock music, albums, singles |
Novembar (; ) is a Serbian punk rock group originating from Niš.
Studeni Studeni origins and early years (1986–1991)
The band Studeni Studeni (Cold November), based in Zagreb, was established in 1986 during the late 1980s. They issued one EP titled Čisto kao suza in 1990 before disbanding as a result of the Yugoslav wars. In 1991, frontman Goran Kostić relocated to Niš and joined Glas Amerike, initially playing bass and later switching to guitar. The band subsequently adopted the name Novembar, featuring members Kostić, Aleksandar Đokić, Goran Savić, and Toni Kostadinov.
National recognition and initial breakup (1992)
During 1992, Novembar performed at events such as the Palilula Culture Olympics in Belgrade and venues including Niš's Underground and Belgrade's KST. The lineup saw changes with Zoran Ranđelović taking over bass duties from Kostadinov; Savić moved to guitar; and Zoran Vidaković joined as drummer.
Their first album, Deguelo, was released in 1994 under their independent label No Man's Land and featured a guest guitar solo by Milan Mladenović. The majority of songs were composed by Kostić, with additional contributions from Zvonko Karanović and Denis Romac. The track "Irena" was included on the B92 compilation Radio Utopia (B92: 1989–1994).
Novembar supported the album by performing at festivals such as Urban Rock in Skopje and No Man's Land in Niš, sharing stages with regional bands like Suns, Blind, KBO!, Obojeni Program, and Džukele. In 1995, they toured across Serbia, appearing at Aranđelovac's FAR festival alongside Goblini, Block Out, and Atheist Rap.
Their sophomore effort, Blues južne pruge (1996), produced by Kostić and released through B92, included covers of Fleke’s "Baby, baby" and Zvijezde’s "Mjesto pod Suncem," as well as lyrics penned by Karanović for "Posle svega kiša." That year also saw them perform at Slovenia’s ZGAGA festival and the Gitarijada event in Zaječar.
The third studio album, Licem prema zemlji, came out in 2000 with production handled by Marinko Vukomanović. It featured backing vocals from Atheist Rap members Vladimir Radusinović "Radule" and Zoran Lekić "Leki." The lineup at this time consisted of Saša Jablanović on guitar, Dragan Stojiljković on drums, Bojan Ranđelović on rhythm guitar, and Milan Stanimirović on bass. In 2002, Novembar contributed a cover of "O, O, O..." for the Milan Mladenović tribute compilation Kao da je bilo nekad... Posvećeno Milanu Mladenoviću. The band dissolved later that same year.
Reunion era (2005–present)
Novembar reassembled in 2005 with Goran Kostić (bass and vocals), Aleksandar Đokić (guitar), Bojan Ranđelović (guitar), and Milan Vidaković (drums), debuting their reunion performance at the Nisomnija festival held at Niš Fortress. In 2006, they recorded a cover of "Kdo so ti ljudje" for the Pankrti tribute album Pankrti 06, originally from Pankrti’s 1983 release Svoboda '82. This track along with earlier covers were compiled on their 2008 album Radulizam, issued by Studentski kulturni centar Novi Sad, which included renditions of songs by artists such as Petar i Zli Vuci, Azra, and KBO!. A planned cover of Prljavo Kazalište's "Neka te ništa ne brine" was excluded due to lack of authorization.
In 2007, the compilation Ko je Sunce ubio was released featuring material from the Studeni Studeni period alongside previously unreleased demos and live recordings. Multimedia Records’ 2009 live compilation Groovanje devedesete uživo included their song "Irena," recorded back in 1994. To celebrate two decades since formation, Novembar held two concerts in January 2012 at Niš club Feedback. These shows featured guest appearances from fourteen bands including Atheist Rap and Grandpa Candys, all performing Novembar covers as a tribute.
Their fifth studio album titled Proklet (meaning Damned One) was launched in March 2013. Produced by Nenad Pejčić, it was released under Novi Sad’s Cultural Centre label. In the fall of 2014, the tribute compilation Tako mlad i tako čist showcased various artists like Atheist Rap and KBO! covering Novembar songs.
By February 2015, Novembar announced they were working on new studio material. They commemorated their 25th anniversary on July 4, 2016 during the 5 do 100 festival at Niš Fortress alongside bands such as Van Gogh (band) and Galija, collectively representing ninety-five years of musical history. Later that year they contributed a rendition of KUD Idijoti’s "Baj, baj, bejbe" to the tribute album Za tebe — A Tribute to KUD Idijoti. In March 2017, Novembar unveiled the single "Magla," featuring Nikola Vranjković as a preview for their forthcoming album.
On June 30, 2017, lead vocalist Goran Kostić passed away at age 51 in Niš. Two weeks afterward, remaining members performed at Rock in Niš festival honoring his memory and released "Sve zaboravljam," a track recorded prior to his death that confirmed intentions to complete and release the unfinished album.
Studio albums
- Deguelo (1994)
- Blues južne pruge (1996)
- Licem prema zemlji (2000)
- Radulizam (2008)
- Proklet (2013)
- Novembar (2019)
Extended plays
- Čisto kao suza (released under the name Studeni Studeni, 1990)
Compilation albums
- Ko je Sunce ubio (2007)
Singles
- "Irena" (1994)
- "O, O, O..." (2002)
- "Kdo so ti ljudje" (2006)
- "Irena" (2009)