Popcycle
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Bečej , Serbia |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
Popcycle was a Serbian pop rock group originating from Bečej, established as an offshoot of the Serbian band Eva Braun.
Formation and Early Success (1994–1996)
Popcycle made their initial appearance in the magazine Ritam during early summer 1994, where they were characterized as a blend of "Gordon Gano combined with Stipe and Buckley". The ensemble was created by Eva Braun members Milan Glavaški (guitar, vocals) and Ljubomir Rajić (drums), who originally performed under the name Gervasius Twinkleminkleson as a cover band, with Goran Obradović on bass. While waiting for Eva Braun's album Pop music, which featured the track "Kopija" initially intended for Popcycle, the trio concentrated on developing Popcycle by performing live and cultivating a dedicated audience.
After Eva Braun dissolved following their rooftop concert at Belgrade’s SKC in July 1996, Popcycle released a promotional video for "Orbitalna putovanja" ("Orbital Travellings"). This sci-fi short film, directed by Uroš Stojanović, helped them reach a wider audience. They secured a deal with Automatik Records and launched their debut EP Orbitalna putovanja in the summer of 1996, which contained five tracks. Ljubomir Rajić played both drums and keyboards on this recording. The EP was a concept work themed around space exploration, drawing inspiration from the Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour and the eponymous EP by Idoli.
Changes in Lineup and Dissolution (1996–1999)
In October 1996, the band grew to four members with the addition of keyboardist and backing vocalist Nataša Katić, formerly part of Mary Poppins, aligning with their Suede-inspired sound. Their debut performance with this lineup took place at the Serbian Independence Day film premiere, where they performed a cover of R.E.M.'s "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)".
Between February and March 1997, Popcycle recorded their first full-length album Popcyclopedia at Belgrade’s Do-re-mi studio. Produced by Predrag Pejić, the album featured guest contributions from Deže Molnar on saxophone and Dragan Kozarčić on trumpet. Released by Automatik Records in May 1997, it included fourteen songs such as "Vilenjaci" ("The Elves"), which was promoted through a music video directed by Aca Ilić, along with tracks like "Vrli novi dan" ("Brave New Day") and "Ona zna" ("She Knows"). The record highlighted their pop style infused with esoteric lyrics and britpop elements, receiving positive reviews from critics and fans alike. That same year, "Devojka iz svemira" ("A Girl From Outer Space") from their earlier EP appeared on the compilation Ovo je zemlja za nas?!?, issued by Radio BOOM 93 and B92.
In 1999, both "Vilenjaci" and "Leptiri" ("The Butterflies") were featured on Automatik Records’ compilation titled Recordings. Additionally, Popcycle recorded a rendition of Rijeka’s Fit song "Zaboravit ću sve" ("I Will Forget Everything") for B92's tribute album Korak napred 2 koraka nazad. This session was co-produced alongside Jan Šaš and Dušan Ševarlić and included backing vocals from Ševarlić as well as Vladimir Kolarić, frontman of Veliki Prezir. Shortly after this release, Popcycle disbanded when Glavaški and Obradović rejoined Eva Braun.
Single Reunion Event (2007)
On May 4, 2007, the group came together once more for a unique show during Milan Glavaški's solo gig held at the Penny Lane club in Bečej. Their setlist included prominent songs such as "Dorian Gray", "Digitalni san" ("Digital Dream"), and "Orbitalna putovanja" ("Orbital Travellings"). In the same year, Automatik Records re-released their album Popcyclopedia on CD, featuring it within the Arhiva collection.
Studio Albums
- Popcyclopedia (1997)
EPs
- Orbitalna putovanja (1996)
Additional Contributions
- "Devojka iz svemira" (from Ovo je zemlja za nas?!?, 1997)
- "Vilenjaci" / "Leptiri" (featured on Recordings, 1999)
- "Zaboravit ću sve" (included in Korak napred 2 koraka nazad, 1999)
References
- EX YU ROCK enciklopedija 1960-2006, Janjatović Petar;