September (band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | January 1, 1975 in Ljubljana, Slovenia |
| Founder | Janez Bončina, Tihomir "Pop" Asanović |
| Defunct | November 5, 1979 |
| Fate | Disbanded; reunited for performances in 2003 and 2012 |
| Headquarters | Ljubljana , Slovenia (formerly Yugoslavia) |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
September was a rock ensemble from Slovenia and the former Yugoslavia, established in Ljubljana in 1975, which played a significant role in the 1970s Yugoslav rock scene.
The group was created by seasoned artists: vocalist Janez Bončina, organist Tihomir "Pop" Asanović, trumpeter and violinist Petar Ugrin, drummer Ratomir "Ratko" Divjak, bassist Karel "Čarli" Novak, and saxophonist and percussionist Braco Doblekar. Their first album, Zadnja avantura, showcased a jazz rock style that earned them widespread recognition across the country. Following this release, Ugrin, Divjak, and Novak exited the band; the lineup then expanded to include guitarist Marijan Maliković, bassist Jadran Ogrin, and drummer Nelfi Depangher. This formation produced the album Domovina moja, which exhibited a transition toward a more conventional rock approach. The band ceased activities in 1979 but reunited for live performances in 2003 and again in 2012.
1975–1979
In 1975, organist Tihomir "Pop" Asanović and vocalist Janez Bončina—both well-known figures within Yugoslav rock—joined forces to establish September in Ljubljana. Asanović’s background included membership in The Generals, followed by stints with Time and Pro Arte, extensive touring throughout the Soviet Union, two solo album releases, and co-founding the supergroup Jugoslovenska Pop Selekcija. Bončina transitioned from being a Yugoslav under-21 national football player to pursuing music with Helioni alongside Tomaž Domicelj; he subsequently performed with Mladi Levi and Srce, releasing several solo singles before collaborating on Asanović’s projects.
The initial roster consisted of highly skilled musicians: Petar Ugrin, an alumnus of the Ljubljana Academy of Music who had played with Mladi Levi and Korni Grupa; drummer Ratomir "Ratko" Divjak, educated at Graz University and previously part of Dinamiti and Time; bassist Karel Novak, formerly of The Generals and Srce; and Braco Doblekar, whose experience included The Generals, Srce, Pro Arte, Jugoslovenska Pop Selekcija, as well as the RTV Ljubljana Big Band.
Their debut record Zadnja avantura, launched through PGP-RTB in early 1976, featured compositions mainly crafted by Bončina. The album’s jazz rock orientation garnered strong critical praise and media attention. September represented Yugoslavia at youth festivals held in the Soviet Union, East Germany, and Cuba. They shared stages with prominent groups such as Korni Grupa and Time during major events like Radio Novi Sad’s 20th-anniversary concert and the 1976 BOOM Festival in Belgrade. Live performances were documented on compilation albums including Randevu s muzikom and BOOM '76. Additionally, they took part in theatrical productions such as John Arden’s Live Like Pigs.
By late 1977, Ugrin, Divjak, and Novak departed due to obligations with the RTV Ljubljana Dance Orchestra. Subsequently, September reassembled with guitarist Marijan Maliković (formerly of Kameleoni), bassist Jadran Ogrin (also ex-Kameleoni), and drummer Nelfi Depangher (previously with Faraoni); guitarist Vedran Božić (ex-Time) occasionally joined them for live shows. Early in 1978, the band embarked on a tour across American college campuses and recorded their sophomore studio album Domovina moja at Seabird Recording Studio located in Edgewater, Florida. Released in 1979 by ZKP RTLJ, this album featured compositions by both Bončina and Asanović. It signaled a stylistic shift toward a more accessible sound that fused hard rock with funk influences alongside layered vocal harmonies.
Although plans were set for another tour in the United States following Domovina moja, September unexpectedly dissolved after their final performance on 5 November 1979 in Zenica. This last lineup comprised Bončina, Asanović, Doblekar, guitarist Ante Mažuran, bassist Dane Gančev, and drummer Tone Dimnik.
Post-breakup
Following the dissolution of September, Janez Bončina embarked on a solo career, releasing four individual albums. Among these was the 1999 live compilation Bendologija (Bandology), which showcased recordings from the band's 1978 Florida concerts. Tihomir "Pop" Asanović stepped away from performing to dedicate himself to the musical instrument industry. Petar Ugrin focused on producing jazz records, including Samo muzika (1979) and Petar Ugrin & Ljubljana Jazz Selection (2003); he was honored with the Prešern Fund Award in 1993 and passed away in 2001. Čarli Novak became a prolific studio musician, contributing to more than 900 albums, collaborating with groups like Ljubljana Jazz Selection and pop acts Gu Gu and Hot Hot Hot, as well as recording children's songs alongside his spouse, actress Damjana Golavšek. Braco Doblekar joined the popular band Hazard between 1981 and 1983, released the jazz album Mir, prijateljstvo, ljubezen in 1996, produced various artists, taught at Grosuplje Music School, and established both the Braco J. Doblekar Orchestra and Big Band DOM; his discography includes Janezz (2005) and Doin' Basie's Thing (2008). Ante Mažuran collaborated with the Radio Television Zagreb Big Band and Toranj 77—recording the album Miting—composed music for the film Queen of the Night (2001), and died in 2020.
2003 and 2012 reunions
The year 2003 saw the release of the compilation album The Best of September, which was followed by a reunion tour throughout Slovenia and Croatia. The ensemble featured Janez Bončina on vocals, Tihomir "Pop" Asanović on organ, Braco Doblekar handling percussion, Marijan Maliković on guitar, Jadran Ogrin playing bass, Ratomir "Ratko" Divjak on drums, and Tulio Furlanič contributing drums and vocals. This tour concluded with a notable performance at Ljubljana's Tivoli Hall where they served as the opening act for Deep Purple.
In 2008, PGP-RTS reissued the album Zadnja avantura, supplementing it with singles "Prle upecao ribu" and "Ljubav je prava stvar," along with an additional live track as a bonus. The band reunited once more in 2012 for a concert at Ljubljana’s Cankar Centre featuring Bončina, Asanović, Doblekar, Maliković, Ogrin, Divjak, and Novak. This performance was captured on video and released under the title Benč & September & prijatelji (Benč & September & Friends).
Legacy
In 2017, producer 9th Wonder incorporated a sample from September’s 1976 track "Ostavi trag" into Kendrick Lamar's song "Duckworth".
Members
- Janez Bončina "Benč" – lead vocals (1975–1979, 2003, 2012)
- Tihomir "Pop" Asanović – organist (1975–1979, 2003, 2012)
- Petar Ugrin – trumpet and violin (1975–1977)
- Čarli Novak – bass guitar (1975–1977, 2012)
- Ratomir "Ratko" Divjak – drummer (1975–1977, 2003, 2012)
- Braco Doblekar – saxophone and percussion (1975–1979, 2003, 2012)
- Marijan Maliković – guitarist (1977–1979, 2003, 2012)
- Jadran Ogrin – bass guitar (1977–1979, 2003, 2012)
- Nelfi Depangher – drummer (1977–1979)
- Ante Mažuran – guitarist (1979)
- Dani Gančev – bass guitar (1979)
- Tone Dimnik – drummer (1979)
- Tulio Furlanič – drums and vocals (2003)
Studio albums
- Zadnja avantura (1976)
- Domovino moja (1979)
- Florida (1979)
Compilation albums
- The Finest of September (2003)
Video Releases
- Benč & September & prijatelji (2012)
Singles
- "Mala vještica" / "Luduj s nama" (1976)
- "Prle upecao ribu" / "Ljubav je prava stvar" (1977)
- "Domovina moja" / "Za tvoj rođendan" (1978)
Additional Contributions
- "Noč kradljivaca" (from BOOM '76, 1976)
- "Gvendolina" / "Zadnja avantura" (featured on Randevu s muzikom, 1977)