Vampiri
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Headquarters | Belgrade , Serbia |
| Products | Albums, singles |
| Website | www |
Vampiri (, translated as The Vampires) is a rock ensemble originating from Belgrade, formed in 1987, within the context of Serbia and the former Yugoslavia.
Initially established as a nine-member group, Vampiri attracted notice during the early 1990s due to their distinctive blend of doo-wop and rockabilly genres. Their first album, Rama lama ding dong (1991), achieved considerable acclaim among teenage listeners across the nation. They followed up with the well-received albums Tačno u ponoć (1991) and Be-be (1993), the latter containing tracks featured in the popular film We Are Not Angels. In 1994, several members departed to create the supergroup Familija, leaving vocalist Aleksandar Eraković as the only founding member remaining. The band proceeded as a quintet, releasing Plavi grad (1995) and Monkey Food (1997). The latter album marked a departure from their initial style, incorporating diverse musical influences before the group dissolved in 1998. In 2012, Eraković revived Vampiri, culminating in the release of Letimo in 2022, their first album since the 1990s.
Formation and Early Years (1987–1990)
Although Vampiri came together in 1987, their public emergence was delayed until 1990 due to compulsory military service obligations among members. The founding lineup featured Aleksandar Eraković "Era" (lead vocals), Dejan Pejović "Peja" (vocals), Dejan Petrović "Dexy" (backing vocals), Dušan Varda "Duća" (backing vocals), Dušan Pavlović "Lude" (guitar), Dejan Jovanović (bass), and Goran Redžepi "Redža" (drums). Their sound, heavily influenced by 1950s doo-wop, quickly garnered early interest. Eraković, Pejović, and Pavlović initially connected while attending the Belgrade School for Industrial Design. Soon after, Borivoje Borac "Borko" on saxophone and Dejan Tomović "Tomke" on keyboards joined to complete the ensemble.
Rise to Prominence (1991–1995)
One of Vampiri’s initial recordings was "Rama lama ding dong," a rendition of The Edsels' classic adapted into Serbo-Croatian. In June 1990, a music video shot partly atop the cinema 20 October building and at Belgrade’s Kalemegdan Fortress was broadcast on national television, quickly becoming a sensation. Tracks such as "Lea," "Anđela," and "Malena," produced by Saša Habić, received extensive radio airplay throughout Yugoslavia, earning them a contract with PGP-RTB.
Their debut album Rama lama ding dong, released in 1991, featured contributions from guitarist Branko Potonjak, keyboardist Sloba Marković, and saxophonist Jova Maljoković. The record included fan favorites like its title track, "Malena," "Hajde, hajde," "Ove noći," "Sve što želim to samo sni," and a cover of Carlo Mastrangelo's "Little Orphan Girl" titled "San letnje noći." Thanks to its straightforward doo-wop approach, Vampiri quickly captured the attention of Yugoslav youth. In spring 1991, they performed at the Belgrade Spring festival with a rendition of Đorđe Marjanović's "Beograde," which was later featured on the event's official compilation album. That same year, they provided backing vocals on punkabilly artist Toni Montano's album Lovac na novac. Their first major live performance occurred in June 1991 when they opened for Vaya Con Dios at Belgrade’s Sava Centar. Additionally, their song "Meni njena ljubav treba" earned them first place and the Discovery of the Year award at the 1991 MESAM festival.
By the end of that year, Vampiri released their sophomore album Tačno u ponoć, produced by Oliver Jovanović, which retained much of their initial musical style. This album also included a cover version of Jerry Landis' "Lone Ranger," retitled as "Usamljeni rendžer." In May 1992, they publicly supported student demonstrations opposing Slobodan Milošević’s government by performing a cover of Zdravko Čolić’s "Glavo luda." During that summer, they toured alongside Neverne Bebe. Band membership expanded by late 1992 with former Graffiti bassist Dragan Novaković replacing Dejan Jovanović and Saša Petrov joining as guitarist, increasing their lineup to ten musicians. In March 1992, Vampiri secured second place at Jugovizija—the Yugoslav Eurovision selection contest—with their song "Ding ding dong." They also composed several tracks for Srđan Dragojević’s film We Are Not Angels. Four songs from this soundtrack were included on their third album Be-be (1993), which featured the title track with lyrics penned by Dragojević and a cover of The Beatles' "I Saw Her Standing There," adapted as "Poziv na ples."
In 1994, Pejović, Petrović, and Redžepi left to establish the supergroup Familija alongside former members of U Škripcu, effectively dissolving Vampiri’s original lineup. The band persisted with Eraković, Tomović, Petrov, Novaković, and new drummer Srđan Milenković. This formation released Plavi grad in 1995, which included hits such as "Plavi grad," "Neću," "Stari voz," and a rendition of The Searchers' "Needles and Pins," titled "Ona i ja."
Shift in musical direction and dissolution (1997–1998)
In 1997, Vampiri unveiled Monkey Food, an album produced by Saša Habić that demonstrated a broader rock influence. The ensemble at this time featured Eraković, Tomović, Petrov, alongside Jožef Pilasanović on guitar, Saša Filčić handling bass duties, and Srđan Jovanović on drums. The record embraced an experimental approach, including a rendition of the Spencer Davis Group's "I'm a Man," as well as original tracks such as "Dan," "Spejs Džeronimo," and "Sedmi deo," which featured keyboard contributions from guest artist Kornelije Kovač. The song "Svoj" incorporated saxophonist Jovan Maljoković, while "Budi se" showcased guitarist Saša Petrov taking lead vocals. Shortly after this release, Vampiri ceased their activities.
Activities following the breakup
Post-disbandment, Eraković established Rama Lama Studio in Belgrade and went on to form The Bestbeat in 2005, a tribute act dedicated to The Beatles.
Dejan Pejović and Dejan Petrović collaborated on two well-received albums with Familija before the group's dissolution in 1998. Subsequently, Pejović founded The Dibidus, which saw former Vampiri member Saša Petrov join in 2007. Petrović released the album Putešestvije with the band Centrala in 2000. Redžepi departed Familija in 1995 after their initial album and launched his solo project Kad budem mršav i beo in 2000; he passed away on 2 January 2019.
Original guitarist Dušan Pavlović earned his doctorate in political philosophy from Central European University in 2002. Since 2005, he has been part of the faculty at the University of Belgrade's Faculty of Political Sciences. Pavlović contributed columns to Politika and co-founded the political organization Enough is Enough. In 2016, he secured a seat as a deputy in the National Assembly of Serbia.
Reunion and recent years (2012–present)
Vampiri reunited in 2012 under Eraković’s leadership, alongside Dejan Tomović and new members Marko Ćalić (bass) and Damjan Dašić (drums and backing vocals), both drawn from Eraković’s Beatles tribute group The Bestbeat. They were joined by Damjan’s brother Nemanja on guitar and Andreja Bućan providing saxophone and backing vocals. Their comeback performance took place on January 10 in Negotin, followed by a February 11 concert at Belgrade’s Sava Centar featuring guest appearances by Toni Montano, Saša Lošić (of Plavi Orkestar), and actors Uroš Đurić and Srđan Todorović. Additionally, the band honored the late Milan Delčić "Delča" with a cover of U Škripcu’s "Koliko imaš godina."
In December 2013, Vampiri released the single and accompanying video for "Put za pravi put," indicating plans for a forthcoming album. Concurrently, Eraković launched another cover band called Neon Kings. Progress toward new material was hindered by lineup shifts and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, Vampiri issued their first studio album since the 1990s titled Letimo (We're Flying), featuring Eraković alongside Arsenije Tubić (guitar), Nikola Sarić (bass), Nikola Nemešević (keyboards), Andreja Bućan, and Miloš Šikman (drums). Guest musicians included Saša Sedlar contributing bass, drums, and keyboards, as well as former guitarist Jožef Pilasanović who had relocated to Canada. The album combined fresh compositions with a revamped version of "Sedmi deo," renamed "Sedmi deo u A duru."
In 2025, Vampiri took part in Serbia’s Eurovision selection contest Pesma za Evroviziju '25 with the track "Tebi treba neko kao ja," marking their return to Eurovision-related competition after 33 years since their last Yugoslav entry. However, they did not advance to the final round.
Studio albums
- Rama lama ding dong (1991)
- Tačno u ponoć (1991)
- Be-be (1993)
- Plavi grad (1995)
- Monkey Food (1998)
- Letimo (2022)
Other appearances
- "Beograde" featured on Hitovi Beogradskog proleća (1991)