DAG (), also known as Trio DAG (âÃÂøþ ÃÂÃÂÃÂ) were a Yugoslav rock band formed in Belgrade in 1972. Although short-lasting, they were one of the most notable representatives of the Yugoslav acoustic rock scene.
The band consisted of Dragan PopoviÃÂ (guitar, vocals) and brothers Grujica (percussion, vocals) and Aleksandar MilanoviÃÂ (guitar, vocals). Initially, the band performed acoustic music, but on the recording of their only studio album, SeÃÂanja (1974), they played electric instruments. The album, featuring poetic lyrics written by lyricist Marina TucakoviÃÂ, was praised by the critics, but saw little commercial success, and PopoviÃÂ left the band, DAG ending their activity soon after.
The band was formed in 1972 as an acoustic trio consisting of Dragan PopoviÃÂ (guitar, vocals), and brothers Grujica (percussion, vocals) and Aleksandar MilanoviÃÂ (guitar, vocals). They named the band after the initials of their first names (Dragan, Aleksandar, Grujica).
In 1972 the band released their debut 7-inch single, featuring the songs "Voz" ("Train") and "Smiljana" ("Resilient"). With the song "Rastanak" ("The Leave"), released on a 7-inch single in 1973, they won the third place at the 1973 Zagreb Festival. In 1974 they released their only studio album, SeÃÂanja (Memories). Although they started their career as a part of the Belgrade acoustic rock scene, on the album they used electric instruments. The poetic lyrics were written by Marina TucakoviÃÂ, and the album cover was designed by Grujica MilanoviÃÂ. The album was produced by the band members themselves with Boban PetroviÃÂ, and featured numerous guests: Sloba Markoviàon keyboards, Robert NemeÃÂek on bass guitar, Ljubomir Ristiàon sitar, Branimir Malkoàon flute, and drummers Raà ¡a ÃÂelmaà ¡, Nikola Jager and Mihajlo PopoviÃÂ. Although praised by the music critics, the album saw little commercial success. After it was released, Popoviàleft the band forming the acoustic band Maj (May) with Aleksandar Bijeliàand Bane Zarin.
After PopoviÃÂ left the band, MilanoviÃÂ brothers recorded the single "Kako ti je ime, devojÃÂice" ("What's Your Name, Little Girl") with popular singer Miki JevremoviÃÂ. The B-side featured song "Za deÃÂji san" ("For a Child's Dream") published under the DAG moniker. For a short period of time the brothers performed with the female singer Suzana ManÃÂiÃÂ. They made a brief reunion with PopoviÃÂ to record the single "Daj mi ruku" ("Give Me Your Hand"), ending their activity soon after its release in 1975.
Aleksandar Milanoviàsold part of his unrecorded songs to Oliver MandiÃÂ, and worked with him on his early albums as a guitarist and arranger. He wrote songs for numerous artists, including Dado TopiÃÂ, SlaÃÂana Miloà ¡eviÃÂ, Jadranka StojakoviÃÂ, and Duà ¡an PreleviÃÂ.
Dragan PopoviÃÂ, with the band Maj, recorded the single with the songs "Joà ¡ uvek sanjam" ("I'm Still Dreaming") and "Vreme à ¾etve" ("Time of Harvest"), and the song "A ja bih je ljubio" ("And I Would Kiss Her"), released on the various artists album Uspomene (Memories) dedicated to San vocalist Predrag JoviÃÂiÃÂ, who died in concert from an electric shock. With S Vremena Na Vreme, Maj performed in Atelje 212 play (Ne)sumnjivo lice (The (Un)Suspicious Person), directed by Zoran RadmiloviÃÂ. After Maj ended their activity, Popoviàworked as a music critic for Omladinske novine (Youth's Newspaper) and Mladost (Youth). He composed music for the Radio Belgrade show Index 202, four of them released on the various artists album Index 202 in 1981. During 1981 he worked with a short-lived band Dragstor (Drugstore), and later formed the band Lift (Elevator) with the bass guitarist Slobodan "Boba" OrliÃÂ. He participated in the recording of Doktor Spira i Ljudska BiÃÂa album Dijagnoza. During the 1980s he worked as a sound engineer in the Akademija Studio and composed children's music. In the 1990s he moved to Sweden, where he worked as an elementary school music teacher and for some time Ericsson company, continuing to compose, perform in clubs and act in theatre. In Sweden he founded Teater Kapija (Gate Theatre), and with the actress Janna Eriksson recorded the album Isabelle â A Desert Blues.
In 1994 DAG song "Daj mi ruku" appeared on Komuna compilation album ' (We Could Have Done All: Acoustic Music), which featured songs by Yugoslav acoustic rock acts.
In 2013 the album SeÃÂanja was reissued on CD by Austrian record label Atlantide.
The lyrics of four songs by the band were featured in Petar JanjatoviÃÂ's book ' (Songs of Brotherhood, Childhood & Offspring: Anthology of Ex YU Rock Poetry 1967 - 2007).