Alisa (Serbian band)

Alisa frontman Miroslav "Pile" Živanović started his career as the vocalist for the band Zvučni Zid (Sound Barrier). He later moved to the heavy metal band Jedan smer (One Direction) and eventually formed the band Sedmi Krug (Seventh Circle), spending several years in unsuccessful attempts to gain attention of the audience and the media.[1] In 1984, he formed Alisa with his Sedmi Krug bandmate Zoran Jančeski (guiatr), Predrag Cvetković (a former member of Slađana Milošević's backing band Ljudi, drums), Aleksandar Kićanović (keyboards) and Marko Glavan (a former BG5 member, bass guitar).[1]

The band released their debut self-titled album in 1985.[1] All the songs were written by keyboardist Jovan Stoiljković, former leader of Živanović's former band Zvučni Zid.[1] Stojiljković wrote some of these songs during the 1970s, while he was leading the band Bicikl (Bicycle).[1] He opted not to become an official member of Alisa, but to continue his cooperation with the band as a songwriter, writing fairy tales-inspired songs.[1] The album cover was designed by cartoonist and designer Jugoslav Vlahović. Although poorly produced,[1] album brought hits "Sanja" and "Vojskovođa" ("Warlord"). Thanks to theese songs Alisa gained a large number of fans, especially in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, where they became teen stars.[1] The album featured guest appearance by former BG5 member Saša Gnus on flute and saxophone. After the album release, Gnus became an official member of the band.[1]

The band's second album, Da li si čula pesmu umornih slavuja (Have You Heard the Song of Tired Nightingales), released in 1987, was heavily influenced by the Sarajevo bands which performed folk-influenced pop rock.[1] All the songs were once again written by Stoiljković.[1] The album was produced by Saša Habić.[1] It brought hits "1389." and "Posle devet godina" ("After Nine Years"), the latter featuring folk singer Lepa Brena on vocals.[1] The album also featured a new version of the band's old hit "Vojskovođa".[1] In 1988, Glavan left the band, and was replaced by Dušan "Golub" Karadžić.

Alisa's third album, Hiljadu tona ljubavi (Thousand Tons of Love), released in 1988 and also produced by Habić, featured similar folk influenced-pop rock sound. For the first time Živanović wrote part of the songs, including the album's biggest hit, "Kesteni" ("Chestnut Trees").[1] After releasing the album Glupo je spavati dok svira Rock 'n' Roll (It's a Dumb Thing to Sleep while Rock 'n' Roll Is Playing) in 1989 and a number of shows, the band disbanded at the outbreak of Yugoslav Wars.[1] In 1996, Raglas Records released Alisa biggest hits compilation album entitled Zlatna kolekcija (Golden Collection).[1]

Živanović and Cvetković reunited Alisa in 2001.[1] The reunited Alisa featured, beside Živanović and Cvetković, Dejan Resanović (bass guitar), Bojan Mišković (guitar), Predrag Stojković (keyboards) and Miloš Đurić (percussion).[1] They released their comeback album, entitled simply Alisa, in 2001. Besides new songs, the album featured new versions of the band's old hits.[1] Alisa disbanded once again shortly after, and Živanović formed the band Vožd.[1] Živanović also played bass guitar in the band Krug Dvojke (Circle of the Tram number Two, the name being a popular expression for the central part of Belgrade), recording the album Krug dvojke (2004) with them. Most of the songs for the album were written by Jovan Stojiljković.[1]

In 2017, the band reunited in the original lineup: Miroslav "Pile" Živanović (vocals), Predrag Cvetković (drums), Aleksandar Kićanović (keyboards), Zoran Jančeski (guitar) and Marko Glavan (bass guitar). The band's comeback single "Pijane noći" ("Drunken Nights"), with lyrics written by the band's old associate Jovan Stoiljković and music written by Goran Vranić, was released in December 2018. The single announces the band's new studio album, which will be released through PGP-RTS.[2] In March 2020 the band released the second single from the upcoming album, a new version of their old song "Blago onom ko te ne sanja" ("Happy Is the One Who Doesn't Dream of You").[3]

• Alisa (1985)
• Da li si čula pesmu umornih slavuja (1987)
• Hiljadu tona ljubavi (1988)
• Glupo je spavati dok svira Rock 'n' Roll (1989)
• Alisa (2001)

• Zlatna kolekcija (1996)