Haustor

Haustor was a rock band from Zagreb, Croatia, a member of the Novi val movement, and one of the most important acts of the former Yugoslav Rock scene.

Biography

The basis of the band was formed in 1977, when singer and occasional guitarist Darko Rundek met bassist Srđan Sacher. Two years later they formed Haustor, together with Ozren Stiglić (guitar) and Boris Leiner (drums), who also played in another prominent Yugoslav rock band Azra. During 1980 they added Zoran Vuletić (keyboard) and a brass section. The group was mostly influenced by the Caribbean music. Haustor released its self-titled debut album in 1981. All of the songs were written by either Sacher or Rundek. The Sacher's reggae song Moja prva ljubav (My First Love) became a hit, and it still remains popular in the former Yugoslav countries. After a pause, which was caused by the members' conscription in the former Yugoslav People's Army, their second album, titled Treći svijet (Third World), was released in 1984. However, soon afterwards Sacher left the band, leaving Rundek as the sole composer and lyricist of the band. Haustor released two more albums, Bolero (1985) and Tajni grad (1988), before breaking up in 1990. The group gathered again during the 1990s for a temporary reunion and later finally disbanded.

The group is featured in the 2003 Croatian rockumentary Sretno dijete along several other eminent former Yugoslav New Wave artists. Also, a cover version of their song Moja prva ljubav in Polish language is included in the tribute album Yugoton.