Ekatarina Velika

new wave

Ekatarina Velika (Catherine the Great, named after Catherine II of Russia, also called EKV for short) was one of the most successful and influential rock/New Wave bands from Yugoslavia. The core of the band consisted of singer/guitarist Milan Mladenović, keyboardist Margita Stefanović and bassist Bojan Pečar, with other members only remaining with the band for shorter periods. Beginning: Ekatarina Velika, initially named Katarina II, was formed in February 1982 following the breakup of Šarlo Akrobata, the influential Yugoslav New Wave threepiece from Belgrade, Serbia. Milan Mladenović and bassist Dušan Kojić Koja, driving forces behind Šarlo Akrobata, had a falling-out that prompted the split. Koja formed Disciplina Kičme, while Milan and guitarist Dragomir Mihailović Gagi assembled Katarina II with bassist Zoran Radomirović Švaba and drummer Dušan Dejanović. The band got its name after Mihailović's unrequited love, a girl named Katarina. Katarina II's rhythm section was the first to depart in late 1982, with Radomirović leaving to join Du Du A and Dejanović joining heated rivals Disciplina Kičme. Mango Kuštrin became the new drummer. In an effort to expand the sound, the band also decided to add a keyboard player - position filled by eccentric, classically trained pianist Margita Stefanović. Since Kuštrin stuck around for barely a month, Ivan Vdović Vd (Milan's old mate from Šarlo Akrobata) replaced him in early 1983. At the same time, Bojan Pečar...