Dundurs

Dundurs was a latvian-swedish pop-band who worked in Stockholm 1969 – 1978. The band released 4 LP records with own written music. The bands original members was Janis Zalitis (born 1946), Juris Kronbergs (Born 1946) and Pavils Johansons (born 1947). They grew up, children to Latvian refugees in the suburb of Stockholm, Hägersten and started a band 1964 with the name “Pagrab Kratītāji” (Cellar shakers). The name aimed at the former Latvian Cellar club in Stockholm Old town. Uldis Grasis heard about it and met Janis Zalitis- He wanted to start a real band. He and his brother Austris had moved from Munich to Sweden. At that time only Janis played guitar. In the new band Janis played solo-guitar, Uldis bass, Austris Saxophone/Clarinet. And Pavils had to learn to play guitar and Juris drums. The new band was called; ”Saules Brali” (Tramps). Saules Brali played mostly on exile - Latvian events in Europe. When the group played at clubs for Swedish people the called themselves ”The Ladykillers”. The band played common rock/pop-music (covers) in English language and had at that time just about 4 songs with Latvian words. A short time the groups name was “The Dawn” when the band was presented with picture in the book “Poplexikonet Stora popboken (Svenska popförlaget) 729 toppartister i ord och bild. En översikt av svensk nöjesindustri under 1960-talets mitt.” (Sid 22 Bild och beskrivning) When Saules Brali ended 1968 the rest of the members (Janis, Juris and Pavils) started the band ”Dundurs” because they hade an offer from the record company ”Latvian music” to make an LP. The record company was specialized on producing Latvian classical music on vinyl that was sold by mail order to exile Latvians all over the world. The name “Dundurs” (stinging fly) was Pavils mothers idea (Veronika Strelerte). It ended up in their first record ”Vilciena” (In the train) which was released 1969. The songs was pop songs in Latvian language. Most of them were written by the members, but some of them were American songs with Latvian words. The second LP was released 1972 ”Reiz agra rita isgajam” (Once an early morning). Even here there was lot of own written music with own musical arrangements. After this realese Juris Kronbergs left the band and it changed the form. New members were Britta Emmer-Zalite and Ieva Zalite. They had both sung as choir members on the earlier records and Britta had even sung two solos on the second LP. The songs were recorded in a private studio in the Stockholm suburb Tallkrogen. They were recorded between two modified Stereo Telefunken M5 professional tape recorders with so called “Sound on sound”- recording. Dundurs had just a few concerts since each member played more than one instrument. It was not possible to get the same sound on concerts without hiring more musicians. When the third record “Zilais Karuselis” was recorded 1974 Dundurs had the only big performance during the whole period. Two sold-out concerts in the Latvian Song and dance festival in Cologne. An audience of 2000 persons each attended the two concerts. The final record that was recorded by Dundurs was ”Dzives Ratins” (Circle of life) which was released 1978. It was made on request from the record company. The songs were all written by the Latvian composer of popular music, Alfreds Vinters. He lived in Stockholm at the time and participated in the planning of the record, but unfortunately passed away before the release. The record was made together with the piano player Gunars Zvejnieks. After this record Dundurs ended, but Pavils continued some years as solo singer and also released an own LP. Members • Janis Zalitis (Bass, piano, guitar, choir) • Pavils Johanssons (Lead singer, guitar, cello, drums) • Juris Kronbergs (Drums) /The first two records/ • Britta Emmer-Zalite (Lead singer, choir, guitar) • Ieva Zalite (Flute, choir) Janis was the bandleader and made most of the musical arrangements. But much of the arrangements were made of all the members. An good example is the song “Zilais Karuselis” which was all created in the studio. Pavils and Janis wrote their own songs with words in Latvian language, but on most of the songs Janis wrote the words was made by Juris. Dundurs records was released on the record company Latvian Music.