Bigbang (Norwegian Band)
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Bigbang (also styled BigBang, bigbang or BIGBANG) is a Norwegian
rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wale ...
band. Formed in 1992, the band is led by frontman and chief songwriter
Øystein Greni Øystein Greni (born 15 June 1974 in Oslo) is the frontman and chief songwriter of the Norwegian rock band Bigbang. Greni founded the band in 1992 and has been the only constant member since its formation. He has released eleven studio albums w ...
.Bergan, Jon Vidar, ''
Store Norske Leksikon The ''Great Norwegian Encyclopedia'' (, abbreviated ''SNL'') is a Norwegian-language online encyclopedia. It has several subdivisions, including the Norsk biografisk leksikon. The online encyclopedia is among the most-read Norwegian publishe ...
''
Bigbang
.
Kunnskapsforlaget Kunnskapsforlaget () is a Norwegian publishing company based in Oslo. Kunnskapsforlaget was established in 1975, as a partnership between H. Aschehoug & Co. (W. Nygaard) and Gyldendal Norsk Forlag. The purpose was to co-operate on publishing ...
. Accessed 24 February 2023.
Over the years, the band's lineup has changed several times while remaining a trio and with Greni as the only constant member. Bigbang has been described as "Norway's best live band", with their album ''
Radio Radio TV Sleep ''Radio Radio TV Sleep'' is a live album by the Norwegian rock band BigBang, which was released in 2003.''Norsk pop- og rockleksikon'' (2005)BigBang Vega Forlag. The album was recorded during Bigbang's tour of the same name in February 2003, wi ...
'' holding the distinction of being the best selling live album released in Norway.Vatnøy, Lillian, NRK.no (March 27, 2005)
Bigbang - lyden av sommer
Torvik, Svein Terje, NRK.no (April 12, 2005)

NRK.no Musikkleksiko
BigBang
The band has released eleven studio albums, one live album and two compilation albums.


History

Bigbang was formed in 1992 by guitarist and vocalist Øystein Greni and drummer Christer Engen while they were in high school. Among their influences were American punk and hardcore bands, and classic rock from the 1960s, 70s and 80s, while they also had parents active in the music business. Bassist Erik Tresselt completed the band's first lineup and the trio went on a month-long tour of the United States in 1993, and released their first album '' Waxed'' in 1995 on their own independent record label,
Grand Sport Grand may refer to: People with the name * Grand (surname) * Grand L. Bush (born 1955), American actor Places * Grand, Oklahoma, USA * Grand, Vosges, village and commune in France with Gallo-Roman amphitheatre * Grand County (disambiguation), s ...
.Grønneberg, Anders, ''Dagbladet.no'' (August 12, 2011)
- BigBang er mitt liv
Drummer Engen left the band to join
Turbonegro Turbonegro (Turboneger in Norway) is a Norwegian rock band, active from 1989 to 1998 and from 2002 to the present. The band combines glam rock, punk rock, and hard rock into a self-described "deathpunk" musical style. History Early years (19 ...
in 1997, and was replaced by
Martin Horntveth Martin Horntveth (born 20 September 1977) is a Norwegians, Norwegian musician (primarily drummer), composer and electronica artist. He was born in Tønsberg, and is the younger brother of tubaist Line Horntveth, but is best known as the drummer ...
, previously with
Jaga Jazzist Jaga Jazzist (also known as Jaga) is a Norwegian experimental jazz band, that rose to prominence when the BBC named their second album, ''A Livingroom Hush'' (Smalltown Supersound/Ninja Tune), the best jazz album of 2002. (in Norwegian) Biograph ...
. They released the single "How Do You Do", and remained together until January 1999 when Horntveth returned to Jaga Jazzist, to be replaced by Kristian Syvertsen.''Norsk pop- og rockleksikon'' (2005)
BigBang
. Vega Forlag.
Syvertsen remained with the band until April of that year when he left and was replaced by Olaf Olsen. Bassist Tresselt left the band in August 1999 and was succeeded by
Nikolai Eilertsen Nikolai or Nikolay is an East Slavic variant of the masculine name Nicholas. It may refer to: People Royalty * Nicholas I of Russia (1796–1855), or Nikolay I, Emperor of Russia from 1825 until 1855 * Nicholas II of Russia (1868–1918), or Niko ...
. Greni sold his
Vespa Vespa () is an Italian brand of scooters and mopeds manufactured by Piaggio. The name means wasp in Italian. The Vespa has evolved from a single model motor scooter manufactured in 1946 by Piaggio & Co. S.p.A. of Pontedera, Italy, to a ...
to pay the final installment to finance the production of ''
Electric Psalmbook ''Electric Psalmbook'' is the second album by the Norwegian rock band BigBang, released in 1999.Andreassen, Johnny, abcnyheter.no (April 26, 2009)De unge og lovende The album was produced by Nils B. Kvam and recorded at Athletic Sound in August ...
'' recorded during 1998 in Athletic Sound Studio in
Halden Halden (), between 1665 and 1928 known as Fredrikshald, is both a List of cities in Norway, town and a Municipalities of Norway, municipality in Østfold Counties of Norway, county, Norway. The municipality borders Sarpsborg to the northwest, R ...
,Andreassen, Johnny, abcnyheter.no (April 26, 2009)
De unge og lovende
and released on the own label Grand Sport in March 1999. The band's breakthrough came about following a highly successful 1999 by:Larm concert in Stavanger, when suddenly several record companies demonstrated great interest in signing them.Jones, Michael, TV2: ''Side2'' (March 10, 2009)
-Vi er et utrolig privilegert band
Brækhus, Leni Aurora, abcnyheter.no (April 11, 2005)
Bigbang - kreative terrorister
The band signed with
Warner Music Warner Music Group Corp., commonly abbreviated as WMG, is an American multinational entertainment and record label conglomerate headquartered in New York City. It is one of the " big three" recording companies and the third-largest in the gl ...
in 1999,Gjersøe, Jørn, NRK.no (April 20, 2009)
BigBang feirer på Wood
and immediately re-released ''Electric Psalmbook'' in the fall of 1999. For a period during 1999 as the song "Wild Bird" received considerable radio exposure and became established as a hit, BigBang as a group was temporarily dissolved. The BigBang song "Long Distance Man" is an English adaptation (with completely rewritten lyrics) of a Norwegian song by Undertakers Circus, "Nettenes Prinsesse" from 1973.Rakvaag, Geir, ''Dagsavisen'' (November 10, 2007)
Ragnarock på ny
Gjersøe, Jørn, NRK.no (December 16, 2008)
Gammelt sirkus blir som nytt
The album ''
Clouds Rolling By ''Clouds Rolling By'' is the third album by the Norwegian rock band BigBang, released in 2000.''Norsk pop- og rockleksikon'' (2005)BigBang Vega Forlag. The album was released on both CD and LP, with the latter being limited to 500 copies. The a ...
'' from 2000 was the start of commercial success for BigBang, as the song "Girl In Oslo" became established as a hit and had been released in several compilation albums by that time. In early 2001, BigBang was Launched in Germany, Switzerland and Austria with the EP release ''Girl In Oslo''. Drummer Olaf Olsen was absent from the band from May 2000 until he returned in May 2001. During this time, drums were played by Karim Sayed. In March 2002, BigBang released ''
Frontside Rock'n'Roll ''Frontside Rock'n'Roll'' is the fourth album by the Norwegian rock band BigBang, released in 2002.''Norsk pop- og rockleksikon'' (2005)BigBang. Vega Forlag. Overview ''Frontside Rock'n'Roll'' is the first full-length Bigbang album to be releas ...
''. The album features the song "Frontside Rock'n'Roll", which Øystein Greni dedicated to two skaters he knew that had died in their youth.Moslet, Håkon, ''Dagbladet'' (February 15, 2002)
Skate or die
Kemp, Anders, ''Dagens Næringsliv'': D2 (August 21, 2008)
Øystein Greni
The title refers to a skateboarding trick requiring a high level of proficiency. The release was followed by a U.S. tour spanning five weeks. The live album ''
Radio Radio TV Sleep ''Radio Radio TV Sleep'' is a live album by the Norwegian rock band BigBang, which was released in 2003.''Norsk pop- og rockleksikon'' (2005)BigBang Vega Forlag. The album was recorded during Bigbang's tour of the same name in February 2003, wi ...
'' was released in August 2003. A double CD with half acoustic material, the album's title refers to a cheatcode often found on Norwegian hotel room TV remote controls to access pay-television.Paulsen, Torstein; Gjersøe, Jørn, NRK.no (February 7, 2003)
-En ny epoke
National network
NRK The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (), commonly known by its initialism NRK, is a Norwegian state-run, government-influenced radio and television public broadcasting company. The NRK broadcasts three national TV channels and thirteen nat ...
taped a documentary over these live sessions, which climax is a performance of "Girl in Oslo" featuring five drummers, one of whom being Thor S. Greni. In 2004 bassist Eilertsen departed from the band in order to focus on the group The National Bank, and former bassist Erik Tresselt returned to the band. With the April 2005 release of ''
Poetic Terrorism ''Poetic Terrorism'' is the fifth studio album by the Norwegian rock band BigBang, released in April 2005.Brækhus, Leni Aurora, abcnyheter.no (April 11, 2005)Bigbang - kreative terrorister The album was produced by Øystein Greni and recorded at ...
'', the band again utilised their own independent label Grand Sport in Norway, maintaining the role of Warner Music was for international and not domestic use. Shortly after the release of the 2005 EP, Erik Tresselt left the band for the second time, and was replaced by Jarle Bernhoft, a former guitarist and vocalist of the Norwegian punk rock band Span. Bernhoft performed only one concert in Norway with the band. On the 2006 acoustic tour, former bassist and keyboardist Nikolai Eilertsen joined the band. During the concerts of this summer,
Lasse Weeden Bigbang (also styled BigBang, bigbang or BIGBANG) is a Norwegian rock band. Formed in 1992, the band is led by frontman and chief songwriter Øystein Greni.Bergan, Jon Vidar, ''Store Norske Leksikon''Bigbang. Kunnskapsforlaget. Accessed 24 Februa ...
played the bass. Following their March 2007 album, ''
Too Much Yang ''Too Much Yang'' is the sixth studio album made by the Norwegian rock band BigBang. It was released in Norway on 19 March 2007 by Warner Music and Grand Sport Records. The album was received generally well by critics in Norway. Title and reco ...
'' (2007), the band moved to Los Angeles, California in September 2007. Having employed several bassists during the year, Eilertsen did not wish to move to the U.S., and the role was filled by Lasse Weeden.Gjersøe, Jørn, NRK.no (March 6, 2007)
BigBang fant ny bassist
The 2008 album ''
From Acid to Zen ''From Acid to Zen'' is the second compilation album by the Norwegian rock band BigBang. It is the band's first album released exclusively for the American market and consists mainly of previously released material, in addition to two new songs, ...
'' was their American debut release, which received complementary reviews from among others
David Fricke David Fricke (born ) is an American music journalist who serves as the senior editor at ''Rolling Stone'' magazine, where he writes predominantly about rock music. One of the best known names in rock journalism, his career has spanned over 40 ye ...
of ''
Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. The magazine was first known fo ...
'' who selected the album as his "Fricke's Pick" and compared it to "a shotgun buffet".Gonsholt Ighanian, Catherine, ''VG'' (November 14, 2008)
Rolling Stone hyller Bigbang
As of 2009, the band released the seventh studio album '' Edendale'',Gjersøe, Jørn, NRK.no (March 5, 2009)
Nytt smell fra BigBang
Lønningen, Petter, ''Bergens Tidende'' (March 10, 2009)
Hjemme bra, borte best
with Nikolai Eilertsen returning as bassist. In March 2011, BigBang released their eighth studio album, ''
Epic Scrap Metal ''Epic Scrap Metal'' is the Norwegian rock band BigBang's eighth studio album. It was released on March 4, 2011, and debuted at number 1 on the Norwegian Albums Chart on its first week of release. The album stayed on top of the chart for four co ...
'', and on exactly the same date two years later, in 2013, the trio released the album ''
The Oslo Bowl ''The Oslo Bowl'' is the ninth studio album of Norwegian rock band Bigbang. It was released in March 2013. Track list Personnel ;Bigbang *Øystein Greni – vocals, guitars, percussion, producer *Nikolai Hængsle Eilertsen – bass, piano, ha ...
''. Big Bang released their tenth studio album, ''Glory Chord'', in May 2019. The band’s most recent studio album, ''Le Californie'', was released in April 2023.


Members

Present *
Øystein Greni Øystein Greni (born 15 June 1974 in Oslo) is the frontman and chief songwriter of the Norwegian rock band Bigbang. Greni founded the band in 1992 and has been the only constant member since its formation. He has released eleven studio albums w ...
– guitar, bass, drums, percussion, vocals (1992–) * Olaf Olsen – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1999–2000, 2001–) *
Nikolai Eilertsen Nikolai or Nikolay is an East Slavic variant of the masculine name Nicholas. It may refer to: People Royalty * Nicholas I of Russia (1796–1855), or Nikolay I, Emperor of Russia from 1825 until 1855 * Nicholas II of Russia (1868–1918), or Niko ...
– bass, keyboards, backing vocals (1999–2004, 2009–) Past * Christer Engen – drums (1992–1997) *
Martin Horntveth Martin Horntveth (born 20 September 1977) is a Norwegians, Norwegian musician (primarily drummer), composer and electronica artist. He was born in Tønsberg, and is the younger brother of tubaist Line Horntveth, but is best known as the drummer ...
– drums (1997–1999) *Kristian Syvertsen – drums (1999) *Karim Sayed – drums (2000–2001) *Erik Tresselt – bass (1992–1999, 2004–2005) *Øyvind Storli Hoel – bass, backing vocals (2007–2008)Nyhagen, Alexander, ''VG'' (July 20, 2007)
Spilte med sykemelding
*Lasse Weeden – bass (2007) Timeline


Discography


Albums


Live albums


Compilation albums


EPs and singles


Video albums

* ''Radio Radio TV Sleep'' - (Live footage + bonus material) (2003)


References


External links

* * * {{Authority control Norwegian indie rock groups Norwegian rock music groups Norwegian musical trios Musical groups established in 1992 1992 establishments in Norway Musical groups from Norway with local place of origin missing Warner Music Group artists