How BigBang was Born: The last couple of years a wave of ambitious, talented and confident bands have emerged on the Norwegian rock scene, shaping a new generation with the new soundtrack for popcultural everyday life in the years ahead. In the front rank of these young and talented is a band prepared to leave their marks; Bigbang. Front-man, composer, guitarist and vocalist Oystein Greni is not only an extraordinary songwriting talent but also a true visionary who holds a rare charisma both on and off stage. And with Greni companied by Nikolai Eilertsen´s rich and solid bass and Karim Sayed´s firm and delicate drums, Bigbang is presented as a classic three-piece, producing a powerful, tight and genuine sound.
The band formed in 1992, with Oystein Greni and his pals Christer Engen and Erik Tresselt as the original line-up. Whereas most people who form rockbands in their early youth usually got a rather loose approach to what they are doing, and tend to cut records more due to circumstances than to laborious planning, there was clearly something different about Greni and his compadres from early on. They were hardworking, composing with deep devotion right from the start.The band´s frequent live appearances in the Oslo area left nothing to chance. While other bands performed their grunge in fashionable flanell, Bigbang performed their soul-influenced rock all dressed up in suits and neckties. Already then it was clear that this band had style; musically, visually and conceptually. The selfissued debut album "Waxed" (1995) witnesses a band with a distinct sound, a vision and a taste for well-penned songs.
At the annual Norwegian music industry festival in 1999, years of sacrifice and hard work was finally rewarded. A vibrant, energetic trio captured the attention of the whole Norwegian music industry, when the band played Folken in Stavanger, leaving press and record company-representatives stunned. Following the critically acclaimed second album, selfissued "Electric Psalmbook", Bigbang found themselves as object of desire in a razorsharp competition among Norwegian record companies. The band impressed on tour all over the country and received invitations by the leading music festivals in Norway. "Girl In Oslo" EP became a much celebrated hit single, crowned by an incredible performance at this year´s Norwegian Grammy Awards. In spite of all the attention, the success of Bigbang is not founded on hype or trends, but first and foremost on a broad and deep musical understanding, playing skills and an ear for good tunes.
Bigbang´s third album "Clouds Rolling By" sent critics into an orgy of superlatives, and shows the band playing better than ever. The album was recorded in Athletic Sound Studio in Halden, produced by Michael Ilbert (also producer of bands such as Soundtrack Of Our Lives and Brainpool), and unconditionally fulfils everything Bigbang ever promised. There is an evident progress from previous albums, which easily shows that the frequent touring has made the band a tight unit. Even though references to the last thirty years of popular music is obvious, "Clouds Rolling By" is primarily a classic rock album with edge and soul.
Bigbang, with "Clouds Rolling By" as their finest hour so far, are being recognized as top promoters of Norwegian rock, and their high driving force, energetic live performances and ear for good tunes suggests a long-term future.
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