KERRS PINK

The eighties threshold appeared in assorted ways before the eyes of progressive rock world, some say (count me in those stats) that was the fatidic decade, the one that came along with the vicious era of musical impertinencies and disarray for the genre and its multiple variations translated in "rediscovering and experimentation", plagued of disappointing results. But there was a group of believers that proved us all devoted detractors of the eighties wrong; some of the few braves who dared to challenge the music industry and the cultural parameters were these intrepid Scandinavian musicians renamed as KERRS PINK. The band gathered together all the essential and most representative Nordic elements, such as the infallible mellotron, acoustic guitars, remarkable drums performing, the flute, and of course, the lyrics in Norwegian. And presto, a great symphonic more than folkloric (and almost instrumental), prog rock band was reborn in Northern Europe.

As I just underlined above, it is quite remarkable how in spite the inconveniences of being considered a brand new prog band competing with the all time masters of the prog scene in the early 80's, these Norwegian fellows never detached from their origins and roots by singing in their own mother tongue when the musical arrangements needed lyrics and the melodic voices of most of the members: bassist Jostein HANSEN lent his voice to the song "Bamse Brakar"; keyboard genius and pianist Halvard HAUGERUD led vocals on "Sang fra skogen"; and musical guest, lead singer Steinar STRAUMDAL on "Sett Dem bare ned" & "Hvis jeg er der neste år". In the same context of multiple drawbacks, the band has been suffering several changes in its original formation ever since they were known as CASH PINK (Jostein HANSEN named the band that), and at the time they renamed the band the way we actually know them, definite decisions were taken. Per KVAERNER and Per FRYDENLUND left the band and were replaced by multi-instrumentalist Trond BÖHN on keyboards and guitars and by Tore JOHANSEN, who reintegrated the band again.

This debut album of the band, self-named and self-produced; was recorded during the summer of 1980 and officially released on January '81. Firstly, 1000 copies of the album were made and received favorable reviews from the national press and was played on the radio. The music of KERRS PINK through the use of folk music, through its fresh bucolic and impression of merriness, the playful charm, proves itself to be totally personal and fully influenced by Norwegian culture and identity. Through its joyful, roguish and waggish music, compared to some other Nordic bands such as SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA or KEBNEKAISE, KERRS PINK defines itself throughout the personal and typical Scandinavian music. For those who haven't listened to KERRS PINK yet, or even heard of the bands compared to them; a slight resemblance to the early 70's GROBSCHNITT prog school (72 - 78) will approximate your ears to picture the sound of the Norwegian band debut album. Deservedly, excellent performed music, worthy of total and complete appreciation.