Formed in 1990 in Copenhagen, Denmark, the band initially went under the Nirvana moniker, although soon changing to Kashmir for obvious reasons. The original trio consisted of Mads Tunebjerg (bass), Asger Techau (drums) and Kasper Eistrup (vocals/guitars), who gained their first taste of success after placing second in the DM i Rock competition. After impressing judges, they gained a contract with new label, Start in Århus. Owner Poul Martin Bonde then went on to produce their debut album, “Travelogue,” which was released in 1994. The album took influence from the alt-rock world, of artists like Rage Against The Machine, Primus, Nirvana and Sonic Youth. The album instantly found huge popularity within the Danish youth market, establishing a strong and loyal fancies in their native country.
Returning in 1996 with “Cruzential,” Kashmir established a heavier, dark sound that moved away from the mainstream-friendly rock of their debut, yet the album still built up a wealth of critical acclaim. As the band’s sound progressed, they looked increasingly more to the likes of Radiohead, evident in 1999’s “The Good Life.” This album featured US producer, James Guthrie, obtaining a more accomplished and dynamic tone that was set to find international success. In Denmark, Kashmir were hugely successful, earning six Danish Grammy Awards in 2000.
After the addition of fourth member, Henrik Lindstrand (guitar, keys, vocals), it was four years before new material arrived, in the shape of 2003’s “Zitilites,” and Kashmir spent the following year touring extensively across Scandinavia and the rest of Europe in support of the release. Their next release surprised fans and critics alike, as it featured two legendary rock performers, David Bowie and Lou Reed, taking their music to a more prog-influenced direction. “Trespassers” followed in 2010, which again topped the Danish charts. After the compilation album, “Catalogue,” Kashmir were ready for new material, offering fans the mature and experimental “E.A.R.” in 2013.
This is a band who has worked with both Lou Reed and David Bowie ON THE SAME ALBUM. We’re not talking about a couple of indistinguishable backing vocals because they were recorded at the same studio at the same time and Kashmir asked very politely. Bowie performs a duet with singer Kasper Eistrup on the song “The Cynic” while Reed recites some of Eistrups poetry on the song Black Building. What I’m trying to put across here is that two undeniable legends of pop-culture in general, let alone music, saw this Danish Alt. Rock band as worth enough of their time and energy to make music with them. You want to know what they saw in them? Dear reader, it’s all in their live show. Their grungy rock and roll posits them as the midpoint between the Foo Fighters and the Pixies, basically if the latter had the formers choruses, and as you can probably imagine this goes over like gangbusters live. With nearly twenty five years’ worth of performing experience with the same line up the band are practically telepathic with each other, and it’s a thrilling experience just to watch chemistry like that in action, let alone when they’ve got songs as truly excellent as theirs. While they might be stars in their native Denmark, this is truly a band that should be recognised the world over, if you get the chance, see these guys as soon as possible.
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