Statistiques
Biographie
The group officially formed in 2007, but it’s members met just three years earlier, during their attendance at a private music school in Oslo. The members comprising the collective are Anne Marit Bergheim, Marianne Sveen, Solveig Heilo, and Turid Jorgensen. The four aspiring musicians bonded over a shared feeling of displacement at their school and decided to form a band upon hearing member Bergheim play the song “Wading in Deeper” on the piano.
The band derived it’s name from the oldest running comic strip, Katzenjammer Kids. It is also a German loan word, which roughly translates to “lament of a cat” and is additionally a term (though outdated) meaning “hangover”.
The girls’ talent covers a far spanning mastery of various instruments, ranging from the conventional: piano, guitar, and drums to the more obscure: accordion, mandolin, glockenspiel, trumpet, melodica, banjo, and balalaika bass (an essential component of the group’s sound). The group’s list of influence is highly eclectic as well. They cite everything from film composers such as Danny Elfman to early 20th century gypsy jazz guitarists like Django Reinhardt.
Katzenjammer initially captured the public’s attention through their performances at platforms like NRK’s “Urørt”, Norwegian talent shows and a variety of festivals such as Norwegian Wood. The group struck their first gleam of success with the single “A Bar in Amsterdam” and with the stir following this release they were landing appearances on national TV and spots opening for acts like Kaizers Orchestra. In September 2008 they released their studio debut album “Le Pop” to highly favorable reviews and commercial success. The album climbed to No. 9 on the Norwegian Album chart and scored the group a nomination by Spellemannprisen for “Best Album of the Year”.
Almost exactly three years later the group put out their 2nd studio album “A Kiss Before You Go”. The album borrowed much of its conceptual inspiration from the Marc Caro/Jean-Pierre Jeunet fantasy film “The City of Lost Children”. Also all of the tracks except for the Genesis’ cover “Land of Confusion” were written by the band’s close collaborative partner, Mats Rybø.
This release like the group’s studio debut was an instant success. It was herald by critics and breached the top 10 on both Germany’s and Norway’s album charts. Katzenjammer’s 3rd studio album “Rockland” is expected to be released in 2015.
Avis
I have been hooked on Katzenjammer’s live shows since I first caught them by accident at London’s Monto Water Rats in 2011. Since then I’ve seen them at Dingwalls, Scala, XOYO and O2 Islington Academy and every time I - and the rest of the crowd - have left with big smiles on our faces.
They provide full on energetic performances which include a lot of strutting around, leg kicking, wigs and costumes and general fun, all ingredients that help attract a mixed, but very loyal, crowd. On top of that they are obviously very talented musicians that are not afraid to take on new genres and unfamiliar instruments (often several instruments at the same time). And the instruments are on a constant rotation as they play some 15 between the 4 of them.
The word Katzenjammer means something like a cat’s wail, and as an indie rock/electro fan I was sceptical about them at first when they brought out an accordion, a trumpet, glockenspiel, a BIG contrabass Balalaika featuring a cat’s face… and whatever else they use for their folk/pop/gypsy fusion music, but their feisty charm and talent meant that I was bobbing along with everybody else within minutes. Check them out! But get in early as the tickets WILL sell out.
If you have never been to see Katzenjammer before I would recommend them.The experience is unbelievable.The 1st time I saw them was nearly 3 years ago in Leeds and thought they were fantastic but this time was even better.Their show is varied with really bright lights and really loud music one minute,then dark and quiet the next.They can all sing the lead while the other girls are in perfect pitch with their backing harmonies.They can vary their sounds with their different instruments which they can all play,depending on which songs they are playing.Their music genre is that varied,no matter what your taste in music is you will soon be singing and dancing along with their catchy tunes.If you only go to 1 gig this year,please go and experience this amazing the sights and sound that is KATZENJAMMER.
Scala 11th May
What a fabulous night. This multitalented group of musicians had the crowd going right from the start. Great sense of humour throughout.
I loved the fact that all the girls play virtually all the instruments. They moved from bass to drums and then guitars.
The voices were at times angelic. Beautiful harmonies and powerful lead vocals, again shared by the band.
I totally recommend going to see this band. If you like Celtic rock you will absolutely love them. I didn't know any of the songs but could tell this group were talented and interesting.
The band was awesome, sound was good despite being in the Columbia Halle. However, the audience was really underwhelming. Pretty much no dancing, few singing. Too many cell phones video takers, people talking and worst off all, too many who would grouch about anyone moving in the audience. If you only come for the view, get the DVD, don't go to a rock concert. This was disappointing and my friends who were at different areas in the audience, felt the same. Pity, the band deserved more dancing.
It was the first time I saw Katzenjammer playing. I didn't know much songs of them. But from the beginning to the end it was a good concert.
It was great to see the girls have fun while playing music. The interaction with the audience was nice.
I will definitely attend the next time when Katzenjammer will play in Doornroosje.