BigBang Blowout
Bigbang is ready to explode into the U.S. market.
The Oslo, Norway, based trio will be in America for the next six weeks bringing their own blend of sound to the states for the fourth time. They will kick off their tour at Utah State University Saturday night.
Oystein Greni, the only founding member of the band still in the lineup, is excited to be coming across the Atlantic to share his music here.
“We’ll make sure everyone is in the right groove,” Greni said.
Though the band is not well-known in this country, they have been a huge force in the Norwegian market. Their first two albums were self-released and sold few copies. However, the band signed with Warner Brother Records before the release of their third album which entered the charts at No. 2 on the Norwegian charts, he said.
“Our first one was very small-time,” he said.
The band started in 1993. Their first album was released in 1995. Their fourth album has just been released, and Greni hopes it will do as well as their last one.
Their musical style is different from most other bands on the market.
“It is blues, soul-based rock ‘n’ roll with a mix of punk-rock attitude,” Greni said.
When he was growing up, his father played drums in a soul band. This was one factor that influenced Greni and his music. He also drew influence from bands like Muddy Water and Led Zeppelin as well as Curtis Mayfield and Jimmy Hendrix.
Greni writes all of the band’s music drawing on his personal experiences when writing his lyrics. The latest album is infused with thoughts about several of his friends.
“I grew up skateboarding. This summer two of my close friends died and that has influenced the new album,” he said.
He also draws thought from movies and books. He said he will often be reading or watching and something will strike him. But he also just finds some of his songs while playing.
“I might be playing the acoustic guitar and singing and think there may be a song here,” he said.
Music has become a way of life for the band. Some of the most quality moments have happened for the band while the members were rehearsing.
“Every time at band practice – the first or second time you have a new song and you are into it and in the groove – those moments are the most important,” he said. “The idea of playing with your band – you become one with the music. It doesn’t always happen, but when it does it is great.”
But band time is not the only moments the band feels the connection.
“It happens at concerts when you are locked in with the audience, you can tell you are spreading happiness,” Greni said.
According to a press release, the band was voted the best Norwegian live act in 1999. They also received nominations for best album in 1999 for their second release and best song in 2000 in the Norwegian Grammies.
When the band is not making music or exciting crowds with their live shows, Greni likes to spend the time with his family.
“I try to hang out with my family as much as possible – I rarely get to see them,” he said. “Family is important, it really is.”
He also finds time to get his skateboard out. But the true moment of relaxation comes when he can put his guitar down and pick up the drum sticks.
When the band takes the stage on Saturday, Greni will be accompanied by Olaf Olsen on the drums and Nikolai Eilertsen on bass.
The band is looking to find fans in the United States which will help them break into the music market here.
“Hopefully people will turn up for the shows,” Greni said. “It’s going to be a challenge, but we like that. If we do what we are supposed to do, then people will leave happy.”
Greni said one of the main high points for him is traveling around the world and meeting new people. He also enjoys being able to play good music.
Past tours have only taken the band into California. Greni knows several people there from his skateboarding years. The response to the band has often been surprising, he said.
“It’s quite strange because the type of music we play is American folk rock,” Greni said. “A lot of people are blown away. They really, really like it.”
After the show at USU, the band will travel to Texas and then back to the west to do shows in California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah. The last show will be in New York before the band returns home.
All in all, the band is excited about the tour.
“It’s definately a lot of fun,” he said.