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Smekkleysa
Bad Taste (known as Smekkleysa in Icelandic, literally ''Tastelessness'') is one of Iceland’s most important record labels; located in Reykjavík and known worldwide for being home to The Sugarcubes, it also publishes poetry books, short films, greeting cards and Icelandic gifts. Bad Taste should not be confused with Bad Taste Records, a distinct record label based in Sweden. History After the bankruptcy of Gramm Records, and the demise of Kukl, Einar Örn Benediktsson, one of the vocalists of Kukl and Ásmundur Jónsson from Gramm, with some of the former musicians from Kukl and members of surrealistic group called Medúsa, convened to create a record company called Smekkleysa in 1986. Later, it was renamed to its English translation, ''Bad Taste'', after Pablo Picasso’s manifesto: “Good taste and frugality are the enemies of creativity”. Smekkleysa’s first work was a postcard drawn by Friðrik Erlingsson, who at that time was the guitar player of Sykurmolarn ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Sugarcubes
The Sugarcubes ( Icelandic: Sykurmolarnir) were an Icelandic alternative rock band from Reykjavík formed in 1986 and disbanded in 1992. For most of their career, the band consisted of Björk Guðmundsdóttir (vocals, keyboards), Einar Örn Benediktsson (vocals, trumpet), Þór Eldon (guitar), Bragi Ólafsson (bass), Margrét "Magga" Örnólfsdóttir (keyboards) and Sigtryggur Baldursson (drums). The Sugarcubes' debut album, ''Life's Too Good'' (1988), was an unexpected international success, and produced their signature song "Birthday". It is credited as the first Icelandic album to have a worldwide impact and influenced Icelandic popular music. Their follow-up album, '' Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!'', was released 1989 to mixed reviews. Their third and final album, ''Stick Around for Joy'', released in February 1992, was better received and produced the successful singles "Hit" and " Leash Called Love". ''Rolling Stone'' referred to them as "the biggest rock band to emerge f ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Einar Örn Benediktsson
Einar Örn Benediktsson (born 29 October 1962), often billed as Einar Örn, is an Icelandic popular music singer and trumpet player. He was a member of the Sugarcubes. He served as a member of the Reykjavík City Council between 2010 and 2014. With Björk and the Sugarcubes Einar has been described as the first punk in Iceland. He claims he became interested in punk rock after reading about Johnny Rotten vomiting on an aeroplane and listening to John Peel on his mother's car radio. Einar spent the summer of 1977 in London, where his father worked. Through this, he was able to make contacts enabling the Reykjavík arts festival to book The Clash in 1980. In the early 1980s, Einar was the lead singer of the short-lived punk group Purrkur Pillnikk. Following Purrkur Pillnikk's demise in 1983, Einar became a member of the anarcho-punk Kukl along with the already notable Icelandic singer Björk Guðmundsdóttir. During this period, whilst studying media at the Polytechnic of Centra ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir ( , ; born 21 November 1965), known mononymously as Björk, is an Icelandic singer, songwriter, composer, record producer, and actress. Noted for her distinct three-octave vocal range and eccentric persona, she has developed an eclectic musical style over her four-decade career that has drawn on electronic, pop, experimental, trip hop, classical, and avant-garde music. Born and raised in Reykjavík, Björk began her music career at the age of 11 and gained international recognition as the lead singer of the alternative rock band the Sugarcubes, by the age of 21. After the band's breakup in 1992, Björk embarked on a solo career, coming to prominence with albums such as ''Debut'' (1993), ''Post'' (1995), and ''Homogenic'' (1997), while collaborating with a range of artists and exploring a variety of multimedia projects. Her other albums include ''Vespertine'' (2001), ''Medúlla'' (2004), '' Volta'' (2007), '' Biophilia'' (2011), ''Vulnicura'' (2015), ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Björk Guðmundsdóttir
Björk Guðmundsdóttir ( , ; born 21 November 1965), known mononymously as Björk, is an Icelandic singer, songwriter, composer, record producer, and actress. Noted for her distinct three-octave vocal range and eccentric persona, she has developed an Eclecticism in music, eclectic musical style over her four-decade career that has drawn on electronic music, electronic, pop music, pop, Experimental music, experimental, trip hop, Classical music, classical, and avant-garde music. Born and raised in Reykjavík, Björk began her music career at the age of 11 and gained international recognition as the lead singer of the alternative rock band the Sugarcubes, by the age of 21. After the band's breakup in 1992, Björk embarked on a solo career, coming to prominence with albums such as ''Debut (Björk album), Debut'' (1993), ''Post (Björk album), Post'' (1995), and ''Homogenic'' (1997), while collaborating with a range of artists and exploring a variety of multimedia projects. Her ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kukl (band)
Kukl (often stylized as KUKL or K.U.K.L.) was an Icelandic post-punk group in the 1980s, most notable for being one of Björk's first bands. History Beginnings and first releases The band formed in August 1983 when Ásmundur Jónsson from Gramm Records wanted to create an avant-garde supergroup to perform on the final episode of a radio show called ''Áfangar''. He assembled vocalist Björk Guðmundsdóttir of Exodus and Tappi Tíkarrass, trumpeter and vocalist Einar Örn Benediktsson (a.k.a. Einar Ørn) of Purrkur Pillnikk, keyboardist Einar Arnaldur Melax from the surrealistic group Medúsa, and bassist Birgir Mogensen from Spilafífl, as well as drummer Sigtryggur Baldursson (a.k.a. Trix) and guitarist Guðlaugur Kristinn Óttarsson (a.k.a. God Krist) from the band Þeyr. After two weeks of writing and rehearsals, the band played the radio session. Their ensuing enthusiasm for the experience led to a decision to make the group permanent. Kukl's first live show was on Sept ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gramm (record Label)
Gramm was an Icelandic record label created by Ásmundur Jónsson and Einar Örn Benediktsson in 1981. Located in Reykjavík, Gramm’s first release was a 10-track 7" vinyl titled ''Tilf'' by Purrkur Pillnikk, a punk group led by Einar Örn. Besides releasing all Purrkur Pillnikk's records, Gramm also issued works of artists like the English experimental group Psychic TV, Björk's first band Tappi Tíkarrass and Kukl (featuring Björk and Einar Örn). Rock band Þeyr and punk groups such as Vonbrigði were also associated with Gramm. In 1987, Gramm went bankrupt. Ásmundur and some of the musicians who were playing in Kukl created Smekkleysa, which ultimately became Bad Taste, known worldwide by the Sugarcubes. See also * List of record labels * Gramm discography This is the discography of the defunct Icelandic record label Gramm. (*): ''Skytturnar'' was the soundtrack to the film directed by Friðrik Þór Friðriksson. It featured The Sugarcubes, Bubbi Morthens, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Alternative Rock
Alternative rock, or alt-rock, is a category of rock music that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1970s and became widely popular in the 1990s. "Alternative" refers to the genre's distinction from Popular culture, mainstream or commercial rock or pop music. The term's original meaning was broader, referring to musicians influenced by the musical style or independent, DIY ethic, DIY ethos of late-1970s punk rock.di Perna, Alan. "Brave Noise—The History of Alternative Rock Guitar". ''Guitar World''. December 1995. Traditionally, alternative rock varied in terms of its sound, social context, and regional roots. Throughout the 1980s, magazines and zines, college radio airplay, and word of mouth had increased the prominence and highlighted the diversity of alternative rock's distinct styles (and music scenes), such as noise pop, indie rock, grunge, and shoegaze. In September 1988, Billboard (magazine), ''Billboard'' introduced "alternative" into their charting ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Elektra Records
Elektra Records (or Elektra Entertainment) is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, founded in 1950 by Jac Holzman and Paul Rickolt. It played an important role in the development of contemporary folk and rock music between the 1950s and 1970s. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived as an imprint of Atlantic in 2009. In October 2018, Elektra was detached from the Atlantic Records umbrella and reorganized into Elektra Music Group, once again operating as an independently managed frontline label of Warner Music. In June 2022, Elektra Music Group was merged with 300 Entertainment to create the umbrella label 300 Elektra Entertainment (3EE), though both Elektra and 300 will continue to maintain their separate identities as labels. History 1950–1971: Founding and early history Elektra was formed in 1950, as the ''Elektra-Stratford Record Corporation'', with a singles label called Stratford R ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1987 In Music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1987. Specific locations *1987 in British music * 1987 in Norwegian music Specific genres *1987 in country music * 1987 in heavy metal music * 1987 in hip hop music * 1987 in jazz Events January–February *January 3 – Aretha Franklin becomes the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The other inductees this year consist of The Coasters, Eddie Cochran, Bo Diddley, Marvin Gaye, Bill Haley, Clyde McPhatter, Ricky Nelson, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Smokey Robinson and Jackie Wilson. *January 5 – Elton John, after several months of voice problems, undergoes throat surgery in an Australian hospital. The outcome would hinder his voice permanently and he would soon start singing in a deep register. *January 16 – Beastie Boys become the first act to be censored by ''American Bandstand''. *January 24 – Steve "Silk" Hurley's innovative " Jack Your Body" becomes the first house music re ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Life's Too Good
''Life's Too Good'' is the debut studio album by Icelandic alternative rock group the Sugarcubes. It was released in April 1988 by One Little Indian in the UK and Europe and in May 1988 by Elektra Records in the US. The album was an unexpected success and brought international attention for the band, especially to lead singer Björk, who would launch a successful solo career in 1993. Consisting of veterans of Reykjavík's early 1980s rock culture, the band took elements of the post-punk sound that characterised the scene, intending to create a humorous take on pop music's optimism, which is reflected in the album's title. Despite never having intended to be taken seriously, and because of the success of their debut and their contractual obligations, the Sugarcubes went on to release two further studio albums. Release The lead single "Birthday" was released on Derek Birkett's One Little Indian Records in August 1987.Pytlik, 2003. p.38 After influential magazine ''NME'' declared it ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Birthday (The Sugarcubes Song)
"Birthday" is a song written and recorded by Icelandic band the Sugarcubes. It was released as a single in 1987, and included in their 1988 debut album ''Life's Too Good''. It was their first international single and the first single released from the album. The Icelandic version, ''"Ammæli"'', was released on the Iceland-only single "''Einn Mol'á Mann'' (''One Cube Per Head'')" the previous year and was included as the B-side on the international single. After "Birthday" became the single of the week in ''Melody Maker'' magazine and ''NME'' in August 1987, and was selected as number one in John Peel's Festive Fifty list, the band attained worldwide recognition and success. In the United Kingdom, the song was the group's first chart entry at number 65 and also reached number two on the country's indie charts. In the US it was ranked at number 15 on ''The Village Voice''s "Pazz & Jop" critics' annual year-end poll to find the best music of 1988. The Sugarcubes performed the song ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
