DumDum Boys are a
Norwegian rock band from
Trondheim.
They are one of the most successful Norwegian rock acts of all time, and are considered one of the "four great" bands who popularized modern rock with Norwegian lyrics in the mid-to-late 1980s (along with
Jokke & Valentinerne,
Raga Rockers
Raga Rockers is a Norwegian rock band from Oslo with Michael Krohn on vocals. The band was formed in 1982 by front man Michael Krohn. The other original members were Livio Aiello on bass, Bruno Hovden on guitar, Jan Arne Kristiansen on drums, Hugo ...
and
DeLillos
deLillos is a Norwegian poprock band formed in Oslo in 1984. They are generally regarded as one of the "Four Greats" in modern Norwegian pop music, i.e. one of the four 1980s groups that founded a new tradition for rock music with lyrics in Nor ...
). Before breaking into the mainstream they were known as a
punk rock act under the name Wannskrækk.
History
Wannskrækk (1979–1985)
DumDum Boys started in the late 1970s as a punk rock act under the name ''Wannskrækk'', inspired by acts such as
Lasse Myrvold and
The Aller Værste!
The Aller Værste! (1979–1981) was a Norwegian rock band from Bergen, that was awarded Spellemannprisen for the album '' Materialtretthet'' (1980).
Biography
The Aller Værste! was influenced and inspired by punk, new wave, ska and regga ...
, who pioneered punk rock with Norwegian lyrics. They played gigs extensively in Trondheim and gained a cult following. They released two singles, ''Faen Kuler Treffer Aldri Riktig'' (1981) and " ...12"... " (1982), and one live album, ''Wannskrækk/Liliedugg - Last Opera/Live Ritz Trondheim 12. juni 84 ''. In 1992 a compilation album was released, "Wannskrækk - Riff (1980-1985)" which consisted of released and unreleased material from that period.
DumDum Boys (1985)
In 1985 Wannskrækk adopted a more mainstream, rock sound and took the name ''DumDum Boys''
(after a song by
Iggy Pop
James Newell Osterberg Jr. (born April 21, 1947), known professionally as Iggy Pop, is an American singer, musician, songwriter and actor. Called the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Godfather of Punk", he was the vocalist and lyricist of ...
and
David Bowie).
[ The following year, they released their first single "Sorgenfri".][
]
''Blodig Alvor'' (1988)
Their first album, ''Blodig Alvor'' (1988) broke into the sales charts at #14. The album received the Spellemannprisen for best rock record of the year.
''Splitter Pine'' and ''Pstereo'' (1989–1990)
Their second album ''Splitter Pine'', was released in 1989, which also received a Spellemann award, and was certified gold. The third album ''Pstereo'', released in 1990, also received the award.[
]
1990–2018
From 1990 to 2012 DumDum Boys has released eight albums, of which six reached #1, one #2, and one #7 on the Norwegian charts.
In 2011 they played a special concert as ''Wannskrækk'' at the music festival Øyafestivalen in Oslo.
Discography
Albums
Live albums
Compilation albums
EPs
*1986: ''Bapshuari'' (EP)
DVDs
*2004: ''DumDum Boys i Dødens Dal'' (live, DVD)
Notes
References
{{Authority control
Norwegian rock music groups
Spellemannprisen winners
Musical groups established in 1985
1985 establishments in Norway
Musical groups from Trondheim