Bigbang

Band leader Øystein Greni grew up knowing he wanted to create music. Influenced by his father’s soul band Undertakers Circus, who had opened for Led Zeppelin, Greni was also inspired by the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Curtis Mayfield, as well as the punk rock of The Jam and Dinosaur Jr. Originally comprised of vocalist and guitarist Greni, bassist Erik Tresselt, and drummer Crister Engen, the group embarked on a U.S. tour in 1993 soon after forming to raise their exposure abroad.

In 1995 BigBang issued their debut album “Waxed”, which despite gaining little attention, was followed by an impressive performance at the by:Larm music festival. The successful appearance led to the group to sign with Warner Music who reissued their sophomore album “Electric Psalmbook” in 1999. From the album, the single “Wild Bird” earned significant radio play and exposed the band to a wider audience despite failing to chart.

After a temporary disbandment, the band returned in 2000, to break into the mainstream with their Top Five hit single “Girl from Oslo”. Aided by the single’s success, the accompanying album, 2000’s “Clouds Rolling By”, peaked at No. 2 on the Norwegian Albums chart. The group subsequently released their follow-up “Frontside Rock ’n’ Roll” in 2002 in dedication to two friends and skateboarders who had died in their youth. The album, like its predecessor, reached the upper echelons of the chart, and was followed by the group’s first live album “Radio Radio TV Sleep” in 2003. Known for one of the greatest live shows in the world, “Radio Radio TV Sleep” introduced this auditory spectacle to a host of audiences and remains Norway’s highest-selling live album.

After a number of line-up changes BigBang released their fifth full-length album “Poetic Terrorism” in 2005, which also proved to be the group’s first No. 1 record. After the release of their sixth studio album “Too Much Yang”, BigBang moved to Los Angeles, California, U.S, and made their American debut with “From Acid to Zen” in 2008. The band has subsequently released the albums “Edendale” in 2009, “Epic Scrap Metal” in 2011, and “The Oslo Bowl” in 2013, all of which were No. 1 albums in their native Norway.