Turbonegro to return with new album
One of the most legendary acts to emerge from the thriving Norwegian rock scene prove that last year’s reunion tour wasn’t a one-off event. April 2003 will see Turbonegro returning with their new album Scandinavian Leather.
Few bands have created such a fanatic following as now legendary Norwegian rock-act Turbonegro. A string of releases followed after their debut in 1988, and combined with hectic touring throughout the 90s, Turbonegro managed to build a fan-base all over Europe. The self-proclaimed Denim Demons released such acclaimed and aptly titled albums as Ass Cobra and Apocalypse Dudes resulting in a celebrity following that include Queens of The Stone Age, The Hives, Supersuckers, Satyricon, Placebo and Beastie Boys.
A unique phenomenon can be found among those counting themselves as loyal Turbonegro fans. All over the world, fan bases gathered in so-called Turbojugens – mimicking the band’s homo-erotic, denim-clad appearance. The Turbojugend sub-culture includes all paraphernalia associated with devoted fan-bases: bootleg swapping, fanatic fan-sites, uniform clothing, and total admiration. So far Turbojugend chapters can be found from Tromsø in the north of Norway to Santiago in Chile with divisions in most of the world’s major cities. Germany has proved to be one of Turbonegro’s strongest territories with no less than eight ‘Jugend chapters.
To the dismay of the Turbojugends, 1998 saw the band on a hiatus as internal dispute and less-than-fortunate drug-related events called for a halt to their Darkness Forever European tour. In the wake of the band’s split, a prestigious posse of some of rock’s biggest names contributed to produce the 2001 tribute album Alpha Motherfuckers. Among the bands covering Turbonegro on this album one can find such internationally known bands as Queens of The Stone Age and Therapy? plus respected Norwegian acts Motorpsycho, Amulet and Satyricon.
2002 has marked the long awaited return of Turbonegro, as the band has completed acclaimed performances at Norway’s Quart Festival, Sweden’s Hultsfred and Germany’s Bizarre festivals, playing for more than 100 000 fans.
The band has also begun studio sessions for a follow-up to their last album Apocalypse Dudes released in 1997. Swedish label Burning Heart (home of International Noise Conspiracy, Millencolin, Refused, Division of Laura Lee and until recently the Hives), signed the Norwegian denim gang and has scheduled the release of the Scandinavian Leather album for April 28 2003. Says Turbonegro’s ideological leader Thomas “Happy Tom” Seltzer of their upcoming album: It’ll be the most destructive party-album you’ve ever heard. Scandinavian Leather will end up four or five times better than Apocalypse Dudes.
Joe Baresi, whose resume includes Queens of The Stone Age, Hole and Satyricon albums will produce Scandinavian Leather in Sweden’s legendary Polar Studios.
The first gigs of 2003 have already been confirmed as the Øya Festival in Oslo proudly announced Turbonegro as one of next year’s headliners.
As always, lack of confidence will not be an issue with the denim-clad gang in 2003. Says “Happy Tom” of comparisons to other bands: Other bands happening these days are good in nudism, we are pornstars!
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