Span (band)

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SPAN was a Norwegian rock band that formed in 2000 from the ashes of two other outfits; Explicit Lyrics and Squid. Self-proclaimed as "Norwegian Turbo-Rock 'n' Roll Commandos" [1], the band spent much of the years between 2002 and 2004 touring the UK and Norway as well as spending a brief time in the U.S.. To date they have sold over 55,000 albums world wide.

In August 2005, much to their loyal fans' disappointment, SPAN announced that they were to take a break. It is not known if they will return since a post on their website stated that the band "no longer share a common dream and ambition" and that they have "decided to end this while we are still the best of friends".

Contents

[edit] Labels

In the Summer of 2002, the band signed to Island Records, recording their debut album at RAK Studios in London with producer Gil Norton. Despite much interest gained from incessant touring and the minor-hit singles 'Found' and 'Don't Think The Way They Do', Island held back the album Mass Distraction until 2004, a year after its originally planned release date, and much of the early impetus was lost.

SPAN then tried to establish themselves in the U.S. but were unsuccessful after attempts to sign with Geffen Records and Interscope Records fell through. In fact Interscope had agreed to sign the band after an impressive showcase gig at LA's Troubadour. However, following roster rationalisation at the label, SPAN were unceremoniously discarded without releasing a note Stateside. Additional tracks were recorded for a planned US version of the album but this never saw the light of day. The track 'Stay As You Are' featured on a US TV car ad, which attracted considerable public attention, but the opportunity had gone.

Their second album, Vs. Time, was released in Norway only, on the Johnny NoWhere/Mercury label. Despite a domestic hit single with 'Cut Like Diamonds', by the Summer of 2005 the band had decided to split, with singer Jarle keen to pursue a more mellow style. The band played their final gig before a sell-out Oslo crowd in October 2005 and fans eagerly await a commemorative DVD of the event.

[edit] Life after SPAN

Singer Jarle Bernhoft had a brief encounter with a popular Norwegian soft-rock band, Bigbang, but this was a temporary arrangement and Jarle only played with them live on one occasion. He can now be found backing his girlfriend Kristin Asbjørnsen both on album and on stage, as well as releasing tracks of his own on his MySpace site. Guitarist Joff Nilsen, bassist Kim Nordbæk and drummer Fredrik Wallumrød formed the heavier metal outfit Dog Almighty, with singer Sindri from the Norwegian band Farout Fishing. Their debut release is expected in the autumn of 2007. Joff also plays with the Danish band The Royal Highness, whilst both Kim and Freddy also have other extra-curricular activities.

[edit] Band members

  • Jarle Bernhoft: lead vocals, guitar
  • Fridtjof (Joff) Nilsen: guitar, backing vocals
  • Kim Nordbæk: bass, backing vocals
  • Fredrik Wallumrød: drums, backing vocals

[edit] Ex-members

  • Vemund (Wes) Stavnes: bass, backing vocals

[edit] Full length albums

  • Vs. Time, April 2005 (Johnny Nowhere / Mercury)

[edit] External resources

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