MP3: WE - Kickin'

WE was running high in the site search charts for awhile now and it inspired me to pull out the first thing I ever heard from them, the 2003 "Lightyears ahead" EP. No surprise: it still kicks major ass. Or major teeth, if you follow the lyrics. As soon as I heard this song and I knew I needed these guys to round out the lineup of my first comp, "Reader's companion vol. 1". I'm not sure what they're up to nowadays, but I wouldn't be surprised if a new album showed up soon - it's been just over a year since the last one, so we're definitely due. Anyhow, much respect! Feel-good music for a feel-bad Friday!

WE - Kickin'

MP3: Cortex - Shark boys die hard

Question: Is the "Popular Searches" list at the bottom of the page self-perpetuating or does it realistically reflect current artist popularity? Do people click out of curiosity or are the results more organic? I'm really not sure. I know Moto Boy rose through the ranks the day his music box was announced. And Anna Ternheim's recent Grammy wins are good reason to be popular. But what about some of the others? WE? Haven't heard much from them in quite some time. But I am stoked to see Cortex in the list, though a bit confused. Are people as into the band as me? Or are they curious about Freddie Wadling's forthcoming solo joint? What's the deal? But while we're on the subject, I might as well brag that I finally scored a copy of their 1986 LP "You can't kill the boogeyman". It's some weird Euro pressing and the sleeve is not in perfect shape, but the vinyl is good and that's really all that matters. Oh, and it wasn't that expensive either - another bonus. Now I just need some charitable soul to sell me an affordable copy of "Spinal injuries" and I'll be set. Help me out people! In the meantime, here's a track from "You can't kill...". Perhaps not their strongest work, but still quite good.

Cortex - Shark boys die hard

Norwegian rockers and "Reader's companion" alums WE are doing a batch of German headlining gigs starting in late May:

05/30 - Backstage, München (GER)
05/31 - Subway, Chemnitz (GER)
06/01 - Logo, Hamburg (GER)
06/02 - Zeche Carl, Essen (GER)
06/03 - Museumskeller, Erfurt (GER)
06/04 - Beatpol, Dresden (GER)
06/05 - Nachtleben, Frankfurt (GER)
06/06 - Loppen, Copenhagen (DK)

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Madrugada - Madrugada
02. Secret Garden - Inside I'm singing
03. Sie Gubba - Sånn e livet
04. Bertine Zetlitz - In my mind 1997-2007 Best of
05. Madcon - So Dark the Con of Man
06. Anne Nørdsti - Livli på låven
07. Venke Knutson - Crush
08. Celine - Bæstevænna
09. Hellbillies - Spissrotgang
10. The Margarets - Twenty Years Erased
11. WE - Tension & Release
12. Vidar Johnsen & Peter Nordberg - Ord & Øgonblick
13. Kurt Nilsen - Push push
14. Henning Kvitnes - Stemmer i gresset
15. Valkyrien Allstars - Valkyrien Allstars
16. Nora Brockstedt - Nora - For Swingende
17. Solveig Slettahjell - Domestic songs
18. CC Cowboys - På Svalbard uten strøm
19. BigBang - Something Special - The Best
20. Erik og Kriss - Verden vil bedras

MIC Norway on the album "Tension and release" from "cosmic bikers"/"Reader's companion" alums WE: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2008011613285764012359

The nominees for this year's Spellemanprisen (the Norwegian Grammy) have been announced:

Female artist:
Ane Brun - Live In Scandinavia (Det Er Mine/V2)
Christel Alsos - Closing The Distance (Sony BMG)
Sissy Wish - Beauties Never Die (Sony BMG)
Susanne Sundfør - Susanne Sundfør (MBN)

Male artist:
Kenneth Ishak - Silver Lightning From A Black Sky (Division Records As)
Magnet - The Simple Life (Sony BMG)
Sivert Høyem & The Volunteers - Exiles (Hektor Grammofon)
William Hut - Nightfall (Universal Music AS)

Pop group:
Blind Archery Club - The Union (Sony BMG)
Superfamily - Warszawa (Propeller Rec.)
The Royalties - The Royalties (Blister Music)
Vidar Johnsen & Peter Nordberg - Ord Og Ögonblick (Sony BMG)

Electronica:
Alog - Amateur (Rune Grammofon)
Diskjokke - Staying In (Smalltown Supersound)
Salvatore - Days Of Rage (Racing Junior)

Rock:
BigBang - Too Much Yang (Warner Music/Grandsport Records)
Moving Oos - Peace And Love (Kong Tiki Records)
My Midnight Creeps - Histamin (MMC Records)
Raga Rockers - Übermensch (EMI/Pilot/Virgin)
The Lionheart Brothers - Dizzy Kiss (Racing Junior)

Country:
Hellbillies - Spissrotgang (EMI Music Norway)
Hemisfair - Blue Blue Grass Of Home (Wilma Records/Playground Music)
Shit City - God Bless Our Home (Voices of Wonder)
Steinar Albrigtsen - Moment Of Peace (Sony BMG)

Metal:
Audrey Horne - Le Fol (Indie Recordings)
Dimmu Borgir - In Sorte Diaboli (Nuclear Blast)
Mayhem - Ordo Ad Chao (Season Of Mist)
Red Harvest - A Greater Darkness (Season Of Mist)

Hip-hop:
El Axel - It Is Wha It Is (Pass It Records)
Madcon - So Dark The Con Of Man (Bonner Amigo)
Tommy Tee - No Studio No Time-The Wait (Tee Productions)

Folk:
Berit Opheim - Den Blide Sol (NorCD AS)
Ragnhild Furebotten - Endelig Vals (Talik Da)
Sigrid Moldestad - Taus (Heilo)
Trio Mediaeval - Folk Songs (ECM/Grappa)

Jazz:
Fossum-Aarum Quartet - F.A.Q. (Schmell)
Jon Balke - Book Of Velocities (ECM/Grappa)
Petter Wettre - Fountain Of Youth (Household Records)
Sharp Nine - Sudoku (The Real Thing Da/Staffan)
The Core - Office Essentials (Jazzland)

Open class:
Frode Haltli - Passing Images (ECM/Grappa)
Live Maria Roggen - Circuit Songs (Jazzland)
Pust - Femkant (Pust Records)
Shining - Grindstone (Rune Grammofon)
The Source - The Source Of Christmas - Live (Grappa Musikkforlag AS)

Best music video:
Dimmu Borgir - The Serpentine Offering (Nuclear Blast)
Heroes & Zeros - A Strange Constellation (Nightliner/Universal)
My Midnight Creeps - Don`t Let’Em Bring You Down (MMC Records)
Turbonegro - Do You Do You Dig Destruction (Scandinavian Leather Recordings)
WE - Hurdy Gurdy (Nun Music)

Best Newcomer:
Christel Alsos - Closing The Distance (Sony BMG)
Heroes & Zeros - Strange Constellations (Nightliner/Universal)
Susanne Sundfør - Susanne Sundfør (MBN)
Tine Thing Helseth - Haydn/Hummel/Albinoni/Neruda (Simax Classics)
Valkyrien Allstars - Valkyrien Allstars (Heilo)

Best song:
Kurt Nilsen - "Push Push" (Sony BMG)
Madcon - "Beggin'" (Bonnier Music)
Postgirobygget - "Tidløs" (EMI Music Norway)
Sichelle - "Fuck Deg" (Eccentric Music)
Venke Knutson - "Holiday" (Universal)

Read more: http://www.spellemann.no/

WE has confirmed that their new album "Tension & release" will be released in Norway on January 21, GAS on January 25 and Sweden/Finland/Denmark on January 28 with Europe and North America to follow. In addition to the previously announced limited edition CD/DVD combo, it will also be available in an extra-special 3xLP box which will include bonus tracks, a poster and an etched side. There will only be 666 copies for Norway and another 666 for Europe, so act fast if you want one.
In other news, the video for band's new single "Hurdy gurdy" is now on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WS9UAm_nJU

WE's next single "Hurdy gurdy" will be released in Norway on November 12 on 7" vinyl, CD and digital along with a video. The exclusive b-side of "RNR (I put my life)" was recorded live at Quart Festival in 2004. Said single will also be released in Scandinavian and GAS in January, preceding the new album "Tension & release" later the same month. The limited edition version of said album will also include a 30-min DVD doc filmed during the band's tour with Motörhead last year. Watch a trailer at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/cosmicbikerrock

Nun Music and Big Dipper are teaming up to release WE's new single "That's why (you're so fine)" on 7" vinyl b/w a cover of the Roky Erikson song "Cold night for alligators". It will be out in August.

There's a new video teaser from Norwegian "Reader's companion" alums WE up on myspace from their forthcoming live DVD: http://www.myspace.com/cosmicbikerrock

Preview the new single from Norwegian rockers and "Reader's companion" alums WE: http://www.nunmusic.com/releases.php
It's called "That's why (You're so fine)" and will officially be released on June 18.

Nun Music, the label founded by the dudes in WE, and German label Rodeostar Records have joined forces and their first collaborative effort will be copromoting Norwegian hardrockers Jaqueline across Europe. The single "Medicine man" will be released in April to coincide with a tour and the full album "Reaping machines" will follow sometime around August. Read more: http://www.nunmusic.com/

Norwegian hard-rockers WE have started work on a new album with the hopes to have a new single out around late May/early June.

Norwegian rockers WE are posting all of their various vinyl-only tracks on myspace, posting new ones every few weeks: http://www.myspace.com/cosmicbikerrock

Norwegian rockers WE will begin recording a new album at Hangaroundsounds in Oslo on January 2. The band has about 30 new songs written and will be testing out a few on their upcoming tour supporting Motörhead.