Artist description Violet Scene is one of Norway`s leading alternative rock bands; their music is best described as melancholic yet powerful, with guitar- and drum-heavy arrangements to go along with strong melodic vocals.

Music Style Melancholic powerful guitar-heavy alternative rock

Musical Influences British guitar based alternative/independent and progressive rock

Similar Artists Radiohead, The Cure, Suede, The Smiths, U2, Pink Floyd, The Church, House of Love, Smashing Pumpkins, Simple Minds, David Bowie, Joy Division, New Order, The Stone Roses, Blondie, Sonic Youth

Artist History Founded in April 1995; has earned a reputation as being one of the country's best live acts; has released one album and one EP on its own label, in 1996 and 1999 respectively. Disbanded in 2000, due to the individual members' wish to try out other band constellations. Ralf Lofstad, Jo Espen Bergseth and Arvid Nordstrand went off to form Still Doing Sky with Fredrik Rødsæther (see www.mp3.com/stilldoingsky for further details), while Kjetil Bergseth had already formed a prog-rock band, Tammatoys (info at www.tammatoys.com) . By summer 2001, Still Doing Sky had disbanded, rendering the members free to pursue other projects. Speculations and rumours concerning a Violet Scene re-form emerged immediately after the split, uncovering a strong wish among Violet Scene's fans to see the band re-emerge on the music scene. As per November 2002, well-founded rumours say that Violet Scene will return as a trio comprising Lofstad, JE Bergseth and Nordstrand.

Group Members Ralf Gundersen Lofstad (guitars/vocals/production/engineering/mixing), Jo Espen Bergseth (electric bass), Arvid Nordstrand (drums), Kjetil Bergseth (1995-2000, vocals/guitars/keyboards/production/mixing), Thor Mosaker (1997-2000, keyboards), Asbjørn Risøy (1995-1996, guitars/vocals)

Instruments Guitar, bass, drums and keyboards

Albums Pieces, EP

Press Reviews "The music is fascinating ...the band sounds excessively tight ...the production does not sound anywhere near the production of a debut ...Violet Scene's album impresses." (Kjell Henning Thon's review of "Pieces" in evening issue of Aftenposten, Oslo's leading newspaper, December 1996)

Location Oslo, Oslo - Norway

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