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 05 July 2008 05:10 BST

Ungdomskulen: The sky's the limit in terms of musicality

Thursday, 28 Feb 2008 19:25
The crazy Scandivanians are touring the UK alongside the Young Knives.
"We're just three normal guys who happen to make amazing music," is how Ungdomskulen bassist Frode Kvinge Flatland describes the three-piece rock outfit that he belongs to, with a knowing edge to his voice.

And it's this underlying sense of humour that bubbled throughout my interview with the group in the well-worn basement bar at the London Astoria.

As the capital's rush hour bustled around outside the famous venue, I awaited Ungdomskulen's arrival in the bar, the only available light coming from a harsh overhead lamp that gave the room the ambience of a Cold War spy thriller.

The group ambled in having returned from a late, late lunch.

Ungdomskulen comprise talkative and lively guitarist/vocalist Kristian Stockhaus, the quiet yet insightful bassist/vocalist Frode Kvinge Flatland and Oyvind Solheim, the warm and witty drummer. Stockhaus is from Sweden while his bandmates are Norwegians.

Ungdomskulen are in the UK touring with chic geeks the Young Knives, and their gig at the Astoria later that night, under the banner of the NME Awards, was the curtain raiser for the tour.

The band formed in 2004 and the trio are solid friends, however, as with all friends there can be times when differences arise.

With Ungdomskulen it comes at the songwriting stage as Kristian said: "It's like a sword fight between friends."

When pushed about who emerges as the victor from these 'swordfights', the trio said: "We're all top dog!"

The group's music is undeniably energetic with lashings of unconventional rock and punk stylings.

Kristian detailed how they find inspiration in a variety of things, ranging from a dog barking and birds singing to music, both good and bad. However, as the trio talk you're never quite sure where the humour stops and the actual insights begin.

I moved on to the subject of how their music comes together and Kristian said: "We like to challenge each other."

This throwing down of the gauntlet carries over to their gigs as Kristian said it's all about the challenge, and added that he is not keen on a set-list or being confined by a structured approach to creating and performing music.

Oyvind chimed in at this point, and said: "We can do anything we want."

Kristian said that the band's essential ethos is about having fun, and enjoying themselves musically. He said: "We're trying to make music that is fresh and accessible."

They admitted this enjoyment was somewhat selfish, and they are genuinely surprised and pleased when people say they like their music after a gig.

Ungdomskulen's enjoyment and constant challenging of one another is elaborated upon by Frode, who said: "At gigs we like to open some musical doors for ourselves. We have fun."

The group have released one album in November 2007 which is selling well, however, they see themselves as more of a live band.

Playing live has led to some noteworthy encounters. During a tour of America, a female fan asked them to sign her breasts.

All three band members granted the fan's wishes they explained with smiles etched on their faces.

As well as touring the States, the band are no strangers to these shores either having played 20 UK gigs since 2005 citing the Lumiere in Kilburn as their favourite place to play in Britain.

They toured with current running mates the Young Knives in 2007, and said in unison of the British indie outfit: "They're excellent guys."

When I asked the trio how they liked to unwind, I was treated to their quirky and, this time out, bawdy sense of humour.

Kristian said he liked to fornicate then guffawed loudly. Frode giggled and said how he enjoys soldering.

And they all laughed out loud when Oyvind said: "I like to cut wood. Really big pieces of wood."

Getting into the spirit, I asked if they ever combined their hobbies which was the cue for hearty belly laughs. Although there's a nagging feeling that it's Ungdomskulen’s party and anyone else is just a gatecrasher.

It was time to get back to the music, whereupon Oyvind said the band's ambition is "to put out a lot of records," and Kristian added: "The sky's the limit in terms of musicality."

And with that, the next journalist was ushered in, and within minutes the laughter started all over again.

Lee DavisEnd of story


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