Motorpsycho

Motorpsycho (initiated 1989 at Trøndertun, Melhus, Norway) is a band from Trondheim. Their music can generally be defined as progressive or psychedelic rock, but they also mix in elements from metal, jazz, post-rock, pop, country and many other musical styles. The members of the band are Bent Sæther (born 18 February 1969, bass/vocals), Hans Magnus "Snah" Ryan (born 31 December 1969, guitar/vocals) and Kenneth Kapstad (born 20 April 1979, drums). Until March 2005, Håkon Gebhardt (born 21 June 1969, drums) was also an integral part of the band. A press release concerning his departure is published at the Unofficial website. In December 2007 it was announced that former Gåte drummer Kenneth Kapstad was the new drummer in the band as well as an official band member.

Biography

Formed in the late 1980s as an alternative metal band (they picked their name after seeing the Russ Meyer film of the same name as part of a Russ Meyer triple bill - there was already a band named after Mudhoney and a band named after Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! - the other two films on the bill), Motorpsycho soon developed a unique blend of grunge, heavy metal and indierock, as well as incorporating the sonic noise experiments of associated member Deathprod. The hugely ambitious, progressive double album "Demon Box" (1993) followed a series of low-profile EPs and albums, earning the band a nomination for a Norwegian Grammy, and secured a loyal following in Germany, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands as well as in Scandinavia.

Bent Sæther

Bent Sæther (born 18 February 1969 in Oslo, Norway) is the bass guitarist and lead vocalist of the Norwegian psychedelic rock band Motorpsycho from the start in 1989.

Background

Sæther grew up in an apparment complex in Ammerud before moving to the more rural Ski, and to the family farm in Snåsa in Nord-Trøndelag at ten. He went to high school in Steinkjer, and attended the Norges Teknisk-Naturvitenskapelige Universitet in Trondheim, taking university courses in English and Social anthropology completing the former.

Career

In 1989 he started Motorpsycho with Hans Magnus Ryan and Kjell Runar "Killer" Jenssen. He also started the country rock band The International Tussler Society in 1993. 2012 saw Bent Sæther as producer for three Norwegian record, two of which are considered two of Norway's "four great" rock bands; deLillos's Vi er på vei, vi kanke snu and DumDum Boys Ti Liv. In addition, he produced the self-titled debut album of the country rock band The South.

Honors

Here Be Monsters

Here Be Monsters is the debut album by Ed Harcourt, released in 2001. It was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2001. Tim Holmes, one-half of British dance music duo Death In Vegas, co-produced the album.

Track listing

Personnel

Kenneth Kapstad

Kenneth Kapstad (born 20 April 1979) is a Norwegian musician (drums) from Trondheim, known as the drummer of the band Gåte (2004–05) and from collaborations within the bands Motorpsycho, Animal Alpha, Goat the Head and Monolithic.

Career

Kapstad was born in Løkken Verk. He attended the music program at Orkdal vgs., two years on Sund Folkehøgskole, a year at the conservatory in Agder Musikkonservatorium and four years on the Jazz program at Trondheim Musikkonservatorium (2001–05).

After the fenomenal success within Gåte, that ended just when it started to take off, Kapstad joined Motorpsycho duo guitarist Hans Magnus Ryan and bassist Bent Sæther in 2007. He also collaborates within bands like Dadafon (2003–2004), Cucumber (2004–2005), African Pepperbirds (2004–2006), Monolithic (2005 -), Goat the Head (2005 -), Animal Alpha (2006–2007), Thorns (2006 -), Martin Hagfors (2008 -), Møster! (2010 -), Grand General (2010 -), God Seed (2011 -), Resjemheia (2011 -) and Spidergawd (2013 -).

Hans Magnus Ryan

Hans Magnus Ryan, alias "Snah", (born December 31, 1969 in Trondheim, Norway) is a Norwegian rock musician (guitar & vocals), known as front figure of the band Motorpsycho.

Career

In 1989 Ryan and bassist Bent Sæther together with drummer Killer Mike (b. Kjell Runar Jenssen), formed Motorpsycho as an alternative metal band that very soon developed into a unique blend of heavy metal, grunge and indierock, as well as exploring the sonic noise experiments that is associated with the Associate Member Deathprod. After the debut album Lobotomizer (1991) was Håkon Gebhardt (b. 1969), new drummer. The ambitious, progressive album Demon Box (1993) gave the band a nomination for the Spellemannprisen, and secured Motorpsycho a loyal group of followers in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands as well as in Scandinavia. Kenneth Kapstad replaced drummer Håkon Gebhardt in 2007. Ryan also play the guitar in the band The International Tussler Society.

Style