Motorpsycho

Biography

Motorpsycho is a Norwegian rock band from Trondheim. Their music can generally be defined as progressive or psychedelic rock, but they also mix in elements from alternative, jazz, post-rock, pop, country and many other musical styles. The stable members of the band are Bent Sæther (born 18 February 1969, bass/vocals) and Hans Magnus "Snah" Ryan (born 31 December 1969, guitar/vocals). From 1992 to March 2005, Håkon Gebhardt (born 21 June 1969) was the band's drummer. From December 2007 to May 2016 Kenneth Kapstad was the drummer of the band, being replaced by Tomas Järmyr, who joined in early 2017. Järmyr left the band in January 2023.

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 indie rock, as well as incorporating the sonic noise experiments of associated member Deathprod. The hugely ambitious, progressive double album Demon Box×Demon Box17 September 1993 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube MusicTracklist · 14 tracks1Waiting for the One2:502Nothing to Say5:183Feedtime5:154Sunchild4:055Tuesday Morning4:226All Is Loneliness5:087Come On In2:408Step Inside Again3:399Demon Box17:0610Babylon2:3011Junior4:3412Plan #17:3913Sheer Profoundity3:3714The One Who Went Away3:13 (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.
The 1990s was an extremely productive era for the band. They released new material almost every year and enjoyed critical acclaim for each album—though not the massive sales the music press kept predicting.
With the 2000 album Let Them Eat Cake×Let Them Eat CakeFebruary 2000 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1The Other Fool5:402Upstairs-Downstairs5:123Big Surprise3:364Walkin’ With J.3:595Never Let You Out2:466Whip That Ghost (Song for a Bro’)6:307Stained Glass6:128My Best Friend4:22930/307:21, Motorpsycho suddenly took huge steps away from their noisy hard rock roots, opting instead for a smoother, jazz-tinged approach to the songwriting and recording process. They kept this technique for the subsequent releases, Phanerothyme and It's A Love Cult.
Drummer Hakon Gebhardt left the band in 2003. The double album Black Hole/Blank Canvas was released 17/20 March 2006 in Europe, with Bent Saether playing drums. The album received great reviews. Drums on the following tour were played by Jacco van Rooij.
On 28 March 2008 Motorpsycho released an album entitled Little Lucid Moments×Little Lucid Moments28 March 2008 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Little Lucid Moments: Lawned (Consciousness Causes Collapse) / A Hoof to the Head / Hallucifuge (Hyperrealistically Speaking…) / Sweet Oblivion/Perfect Sense21:052Year Zero (A Damage Report)11:263She Left on the Sun Ship14:254The Alchemyst12:27, with new drummer Kenneth Kapstad, and on 16 March 2008 a DVD containing music videos, live footage and documentaries entitled Haircuts.
To celebrate their 20th anniversary, the band released a vinyl-only album, Child of the Future×Child of the Future7 August 2009 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 7 tracksA1The Ozzylot (Hidden in a Girl)4:30A2Riding the Tiger5:25A3Whole Lotta Diana8:57B1Cornucopia (…or Satan, Uh… Something)6:24B2Mr. Victim4:17B3The Waiting Game4:57B4Child of the Future5:00, recorded by Steve Albini at the beginning of August 2009.
In January 2010 Motorpsycho released the album Heavy Metal Fruit×Heavy Metal Fruit15 January 2010 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1Starhammer (feat. The Electric Psalmon)12:572X‐3 (Knuckleheads in Space) / The Getaway Special9:043The Bomb‐Proof Roll and Beyond (for Arnie Hassle)6:024Close Your Eyes3:405W.B.A.T.9:446Gullible’s Travails, Parts I–IV20:42, their first album featuring an external producer, Kåre Vestrheim, and also their third album in under two years.
In October 2011 the Dutch venue Effenaar released a limited edition live album exclusively on vinyl entitled Strings Of Stroop – Motorpsycho Live At Effenaar. The album features four Motorpsycho tracks recorded during various Motorpsycho shows at Effenaar between 1999 and 2010. Only 500 copies were pressed and sold at the band's 14th show in the venue.
On 10 February 2012 Motorpsycho released the double CD/LP effort The Death Defying Unicorn×The Death Defying Unicorn10 February 2012 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks · 2 discsDisc 1A1Out of the Woods2:40A2The Hollow Lands7:37A3Through the Veil, Part I11:45B1Through the Veil, Part II5:37B2Doldrums2:30B3Into the Gyre9:50B4Flotsam1:30Disc 2C1Oh, Proteus – A Prayer7:35C2Sculls in Limbo2:19C3La Lethe6:46C4Oh, Proteus – A Lament2:12D1Sharks7:53D2Mutiny!8:32D3Into the Mystic6:56 in collaboration with keyboardist Ståle Storløkken from the free improv group Supersilent. The album is a reworking of an instrumental suite commissioned by and performed at Moldejazz 2010. During 2011, Sæther produced lyrics for a sweeping narrative, thus making the album version a concept album. As in its initial performance at the Norwegian Opera and Ballet, the band and Storløkken are augmented by contributions from Trondheimssolistene, Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, violinist Ola Kvernberg and long time collaborating visual artist Pekka Stokke on stage design. The core quartet performed the album in its entirety on every date during a March/April 2012 tour of Europe.
After the release and tour accompanying the Unicorn, the band felt the need to return to more traditional, guitar-based grounds and with Reine Fiske as second guitarist, recorded two albums, Still Life With Eggplant×Still Life With Eggplant12 April 2013 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Hell, Part 1–39:472August4:533Barleycorn (Let It Come/Let It Be)7:194Ratcatcher17:105The Afterglow5:57 (released in spring 2013) and Behind the Sun×Behind the Sun7 March 2014 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Cloudwalker (A Darker Blue)6:052Ghost6:373On a Plate4:084The Promise4:395Kvæstor (incl. Where Greyhounds Dare)7:086Hell, Part 4-6: Traitor / The Tapestry / Swiss Cheese Mountain12:237Entropy7:228The Magic & the Wonder (A Love Theme)4:409Hell, Part 7: Victim of Rock7:35 (released in March 2014). To coincide with the release of Behind the Sun, Motorpsycho launched their first-ever official website, www.motorpsycho.no.
After years of institutionalising the band in Norway, Motorpsycho were inducted at Rockheim, Norway's rock music hall of fame, in a TV broadcast ceremony.
In 2016 the band released the studio album Here Be Monsters×Here Be Monsters12 February 2016 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 7 tracks1Sleepwalking0:572Lacuna/Sunrise9:473Running With Scissors5:394I.M.S.7:055Spin, Spin, Spin4:086Sleepwalking Again0:577Big Black Dog17:43, which evolved from a piece of music they wrote for the Oslo Teknisk Museums birthday. The band played some songs in the museum, with the help of Ståle Storløkken, and then decided to work on it in the studio.
In May 2016, after completing the European Here Be Monsters Tour, Kenneth Kapstad left Motorpsycho. Core members Sæther and Ryan spent the remainder of the year writing, rehearsing and performing a live score to the Carl Frode Tiller-written play Begynnnelser (eng. Beginnings) in a 38-date autumn run at Trøndelag Teater.
In a January 2, 2017, news update on their official home page, the band announced Swedish drummer Tomas Järmyr to be the third permanent member of Motorpsycho. Together, they have recorded The Tower in Los Angeles and Joshua Tree (at the famous recording studio, Rancho de la Luna), which was released on September 8 the same year.
On January 8, 2023, Järmyr left the band.
In 2024 Motorpsycho contributed their version of the song "Up to Me" from the 1971 album Aqualung by Jethro Tull to the album Aqualung (Redux) released through Magnetic Eye Records on 6 December 2024. The song has been referred to as "the album's strangest song, a mixture of psychedelic blues" and "medieval-sounding acoustic verses highlighted by flute and percussion." They wanted to make a modern version of the song and not sound "too close to the original." The result was a heavier version that "retained the characteristic flute interludes" with a "rumbling bassline that rattles along on its own momentum."

Current line up

Bent Sæther – lead vocals, bass, guitars, keyboards, drums (1989– )
Hans Magnus "Snah" Ryan – lead guitars, vocals, keyboards, mandolin, violin, bass (1989– )

Previous members

Kjell Runar "Killer" Jenssen – drums (1989–1991)
Håkon Gebhardt – drums, vocals, banjo, guitar (1991–2005)
Helge "Deathprod" Sten – theremin, various electronics, audio virus (1992–1994; frequent guest and producer 1994–2002, 2007, 2015, 2019)
Lars Lien – keyboards, vocals (1993–1996, 2004; infrequent guest)
Morten "Lolly" Fagervik – rhythm guitar, keyboards, drums (1994–1996, 2004)
Kenneth Kapstad – drums (2007–2016)
Tomas Järmyr – drums (2017–2023)

Major collaborators

Matt Burt – voice, poetry (1993, 1996)
Kjell Karlsen – steel guitar, vocals (1994, 2004)
Øyvind Brandtsegg – Marimba Lumina and ImproSculpt programming (1994; live, 2006)
Ole Henrik "Ohm" Moe – violin, saw, piano (1996–2000, 2013)
Baard Slagsvold – keyboards, vocals (1999–2003)
Jacco van Rooij – drums (live, 2006)
Pekka Stokke – visuals (live, 2006—)
Ståle Storløkken – keyboards (2010–2012, 2014)
Reine Fiske – guitar, keyboards (2012–2014, 2018– )
Ola Kvernberg – violin (2012–2013, 2018–2022)
Kristoffer Lo – keyboards, flugabone, rhythm guitar, backing vocals (live, 2017)
Lars Horntveth – guitar, flute, keyboards (2001–2002, 2018—2020)
Ole Paus – guitar, vocals (2019—2020; died 2023)
Olaf Olsen – drums (live/studio, 2023)
Ingvald André Vassbø – drums (live/studio, 2023– )
TrondheimSolistene
Trondheim Jazzorkester

Spellemannsprisen

Spellemannprisen is often referred to as the Norwegian Grammy Awards in English. It is a Norwegian music award presented to Norwegian musicians.
As of 2020, Motorpsycho have received 14 nominations, with four wins.

Spellemannprisen 1993 nominated in the class Rock, for the album Demon Box×Demon Box17 September 1993 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube MusicTracklist · 14 tracks1Waiting for the One2:502Nothing to Say5:183Feedtime5:154Sunchild4:055Tuesday Morning4:226All Is Loneliness5:087Come On In2:408Step Inside Again3:399Demon Box17:0610Babylon2:3011Junior4:3412Plan #17:3913Sheer Profoundity3:3714The One Who Went Away3:13
Spellemannprisen 1994 in the class Best album cover, for the album Timothy's Monster created by Kim Hiorthøy
Spellemannprisen 1996 in the class Rock, for the album Blissard×Blissard19 February 1996 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Sinful, Wind-borne5:212≪ Drug Thing ≫4:383Greener6:144's Numbness3:585The Nerve Tattoo4:036True Middle4:527S.T.G.9:468Manmower4:169Fools Gold3:5610Nathan Daniel's Tune From Hawaii6:12
Spellemannprisen 1997 in the class Hard rock, for the album Angels and Daemons at Play×Angels and Daemons at Play23 February 1997 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks0Ohm's Concerto for Alto and Soprano Saw1:451Sideway Spiral I2:342Walking on the Water4:203Heartattack Mac7:424Pills, Powders + Passion Plays3:245In the Family5:256Un chien d'espace13:407Sideway Spiral II3:228Like Always3:409Stalemate4:5610Starmelt / Lovelight3:3111Timothy's Monster4:17
Spellemannprisen 2000 in the class Rock, for the album Let Them Eat Cake×Let Them Eat CakeFebruary 2000 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1The Other Fool5:402Upstairs-Downstairs5:123Big Surprise3:364Walkin’ With J.3:595Never Let You Out2:466Whip That Ghost (Song for a Bro’)6:307Stained Glass6:128My Best Friend4:22930/307:21
Spellemannprisen 2001 nominated in the class Rock, for the album Phanerothyme×Phanerothyme3 September 2001 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracksA1Bedroom Eyes2:19A2For Free5:13A3B.S.3:42A4Landslide4:39A5The Slow Phaseout4:31B1Go to California8:00B2Painting the Night Unreal6:36B3Blindfolded3:44B4When You're Dead4:53
Spellemannprisen 2003 nominated in the class Åpen klasse, for the album In The Fishtank×In the Fishtank2002 · EPSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracksA1Bombay Brassière5:57A2Pills, Powders and Passion Plays7:05A3Doffen Ah Um4:57A4Theme de Yoyo7:28B1Tristano20:53 (With Jaga Jazzist Horns).
Spellemannprisen 2008 nominated in the class Rock, for the album Little Lucid Moments×Little Lucid Moments28 March 2008 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Little Lucid Moments: Lawned (Consciousness Causes Collapse) / A Hoof to the Head / Hallucifuge (Hyperrealistically Speaking…) / Sweet Oblivion/Perfect Sense21:052Year Zero (A Damage Report)11:263She Left on the Sun Ship14:254The Alchemyst12:27
Spellemannprisen 2009 nominated in the class Rock, for the album Child of the Future×Child of the Future7 August 2009 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 7 tracksA1The Ozzylot (Hidden in a Girl)4:30A2Riding the Tiger5:25A3Whole Lotta Diana8:57B1Cornucopia (…or Satan, Uh… Something)6:24B2Mr. Victim4:17B3The Waiting Game4:57B4Child of the Future5:00
Spellemannprisen 2010 nominated in the class Rock, for the album Heavy Metal Fruit×Heavy Metal Fruit15 January 2010 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1Starhammer (feat. The Electric Psalmon)12:572X‐3 (Knuckleheads in Space) / The Getaway Special9:043The Bomb‐Proof Roll and Beyond (for Arnie Hassle)6:024Close Your Eyes3:405W.B.A.T.9:446Gullible’s Travails, Parts I–IV20:42
Spellemannprisen 2012 nominated in the class Rock, for the album The Death-Defying Unicorn
Spellemannprisen 2013 nominated in the class Rock, for the album Still Life With Eggplant×Still Life With Eggplant12 April 2013 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Hell, Part 1–39:472August4:533Barleycorn (Let It Come/Let It Be)7:194Ratcatcher17:105The Afterglow5:57
Spellemannprisen 2017 nominated in the class Rock, for the album The Tower×The Tower8 September 2017 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11The Tower8:422Bartok of the Universe6:073A.S.F.E.6:534Intrepid Explorer9:505Stardust3:346In Every Dream Home8:19Disc 21The Maypole3:392A Pacific Sonata15:393The Cuckoo7:204Ship of Fools14:42
Spellemannprisen 2020 nominated in the class Rock, for the album The All Is One×The All Is One28 August 2020 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11The All is One8:502The Same Old Rock (One Must Imagine Sisyphus Happy)5:183The Magpie5:364Delusion (The Reign of Humbug)2:445N.O.X. I: Circles Around the Sun Pt.19:116N.O.X. II: Ouroboros (Strange Loop )8:237N.O.X. III: Ascension3:38Disc 21N.O.X. IV: Night of Pan15:332N.O.X. V: Circles Around the Sun Pt.25:543A Little Light2:194Dreams of Fancy9:375The Dowser2:466Like Chrome5:04

Other

1999: Gammleng Award in the class Pop/Rock
2001: Alarm Award in the class Rock for the album Let Them Eat Cake×Let Them Eat CakeFebruary 2000 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1The Other Fool5:402Upstairs-Downstairs5:123Big Surprise3:364Walkin’ With J.3:595Never Let You Out2:466Whip That Ghost (Song for a Bro’)6:307Stained Glass6:128My Best Friend4:22930/307:21
2010: Edvard Prize for the album Child of the Future×Child of the Future7 August 2009 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 7 tracksA1The Ozzylot (Hidden in a Girl)4:30A2Riding the Tiger5:25A3Whole Lotta Diana8:57B1Cornucopia (…or Satan, Uh… Something)6:24B2Mr. Victim4:17B3The Waiting Game4:57B4Child of the Future5:00
2012: Trondheim Municipality Cultur Prize
2015: Nord-Trøndelag County Cultur Prize
2017: Rockheim Hall of Fame inductees

As The International Tussler Society

2004: "Satans Favourite Son" (Promo-single)
2004: "Laila Lou" (Promo-single)

Singles

1992: 3 Songs for Rut
1996: Sinful, Windborne
2001: The Slow Phaseout (Promo single)
2001: Go To California (Promo single)
2006: Hyena (Promo-single)
2010: X-3
2010: The Visitant
2014: Toys (Included with select copies of August edition of Trondheim magazine "Gatemagasinet Sorgenfri")
2015: Psychonaut/Toys
2016: Spin, Spin, Spin
2020: X-mastime Is Here!
2021: Ulv! Ulv!

Singles and music videos

Have Fun (1992)
Sheer Profundity (1993)
Nothing To Say (1993)
Another Ugly Tune (1994)
Wearing Yr Smell (1994)
Feel (1994)
Now It's Time To Skate (1994)
Watersound (1994)
Mad Sun (1996)
Manmower (1996)
Sinful, Wind-Borne (1996)
The Nerve Tattoo (1996)
Starmelt/Lovelight (1997)
Hey, Jane (1998)
The Other Fool (2000)
Walkin' With J (2000)
Go To California (2000)
The Slow Phaseout (2001)
Serpentine (2002)
Victim of Rock (2014)
On a Plate (2014)
Spin, Spin, Spin (2016)
Intrepid Explorer (2018)
W.C.A. (2023)
Stanley (Tonight's the Night) (2025)