ESBEN MEYER KRISTENSEN
Songwriter, vocals & guitar
Ever since he discovered the album «White Light White Heat White Trash» at the age of 10, he’s been a die hard fan of Mike Ness and Social Distortion. He’s even got the album cover, a couple of portraits of Mike and some of his lyrics inked on his arms. So yeah, he’s a fan allright! Esben is also hugely influenced by irish folk, 60’s, funk, raggae and all kinds of rock and metal. His love for the written word began in his early teens and he has been writing songs in different genres ever since.
Other current acts: Sanndrømt, Esben Meyer & Eightysix
Artists/bands of inspiration: Mike Ness & Social Distortion, David Gilmour & Pink Floyd, Insomnium, Pantera, Slayer, Avantasia, Rancid, CCR, Steve Earle & Vito Bratta of White Lion
Favourite song: The Conjurer by Insomnium
Favourite album: Close call between White Light White Heat White Trash by Social Distortion and The Division Bell by Pink Floyd
All-time favourite instrument: My ’82 Aria Pro II Les Paul. And I got a thing for bagpipes
Favourite movie: True Romance
Favourite tv-show: Game Of Thrones
Favourite actor: Woody Harrelson
Favourite comedian: Ricky Gervais
Dream car: ’57 Chevy Bel Air in Larkspur blue. Work of art
Sports: Football (Soccer)
Pepsi or Coke? Pepsi. Addicted, more or less
Apple or Android? Apple all the way
Mountains or sea? Mountains are magnificent to look at, but nothing can beat the calmness the sea gives me
Plan ahead or wing it? Prefer planning ahead, but way too often I end up wingin’ it
Guilty pleasure: All foods that are unhealthy. And wearing tank tops and Hawaiian shirts
TONY MOEN
Bass
When asked about what his inspirations and favourite bands are; ”Man! This is hard…I’m so inspired that i don’t even know the name of any bass players. I have ridiciously little knowledge about any bands. I Guess I’m just inspired by songs regardless of who’s playing». After a quick google-search he decided that John Entwistle from The Who, Justin Chancellor from Tool and Steve Harris from Iron Maiden was worth mentioning (Actually he didn’t have to Google Steve Harris). And after this section was launched on the world wide web he wanted to add some bands to the list as well. Great talent, great guy and the most laidback dude you’ll ever meet.
Other current acts: Few Dollars More
Artists/bands of inspiration: Gåte, Madrugada, Tool, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd
Favourite song: High Hopes by Pink Floyd
Favourite album: The Boatman’s Call by Nick Cave
All-time favourite instrument: Piano
Favourite movie: Lord Of The Rings-trilogy
Favourite tv-show: Breaking Bad
Favourite actor: Tom Hardy
Favourite comedian: Jimmy Carr
Dream car: Jeep
Sports: Climbing
Pepsi or Coke? Coke
Apple or Android? Android
Mountains or sea? Mountains
Plan ahead or wing it? Wing it
Guilty pleasure: Karaoke
SONDRE GAUTEFALD
Lead guitar
This guy got 7 years of musical education on his back, immense talent and lots of experience despite of his young age. Guitar teacher, backline tech, musical director and he even knows Spanish. His dad and his neighbour Sputnik (a well known Norwegian musician) got him into music when he was just a kid. He has specialized himself in Jazz music but he’s also hugely inspired by Lars Håvard Haugen of the Norwegian country-rock band Hellbillies wich has given him an amazing versatility.
Other current acts: Byting, Soft Punch, Carlisle Sienes, Sondre Gautefald Quintet
Artists/bands of inspiration: Hellbillies, Brad Paisley and Big Bang
Favourite song: A Hard Day’s Night by The Beatles
Favourite album: Hysteria by Def Leppard
All-time favourite instrument: Hammond B3 / C3 with Leslie tube-amp
Favourite movie: Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back
Favourite tv-show: Game Of Thrones
Favourite actor: Matthew McConaughey
Favourite comedian: Morten Ramm
Dream car: Chevy Camaro
Sports: Alpine skiing
Pepsi or Coke? Coke
Apple or Android? Apple
Mountains or sea? Mountains
Plan ahead or wing it? Wing it
Guilty pleasure: Lego
TRULS KRISTOFFER VENNMAN
Drums
Truls is all about the beat, rhythm, groove and catchiness so he has never really had just one favourite artist or band. Like Esben he began listening to punk-rock at an early age and through his junior high years different kinds of metal music caught his ear. He had a soft spot for Norwegian black metal and rocked the stage in his teens together with Esben wearing latex-pants and corpse-paint on their faces. Then he discovered cars and the open road and fell in love HARD with the amazing sound of 90’s country music.
Artists/Bands of inspiration: Metallica, Dream Theater, Tool, Emperor, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Aaron Tippin, Shenandoah, Travis Tritt, Randy Travis, Keith Whitley & Hellbillies
Favourite song: How’s The Radio Know by Aaron Tippin
Favourite album: Pela Stein by Hellbillies
All-time favourite instrument: My current drums, Gretsch Brooklyn (Grey Oyster)
Favourite movie: Crazy Heart
Favourite tv-show: Seinfeld
Favourite actor: Morgan Freeman
Favourite comedian: Will Ferrell
Dream car: ’55 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing (W198)
Sports: Different kinds of motor racing
Pepsi or Coke? Coke
Apple or Android? Apple
Mountains or sea? Mountains
Plan ahead or wing it? Always wingin’ it
Guilty pleasure: Blue by Reset
Torstein Vesteng Vala
Guitar & keys
If you think you’ve already met the guy with the biggest smile in the whole world, then think again! That guy is without a shred of doubt Torstein. He’s a very versatile guitarist and an excellent pianist who simply gets inspired by the joy of playing music in front of a crowd. Jimi Hendrix and Alvin Lee from Ten Years After got him into playing the guitar and Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson inspired him to try out the piano. Torstein joined the band in 2020 after being Wild Whens’ sound guy for a couple of years.
Other current acts: Lady-T Band
Artists/bands of inspiration: Cory Wong, Jimi Hendrix, Alvin Lee, Rick Davies & Roger Hodgson
Favourite song: Coming Up by Paul McCartney
Favourite album: Closing Time by Tom Waits
All-time favourite instrument: Fender Jazzmaster
Favourite movie: Lord Of The Rings
Favourite tv-show: The Wire
Favourite actor: Larry David
Favourite comedian: Norm McDonald
Dream car: ’57 Chevy Bel Air Convertible
Sports: MotoGP
Pepsi or Coke? Coke
Apple or Android? Android
Mountains or sea? Mountains
Plan ahead or wing it? Plan ahead
Guilty pleasure: Slapstick
