Gnom

Infobox musical artist
Name = gnom


Background = group_or_band
Origin = Bryne, Norway
Genre = Folk
Years_active = 1995-2000
Label = Shimmer Recordings
URL =
Current_members =
Past_members = Janove Ottesen
Geir Zahl
Helge Risa
Rune Solheim
Rolf Prestø

gnom (gnome) was a Norwegian folk music band, the third band started by Janove Ottesen and Geir Zahl. Despite being relatively obsolete on the Norwegian musical scene, it is an important part of the creation of Kaizers Orchestra.

History

After Ottesen and Zahl's previous band, Blod Snått & Juling, dissolved, Janove joined the army, where he wrote some songs that were recorded on a demo (known to fans as Janoves Soloprosjekt). Some of these songs wound up being recorded on the acoustic demo for the new band Janove and Geir started when they were together again, namely, gnom. Janove and Geir were soon joined by Helge Risa on pump organ, and Rune Solheim on drums (the two would later continue on as members of Kaizers Orchestra) and Rolf Prestø, known as "Bestefar", (grandpa) on bass. gnom's first, and only, release was "Mys" (1997), of which there were made 1000 copies, less than half of which were sold in the first year of its release.

The band had to struggle to obtain any performance spots, and if one was available, the spectators were about 20, average. However, after the release of "Mys", Janove wrote a song called "Bastard", which had a very Tom Waits-esque sound to it, and for which the band utilized oil barrels as percussion. However, the band quickly began to dissolve due to lack of gigs and success. However, Ottesen decided to write songs in the same vein as "Bastard", and as a result, he and Geir created a new band, known as Kaizers Orchestra.

Today, an original copy of "Mys" is a rare collector's item, coveted by the fans of Kaizers Orchestra.

Discography

Albums

*"Mys" (1998)
*"Mys" (Remastered) (2003)

External links

* [http://video.aol.com/video-detail/gnom-hysj/428553036 Video] of Geir Zahl and Janove Ottesen playing Hysj from Mys