Originally calling themselves the Nazipenis, this band has so many influences listed that it’s hard to put them into a single genre category. If I had to, I suppose I would categorize Turbonegro as punk, but that wouldn’t do his style justice. Hailing from the heavy rock scene in Oslo, Norway, these 5 metal hunters are the Vikings of Norwegian punk!
Turbonegro has a definite anti-racist and anti-nationalist, but its name implies the opposite. Why did you choose the name Turbonegro? According to guitarist Euroboy, his bandmate Pal saw the term graffiti on the subway wall and explains: “It’s actually two Latin words, it means fast and black and we thought it was a great name for a band. Because our music is very fast. and very dark. And also, it is the name of a color. In the automotive industry, it is the name of the paint, of the darkest paint. If you want to paint your car black, the blackest color of all is Turbonegro . “
But if you were to ask Turbenegro founder Tom Seltzer (aka Happy-Tom), the name takes on a completely different personality. He claims that “a black turbot is a large, well-equipped black man armed in a fast car, seeking revenge. We are his prophets.” Still, it is an interesting nickname that is not soon forgotten.
The band has successfully combined the genres of glam rock, hard core punk, and heavy metal into one signature sound. To create that sound, they have influences as diverse as KISS, New York Dolls, Iggy Pop, Alice Cooper, AC / DC, and The Stooges, among many others. Add in a couple of Norwegian bands like Dumdum Boys and Jokke and Valentinerne and you get to … TURBONEGRO!
Tom Seltzer formed the original lineup in 1989 with the talents of Vegard Heskestad, Pal Bottger Kjaerne, Rune Gronn, Pal Erik Carlin and Tor-Kristian Jensen, also known as “TK”. Later that first year in March 1989, the band played their first live show in Copenhagen, Denmark at the Ungdomshuset club. Then a live show in his hometown of Oslo in April.
In the middle of that local tour of Norway, Turbonegro managed to record a debut album (Route Zero) and an EP (Turboloid). After the release of these recordings, Turbonegro underwent a personnel change, losing drummer Carlos Carrasco to Anal Babes.
That September, Route Zero was reissued with two Turboloid tracks as singles. This kicked off a tour of the United States that began in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Immediately after his arrival, Rune Gronn was badly beaten in a fight and was hospitalized for three weeks, the duration of the tour. As a result, that tour was disastrous.
Over the years, the band has undergone numerous member changes and has released nine albums, two EPs, three compilations, and a LOT of singles. They remain a success story today and are active in the industry. Their self-described style is “deathpunk” and they often attack political stereotypes.
The music is fast, harmonic at times and immensely, immensely dark. Turbonegro has struggled to be categorized in his own gender and refuses to be put in a box containing his message (s). They do their thing, play their own music, and refuse to be silenced.
Greetings Turbonegro !!