Hellbillies | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Ål,Hallingdal, Norway |
| Genres | Rock country rock |
| Years active | 1990-present |
| Labels | EMI |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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| Website | hellbillies.com |
Hellbillies is a Norwegianrock band, formed in 1990 inÅl, a town located inHallingdal.[1]
Hellbellies are among Norway's most popular recording artists.[2] As of 2012, they have released 13 albums—including a compilation and two live albums—as well as three live concert DVDs. Their lyrics are written and sung in the dialect of the Hallingdal area of Norway, and there is evidence of influence from traditional (folk) Norwegian music, giving a distinctive "Norwegian" flavor to their country music.
Their early albums often included songs originally recorded by country music artists from the US with Hellbillies writing new lyrics in the Ål dialect of Norwegian, with the settings of the lyrics differing sharply from the source songs. Examples includeEi krasafaren steinbu (Past the Point of Rescue byHal Ketchum) andPela stein (Against the Grain byGarth Brooks).
Later efforts have included much more original material that reflect contemporary Norwegian people and Norwegian life and issues. They have also gradually changed their musical style from country to rock.
They have collaborated with musicians from the US. For example,Rob Hajacos fromNashville, who plays thefiddle on mostGarth Brooks albums, Rob plays on three of Hellbillies’ albums.
In 2013 Hellbillies appeared at theKongsberg Jazz Festival performing together with Jazz guests the Violin virtuosoOla Kvernberg and the super trumpeterMathias Eick.[3] In 2013 they also contributed to the bookThink Like a Rockstar (Tenk som en rockestjerne,[4] written byStåle Økland.
Current members
Live and studio members
Former members
| Awards | ||
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| Preceded by | Recipient of theSpellemannprisen as This year'sSpellemann 2007 | Succeeded by |
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