The Sugarcubes were an Icelandic art-pop band that released three albums between 1988 and 1992. The band’s Ray Schulman-produced debut, Life’s Too Good, was promoted internationally on Elektra and Rough Trade, making it the first commercially successful album in the English-speaking market by an Icelandic outfit. Members: Björk (vocals), Einar Örn (vocals, trumpet), Þór Eldon […]
Trúbrot were an Icelandic psych-rock band that issued two albums and a pair of shortplayers on Parlophone circa 1969/70, followed by the popular Tónaútgáfan release ….Lifun and the self-pressed Mandala in 1971 and 1972. Members: Rúnar Júlíusson (vocals, bass), Gunnar Þórðarson (guitar), Gunnar Jökull Hákonarson (drums, 1969-70, 1971-72), Karl Sighvatsson (keyboards, 1969-70, 1971-72), Shady Owens (vocals, […]
Svanfríður were an Icelandic art-rock/psych band that existed for 17 months between 1972 and 1973, releasing an album and single on self-press Swan. Members: Birgir Hrafnsson (guitars, backing vocals), Gunnar Hermannsson (bass, backing vocals), Sigurður Karlsson (drums, percussion), Pétur Wigelund Kristjánsson (vocals, Moog), Björgvin Gíslason (guitar, 1973) Discography: What’s Hidden There? (1972) “Jibbý jei” / […]
Spilverk Þjóðanna were an Icelandic folk-rock/pop band that released six albums between 1975 and 1979, mostly on Steinar, including one collaborative effort with Reykjavik rock legend Megas. Members: Valgeir Guðjónsson (vocals, guitar), Sigurður Bjóla Garðarsson (vocals, guitar, percussion), Egill Ólafsson (vocals, bass, 1973-77), Sigrún Hjálmtýssdóttir [aka Diddú] (vocals, 1975-79), Magnús Einarsson (guitar, 1978) Discography: Spilverk […]
Purrkur Pillnikk were an Icelandic New Wave/art-punk band that released three albums and two EPs on Gramm between 1981 and 1983. Members: Einar Örn (vocals), Bragi Ólafsson (bass), Fridrik Erlingsson (guitar), Asgeir Bragason (drums) Discography: Ehgji En (1981) Tilf (EP, 1981) No Time to Think (EP, 1982) Googooplex (1982) Maskínan (1983)
Þeyr were an Icelandic New Wave/art-punk band that released three singles and four shortplayers between 1980 and 1983, primarily on Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson’s small-press Eskvímó. Members: Magnús Guðmundsson (vocals), Þorsteinn Magnússon [aka Stanya] (guitar), Sigtryggur Baldursson [aka Bogomil Font] (drums), Guðlaugur Kristinn Óttarsson (guitar), Hilmar Örn Agnarsson (bass), Elín Reynisdóttir (vocals), Jóhannes Helgason (guitar), Eiríkur […]
Pelican were an Icelandic pop/rock band that issued the album Uppteknir on Á. Á. Records in 1974, followed by the self-released Lítil Fluga in 1975. Members: Pétur Kristjánsson (vocals), Björgvin Gíslason (guitar), Ómar Óskarsson (bass, guitar), Ásgeir Óskarsson (drums), Jón Ólafsson (bass), Guðmundur Jónsson (guitar) Discography: Uppteknir (1974) Lítil Fluga (1975)
Náttúra were an Icelandic psych-rock band led by guitarist Björgvin Gíslason through several lineups between 1969 and 1973. The band self-released the album Magic Key in 1971. Members: Björgvin Gíslason (guitar), Sigurður Árnason (bass), Rafn Haraldsson (drums, 1969-71), Jónas R. Jónsson (vocals, flute, 1969-70), Pétur Kristjánsson (vocals, 1970-71), Sigurður Rúnar Jónsson (violin, keyboards, 1970-71), Ólafur […]
Mezzoforte are an Icelandic jazz-funk band that has released more than 15 albums since 1979. Members: Eyþór Gunnarsson (keyboards), Fridrik Karlsson (guitar), Jóhann Ásmundsson (bass), Gunnlaugur Briem (drums, percussion), Óskar Guðjónsson (saxophone, 1996-present), Sebastian Studnitzky (trumpet, 2006-present), Bruno Müller (guitar, 2006-present), Thomas Dyani (percussion, ?-present) Discography: Mezzoforte (1979) Í Hakanum (1980) Þvílíkt og annað eins […]
Mánar were an Icelandic art-rock/psych band that released two singles in 1970 on SG-hljómplötur, followed by a self-titled album on the label in 1971. Members: Ólafur Þórarinsson (vocals, guitar, flute), Björn Þórarinsson (organ), Guðmundur Benediktsson (vocals, piano), Smári Kristjánsson (bass), Ragnar Sigurjónsson (drums) Discography: “Einn, tveir, þrír” / “Útlegð” (1970) “Þú horfin ert” / “Frelsi” […]
Icecross were an Icelandic hard-rock/psych combo that released a self-titled album on namesake Icecross Records in 1973. Members: Axel Einarsson (guitar, vocals), Ómar Óskarsson (bass, vocals), Ásgeir Óskarsson (drums, vocals) Discography: Icecross (1973)
Jakob Magnússon (born May 4, 1953) is a Danish/Icelandic keyboardist, composer, and arranger who released a string of jazz-rock albums and shortplayers on Steinar between 1976 and 1986. In 1982, he teamed with American film composer Alan Howarth in the synthpop one-off The Magnets. The following year, he joined L.A.-based synth combo Bone Symphony. Discography: […]
Hinn íslenski þursaflokkur were an Icelandic art-rock/folk band that released three albums on Fálkinn between 1978 and 1980. The nameplate was abbreviated to þursaflokkur for a further release on the Bit label in 1982. Members: Egill Ólafsson (vocals, keyboards), Tómas Tómasson (bass), Þórður Árnason (guitar), Ásgeir Óskarsson (drums), Karl J. Sighvatsson (keyboards), Rúnar Vilbergsson (bassoon) […]
Eik were an Icelandic funk-rock band that released two albums and a standalone single between 1975 and 1977, culminating with the popular Hríslan og Straumurinn. Members: Haraldur Þorsteinsson (bass), Gestur Guðnason (guitar), Óli Sigurðsson (drums,1973-75), Þorsteinn Magnusson (guitar, 1973-74), Larus Grimsson (keyboards, flute, 1973-?), Arni Sigurdsson (vocals, 1974), Herbert Gudmundsson (vocals, 1975), Sigurdur Kristmann Sigurdsson […]
Björgvin Gíslason is an Icelandic guitarist and songwriter who has played in numerous bands on the Reykjavík scene, including Náttúra, Paradís, and Pelican. He released three solo albums between 1977 and 1983 on SG-Hljómplötur an Steinar. Discography: Öræfarokk (1977) Glettur (1981) Örugglega (1983)
