Clawfinger
Encyclopedia
Clawfinger is a rap metal
band from Sweden
and was one of the earliest bands to adopt this sound. Clawfinger is known for aggressive but melodic music and tackling political
and anti-racist
themes in their songs.
. In 1990 they were joined by the Norwegian guitarists Bård Torstensen and Erlend Ottem who were also working at the same hospital. Soon the four realized their similar interests in music. Bård and Erlend previously played in a band called Theo in their hometown Arendal
back in Norway
. Their free time was invested in exploring the musical world, composing and writing songs while evolving into a band.
Their original demo comprising three tracks (Waste of Time, Nigger and Profit Preacher) quickly secured them local radio airplay and consequently brought them to the attention of the MVG label. "Nigger" is an anti-racism statement that caused quite a stir and was a massive success; it was also released as a single. By the beginning of the 1990s, Clawfinger self-released their debut Deaf Dumb Blind
. This sold in over 600,000 copies worldwide and was critically acclaimed in Swedish press. With the addition of André Skaug and drummer Morten Skaug, Clawfinger went on tour and played at countless European festivals including major support slots with Anthrax
and Alice in Chains
.
The band received many awards, including two home Grammies at the Swedish Grammy Awards in 1994 for best hard rock
band and best music video
. After touring, they went straight back in the studio to record their second album, Use Your Brain
. After the release of this album they went on yet another touring campaign, most notably participating at Ozzy Osbourne
's Monsters of Rock Festival in Brazil and Chile, rocking alongside American metal counterparts like Megadeth
, Faith No More
, and Alice Cooper
. Back in Europe they continued their touring campaign by participating at festivals and countless gigs.
Their self-titled album Clawfinger was released in 1997.
The first song on the album is Two Sides, which expanded the band's reach by using female choir vocals and a Middle Eastern sound. The rest of the album continues with the band's typical aggressive voice and socio-political lyrics.
Clawfinger contains 12 songs with an additional 3 bonus tracks on the limited edition. They released three singles and two videos (Biggest & the Best and Two Sides).
A Whole Lot of Nothing
was the fourth album released on 23 July 2001.
The music showcases the same aggressive guitars, with more distortion effects and sounds, adding a whole new level of diversification. As for the synthesizers, on this particular album they're more present than on any other of Clawfinger's works.
A Whole Lot of Nothing contains 13 tracks and 2 bonus tracks on the limited edition. Clawfinger also released four singles, two of which are limited editions.
Zeros & Heroes
was released in 2003 and it caused controversy in America
because the song Step Aside did not sit well with most American audiences due to the fact it slams George W. Bush and the post 9/11 (and not only) military politics of the US. It offers yet another style change for the ears of the listener. The electronic sound and synthesizers from A Whole Lot of Nothing
are gone and replaced by a more complex and melodic guitar riffing.
Hate Yourself With Style
was released in 2005. The album continued the path entered on Zeros & Heroes and is characterized by hardrock style melodic speedy guitar riffs. The keyboards which particularly characterized A Whole Lot of Nothing have completely disappeared.
Unlike the previous albums, where the limited edition featured two or more bonus-tracks, the limited edition of this album features a DVD with live footage from the Greenfield festival and videoclips of all singles up to Clawfinger's third album.
Life Will Kill You
was released in 2007. It has spawned three singles:
Prisoners, The Price We Pay
, and Little Baby
.
Clawfinger are currently working on a re-recording of their debut album Deaf Dumb Blind
. The plan is to re-record all the songs from that album and bring in guests. Zak Tell has stated they were speaking with the members of Rammstein
and Peter Tagtgren
from the bands Pain and Hypocrisy
.
In 2008 and 2009 the band played at the biggest open-air festival in Europe (400.000 - 500.000 rock fans every year) - Przystanek Woodstock
in Poland
From Use Your Brain
From Clawfinger
From A Whole Lot of Nothing
From Zeros & Heroes
From Hate Yourself With Style
From Life Will Kill You
Rap metal
Rap metal is a subgenre of rap rock which fuses vocal and instrumental elements of hip hop music with heavy metal.-History:Rap metal originated from rap rock, a genre fusing vocal and instrumental elements of hip hop with rock...
band from Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
and was one of the earliest bands to adopt this sound. Clawfinger is known for aggressive but melodic music and tackling political
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
and anti-racist
Anti-racism
Anti-racism includes beliefs, actions, movements, and policies adopted or developed to oppose racism. In general, anti-racism is intended to promote an egalitarian society in which people do not face discrimination on the basis of their race, however defined...
themes in their songs.
Band history
The band's origin dates back to the summer of 1989 when Zak Tell and Jocke Skog met while working together at the Rosegrove Hospital somewhere in the vicinity of StockholmStockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
. In 1990 they were joined by the Norwegian guitarists Bård Torstensen and Erlend Ottem who were also working at the same hospital. Soon the four realized their similar interests in music. Bård and Erlend previously played in a band called Theo in their hometown Arendal
Arendal
is a town and municipality in the county of Aust-Agder, Norway. Arendal belongs to the traditional region of Sørlandet.The town of Arendal is the administrative center the municipality and also of Aust-Agder county...
back in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. Their free time was invested in exploring the musical world, composing and writing songs while evolving into a band.
Their original demo comprising three tracks (Waste of Time, Nigger and Profit Preacher) quickly secured them local radio airplay and consequently brought them to the attention of the MVG label. "Nigger" is an anti-racism statement that caused quite a stir and was a massive success; it was also released as a single. By the beginning of the 1990s, Clawfinger self-released their debut Deaf Dumb Blind
Deaf Dumb Blind
Deaf Dumb Blind is the title of Clawfinger's debut album, first released on 21 April 1993.The musical content of this debut album is mainly metal/hard rock modernized with a few electronic elements. The vocal approach is an aggressive flux of words sung in a rap style. The album offers 10 standard...
. This sold in over 600,000 copies worldwide and was critically acclaimed in Swedish press. With the addition of André Skaug and drummer Morten Skaug, Clawfinger went on tour and played at countless European festivals including major support slots with Anthrax
Anthrax (band)
Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
and Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Starr...
.
The band received many awards, including two home Grammies at the Swedish Grammy Awards in 1994 for best hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band and best music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
. After touring, they went straight back in the studio to record their second album, Use Your Brain
Use Your Brain
Use Your Brain is Clawfinger's second album. The album contains 12 tracks with 3 bonus tracks on the 2004 re-release. 3 singles and their accompanying videos were released from the album.-Track listing:# "Power" – 3:14# "Pay the Bill" – 4:20...
. After the release of this album they went on yet another touring campaign, most notably participating at Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
's Monsters of Rock Festival in Brazil and Chile, rocking alongside American metal counterparts like Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
, Faith No More
Faith No More
Faith No More is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed originally as Faith No Man in 1981 by bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist Wade Worthington, vocalist Michael Morris and drummer Mike Bordin. A year later when Worthington was replaced by keyboardist Roddy Bottum, and Mike...
, and Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
. Back in Europe they continued their touring campaign by participating at festivals and countless gigs.
Their self-titled album Clawfinger was released in 1997.
The first song on the album is Two Sides, which expanded the band's reach by using female choir vocals and a Middle Eastern sound. The rest of the album continues with the band's typical aggressive voice and socio-political lyrics.
Clawfinger contains 12 songs with an additional 3 bonus tracks on the limited edition. They released three singles and two videos (Biggest & the Best and Two Sides).
A Whole Lot of Nothing
A Whole Lot of Nothing
A Whole Lot of Nothing is the fourth album of Clawfinger, released on 23 July 2001.The music showcases the same aggressive guitars, with more distortion effects and sounds, adding a whole new level of diversification...
was the fourth album released on 23 July 2001.
The music showcases the same aggressive guitars, with more distortion effects and sounds, adding a whole new level of diversification. As for the synthesizers, on this particular album they're more present than on any other of Clawfinger's works.
A Whole Lot of Nothing contains 13 tracks and 2 bonus tracks on the limited edition. Clawfinger also released four singles, two of which are limited editions.
Zeros & Heroes
Zeros & Heroes
Zeros & Heroes is Clawfinger's fifth album, released on 26 May 2003.It offers yet another style change for the ears of the listener. The electronic sound and synthesizers from A Whole Lot of Nothing are gone and replaced by a more complex and melodic guitar riffing.-Track listing:# "Zeros &...
was released in 2003 and it caused controversy in America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
because the song Step Aside did not sit well with most American audiences due to the fact it slams George W. Bush and the post 9/11 (and not only) military politics of the US. It offers yet another style change for the ears of the listener. The electronic sound and synthesizers from A Whole Lot of Nothing
A Whole Lot of Nothing
A Whole Lot of Nothing is the fourth album of Clawfinger, released on 23 July 2001.The music showcases the same aggressive guitars, with more distortion effects and sounds, adding a whole new level of diversification...
are gone and replaced by a more complex and melodic guitar riffing.
Hate Yourself With Style
Hate Yourself With Style
Hate Yourself with Style is Clawfinger's sixth album, released on 18 November 2005.Hate Yourself with Style continues the path entered on Zeros & Heroes and is characterized by hardrock style melodic speedy guitar riffs...
was released in 2005. The album continued the path entered on Zeros & Heroes and is characterized by hardrock style melodic speedy guitar riffs. The keyboards which particularly characterized A Whole Lot of Nothing have completely disappeared.
Unlike the previous albums, where the limited edition featured two or more bonus-tracks, the limited edition of this album features a DVD with live footage from the Greenfield festival and videoclips of all singles up to Clawfinger's third album.
Life Will Kill You
Life Will Kill You
Life Will Kill You is Clawfinger's seventh album and was released on 27 July 2007. It was recorded by Clawfinger in Fear And Loathing Studios Spånga - Sweden, by themselves.-Track listing:# "The Price We Pay" – 3:34# "Life Will Kill You" – 3:34...
was released in 2007. It has spawned three singles:
Prisoners, The Price We Pay
The Price We Pay
The Price We Pay is a single from Life Will Kill You, the seventh album of Clawfinger, released in 2007....
, and Little Baby
Little Baby
Little Baby is a single from Life Will Kill You, the seventh album of Clawfinger. On September 14th it was released as a charity download single and sponsored the organization "Hänsel And Gretel", which is dealing with the topic of child abuse. The band started a campaign that was introduced in a...
.
Clawfinger are currently working on a re-recording of their debut album Deaf Dumb Blind
Deaf Dumb Blind
Deaf Dumb Blind is the title of Clawfinger's debut album, first released on 21 April 1993.The musical content of this debut album is mainly metal/hard rock modernized with a few electronic elements. The vocal approach is an aggressive flux of words sung in a rap style. The album offers 10 standard...
. The plan is to re-record all the songs from that album and bring in guests. Zak Tell has stated they were speaking with the members of Rammstein
Rammstein
Rammstein is a German Neue Deutsche Härte band from Berlin, formed in 1994. The band consists of members Till Lindemann , Richard Z. Kruspe , Paul H. Landers , Oliver "Ollie" Riedel , Christoph "Doom" Schneider and Christian "Flake" Lorenz...
and Peter Tagtgren
Peter Tägtgren
Alf Peter Tägtgren is a Swedish musician and producer. He is the founder, main songwriter, lead vocalist, and guitarist of the death metal band Hypocrisy as well as the industrial metal band PAIN in which he is the only member....
from the bands Pain and Hypocrisy
Hypocrisy (band)
Hypocrisy is a melodic death metal band from Sweden. It was formed in 1990 in Ludvika, Sweden by Peter Tägtgren.Musically, the band started off with a traditional death metal sound on their first albums, and soon drifted to become a melodic death metal band. The lyrics in their early stages -...
.
In 2008 and 2009 the band played at the biggest open-air festival in Europe (400.000 - 500.000 rock fans every year) - Przystanek Woodstock
Przystanek Woodstock
Przystanek Woodstock is an annual free rock music festival in Poland, inspired by and named for the Woodstock Festival, that has taken place since 1995...
in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
Current members
- Zak Tell - Lead vocals, lyrics (1989–present)
- Jocke Skog - Keyboards, vocals (1989–present)
- Bård Torstensen - Rhythm guitar (1989–present)
- André Skaug - Bass (1992–present)
- Micke Dahlén - Drums (2008–present)
Former members
- Henka JohanssonHenka JohanssonHenka Johansson was the drummer of Swedish music band, Clawfinger. He was born February 28, 1973 and got his first drumkit when he was four years old. He is also the drummer of Rammstein founder Richard Kruspe's side project, Emigrate.- References :...
- Drums (1997–2008) - Erlend Ottem - Lead-guitar (1989–2003)
- Morten Skaug - Drums (1992–1994)
- Ottar Vigerstøl - Drums (1994–1997)
Studio albums
- Deaf Dumb BlindDeaf Dumb BlindDeaf Dumb Blind is the title of Clawfinger's debut album, first released on 21 April 1993.The musical content of this debut album is mainly metal/hard rock modernized with a few electronic elements. The vocal approach is an aggressive flux of words sung in a rap style. The album offers 10 standard...
- (1993) - Use Your BrainUse Your BrainUse Your Brain is Clawfinger's second album. The album contains 12 tracks with 3 bonus tracks on the 2004 re-release. 3 singles and their accompanying videos were released from the album.-Track listing:# "Power" – 3:14# "Pay the Bill" – 4:20...
- (1995) - ClawfingerClawfinger (album)Clawfinger is Clawfinger's third album, released on 29 September 1997.The first song on the album is Two Sides, which expanded the band's reach by using female choir vocals and a Middle Eastern sound...
- (1997) - A Whole Lot of NothingA Whole Lot of NothingA Whole Lot of Nothing is the fourth album of Clawfinger, released on 23 July 2001.The music showcases the same aggressive guitars, with more distortion effects and sounds, adding a whole new level of diversification...
- (2001) - Zeros & HeroesZeros & HeroesZeros & Heroes is Clawfinger's fifth album, released on 26 May 2003.It offers yet another style change for the ears of the listener. The electronic sound and synthesizers from A Whole Lot of Nothing are gone and replaced by a more complex and melodic guitar riffing.-Track listing:# "Zeros &...
- (2003) - The Biggest and the Best of - (2005) (Compilation)
- Hate Yourself with StyleHate Yourself With StyleHate Yourself with Style is Clawfinger's sixth album, released on 18 November 2005.Hate Yourself with Style continues the path entered on Zeros & Heroes and is characterized by hardrock style melodic speedy guitar riffs...
- (2005) - Life Will Kill YouLife Will Kill YouLife Will Kill You is Clawfinger's seventh album and was released on 27 July 2007. It was recorded by Clawfinger in Fear And Loathing Studios Spånga - Sweden, by themselves.-Track listing:# "The Price We Pay" – 3:34# "Life Will Kill You" – 3:34...
- (2007) - Deafer Dumber Blinder - (TBA) (Re-recording of Deaf Dumb Blind)
Singles
From Deaf Dumb Blind- "Rosegrove" (Scandinavia only) (1993)
- "Nigger v1" (Scandinavia only) (1993)
- "Nigger v2" (1993)
- "The Truth" (1993)
- "Warfair" (1993)
- "Warfair" Remixes (1993)
From Use Your Brain
- "Pin Me Down 1" (1995)
- "Pin Me Down 2" (1995)
- "Do What I Say" (1995)
- "Tomorrow" (1996)
From Clawfinger
- "Biggest & the Best" (1997)
- "Two Sides" (1997)
- "Don't Wake Me Up" (1998)
- "Two Sides" (1999)
From A Whole Lot of Nothing
- "Out to Get Me" (2001)
- "Out to Get Me" - Limited Edition 1 (2001)
- "Out to Get Me" - Limited Edition 2 (2001)
- "Nothing Going On" (2001)
From Zeros & Heroes
- "Recipe for Hate" (2003)
- Bitch (2003) (Promo-CDS)
From Hate Yourself With Style
- "Dirty Lies" (2005) (Promo-CDS)
- "Without a Case" (2005) (Video single)
From Life Will Kill You
- "The Price We Pay" (2007) (Video single)
- "Prisoners" (2007) (Video single)
Videos
Most of these videos can be downloaded from the Official Clawfinger Pages. All the video clips from 1993-1997 can be found on the "Hate Yourself With Style" Bonus DVD.- Nigger v1 (1993?)
- Nigger v2 (1993)
- The Truth (1993)
- Warfair (1993)
- Pin Me Down (1995)
- Do What I Say (1995)
- Tomorrow (1996)
- Biggest & the Best (1997)
- Two Sides (1997)
- Out to Get Me (2001)
- Nothing Going On (2001)
- Recipe for Hate (2003)
- Recipe for Hate (2003) (Edit by Jocke Skog)
- Grumpy Old Men On A Mission (2005) (web released documentary on the making of Hate Yourself With Style) 46.55min
- Dirty Lies (2005)
- Hate Yourself With Style (2005) (web-only video by Bard Torstensen)
- Without a Case (2005)
- The Price We Pay (2007)
- Prisoners (2007)
Live recordings
- KB HallenClawfinger Live Copenhagen 1993"Clawfinger Live Copenhagen 1993" is the title of a Clawfinger live video bootleg, recorded on 7 October 1993 at KB Hallen, Copenhagen . Clawfinger were supporting Alice In Chains on this tour.-Setlist:# "Get it" - only final seconds 0.33# "Rosegrove" 01:01...
, Copenhagen, October 7, 1993, bootleg video recording - Roskilde Festival, Roskilde, June 1, 1994, bootleg audio recording, released as Don't Get Me Wrong bootleg CD
- Chalmers Rock, Göteborg April 29, 1994, "Pin Me Down" was released on the Do What I Say single
- Bizarre FestivalClawfinger Live Bizarre 1995"Clawfinger Live Bizarre 1995" is the title of a Clawfinger live video recording made on 19 August 1995 at the Bizarre Festival, Cologne . The concert was recorded by WDR and broadcast on the German television series WDR Rockpalast.-Setlist:...
, Cologne, August 19, 1995, broadcast on TV (WDR Rockpalast) - Bizarre FestivalClawfinger Live Bizarre 2000"Clawfinger Live Bizarre 2000" is the title of a Clawfinger live video recording made on 20 August 2000 at the Bizarre Festival, Weeze . The concert was recorded by WDR and broadcast on the German television series WDR Rockpalast.-Setlist:# "Rosegrove"...
, Weeze, August 20, 2000, broadcast on TV (WDR Rockpalast) - WDR RockpalastClawfinger Live Rockpalast 2001Clawfinger Live Rockpalast 2001 is the title of a Clawfinger live video recording made on 15 April 2001 at the Philipshalle, Düsseldorf . The concert was recorded by WDR and broadcast on the German television series WDR Rockpalast.-Setlist:...
, Philipshalle, Düsseldorf, April 15, 2001, broadcast on TV (WDR Rockpalast) - KickClawfinger Live Herford 2001"Clawfinger Live Herford 2001" is the title of a Clawfinger live video recording made on 2 July 2001 at the Kick, Herford . The concert was recorded by VIVA and broadcast on the German television series VIVA Overdrive. "Nigger" was released as audio bonustrack on the Nothing Going On single....
, Herford, July 2, 2001, broadcast on TV (VIVA Overdrive). "Nigger" was released on the Nothing Going On single - Rock Am RingClawfinger Live Rock Am Ring 2003"Clawfinger Live Rock Am Ring 2003" is the title of a Clawfinger live video recording made on 7 June 2003 at the ROCK AM RING Festival, Nürburgring...
, Nürburgring, June 7, 2003, broadcast on TV (WDR Rockpalast) - Abart Club, Zürich, June 18, 2003, web-released videoclip "Rosegrove" + "Nigger"
- Budapest A38, Budapest, May 15, 2004, web-released audiotrack "Bitch"
- Tufertschwil Open Air, Tufertschwil, August 21, 2004, web-released videoclip "World Domination" (Edit)
- Aerodrome FestivalClawfinger Live Aerodrome 2005"Clawfinger Live Aerodrome 2005" is the title of a Clawfinger live video recording made on 26 May 2005 at the Aerodrome Festival, Wiener Neustadt . 6 Videoclips from the show can be downloaded from the official Clawfinger website.-Setlist:# "World Domination"...
, Wiener Neustadt, May 26, 2005, 5 web-released videoclips - Greenfield Festival, Interlaken, June 25, 2005, video released on the Hate Yourself With StyleHate Yourself With StyleHate Yourself with Style is Clawfinger's sixth album, released on 18 November 2005.Hate Yourself with Style continues the path entered on Zeros & Heroes and is characterized by hardrock style melodic speedy guitar riffs...
Bonus DVD - Berlin ColumbiahalleClawfinger Live Berlin 2007Clawfinger Live Berlin 2007 is the title of a Clawfinger live video recording made on 17 October 2007 at the Columbia Club, Berlin . The concert was recorded by Mega Mind Video Department and is currently in production.-Setlist:# "The Cure & The Poison"...
, Berlin, October 17, 2007, video recording in production - Przystanek WoodstockPrzystanek WoodstockPrzystanek Woodstock is an annual free rock music festival in Poland, inspired by and named for the Woodstock Festival, that has taken place since 1995...
, Kostrzyn nad Odrą, Poland, August 2, 2009, bootleg video recording.
External links
- The Official Clawfinger pages (in English)
- The Belgian Clawfinger pages (in English)
- Official MySpace