HAM (band)
Encyclopedia
HAM is an Iceland
ic rock band which was active in the years 1988 to 1994. They are often listed as a heavy metal
band but have never categorized themselves as such. They did not attain significant popularity while active, but have gradually come to be acknowledged as an important part of Icelandic rock history. Today they command a cult following among many Icelandic rock enthusiasts.
in five concerts in 1988. The following year they released the album Buffalo Virgin
with One Little Indian records and held several concerts in New York
. The album Pleasing the Pirahna was recorded in 1990 but was never released—supposedly another album by the name Pimpmobile was also recorded but remains unreleased.
In 1991-1992, the band participated in the making of the film Sódóma Reykjavík
, with singer and guitarist Sigurjón Kjartansson
writing most of the soundtrack. HAM's participation in the making of this cult Icelandic classic played a significant part in the band's later notoriety.
The album Saga rokksins was released in 1993, and on June 4, 1994, the band held its last concert in the now defunct night club Tunglið in downtown Reykjavík
. The live concert recording was subsequently released as the album Lengi lifi. In 1995, the band's remaining studio recordings were released as the album Dauður hestur (Equus Mortus).
HAM did not perform again until 2001, when it was clear that the German metal band Rammstein
would be holding a concert in Iceland that summer. It was rumoured that Sigurjón had spoken of HAM reuniting for a concert if Rammstein were to visit Iceland on tour. The band played in the Gaukur á Stöng bar on June 14, 2001 and then again on June 15, with 5500 people in attendance. The Gaukur á stöng concert was later released as the live album Skert flog.
HAM was to participate in the music festival Reykjavík Rokkar in the summer of 2006 along with The Darkness and Motörhead. The festival was cancelled due to disappointing ticket sales, but HAM instead performed in the NASA club in downtown Reykjavík on June 29 to a packed house. On October 28 the same year HAM performed at a north atlantic music festival in Copenhagen with bands from Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
On September 6, 2007, Ham were the final band to play at the 'Minifestival' benefit concert at Iðnó, Reykjavík
. Their participation was not advertised until the night of the event.
In July 2008, HAM were the closing act to the Icelandic heavy metal festival "Eistnaflug", where they performed a new song.
HAM participated in the 2011 "Eistnaflug" festival as the closing act and later that year they released their first new album in 16 years, Svik, harmur, dauði (English: Betrayal, Tragedy and Death).
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
ic rock band which was active in the years 1988 to 1994. They are often listed as a heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band but have never categorized themselves as such. They did not attain significant popularity while active, but have gradually come to be acknowledged as an important part of Icelandic rock history. Today they command a cult following among many Icelandic rock enthusiasts.
History
HAM's first album was Hold, a controversial record which received no radio airtime. The band's attempt to get into the big league began when they warmed up for The SugarcubesThe Sugarcubes
The Sugarcubes were an Icelandic alternative rock band formed in 1986 and disbanded in 1992. They received critical and popular acclaim internationally.-History:...
in five concerts in 1988. The following year they released the album Buffalo Virgin
Buffalo Virgin
Buffalo Virgin is the second album by the Icelandic metal band HAM, and their first full-length LP. It was the only one of their albums to be released by a non-Icelandic label, One Little Indian...
with One Little Indian records and held several concerts in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The album Pleasing the Pirahna was recorded in 1990 but was never released—supposedly another album by the name Pimpmobile was also recorded but remains unreleased.
In 1991-1992, the band participated in the making of the film Sódóma Reykjavík
Sódóma Reykjavík
Remote Control is an Icelandic film from 1992 directed by Óskar Jónasson. The plot is a farce, revolving around the young car mechanic Axel and his adventure in the Reykjavík underworld which starts when his mother insists that he must recover the remote control to her TV...
, with singer and guitarist Sigurjón Kjartansson
Sigurjón Kjartansson
Sigurjón Kjartansson is an Icelandic comedian, writer and producer. He is best known for his role in the radio duo Tvíhöfði with Jón Gnarr and for his part in the popular Icelandic television sketch comedy Fóstbræður...
writing most of the soundtrack. HAM's participation in the making of this cult Icelandic classic played a significant part in the band's later notoriety.
The album Saga rokksins was released in 1993, and on June 4, 1994, the band held its last concert in the now defunct night club Tunglið in downtown Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
. The live concert recording was subsequently released as the album Lengi lifi. In 1995, the band's remaining studio recordings were released as the album Dauður hestur (Equus Mortus).
HAM did not perform again until 2001, when it was clear that the German metal band 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...
would be holding a concert in Iceland that summer. It was rumoured that Sigurjón had spoken of HAM reuniting for a concert if Rammstein were to visit Iceland on tour. The band played in the Gaukur á Stöng bar on June 14, 2001 and then again on June 15, with 5500 people in attendance. The Gaukur á stöng concert was later released as the live album Skert flog.
HAM was to participate in the music festival Reykjavík Rokkar in the summer of 2006 along with The Darkness and Motörhead. The festival was cancelled due to disappointing ticket sales, but HAM instead performed in the NASA club in downtown Reykjavík on June 29 to a packed house. On October 28 the same year HAM performed at a north atlantic music festival in Copenhagen with bands from Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
On September 6, 2007, Ham were the final band to play at the 'Minifestival' benefit concert at Iðnó, Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
. Their participation was not advertised until the night of the event.
In July 2008, HAM were the closing act to the Icelandic heavy metal festival "Eistnaflug", where they performed a new song.
HAM participated in the 2011 "Eistnaflug" festival as the closing act and later that year they released their first new album in 16 years, Svik, harmur, dauði (English: Betrayal, Tragedy and Death).
Other work
- Jóhann is particularly prolific. He headed the band Daisy Hill Puppy Farm before joining HAM. He has composed music for the theater, and released solo albums. Flosi has occasionally assisted him with guitar work on these projects. Other bands he has founded include Lhooq, with Pétur Hallgrímsson and Sara Guðmundsdóttir, and Dip with Sugarcubes drummer Sigtryggur BaldurssonSigtryggur BaldurssonSigtryggur Baldursson is an Icelandic drummer and singer.Sigtryggur was born in Norway to Icelandic parents. He was a founding member of the Sugarcubes and has been a longtime fixture on the Icelandic punk and alternative music scene. Other bands he has played in have included Þeyr, KUKL,...
- Sigurjón formed Olympia after HAM disbanded in 1994 and released one LP and one EP.
- Óttar and Jóhann formed the funk band Funkstraße with Pétur Hallgrímsson (guitar), Óskar Guðjónsson (saxophone) and Guðni Finnsson (bass). Sigurjón often sang backing vocals with them when they performed live, along with Magga Stína (from ReptileReptile (band)Reptile is a band from Iceland on the record label Bad Taste. Reptile is known for its over the top theatrics in their music, which combines pop with other instruments such as marimba, saxophone, banjo and violin. Their debut album Fame and Fossils was released in 1990.. Reptile disbanded in 1992...
) and Sara from Lhooq. Flosi played guitar with them on occasion. They featured on the soundtrack for Sódóma Reykjavík, and have released tracks on various compilations. - Óttarr, Björn, Arnar and Flosi formed the punk band Rass (translation: "Ass"). They have released one album.
- Jóhann and Arnar formed Apparat Organ QuartetApparat Organ QuartetThe Apparat Organ Quartet is an Icelandic band founded in 1999 by Jóhann Jóhannsson, Hörður Bragason, Músikvatur and Úlfur Eldjárn.Apparat Organ Quartet's debut album, simply entitled "Apparat Organ Quartet" was almost 3 years in the making. The Quartet's members say it took so long because they...
. They have released two albums; their first being eponymous and the second titled Polýfónía. - Hallur Ingólfsson formed the band Bleeding Volcano (who released one album), and then XIII, who have released 3 albums to date. He has also composed for theater.
- Óttar also sings for Dr Spock
Albums
- 1988: Hold
- 1989: Buffalo VirginBuffalo VirginBuffalo Virgin is the second album by the Icelandic metal band HAM, and their first full-length LP. It was the only one of their albums to be released by a non-Icelandic label, One Little Indian...
- 1993: Saga rokksins 1988 - 1993
- 1994: Lengi lifi
- 1995: Dauður hestur
- 2001: CBGB‘s 7. ágúst 1993
- 2001: Skert flog
- 2011: Svik, harmur og dauði