Silver

Formed back in 1997 while its members were still teenagers, the Norwegian glam-punk outfit Silver first came together in the southwestern village of Moi. Vocalist Blanco Summer and his older brother, drummer Krazy Katzy, served as the group’s chief songwriters. Krazy Katzy had already accumulated extensive experience during the 1990s alongside such stylistically distant acts as the Christian extreme metal band Extol and the Norwegian cult indie popsters the Loch Ness Mouse. The brothers’ unusually wide-ranging exposure to rock history from childhood onward lent their writing a sophistication and subtlety uncommon in most young punk bands.

After relocating to Oslo, the lineup expanded with recruits from the local punk community, and the group quickly earned a reputation for explosive live shows. Their driving material, precise execution, and glam-rock hair and makeup—evoking the long-lost bastard sons of the New York Dolls and Finnish rockers Hanoi Rocks—made them stand out sharply among contemporary Norwegian acts.

Although they issued a self-financed debut EP, Billboard Blackout, in 2000, meaningful industry notice arrived only after they performed at the annual by:Larm festival in early 2001. That exposure secured a contract, and late the same year CRR/Virgin released their proper debut EP Riot 1-2-3, produced by Knut Schreiner of Euroboys and Turbonegro fame. Despite favorable reviews, commercial momentum remained elusive. Continued relentless touring throughout continental Europe gradually built a devoted following beyond Norway’s borders.

Their first full-length album, White Diary, finally appeared in early 2004. The record constituted the band’s genuine breakthrough, earning awards, fresh listeners, radio rotation, and widespread critical praise. The epic single “Angels Calling” attracted an audience outside the punk-rock sphere and briefly threatened to turn the group into household names across Norway. Shortly afterward, drummer/producer/songwriter and spiritual leader Krazy Katzy (aka Emil Nikolaisen) left to devote himself full-time to his highly acclaimed neo-shoegazer/indie rock band Serena Maneesh. He was succeeded by Kimberley Jubb, younger brother of guitarist Amy Jubb.