Singapore Sling

Singapore Sling came together in Reykjavik, Iceland, during 2000, built around eight-track recordings from band leader Henrik Bjornsson. Bjornsson worked with guitarists Helgi Petursson and Einar Kristjansson, maraca player Siggi Shaker, bassist Toggi Guðmundsson, and drummer Bjarni Johannsson to realize his glowering, gritty songs, which took cues from the Velvet Underground, Suicide’s shadowy post-punk, and later acts such as the Jesus & Mary Chain and the Brian Jonestown Massacre. Although recorded material remained limited, the group’s set at the 2001 Iceland Airwaves Festival drew favorable notice, and their return engagement the following year earned still stronger praise. Late in 2002 the band signed to the American indie label Stinky. A South by Southwest appearance came next, and June 2003 brought the release of the debut full-length Curse of. Singapore Sling subsequently launched a U.S. tour in support of the album.