Ungdomskulen

Choosing a moniker for their rock band proved difficult for the three young Norwegians Frode Flatland on bass, Kristian Stockhaus handling vocals and guitar, and Øyvind Solheim behind the drums. After weighing options like Standing Ovation and Goddamnit, they landed on Ungdomskulen, the Norwegian term for middle school. Though officially assembled in 2003, the musicians had already been collaborating since the late '90s, bonded by shared admiration for Sonic Youth, Sebadoh, and Beck. Swedish-born Stockhaus had issued two solo albums to widespread praise before Standing Ovation even existed, with Flatland and Solheim serving as his supporting players until the trio sought a fresh outlet. Their goal was a wildly energetic, unconventional power trio. Operating out of Bergen, the group soon earned acclaim for its dynamic performances, beginning locally before spreading across Norway and into Europe. The worldwide release of their debut album Cry-Baby arrived in autumn 2007 via the U.K. imprint Ever Records, blending new wave, indie rock, prog, and avant-garde rock in the spirit of Frank Zappa. That eclectic approach immediately drew attention from reviewers at Uncut, New Musical Express, and Kerrang!.