Helgi ValurDemise of Faith
I’m looking at the album photos and listening to the CD, I can’t understand how Joe Cocker crawled into the body of what looks like an 18-year-old Icelandic boy. It’s [&helli
Hudson WayneThe Battle of the Bandidos
This band has been mislabelled the local alt country band; their roots, especially as demonstrated here, are more 80s English and Australian pop slowed down. Most of the nine track
The White StripesGet Behind Me Satan
When White Blood Cells came out, everyone was wondering where Jack White got such a rootsy, genuine sound. With Get Behind Me Satan, Jack finally shows his hand. It turns […
ManhattanSelf-titled
Deep into the year 2005, we were surprised that we were asked to review this 2003 demo. What is more, we were surprised to hear the sounds of 1993 Alice […]
PanVirgins
These five kids from Hafnarfjörður, who produced this album themselves, present tight hard rock worth respect. While the guitars, often mixing palm muting with harmonics, don’t
Touch Sveitaball, May 28, Þinghús Bar and Grill, Hvammstangi
If you think Icelandic nightlife begins and ends in 101 Reykjavík, you’re missing a celebrated and notorious section of the local culture. As one local told us, “Sveitaball”
Hildur ValaSelf-titled
The winner of this year’s Icelandic Idol competition… yes, like American Idol. And World Idol. You want us to stop here? No? Okay, Hildur Vala won Icelandic Idol easily: bl
BrúðarbandiðMeira!
We thought we’d take another listen to Brúðarbandið after being informed that they had recently broke the bank on a tour of the Bible Belt in the US. Everyone wants […]
Í Svörtum FötumMeðan Ég Sef
The recent documentary on Icelandic music avoids mentioning this band, which is one of the most popular in Iceland. Which got us to thinking, maybe Í Svörtum Fötum is doing [&he
RollanHofsós City
The cover and packaging for this CD is tasteful and classic… even the small card explaining that Rollan is the result of a six day drinking bender seemed charming in [&hellip
GraveslimeRoughness and Toughness
Okay, so you don’t like bands with names like Graveslime. And you don’t like hard rock. Get over it. This band’s 2003 release qualifies as one of the best Icelandic […
The Grapevine and Bad Taste introduce the Grapevine Bad Taste Summer Concert Series
With the goal of providing legitimate venues and promotion for everyone involved in the vibrant and diverse local music scene, The Reykjavík Grapevine is proud to announce the Gra
James Apollo May 11 Grand Rokk, supported by Þórir
Minnesota may have the most vital music scene in America, claiming responsibility not just for Bob Dylan, The Replacements, Prince and the like, but also for scores more songwriter
Dýrðin and Bacon May 19 Grand Rokk, supported by California Cheeseburger and The Foghorns
In the week since this ensemble show, in which all bands seemed to play support for each other, we have been asked repeatedly by Americans, Canadians and various foreigners where [
Ian Curtis Tribute NightMay 19 Gaukur á Stöng
Tribute nights are viewed as a competition between bands, because we can finally see musicians playing the exact same songs, just better. Occasionally, the competition results in g
Foreigner’s Guide to Eurovision
What is it? A song contest, obviously! It is held annually between participating European countries (and some additional places like Israel). When is it? The pre-selection round is
LIKE GAY CHRISTMAS IN SPRINGTIME
On the eve of its 50th anniversary, Eliza Reid investigates the enduring popularity of the Eurovision Song Contest. The Eurovision Song Contest is not everyone’s cup of tea. Anyt
GUS GUS + MEGASFIRST DAY OF SUMMER CONCERTS
here’s what happened: 1) Representatives of Smirnoff stopped by our office with samples of their alco-pops and invites for a “VIP Party.” We laughed at the alco-pop and the c
ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSYApril 27 Grand Rokk, supported by Brain Police
But Alabama Thunderpussy, or The Pussy as we have taken to calling them, are well-travelled rockers, and they kept lock-step timing throughout the whole show. Despite the testoster
