Turbonegro is a band that comes from Oslo, Norway and they are known for their unique musical style, which they call "deathpunk." This style is essentially a combination between heavy metal, glam rock, and hardcore punk music. Some of the music groups that the band says has influenced their style includes the Rolling Stones, The Dictators, Black Flag, KISS, AC/DC, and names in Norwegian rock like the Raga Rockers.
The history of the band actually goes back to the end of the 80's. They came together in late 1988, early 1989. They got together in Olso, Norway, and their initial line up included Happy-Tom (Thomas Seltzer), Rune Gronn, Tor-Kristian Jensen, Vegard Heskestad, Pal Erik Carlin, and Pal Bottger Kjaernes. This lineup recorded the Turboloid 12" EP as well as the debut single - Route Zero. These were the only releases that the original lineup actually recorded. The band would lose a couple members in unique ways, which led them to a disaster on tour, and a reformation of the band in 1990. However, the group did not really find much success during the early 90s.
Finally in 1995 the Turbonegro began to get a new look as well as a new sound. They came out with a look that included wearing denim and moustaches, and along with the new look they had, they came out with a new sound as well. The new sound was apparent on the singles they released in 95, Bad Mongo and Denim Demon. In the summer of 95 they came to the U.S. on a second try at a tour, and they did manage to play at 11 shows.
Over the next few years, the band went through many different changes. Several people left the band, some were asked to leave, which has put the band through many different changes in just a few years. The current line up that the band has today includes Happy-Tom playing the drums and bass, Thomas Dahl on drums, Hank Von Helvete doing vocals, Pal Pot Pamparius on keyboards, guitar, and percussion, and Euroboy playing the lead guitar.
Today the musical style of the band has brought them quite a few followers across the world. With their unique "deathpunk" sounds and lyrics that go out of their way to attack being "political correct." The group has been praised for their "punk" style, and many feel that they have updated punk and brought it to a new level, bringing together shock and humor.
One feature of the fan base of Turbonegro is their special band fan club, known as the Turbojugend, which means Turbo Youth. The band wanted to have a fan club of their own, just like Kiss has their Kiss Army. The fan club actually started as a joke, but it went on to become a huge following. The first chapter was in Hamburg, Germany, but today there are chapters of Turbojugend all across the world. They wear special denim jackets that sport the log of Turbonegro as well as "Trubojugend" and their chapter name on the back of the jackets.
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