At concert with

and Aunt Mary

at "The Power Festival"
in Askim, 19/08-00



Great thanks to Musikkavisen ("the musical paper") for the pictures from this festival.
(http://www.musikkavisen.no/))

Double live acts in the local progrock scene isn't a everyday experience, and when it happened that two of the Norway's still existing bands from the seventies would visit the same venue (though not exactly at the same time!) the two Tarkus-writers (Simen and myself) really had a rush to the event!


It was the second gig by Kerrs Pink during this summer (the latter gig happened at the so called "Oppegårdfestivalen" 18. June). The band have existed for incredible 28 years (!) and they have their orgins in the Østfold county (Trømborg). They have released four albums and their next album "Tidings" is at the moment half away recorded. It's announced released during the spring of 2001.

The Kerrs Pink personell of today is Jostein Hansen (bass), Harald Lytomt (guitar), Lasse Johansen (keyboards, vocals), Freddy Ruud (keyboards), Knut Lie (drums, vocals), Lasse Tanderø (vocals) and Tacee Meyn (vocals).

The gig started off with an atmospheric "Pink Floyd-like" intro with a massive, dark synthchord and a soulful guitar on the top. In the beginning of the show they performed two brand new compositions, "Hour Glass" og "Shooting Star" (both written by Ruud). Later "Mystic Dream" (Lytomt/Tanderø/Hansen) and "Moments In Life" (Ruud) were played and we can already tell that the next album is for sure worth to wait for. At the end of the show a medley followed consisting of classic KP-tunes.("Velkomst"-"Hvem Snakker Til Meg?"-"Fearful Heart"-"Epilogue").


A new direction
My main impression of the new songs is that Kerrs Pink has moved into a more progressive direction, with a refined sound and well arranged compositions. The sound has changed a bit, due to the fact that they use two keyboardplayers and onlye one guitar, in contrast to their earlier days. The result is more floating, sympho-like soundscapes.



The new compositions is in general longer pieces, surely intricate from time to time combined with some harder guitars, and a much heavier use of the rhythmsection than ever before. This heavy touch could be a result due to the fact that the drummer Knut Lie came from a heavy progressive band called Høst.

A totally new aspect in the Kerrs Pink' context is their new backing vocalist Tracee Meyn (black female vocalist from the California). And what a talent! She had an incredible voice who really fitted into the new compositions. Personally I'm "allergic" to the so called soul-music, but in this concept I have to admit that it worked out pretty well.

Musically it was a very good concert. Despite the low profile they have kept during the last years the visual stage representation was good. Speaking of the visual part of the concert, it was mainly the singer Lasse Tanderø who took the control (at one occation he grabbed a chair and carried it up to the stage, and then he took a seat while he performed a laidback song), and not to forget the bassplayer Jostein Hansen who really showed us he had a great time and did enjoy his stay.


The technical aspect
Unfortunately we have to say that Kerrs Pink had very bad luck when it came to the technical side of the event (in fact a problem at the whole festival in general). They had huge trouble with the sound, and after a while they found out that the problem were caused by a feedback-problem from some of the monitors. The result was that Kerrs Pink had to stop playing during one of the songs ("Linger A Bit Longer") and then start once again. They were also indeed suffered by some really horrible noises from the guitar-ampfilter.



All in all it was really impressive see how the band kept their humour and enthusiasm on stage despite the hopeless situation. The reason why the concert worked out so well and was such an artistic success may be because of a certain amount of experience over the years, and not at least their ability to calm down, I belive…

Jon Christian Lie (from Tarkus Magazine nr. 14 - 2000)
Photos: Great thanks to Musikkavisen (http://www.musikkavisen.no/))!!

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