Dizzy Mizz Lizzy
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 in Valby, Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Headquarters | Copenhagen , Denmark |
Key people | Tim Christensen (vocals, guitar), Martin Nielsen (bass), Søren Friis (drums) |
| Products | Music albums and live recordings |
Dizzy Mizz Lizzy is an alternative rock ensemble from Denmark, established in October 1988 in the Valby district of Copenhagen. The trio consists of Tim Christensen (vocals, guitar, principal songwriter), Martin Nielsen (bass), and Søren Friis (drums). Drawing inspiration from artists such as The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and Nirvana, the group has deliberately avoided the grunge classification, considering it a cliché term.[1]
During the period from 1994 to 1997, Dizzy Mizz Lizzy garnered significant acclaim in both Denmark and Japan, leading the resurgence of Danish rock in the 1990s with their albums Dizzy Mizz Lizzy (1994) and Rotator (1996). Following their split in 1998, Christensen embarked on a prosperous solo path.
The original members reunited in 2010 for concert tours across Denmark and Japan.[2] The release of their live album Live in Concert 2010 revitalized their fan base, culminating in an official comeback declaration at the end of 2014.[3] Their third studio effort Forward in Reverse (2016), along with the subsequent album Alter Echo (2020), received widespread critical praise, reaffirming their status as Denmark’s premier rock band.[4] Up to now, Dizzy Mizz Lizzy's discography includes four studio records and three live recordings.
Origins and formative period (1988–1994)
After relocating from Espergærde to Valby in Copenhagen, Tim Christensen enrolled at Hanssted Skole where he became friends with Martin Nielsen; both shared a strong focus on music over academics.[5] While Christensen took up guitar, Nielsen began playing bass, and together they brought Søren Friis into the lineup.[6] Prior to finalizing "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy" as their band name, alternatives such as "Heaven" and "King's Cross" were considered.[7]
Initially functioning as an instrumental trio, they sought a fourth member to handle vocals and guitar since Christensen was initially reluctant to sing.[8][5] After an unsuccessful tryout for a singer, Friis and Nielsen encouraged Christensen to take on vocal duties due to his melodic precision.[5] Efforts to enlarge the group did not succeed,[8] with commentators recognizing Christensen as the creative nucleus while emphasizing the band's cohesive synergy.[9]
Their first live appearance occurred on 8 December 1989 in Valby before an audience of approximately 75 attendees.[10] Practicing in a modest youth center located in Hvidovre,[8] their early sound was influenced by glam rock icons like Europe, Bon Jovi, and Def Leppard.[11][8] Triumphing in the "Rock Træf" contest in 1990 awarded them 5,000 kr (~€700) to produce a demo recording.[12] In 1991, they secured fourth place in Denmark’s largest music competition, DM i Rock.[6]
Inspired by Nirvana’s breakthrough album Nevermind and its hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit," their musical direction shifted toward grunge influences.[11][8] Alongside covering classic rock tracks and composing original songs, they committed fully to pursuing music professionally.[8]
On his eighteenth birthday, Christensen received a Marshall 4x12 G1275 amplifier,[6] which enabled him to develop heavier guitar riffs exemplified by their track "Waterline."[8] Their sound drew parallels with Led Zeppelin and Pearl Jam,[13][14] yet critics acknowledged the distinctiveness of their musical style.[14] The band preferred describing themselves as power rock rather than grunge, highlighting genuine energy over genre labels.[8][11]
This evolving musical approach led them to reach the semifinals of DM i Rock in 1992 where they were defeated by Passion Orange.[8] In 1993, they won DM i Rock at Jazzhus Montmartre due to their clear talent and stage presence, earning studio time at Sweet Silence Studios that yielded hits like "Waterline" and "Silverflame."[15][8][16] Their victory also secured invitations to perform at major festivals throughout Denmark and Europe.[8][16] Critics commended their dense yet energetic live shows despite being a trio,[13] including playful covers such as the Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive."[13]
Noteworthy rivals during the 1993 DM i Rock included Kashmir, who placed second,[6] along with Inside the Whale and Impotators,[16] all key contributors to Denmark’s rock revival during the 1990s. Among these groups, Dizzy Mizz Lizzy emerged as the most commercially successful.[17] Close connections within this cohort are evident through collaborations like Christensen’s guest appearances on Kashmir albums and ongoing projects with members of Inside the Whale.[8]
Dizzy Mizz Lizzy (1994–1996)
The excitement generated by their demo created considerable pressure, particularly given its limited distribution. The group postponed the release of their debut album, turning down offers from international labels while awaiting a Danish contract. Eventually, they signed with EMI-Medley after being approached by A&R executive Nick Foss, known for producing albums for D-A-D and The Sandmen, and spent three months recording the album.
Their eponymous debut Dizzy Mizz Lizzy was released on 4 March 1994 in Europe and later on 18 January 1995 in Japan. It achieved remarkable success in Denmark, remaining on the national charts for nearly two years and selling 220,000 copies, making it the highest-selling debut rock album ever in Danish history. By 2011, total sales had exceeded 250,000 units. The album also found an audience in Japan, where approximately 100,000 copies were sold after EMI’s Japanese branch picked it up. Five singles—"Silverflame," "Barbedwired Baby's Dream," "Love Is a Loser's Game," "Glory," and "Waterline"—received substantial radio airplay. The band is often credited with spearheading Denmark’s early ’90s rock resurgence, which frontman Tim Christensen described as a softer interpretation of Seattle’s grunge scene, although they did not break into the UK or US markets as some later Danish acts did.
The band members adhered to a disciplined lifestyle, continuing to live with their parents until their earnings from the debut album enabled them to purchase homes in Copenhagen. Their most notable indiscretions involved a backstage food fight and an incident in a German hotel during a challenging period. They practiced diligently and took choreography lessons to enhance their stage performance.
Dizzy Mizz Lizzy opened for the Spin Doctors during their late 1994 European tour, covering Scandinavia and Central Europe before headlining three sold-out concerts in Japan’s Sapporo, Osaka, and Tokyo. The Osaka show was recorded and released exclusively in Japan as the live CD One Guitar, One Bass and a Drummer, That's Really All It Takes — Live in Japan, which was later included in the Dizzcography box set. They appeared annually at the Roskilde Festival from 1993 through 1996; notably, their 1994 performance coincided with Christensen’s 20th birthday and the album surpassing 50,000 sales—a milestone he regards as a career highlight.
In 1995, Dizzy Mizz Lizzy secured several Danish Grammy awards: "Danish group of the year," "Danish newcomer of the year," "Danish rock album of the year," and the "People's choice award," which included a travel grant of 25,000 kr (~€3,350/US$3,800). Before releasing their second album, there was speculation about shortening their name to "Dizzy," but this was never formally adopted despite informal use among fans and band members.
Rotator (1996–1998)
Nick Foss assured Christensen that if their debut reached gold status (40,000 copies), their next record would be produced at London's iconic Abbey Road Studios, fulfilling Christensen’s childhood dream as a Beatles enthusiast. With the debut selling over four times that amount by 1996, Foss made certain that Rotator was recorded there.
During the sessions, Christensen underwent emotional struggles he did not share with his bandmates, who were less invested in Abbey Road's symbolic significance. This led him to depend heavily on his girlfriend Pernille Rosendahl, causing some alienation within the group. Nielsen and Friis even compared the couple to "John and Yoko," suggesting they had a divisive effect. This period exposed differing musical ambitions; Christensen later explained that his desire to evolve clashed with the others' preference to preserve their established sound, contributing to the band's eventual breakup. This tension is evident in "Rise and Fall," the album’s closing track entirely written and performed by Christensen with a distinct style.
Unlike its predecessor's lighter tone, this album carried subtle bitterness directed at the music industry. Released on 2 April 1996 across Europe and on 24 May in Japan, it quickly achieved gold certification and sold 100,000 copies domestically—an impressive feat for Danish guitar rock—and another 100,000 units in Japan. Singles such as "11:07 PM" and "Rotator" enjoyed popularity; the album won the 1997 Danish Grammy for "Rock album of the year," while Foss received recognition as "Best producer." The band embarked on extensive tours throughout Denmark, Norway, Germany, and Japan but struggled with exhaustion and persistent tensions stemming from recording challenges.
Disbandment (1998–2009)
Following half a decade of nonstop recording sessions and touring, the band entered a hiatus in 1997. Early the next year, they experimented with new demos but sensed a decline in their creative synergy, which ultimately led to their separation on 10 March 1998 during discussions held in Rosenborg Castle Gardens. An official announcement confirmed the breakup, highlighting their achievements including five Danish Grammy awards and the Tuborgs Grønne Pris. This split occurred amid a wave of dissolutions among notable Danish bands. Critics later praised their choice as bold, opting to end the group despite ongoing success; however, exhaustion and diverging artistic directions—Christensen gravitating toward a classic Beatles-inspired sound while Nielsen and Friis preferred heavier metal influences—were significant contributors.
Just eighteen days after disbanding, a Japan-exclusive compilation titled The Greatest was released. The track "Waterline" featured on the 1999 charity compilation Grænseløs Greatest, which supported refugees from the Kosovo War. In 2000, Danish dance-pop act Infernal incorporated a sample of "Silverflame" into their single "Sunrise" from the album Waiting for Daylight.
Post-breakup, Christensen became more reserved but solidified his musical identity, launching his acclaimed solo debut Secrets on Parade in 2000, partially drawing from Dizzy Mizz Lizzy’s earlier demo material. Meanwhile, Nielsen and Friis initially intended to remain active in music but eventually shifted to conventional careers; Nielsen took on work as a postman while Friis became a truck driver. Despite pursuing different paths, the three maintained their friendship and acknowledged their musical tastes had grown apart.
On 29 April 2002, they issued a greatest hits collection titled The Best of Dizzy Mizz Lizzy + Live in Aarhus '96, which included a live recording from 1996. Their only performance during this period was at the charity event Brandalarm on 16 August 2006 at Copenhagen’s Vega venue, where they played five songs over roughly twenty minutes. Christensen noted in 2008 that this was intended as a unique event but did not rule out a nostalgic reunion tour without new studio material. The band later viewed this charity appearance as the initial catalyst for their eventual reformation.
First reunion (2009–2010)
On 15 September 2009, Dizzy Mizz Lizzy revealed plans for a brief reunion tour scheduled for Spring 2010, with concerts planned in Odense, Aarhus, Aalborg, Esbjerg, and Copenhagen. The idea emerged from informal discussions among Christensen, Nielsen, and Friis. EMI suggested combining the reunion with the release of a box set. Although initially hesitant, the band launched Dizzcography on 29 March 2010—a comprehensive collection available as a 4-CD or 8-vinyl box set containing remastered versions of their two studio albums, the live album Live in Aarhus '96, and the compilation The Rest of Dizzy Mizz Lizzy.
Ticket demand surpassed all forecasts: the opening show on 9 April at K.B. Hallen sold out in less than fifteen seconds, with subsequent dates selling out within forty-five seconds. This overwhelming response led to expanding the tour to fifty-two shows, including headline slots at festivals and performances in Japan during May and September—establishing one of Denmark’s most triumphant comebacks in music history. Their appearance at Roskilde Festival coincided with Christensen’s thirty-sixth birthday. Renewed enthusiasm also inspired Danish DJ Morten Breum to release a remix of "Waterline" in April 2010.
After concluding their tour with a final concert in Tokyo on 29 September 2010, the band entered another hiatus. The documentary Lost Inside a Dream: The Story of Dizzy Mizz Lizzy, directed by Theis Molin, premiered at the Copenhagen International Documentary Festival on 4 November 2010 and chronicled the band's formation, breakup, and reunion journey. On 8 November, the band participated in a screening followed by a Q&A session; that same day EMI issued Live in Concert 2010 as both a 2CD/DVD and 2CD/Blu-ray set featuring live recordings from K.B. Hallen shows along with the documentary—marking Denmark’s first Full HD concert release. Earning platinum certification for this live album represented a pivotal moment prompting thoughts of a sustained comeback. Director Molin received the Politiken Publikumspris award for his film. On 12 November, EMI released Big-5: Dizzy Mizz Lizzy, an EP compiling five remastered tracks from their debut record.
For this reunion cycle, Christensen partnered with Rasmus Meyer of Carl Martin to create a signature guitar effects pedal named Dizzy Drive. This pedal includes adjustable controls for level, tone, drive, and edge and was limited to just 250 units when launched on 16 May 2010.
Second hiatus (2010–2014)
Following their reunion, Nielsen and Friis resumed their former occupations as a postman and truck driver, respectively, while Christensen focused on his solo endeavors. He released his fourth solo album, Tim Christensen and The Damn Crystals, on 25 November 2011. During this interval, Christensen often responded to inquiries regarding Dizzy Mizz Lizzy, clarifying that the band remained behind him soon after their final concert. He observed that public curiosity shifted from "Will Dizzy ever reunite?" to "Will you do it again?" but dismissed any imminent reunion plans. In 2012, Christensen issued The EP Series, Volume 1: Acoustic Covers and contributed to the Paul McCartney tribute album Pure McCartney. By 2014, he collaborated with Mads Langer on the EP Side Effects, which included the successful track "Bringing Back Tomorrow." Christensen intended to continue with solo projects alongside the possibility of a future Dizzy Mizz Lizzy reunion.
Second reunion and Forward in Reverse (2014–2017)
On 20 October 2014, Christensen hinted at a renewed collaboration by posting "DML2015" on Facebook, signaling a second Dizzy Mizz Lizzy reunion. Two days later, the band confirmed plans for new material and announced six concerts in Denmark set for April–May 2015, although an album or single release was undecided at that time. They later disclosed that they had been secretly working on an album for several years. The group described their status as "re-activated" rather than officially reunited. Their first new single in nearly two decades, "I Would If I Could but I Can't," premiered on Danish radio DR P3 on 5 January 2015. Their reunion debut occurred at the "Sport 2014" awards ceremony. The follow-up single, "Made to Believe," was released on 10 April 2015 to coincide with the start of their tour. This tour covered Denmark, included a performance at Bospop in the Netherlands, and featured concerts in Japan, preceded by a secret rehearsal show in Valby.
On 6 November 2015, Jan Poulsen published the band’s biography titled Dizzy Mizz Lizzy: En drengedrøm. The next day, they performed at Denmark’s Grammy ceremony where Christensen was honored with IFPI's Ærespris (Honorary Award). On 12 March 2016, they appeared on Rockpalast.
Their third studio album, Forward in Reverse, arrived on 20 April 2016—marking their first new release since Rotator in 1996. Preceding the album was the single "Brainless," released on 1 April 2016. The album received critical acclaim and won GAFFA Awards for both Danish album of the year and Danish rock album of the year in 2016. Supporting the release, the band embarked on an extensive tour covering Denmark, Japan, the Netherlands, and Germany, culminating with a final performance on 10 June 2017 in Berlin.
Livegasm! and Alter Echo (2017–current)
In late 2017, Dizzy Mizz Lizzy entered the studio and subsequently issued the live double-LP Livegasm!, which was released on 29 November in Japan and on 8 December in Denmark. This record became Denmark’s best-selling vinyl of that year. The band continued to perform sporadically live shows during this period, introducing new tracks such as "In the Blood" and "California Rain." On 25 May 2019, they co-headlined a concert with Lenny Kravitz held at Horsens Statsfængsel.
Their fourth studio album, Alter Echo, was released on 20 March 2020 after an initial plan for a 2018 release. This album garnered the GAFFA Award for Danish rock album of the year while Christensen earned songwriter of the year accolades. An instrumental vinyl edition titled Alter Echo Instrumental followed in February 2021 featuring remixed and remastered versions of the tracks; its limited pressing sold out quickly.
Incorporating ambient textures and orchestral arrangements, the band enlisted Anders Stig Møller from Turboweekend to play keyboards during tours. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, live performances were limited to a handful of smaller shows before launching their highly praised "Arena Tour" across five major Danish venues in April 2022, concluding at the Royal Arena.
On 1 September 2021, the music video for their extensive 23-minute suite "Amelia" premiered at the Odense International Film Festival. Directed by Marc Louis Sutton and starring Angela Bundalovic, it was simultaneously released as a single in Denmark. The video won awards including Best rock music video at the Euro Music Video Song Awards (February 2022) and Best music video at the San Francisco Indie Short Festival in 2022.
On 12 March 2022, Dizzy Mizz Lizzy performed "In the Blood" live at Copenhagen’s City Hall Square during the Sammen for Ukraine charity event supporting victims of the Russo-Ukrainian War. This performance was broadcast live across Danish television and radio networks.
Mascot
From the band's inception, Dizzy Mizz Lizzy has featured an image of a young, "dizzy" girl as their emblem. Christensen shares the background: "The photograph dates back to around 1920 and shows my maternal grandmother's older sister. She passed away from tuberculosis at approximately 12 to 14 years old. Her name was Vera. My family possesses two or three copies; I keep one displayed in my apartment." When creating the artwork for their 1993 promotional release, the band selected this photo to serve as their mascot or emblem. On the demo cover, it was stylized with fluorescent colors. Later, Danish designer MandOverBord incorporated the image for their debut album and singles, opting for more natural tones but adding red laser beams emanating from her eyes. The 2002 compilation The Best of Dizzy Mizz Lizzy + Live in Aarhus '96 featured the mascot layered over the artwork from their second album, Rotator. During their 2009 reunion, the mascot was present in promotional materials and performances, including a black-and-white duotone version on the 2010 Dizzcography box set cover, which used redrawn illustrations due to missing original files. The live DVD Live in Concert 2010 presents a black-and-white adaptation of the photo styled as a theater poster. Following their 2014 reunion, the mascot reemerged as an anaglyph 3D image utilized in marketing, on stage visuals, and featured on the 2016 album Forward in Reverse along with its singles.
Awards
- 1993 Winner of the Danish rock championship
- 1994 Awarded Danish group of the year (GAFFA Award)
- 1995 Honored as Danish group of the year (Danish Grammy)
- 1995 Received Danish newcomer of the year (Danish Grammy)
- 1995 Earned Danish rock album of the year (Danish Grammy for Dizzy Mizz Lizzy)
- 1995 Won People's choice award / "Green prize" (Danish Grammy)
- 1996 Named Danish live group of the year (GAFFA Award)
- 1997 Again awarded Danish live group of the year (GAFFA Award)
- 1997 Claimed Danish rock album of the year (Danish Grammy for Rotator)
- 1997 Recognized as Danish producer of the year (Danish Grammy for Nick Foss for Rotator)
- 2016 Received both Danish album of the year and Danish rock album of the year (GAFFA Awards for Forward In Reverse)
- 2021 Awarded Danish rock album of the year (GAFFA Award for Alter Echo)
- 2021 Honored with Songwriter of the year (GAFFA Award)
Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DK |
JP | ||||
| 1994 | Dizzy Mizz Lizzy
|
1 | 8 |
|
|
| 1996 | Rotator
|
2 | — |
|
|
| 2016 | Forward in Reverse
|
1 | 16 | ||
| 2020 | Alter Echo
|
2 | 35 |
|
|
Live albums
| Year | Album information | Highest chart rankings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DK |
JP | ||
| 1995 | One Guitar, One Bass and a Drummer, That's Really All It Takes — Live in Japan
|
— | — |
| 2010 | Live in Concert 2010
|
4 | 147 |
| 2017 | Livegasm!
|
4 | — |
Compilation albums
| Year | Album information | Highest chart rankings |
|---|---|---|
| DK | ||
| 1998 | The Greatest
|
— |
| 2002 | The Best of Dizzy Mizz Lizzy + Live in Aarhus '96
|
4 |
| 2010 | Dizzcography
|
6 |
Big-5: Dizzy Mizz Lizzy
|
— |
Singles
| Year | Title | Highest chart positions | Associated album |
|---|---|---|---|
| DK | |||
| 1994 | "Waterline" | 24Template:Ref label | Dizzy Mizz Lizzy |
| "Barbedwired Baby's Dream" | — | ||
| "Love Is a Loser's Game" | 13Template:Ref label | ||
| 1995 | "Silverflame" | 89 | |
| "Glory" | — | ||
| 1996 | "Rotator" | — | Rotator |
| "Find My Way" (Japanese promo) | — | ||
| "11:07 PM" | — | ||
| "When the River Runs Dry" | — | ||
| 2015 | "I Would If I Could But I Can't" | 44 | Forward in Reverse |
| "Made to Believe" | 6 | ||
| "Brainless" | 20 |
- A. This chart position corresponds to a re-entry dated April 16, 2010, coinciding with the release of the "Morten Breum Remix" of "Waterline".
- B. The single "Love Is a Loser's Game" reached number 13 on the Hitlisten Danish Singles Chart during week 35 of 1994; this may not reflect its highest placement.
External links
- ↑ "Our priority is music itself, not categorization. Our style remains authentic and vibrant."
- ↑ 2010 reunion tour.
- ↑ Comeback confirmed in 2014.
- ↑ Recent albums critically lauded.
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