Matchstick Sun
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Oslo , Norway |
| Products | Rock music, albums, singles |
Matchstick Sun was a rock group originating from Norway, established in 1984. Emerging from Oslo's underground music environment, they eventually produced two albums under a major record label, secured a Spellemannprisen award (Norway’s counterpart to the Grammy), and concluded their activities after seven years.
Band members
- Ivar Eidem – vocals and keyboards
- Rolf Recknagel – guitar and backing vocals
- Rune Annaniassen – bass guitar
- Geir “Bulle” Underdal – drums
Additional members
- Truls Jedemo – keyboards (1988–1991)
- Bjørn Hemsen – guitar (1990–1991)
Origins
The group began in 1984 under the name Diamond Dogs, formed by prominent musicians from Oslo’s post-punk circuit. This lineup featured drummer Bulle (previously with Betong Hysteria and Løver og tigre), vocalist Eidem and bassist Annaniassen (both formerly of The Cut), alongside guitarist and songwriter Recknagel, who had a brief tenure with De Press.
Transition to mainstream
By spring 1988, the band adopted the name Matchstick Sun and released a three-track single through the independent label Temptation. In 1989, they signed with BMG Ariola and recorded their first album Flowerground at Silence Studio, collaborating with producer Knut Bohn and engineer Anders Lind, who revived their mellotron instrument.
Their profile rose in June 1989 when they appeared at New York’s New Music Seminar and received attention from Norwegian press. The album Flowerground came out in August 1989 and won them the Spellemannprisen award for Best New Act.
Itchy Bitchy
The second studio album, Itchy Bitchy, was released in 1990. Although it was met with favorable reviews, its radio presence and sales did not match those of their debut. The band also took part in the EBU Rock Festival held in Cork, Ireland—a significant event organized by the European Broadcasting Union and broadcast throughout Europe.
Following drummer Bulle’s departure in January 1991, the band disbanded. Bulle continued his career with The Lust-O-Rama (active 1989–93), a garage rock ensemble formed alongside Arne Thelin of The Cosmic Dropouts; their only album, Twenty-Six Screams, was released in 1990.
Guitarist and songwriter Rolf Recknagel went on to create Yeahlove Swans (1991–94), producing one album titled Lovetech under Polygram in 1992. Bassist Rune Annaniassen joined Sister Rain in 1992; after issuing their album The Neptun Tapes in 1993, that band dissolved. He subsequently played with Merchants of Venus (1993–94), who released Wish Across the Land through WEA in 1994. Vocalist Ivar Eidem pursued a solo career, debuting with Missions of a Clown (1996, Oh Yeah!), which earned him Norway’s Grammy for Best Male Artist.
Albums
- Flowerground (RCA 1989)
- Itchy Bitchy (RCA 1990)
Singles
- ”You and Me” b/w “Bumblebee” / “Candy Man” - (Temptation 1988)
- ”Matchstick Sun” b/w “Flowerground” - (RCA 1989)
- “It's Just a Matter” b/w “Too Many Girls” - (RCA 1989)
- ”Mr. Powerman” b/w “Modern World” - (RCA 1990)