Span (band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Founder | Jarle Bernhoft, Fridtjof Nilsen, Vemund Stavnes, Fredrik Wallumrød |
| Defunct | 2005 (hiatus) |
| Fate | Indefinite hiatus announced in August 2005; reunion planned for February 2024 |
| Headquarters | Oslo , Norway |
Area served | Norway, United Kingdom, United States (tours) |
Key people | Jarle Bernhoft (lead vocals, guitar), Fridtjof Nilsen (guitar, backing vocals), Vemund Stavnes (bass, until 2003), Kim Nordbæk (bass, from 2003), Fredrik Wallumrød (drums, backing vocals) |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Number of employees | 4-5 (band members) |
SPAN is a rock ensemble from Norway that emerged in 2000, originating from the former groups Explicit Lyrics and Squid. They described their sound as "Norwegian Turbo-Rock 'n' Roll Commandos." The band’s members were Jarle Bernhoft (lead vocals, guitar), Fridtjof Nilsen (guitar, backing vocals), Vemund Stavnes (bass), and Fredrik Wallumrød (drums, backing vocals). In 2003, Stavnes departed and was succeeded by Kim Nordbæk.
From 2002 until 2004, SPAN embarked on extensive tours across the UK and Norway, with a short period performing in the United States. Their global album sales exceeded 55,000 copies. In August 2005, the group announced an indefinite hiatus, citing differing personal goals despite maintaining amicable relations. In late 2023, SPAN revealed plans for reunion concerts at Oslo’s Rockefeller Music Hall scheduled for February 2024, celebrating two decades since their first album launch.
Labels
SPAN secured a contract with Island Records in mid-2002 and recorded their debut album Mass Distraction at RAK Studios in London under producer Gil Norton. Although they maintained an active touring schedule and released minor charting singles like 'Found' and 'Don't Think The Way They Do,' Island postponed the album release until 2004, which affected their initial momentum.
Attempts to penetrate the American market were unsuccessful following collapsed agreements with Geffen Records and Interscope Records. While Interscope initially intended to sign them after a showcase at LA’s Troubadour, internal label changes led to SPAN being dropped before any US releases occurred. Additional recordings intended for a US album edition were completed but remain unreleased. Their track "Stay As You Are" was featured in a Nissan advertisement in the US, and 'Don't Think the Way They Do' appeared in the video game Gran Turismo 4.
Their sophomore album, Vs. Time, was launched exclusively in Norway through Johnny NoWhere/Mercury. The single 'Cut Like Diamonds' achieved a peak position of number two on Norwegian charts. By mid-2005, the band chose to part ways as Bernhoft shifted towards a softer musical direction. Their final performance took place before a sold-out audience in Oslo during October 2005.
Life after SPAN
On 1 September 2008, vocalist Jarle Bernhoft began his solo career with the release of Ceramik City Chronicles, followed by multiple acclaimed albums. He has worked alongside prominent Norwegian musicians such as Kristin Asbjørnsen, Shining, Bigbang, and Hanne Hukkelberg, contributing various instruments including guitar, bass, percussion, vocals, and flute.
Guitarist Joff Nilsen, bassist Kim Nordbæk, and drummer Fredrik Wallumrød formed the metal group Dog Almighty together with vocalist Sindri from Farout Fishing. Their 2007 debut lacked the pop sensibilities characteristic of SPAN. After Sindri’s exit and unsuccessful efforts to find a new singer, the band dissolved.
Fredrik Wallumrød joined the Norwegian metal outfit El Caco, while Kim Nordbæk collaborated with melodic band Sibir. Joff Nilsen concentrated on session performances, production work, and television projects.
On 24 January 2011, Container, a 12-track album written by Freddy and Joff featuring several vocalists including Jarle Bernhoft, Venke Knutson, Thom Hell, and Shaun Bartlett was released. No tours were organized to promote this release as vocalists focused on their individual careers.
Band lineup
- Jarle Bernhoft: lead singer, guitar
- Fridtjof "Joff" Nilsen: guitarist, backing vocals
- Kim Nordbæk: bassist, backing vocals
- Fredrik Wallumrød: drummer, backing vocals
Former members
- Vemund "Wes" Stavnes: bass guitar, backing vocals
Studio albums
| Album information | Chart peak |
|---|---|
| NOR | |
Mass Distraction
|
5 |
Vs. Time
|
4 |
Singles
| Year | Single title | Peak chart position | Corresponding album |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOR | |||
| 2001 | "Missing in Stereo" | — | Mass Distraction |
| 2002 | "On My Way Down" b/w "Stuck In The Middle" |
— | |
| "Baby's Come Back" b/w "Always Ends" |
— | ||
| 2003 | "Papa" b/w "Odour Eleven" |
— | |
| "Found" b/w "Crash & Burn" and "Mental Surgery" |
14 | ||
| 2004 | "Don't Think the Way They Do" b/w "Dive Motherf*cker" |
11 | |
| "Stay As You Are" | — | ||
| 2005 | "Cut Like Diamonds" | 2 | Vs. Time |
| "The Outside" | — |
EPs and additional singles
- 2002: Baby's Come Back EP
Tracks include "Baby's Come Back", "On My Way Down", "Found", "Always Ends" (non-album), and "Thunder Blues" (non-album)
- 2005: Cut Like Diamonds EP
Features "Cut Like Diamonds", "Psycho Killer" (non-album), "Dive Down With Me" (non-album), and a live version of "Peaceful"
Other tracks
- 2005: "Parasite" (appeared on Gods of Thunder: Norwegian Tribute to Kiss)