The Margarets
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Founder | Rune Berg, Alex Rinde |
| Defunct | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Giske, Oslo , Norway |
Area served | Norway, United Kingdom |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
| Website | myspace |
The Margarets originated as a Norwegian pop ensemble from the island of Giske, situated close to Ålesund. Established in 1991 by guitarist and composer Rune Berg alongside lead singer Alex Rinde, the group took its name from their local mail carrier, Margaret. The band’s roster later expanded to include Ante Rune Giskeødegård, Ronnie Michael André Giskegjerde Larsen, and Kai Valderhaug. They collaborated for approximately four years before members parted ways due to academic commitments and health issues.
In 1999, the band reassembled in Oslo—except for bassist Valderhaug—and initially performed under the name Jupiter Starfish before returning to the original moniker, The Margarets. Bassist Lars Berg joined at this time, and by March 2001 they achieved chart success in Norway with the single "Rubber Rubbish." Their first album, What Kept You? (2002), climbed to number two on Norwegian charts and sold over 30,000 units. The material on this album had been composed nearly ten years earlier, which aligns with its title.
The Margarets’ sophomore release, Love Will Haunt You Down (2005), reached number five on Norwegian charts and enjoyed respectable sales. Drawing inspiration from Manchester-based groups such as The Smiths, Joy Division, and The Stone Roses, they toured the United Kingdom in 2007. Their performance at Manchester's In the City festival received positive acclaim. The BBC recognized them among their top seven preferred acts, while the Manchester Evening News ranked them among the six standout performers at the event. Additionally, they recorded a live session for Xfm Manchester.
In 2008, The Margarets released two studio albums recorded at Ocean Sound Recordings on Giske: Twenty Years Erased (January) and Look For Love (November). The former earned them a nomination for the 2008 Spellemannsprisen in the pop band category.
A 2007 documentary film, When the Wind Calls Your Name, directed by Paul Barron, profiles the band’s journey.
The Margarets officially disbanded in 2011.
Members
- Rune Berg: guitar, songwriter (1991–2011)
- Alex Rinde: vocals, drums, lyricist (1991–2011)
- Ante Rune Giskeødegård: rhythm guitar (1991–2011)
- Ronnie Michael André Giskegjerde Larsen: percussion (1991–2011)
- Kai Valderhaug: bass (1991–1995)
- Lars Berg: bass (1999–2011)
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOR | ||||||||||||||
| What Kept You? |
|
2 | ||||||||||||
| Love Will Haunt You Down |
|
4 | ||||||||||||
| Twenty Years Erased |
|
7 | ||||||||||||
| Look For Love |
|
— | ||||||||||||
| "—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that territory. | ||||||||||||||
Singles
- «Alain Delon» / «Rubber Rubbish» (2001)
- «Spoonful of Love»
- «Sound of Summer»
- «Surf Alone» (2005)
- «She Caught the Last Bus Home» (2005)
- «Oh! Pretty Woman» (2006)
External links
- Norwegian pop music groups
- Musical groups established in 1991
- 1991 establishments in Norway
- Musical groups disbanded in 1995
- 1995 disestablishments in Norway
- Musical groups reformed in 1999
- Musical groups from Møre og Romsdal
- Giske Municipality
- Musical groups disbanded in 2011
- Musical groups disestablished in 1995