The Sandmen

The Sandmen

Company type	Rock band
Industry	Music
Founded	1985
Headquarters	Copenhagen , Denmark
Products	Music albums, live performances
Website	www.thesandmen.dk

The Sandmen is a rock group originating from Copenhagen, Denmark, established in 1985. After their split in 1995, they reunited in 2003, coinciding with the release of the compilation Beauties and Beasts. Their 2006 album White Trash Red Front marked their most notable commercial achievement. By 2014, the band had streamlined into a trio consisting of Allan Vegenfeldt, Michael Illo Rasmussen, and Stefan Moulvad, releasing Den Bedste dag, their first Danish-language record following eight albums in English. In 2019, they followed up with another Danish album titled Himmelstormer.

Original phase

The founding members included Allan Vegenfeldt on vocals, Stefan Jensen on guitar, Ole Wennike handling bass and harmonica, and Michael Illo Rasmussen on drums. Early releases were issued through Garden Records. In 1988, guitarist Sam Mitchell joined prior to the release of Western Blood. Their 1989 track "House in the Country" gained recognition following the U.S. launch of that album.

After signing with A&M Records, The Sandmen embarked on tours across the United States. Their third studio effort, Gimme Gimme, recorded in Malmö, Sweden, blended traditional rock with late-1980s Manchester-wave influences reminiscent of Happy Mondays. Stefan Jensen departed in 1992 before the band signed with EMI and produced Sleepyhead, an album that cemented their reputation within Denmark. The 1994 release In The House of Secrets incorporated jazz influences; its song "Slave Song" became a staple during live performances. The group disbanded in 1995.

Following the breakup, Ole Wennike and Allan Vegenfeldt formed the band Nerve alongside guitarist Stefan Moulvad and others; this project released one EP and one album before dissolving.

Reunion and revival

The compilation Beauties and Beasts released in 2003 led to a reunion without Sam Mitchell due to health issues; the lineup then consisted of Vegenfeldt, Wennike, Rasmussen, and Moulvad. Mitchell passed away in 2006 at age 56.

Their comeback album White Trash Red Front (2006) became their highest-charting release after a ten-year hiatus, featuring the radio-friendly ballad "Wouldn't Mind at All" and combining elements of pop, garage rock, and psychedelia.

In 2008, they recorded the critically acclaimed album Shine in Gothenburg and toured until mid-2009 before members pursued individual projects. Bassist Ole Wennike exited in 2011; thereafter Vegenfeldt, Rasmussen, and Moulvad continued as a trio. For live shows and studio work on the 2014 album Den bedste dag, Jens Hein (bass) and Palle Hjorth (keyboards) joined the ensemble. Between 2016 and 2017, they composed material for the 2019 release Himmelstormer, collaborating with Hein and guitarist/harpist Jarno Varsted. Both remain active contributors to songwriting, recording sessions, and touring activities.

Members

Original line-up (1985)

• Allan Vegenfeldt (born 1964) – vocals
• Stefan Jensen (born 1962) – guitar (departed in 1992)
• Ole Wennike (born 1958) – bass, harmonica (left in 2009)
• Michael Illo Rasmussen (born 1959) – drums

Additional members

• Sam Mitchell (1950–2006) – guitar (joined in 1988)
• Stefan Moulvad (born 1968) – guitar (joined in 2003)

Current line-up

• Michael Illo Rasmussen
• Allan Vegenfeldt
• Stefan Moulvad

Timeline

Discography

Album details	Peak chart positions	Certifications
	DEN
The Sandmen Issued in 1987 via Garden Records	Template:Spaced ndash
Western Blood Released in Denmark in 1988; US version reissued in 1989 Labels: Garden Records, A&M (US)	Template:Spaced ndash
Gimme Gimme Launched in 1990 on Garden Records	Template:Spaced ndash
Sleepyhead Released under EMI in 1992	Template:Spaced ndash
In The House of Secrets Issued by EMI in 1994	Template:Spaced ndash
White Trash Red Front Released on EMI in 2006; peaked at No. 9 on Danish charts	9
Shine Issued by EMI in 2008; reached No.15 in Denmark	15
Den bedste dag Released through Universal Music in 2014; attained No.13 position domestically	13
Himmelstormer Launched by 500% Records in 2019

Live albums

Album details	Peak chart positions	Certifications
	DEN
Live Published by EMI in 1993	Template:Spaced ndash
Live in Copenhagen Self-released in 2012	Template:Spaced ndash

Compilation albums

Album details	Peak chart positions	Certifications
	DEN
Beauties and Beasts A best-of collection plus rarities released by EMI in 2003; reached No.36 on Danish charts	36

External links

• Official site
• Discogs profile