Fielfraz
Encyclopedia
Fielfraz was a Danish
band which had its heyday between 1990 and 1996. The band members were Claus Hempler on guitar and vocals, Nils Brakchi on bass, Kenneth Priisholm on guitar (lead) and Jens Langhorn on drums. The band's name stems from the German word for "wolverine
".
After several years of building up a fine live reputation in Odense
Fielfraz broke through in Denmark
with their very first record Shine that gained good reviews, a large audience, as well as a big hit with the title song. Shine was a Beatlesque rock record that had a broad pop/rock appeal and hit a dry spot on a Danish rock scene that had very few mainstream guitar bands at the time. 1992's Electric Eel also included big radiohits like Surfer and Naked but the album as a whole was a lesser success. The difficult third album "Slick" came late and although widely critically acclaimed, it was largely ignored by the public. Hereafter the activities of Fielfraz gradually clinged out, although they never officially broke up. However Priisholm eventually left the band, leaving Fielfraz as a trio, that all appeared on the album Hempler. Instead of following under the Fielfraz moniker the album introduced Claus Hempler as a solo artist in 2004, and gave him a significant comeback on the Danish scene.
Fielfraz are often cited as an influence on Danish rock and grunge bands that broke through in the early 1990s like Kashmir
and Dizzy Mizz Lizzy
. It is more true that they paved the way for these bands on the national Danish radio
(Danmarks Radio
, P3).
Fielfraz´ influences were primarily British, Priisholms guitarplay was influenced by everything from new wave, XTC
to King Crimson
and Claus Hemplers lyrics and vocal talent always rendered Elvis Costello
.
Fielfrazs songbook ranged from indiepop to mainstream rock, from garagedrive to ballad croon, and their heterogeneous style were their strength as well as their weakness. Shine is a charming album and Electric eel has its moments. However it's Slick that stands out as a flawed but awesome swansong.
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
band which had its heyday between 1990 and 1996. The band members were Claus Hempler on guitar and vocals, Nils Brakchi on bass, Kenneth Priisholm on guitar (lead) and Jens Langhorn on drums. The band's name stems from the German word for "wolverine
Wolverine
The wolverine, pronounced , Gulo gulo , also referred to as glutton, carcajou, skunk bear, or quickhatch, is the largest land-dwelling species of the family Mustelidae . It is a stocky and muscular carnivore, more closely resembling a small bear than other mustelids...
".
After several years of building up a fine live reputation in Odense
Odense
The city of Odense is the third largest city in Denmark.Odense City has a population of 167,615 and is the main city of the island of Funen...
Fielfraz broke through in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
with their very first record Shine that gained good reviews, a large audience, as well as a big hit with the title song. Shine was a Beatlesque rock record that had a broad pop/rock appeal and hit a dry spot on a Danish rock scene that had very few mainstream guitar bands at the time. 1992's Electric Eel also included big radiohits like Surfer and Naked but the album as a whole was a lesser success. The difficult third album "Slick" came late and although widely critically acclaimed, it was largely ignored by the public. Hereafter the activities of Fielfraz gradually clinged out, although they never officially broke up. However Priisholm eventually left the band, leaving Fielfraz as a trio, that all appeared on the album Hempler. Instead of following under the Fielfraz moniker the album introduced Claus Hempler as a solo artist in 2004, and gave him a significant comeback on the Danish scene.
Fielfraz are often cited as an influence on Danish rock and grunge bands that broke through in the early 1990s like Kashmir
Kashmir (band)
Kashmir is a Danish alternative rock band consisting of Kasper Eistrup ; Mads Tunebjerg ; Asger Techau and Henrik Lindstrand .-History:...
and Dizzy Mizz Lizzy
Dizzy Mizz Lizzy
Dizzy Mizz Lizzy was an alternative rock band from Denmark that started in 1988. Between 1994 and 1997, they were highly successful in Denmark and Japan, heading the early 1990s rock revival in Denmark. The trio consisted of Tim Christensen , Martin Nielsen and Søren Friis...
. It is more true that they paved the way for these bands on the national Danish radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
(Danmarks Radio
Danmarks Radio
DR – officially rendered into English as the Danish Broadcasting Corporation – is Denmark's national broadcasting corporation. Founded in 1925 as a public-service organization, it is today Denmark's oldest and largest electronic media enterprise...
, P3).
Fielfraz´ influences were primarily British, Priisholms guitarplay was influenced by everything from new wave, XTC
XTC
XTC were a New Wave band from Swindon, England, active between 1976 and 2005. The band enjoyed some chart success, including the UK and Canadian hits "Making Plans for Nigel" and "Senses Working Overtime" , but are perhaps even better known for their long-standing critical success.- Early years:...
to King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
and Claus Hemplers lyrics and vocal talent always rendered Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
.
Fielfrazs songbook ranged from indiepop to mainstream rock, from garagedrive to ballad croon, and their heterogeneous style were their strength as well as their weakness. Shine is a charming album and Electric eel has its moments. However it's Slick that stands out as a flawed but awesome swansong.
Discography
- Shine - Genlyd/BMG, 1990
- Electric Eel - Genlyd/BMG, 1992
- Slick - Virgin, 1996