Skagarack

Origin: Kolding (Denmark)

SKAGARACK

Morten Munch - Alvin Otto - Torben Schmidt - Tommy Rasmussen - Jan Petersen

Discography:

st - 1986 (with lyrics)

Hungry for a game - 1988 (with lyrics)

A slice of heaven - 1990

Notes:

- Supremely melodic Rockers SKAGARACK, named after the stretch of sea where the battle of Jutland was fought, came together in Kolding during 1980 as a cover band trio of Vocalist Torben Schmidt, guitarist Jan Petersson and drummer Alvin Otto taking on the title PULZE and releasing a Danish language album that same year. Adding bassist Moreten Munch and keyboard player Tommy Rasmussen, the band recorded a demo, which led in turn to a deal with Polydor Records.

SKAGARACK's opening gambit emerged in 1986, featuring Jan Eliasson on bass guitar plus studio session men percussionist Flemming Gerynx and Lars Christensen on background vocals. The group toured Europe promoting the eponymous debut album in 1987 as support to TNT before scoring significant success in Scandinavia and Japan, selling over 120'000 records.

The equally well regarded, but harder edged 'Hungry For A Game', produced by Tommy Hansen at Jailhouse Studios, followed in 1988. SKAGARACK got tougher still with 'A Slice Of Heaven' in 1990, this record benefitting hugely from a heavyweight production courtesy of Klaus Mack and Michael Wagener. However, financial concerns made it necessary for the band to pursue day jobs as session musicians although the band signed a new deal with Medley Records in 1991.

Schmidt recorded a solo album, 'A Bit On The Side', in 1991. Schmidt, Munch, Petersen and drummer Lars Daugaard worked up some fresh tracks intended for the next SKAGARACK album, but these songs would be vaulted. Schmidt re-formed the band once again in 1992, working with guitarist Allan Gade, bassist Jens Brockhoff, keyboard player Steen Boel and drummer Lars Daugaard. SKAGARACK's fourth album, 'Big Time', emerged in 1993 but failed to generate the previous enthusiasm. Following the break up of the band, Schmidt formed Thunderstruck Productions. Torben latterly managed and produces the Swedish band FREAK KITCHEN through the company.

SKAGARACK was announced as reuniting in 1998, but this did not transpire. Both Torben Schmidt and Jan Eliasson guested as backing vocalists on PANGEA's 1999 album 'Manchild'.

The group took on a further reformation in January 2009, breaking a 21 year drought of live performances with a show to play the Esbjerg festival. -

(Notes by http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/denmark/kolding/skagarack)