Norwegian pop-tinged electronica. And strange names.

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“I guess I’m Ralph,” says Erlend Sellevold. “He’s doing the Ralph,” agree his band mates Tarjei Ström and Thomas Löhnheim. I’m sitting in a London pub with strangely christened Ralph Myerz And The Jack Herren band, the latest electronic act from the Norwegian seaside town of Bergen, home of Royksopp and Kings Of Convenience.

Why Ralph Myerz? “It’s from a moviemaker, Russ Meyer, who produced a lot of movies in the 60s and 70s like Supervixens and Motor Psycho,” explains Ralph. “Sort of B-movies with girls with big… tits?” He stumbles over his English. “Breasts,” Thomas helps out. “We basically like the sound of his movies. Nothing against breasts, though.” Obviously.

Back in 1997, “Ralph Myerz” was already DJ-ing. He was asked to perform at an electronic festival in Bergen and got his two friends to help out. “It was really like a jam session,” says Tarjei. “We were one of the smallest names on the bill and it turned out to be one of the biggest concerts at the festival.” “We got a lot of gigs after that job,” continues Thomas. “And then we were a band.”

And how would they describe their sound? “If you know Batman there’s this character called Two-Face and we’re pretty much like him,” says Tarjei. “On record we try and make the nicest music with the nicest sounds. It’s kind of mellow. Some people call it chillout, though we don’t like to use that word. But when we play live there’s a whole new side to it. There are two drummers, we do pyrotechnics, there’s loads of light – it’s more of a rock show.”

Coming from Bergen they are always, unfairly, going to be compared to Royksopp. Do they find the sudden interest in their town’s music a bit odd? “It’s really strange,” says Tarjei. “In early 2000 we went on tour with Royksopp in Norway and did four or five shows with maybe 70 people in the audience. It was really underground. Then it really blew up in Europe and Norway slowly caught up.” “You don’t think about it much,” says Thomas. “It’s your friends making music and suddenly they sell more records, but it’s not really any different.”

On record, the Ralph Myerz produce a relaxing blend of strangely beguiling sounds and pop hooks. Live they are truly special, delivering funky beats with such enthusiasm that you won’t be able to stop grinning. Or dancing. “We want to do the whole stick twirling thing,” enthuses Tarjei. “It’s entertainment.” It sure is. Matt Walton 13 June 03

Ralph Myerz And The Jack Herren Band – A Special Album is out now on Emperor Norton Records.

ralph myerz recommends
True Thoughts, Magnet, Fluffy Fluff.

useful link: www.ralphmyerz.com