Punishment Park
Kjell took time out for an e-mail interview in April, 2002.Virus: How did the four of you find each other?
Kjell: I played in a punk band back in 83 with Pez on drums, so I called him. I meet Claes at a squat in Bergen. Anja ( first singer) I knew very well, she played in a girl punk band called Attributtene, which just split up before I started up Punishment Park. Anja left in January 1992, to study, Claes sister Leni joined the band, she was kicked out after about 10 months in the band. We’re VERY good friends today, and when we look back on it, it is just crazy the whole thing. Kikki joined in April 1993, and she has stayed in the band since than, we meet her at the Garage, where we all sit and drink beers on the weekends. We had a keyboard player in 1992 + ½ of 1993, he also left to go to school. So it was a processes of 3 ½ year before we ended up with the line up Punishment Park are today.
London, 1997
Virus: How did you know this would be the right line-up?
Kjell: We never know, but it works out alright now. But it might be different next week or tomorrow.
Virus: Can you tell us what it's like for ind pendent bands in Norway? (is there a large contributing scene there, or is it difficult to get shows, etc.)
Kjell: The scene in Norway is very good for punk, indie .. etc.. rock. Lots of good venues to play. But it hard to do shows on weekday’s if you’re not a BIG band. Weekends works best. Norway got a lot of really great bands. Now it seems like the world also discovered this. Since they’re signing bands from Norway like they’re afraid that Norway got the last few good bands left on planet earth.
Marsberg, 1995
Virus: Tell me about your last tour. Where did you tour, what was your favorite place on the tour, and any other tour-related event you want to add.
Kjell: I can’t tell you any favorite place, I like being on the road. And we played so many great places. Punishment Park hasn't’t been on the road outside Norway for nearly 4 years now. And will probably not do a new tour outside Norway. Kikki do not want to tour anymore. Can’t blame her, she just had enough off being on the road. That’s one of the reasons why I started Jef ( me and Pez new band). You'll find a bunch of free songs at www.mp3.com/punishmentpark
Virus: Tell me about your current album. Where was it recorded? How long did it take? Are you happy with it?
Kjell: It’s an EP with 4 songs, incl. A cover of NENA’s 99 luftballons, it was recorded at some friends studio. Yeah we’re happy with it. It got as good as it can get on a recording session that lasted for 3 day’s. You’ll find this song at www.sonicfish.com ( just search for Punishment Park)
Virus: Who are your favorite local bands to play with?
Kjell: So many, we like to play gig’s together with our friends, local or not. So we got no favourite’s.
Schuttorf, 1996