The Contenders

On Thursday 27 August, The Contenders visit Østkanten Bluesklubb at Herr Nilsen. The Contenders is one of few Norwegian bands to carry on the American blues, r&b and country-rock (New Orleans, Texas, Memphis style etc) – the whole americana tradition – with Norwegian lyrics and their own twist. The Contenders were formed in 1988 and got their full lineup of original Solør men in 1990. They started as the house band at the legendary Cruise Café in Oslo. The band signed with EMI and recorded their first LP «The Contenders» in March 1989. In 1992 the follow-up «Radioland» arrived, and that same year they opened for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers in Sweden. In autumn 2024 the album «Motorvei til månen» was released. The Contenders: Bjørn Kulseth: vocals and guitar Stein Kulseth: vocals and piano Bjørn Nilsen: guitar Roar Espen Wagenius: bass guitar Per Ivar Stræte: drums Audun Os: tenor saxophone Kåre Rognsaa: baritone saxophone