– The interest has been huge from organizers around the world, reveals Rune Rebellion.
Dug out rehearsal room
Rune Grønn, who goes by the rhythm guitarist of Turbonegro in civilian life, has been involved since the beginning. It was in 1989, not far from this summer’s festival area.
– The first rehearsal room was actually only a few hundred meters in a straight line from where the main stage at Tons of Rock is located now. We started in an earth cellar in an occupied apartment building on Alnafetgata in Gamlebyen. Which we dug out ourselves.
Knut Schreiner, aka the guitarist Euroboy, says it’s especially meaningful to play in their hometown and elaborates to NTB:
– Some of the most important albums were recorded at Grønlandsleiret, in the studio Endless Sound, not least “Apocalypse Dudes.” The cover image for the “I Got Erection” single was taken nearby. In many ways, we are back on historic ground for the band’s sake.
Part of the DNA
Rune Grønn is 59 years old, Knut Schreiner ten years younger. They describe the band as an important part of their identity.
– It has been part of my entire adult life for nearly 40 years. I don’t think about it; it’s like part of my DNA. To maintain what we did in the first ten years, one had to be a bit special. But it was during these years that Turbo found its identity, says Grønn and, like Schreiner, talks about the joy of playing together:
– We have a unique chemistry, as it is often said about most bands; that the whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts.
– Helps with makeup
When it’s concert time, it’s on with makeup and costumes often described as homoerotic, and out come the rock names.
– Rock is theater, and we use the term “role” – where we come from the theater rock genre. Just think of Alice Cooper and The Ramones, how one uses the band format to convey an aesthetic universe and drama. At times, this has been difficult to get understanding for in Norway, says Knut Schreiner, who joined Turbonegro in 1996. But he laughs a bit when he admits:
– Turbo had good lyrics from the start, which have held up well. But of course, it helps to put on costumes when you are going on stage to sing them today!
Fast and dark
For the band, there’s no escaping performing their classics, like “Get It on,” “The Age of Pamparius,” and “I Got Erection” – the latter having a lyric that goes: “Every time I walk down the street – Erection – I see a woman that I like to beat – Erection – I think of blood, I think of love – Erection.”
– We can offer everything from 30-year-old songs that are two minutes of pure punk, to newer songs with a completely different dynamic. We always change a bit with each phase. That’s why we always have new elements on the setlist and on stage, says Schreiner.
– I say Turbo out of habit. The rock environment has always shortened band names, like Raga and DumDum, Sabbath and Stones. We’ve been called Turbo as long as I’ve been with them. When we write it, we write Turbonegro – as we’ve always been listed in the discography – in the Spanish meaning “fast and dark,” Schreiner replies without hesitation.
International fan happening
When Turbonegro performs at Tons of Rock this summer, the festival is making a big effort to reach out to their fans around the world. Among other things, an invitation is being sent out to all 2300 branches of Turbojugend.
They will have their own camp at Bjerke racetrack, along with their own serving area and makeup station at the festival. Turbo fans will also have their own program around Pride, which is held simultaneously with the rock festival.
– Over the years, we’ve become a bit proud of and see the value in the relationship between the band and the fans. This is an international happening, and we’re thinking of raffling off some nice prizes, says Schreiner – and muses about “instruments and stage clothes perhaps.”
Multiple generations
He believes that the continued existence of Turbojugend is connected to the special bonds that fans have with the band and artists who were successful from the 1960s to the 1990s, maybe a bit into the 2000s.
– This is before digitalization and the internet, and I think it’s about how cultural products weren’t as accessible – or free – in the same way as they are now. This may have made music taste very connected to personal identity, wonders Schreiner, summarizing that Turbonegro has fans across multiple generations.
– From those who were there at the start when we were a real punk band, through the many who experienced us in our heyday in the 2000s with butt rockets and Hertis, to the younger fans who have come along now and see a great live band that delivers and provides cool rock experiences.
Interview: Exploring the Legacy and Future of Turbonegro
Setting: A cozy café in Oslo, with the vibrant sounds of a nearby street festival blending in with the conversations inside. The Time.news editor, Amanda Andersson, sits across from Rune Grønn (Rhythm Guitarist) and Knut Schreiner (Guitarist Euroboy) of the legendary Norwegian punk band Turbonegro.
Amanda Andersson: Rune, Knut, thank you for joining me today. It’s exciting to see Turbonegro taking the stage this summer at Tons of Rock, especially considering your deep roots in this city. Can you tell us what this performance means to you?
Rune Grønn: Thank you, Amanda. It’s a special feeling to perform in our hometown again. We started our journey here in Oslo, right in the local scene. The first rehearsal room was just a few hundred meters from where we will be playing. It feels like we’re coming full circle.
Knut Schreiner: Exactly! This place holds a lot of history for us. We recorded some of our most important albums nearby. It’s not just a concert for us; it’s a return to our roots, a celebration of where it all began.
Amanda: I can only imagine how meaningful that must be. Can you share how Turbonegro has evolved since its formation?
Rune: Well, it’s been nearly 40 years. I wouldn’t say we’ve changed drastically—we’ve always maintained that punk essence. But as we grow and evolve, we introduce new elements to our music. Every phase brings something fresh, even as we stay true to our core sounds.
Knut: And that’s what keeps it exciting for us. We can go from two-minute pure punk songs from our early years to newer tracks that bring a different dynamic. It’s the same spirit but with new ideas interwoven.
Amanda: Speaking of spirit, I’ve heard people describe your stage presence as a mix of rock and theater. How do you feel about that characterization?
Knut: (laughs) Yes! We embrace the theatrical side. Rock is theater; it’s about creating a whole aesthetic universe. We use costumes and personas, and it adds to the drama and energy of the performance. I think of it as a way to engage the audience fully.
Rune: Absolutely. There’s a certain chemistry we have as a band, that’s often greater than the sum of our parts. Our performances are not just about the music; they’re about the entire experience we create together.
Amanda: As you prepare for the festival this summer, what can fans expect in terms of the setlist?
Knut: Fans can look forward to classics like “Get It On,” ”The Age of Pamparius,” and of course “I Got Erection.” But we always mix in some newer tracks too. It keeps the energy fresh and exciting.
Rune: That’s right! We pride ourselves on our lyrics—they’ve stood the test of time. The themes might seem provocative, but they resonate, and we know how to bring them to life on stage, especially with our stage personas.
Amanda: It sounds like a truly immersive experience—both for you as performers and for the audience. How do you feel about the increasing interest and enthusiasm from organizers around the world for your performances?
Rune: It’s incredible! Metal and punk have a universal appeal, and it feels good to see that our music continues to resonate. Being invited to festivals like this not only celebrates our past but also helps introduce us to new audiences.
Knut: We always say, “Turbo” has a life of its own now. It’s fantastic; it’s like our little family has grown internationally, and we love connecting with fans from different cultures.
Amanda: That’s a beautiful sentiment. As you prepare for this journey, what do you envision for the future of Turbonegro?
Rune: Well, we’ll continue to create and evolve as a band. Punk is about breaking boundaries; we want to keep challenging ourselves creatively.
Knut: And we want to keep that sense of community alive—whether it’s through our music or our performances. We’re looking forward to creating more memories with our fans.
Amanda: I can’t wait to see what’s next for you both and the band! Thank you for sharing your story and insights today—it’s been fantastic learning about Turbonegro’s journey.
Rune and Knut: Thank you, Amanda! It was a pleasure to be here!
As the conversation wraps up, the excitement in the air is palpable. With their unique blend of punk, theater, and raw energy, Turbonegro is set to leave a mark once again at Tons of Rock.