Back in 95, Anders Westhagen and his son Andreas (aged 7 at the time) teamed up with a friend (also named Andreas) for an impromptu concert outside a local music store, run by the young Andreas' grandfather. The trio performed a rockin set of rockabilly classics (by Gene, Eddie, Johnny Burnette, Stray Cats) and a couple of Stevie Ray Vaughan numbers thrown in for the blues fans. This proved an instant success, and Andreas' baseball cap was soon filled to the brim with coins.
Fast forward 'till the summer of 97; Andreas and Anders had done a couple of gigs with their buddy, Lars, on standup bass, but this time he had other obligations. Anders contacted his old neighbour Ole Evensen, who had just moved back from Sweden, where he'd incidentally picked up the doghouse bass. Ole was ready to give it a shot, and at the first rehearsal (in the Westhagens' kitchen) things really started cookin' (and I dont mean food...).
Despite Andreas age (now 9), he was already an accomplished drummer with nearly 6 years of experience. His dad had spent 7 years as the Teencats guitarist (plus 3 years with blues-rockers Powerful Stuff), and Ole had been the Daltons' bassman (as well as drummer or bassist, depending on who was available, for the Rockin' Rhythm Bandits) for several years. Still, they were mostly considered a novelty, due to the tender age of a certain member. That is, until they started playing.
The next year, they started playing outside their hometown, and during one of the Oslo-gigs, R-O-C-K Magazine editor, Tor Arne Petzold, approached them with an offer they couldnt refuse; A record deal. He'd just formed a record label (Flipside Records), and he wanted Built For Speed to be his first release. ''Record something - ANYTHING - and I'll release it!'' he said. So the guys set out to make an album; Anders wrote a few more songs, the guys rehearsed them, and their friend Asbjørn Holmseth brought along his Roland digital multi-track recorder. The album was recorded during two hot Sundays the summer of 99, given the title ''NASTY'', and released in February 2000. It never reached the National charts, but it received a few nice reviews in the press. And Built For Speed made their TV debut on a Saturday morning childrens' show, performing two tracks off the album. They were noticed abroad as well, as their song ''Were gonna have a party'' was chosen as the opening track of ''Friday Nite Rumble No 9''.
A few years went by, and the guys started working on a second album, this time in a real studio. During one intense weekend, they recorded the entire album, live in the studio. The album, titled ''Gretschoholic ...and other love songs'', was released in April 2004. The press went bananas, the guys did numerous gigs, and the record sold ...well, not too much, but thats not the point. Due to their very own sound, they appeal to blues fans, punks, ''ordinary people'', and of course the rockabilly crowd. They've supported rockabilly stars like the Polecats, Darrel Higham & the Enforcers, the Slim Jim Phantom Trio; they've played blues festivals, rockabilly festivals, rock festivals, clubs, you name it. At the beginning of Nov 2009, their third album, "Even Roadies Get Their Share", was released, and they've finished a small, successful tour as back-up band for blues guitar maestro Otis Grand. Drummer Andreas is currently a LIPA student, so if you get the chance to catch one of their (at the moment, RARE) live gigs, don't miss it! :-)
Pick
up your copy of Catch That Rockabilly Fever today. Makes the perfect Christmas gift. For U.S. customers, you can
buy it at www.mcfarlandpub.com
for $39.95 plus $5 shipping or Amazon.com for $35.95. Outside of the
U.S., Amazon.com is your best bet for the lowest price in shipping. You
may also try to order it from your local bookstore. More than likely,
they can order it for you.
Rock'n'Roll Hell Yeah from Germanys finest Punk, Ska, Billy and Swing Label! We love to be your friend! Out now: OUT OF LUCK - Walking down 10th street CD Old-School Psychobilly at his best! A must have for Fans of REVEREND HORTON HEAT, GUANA BATZ and FRANTIC FLINTSTONES!
Good luck on your cd presentation today, I'm sure it'll turn out great, as it is the best cd ever created (at least it is in my huble opinion) I'll be with you in thought
WOO HOO. ROCKIN ROCKIN ROCKIN... I am so glad we are friends now... I would love for you to come check out a song off my page... try "bones" or my new song "end of the world on tv" also come check out www.youbloom.com Im a featured artist on there.. You should sign up. You can enters songs in contests and all sorts of good stuff. Peace WOO HOO shavon Sounds like shavon
Woohoo!! Great new pics Does this mean that the cd is ready? Please pretty please... I want an autographed copy... Is that possible? Could you please tell me what I have to do to get one. (hope I don't have to collect it in Norway, we can't make it this year )
hugs & lots of love to all of you, my handsome heroes and also to Ann-Kristin Petra xxx
(at least it is in my huble opinion) I'll be with you in thought
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