Name: UngdomSkulen

Where They’re From: Bergen, Norway

When They Started: 2003

Genre: psychedelic prog rock

Most Like: Jefferson Airplane meets Metronomy

Sounds Like: A crazy night at Joshua Tree.

It’s been well over a decade since Frode Kvinge Flatland, Kristian Stockhaus and  Øyvind Solheim decidedly started making music together as UngdomSkulen. Through their trippy, experimental, pop/alternative sounds, the Norweigan trio has ventured from basic unknowns with a passion for rock into a subtly badass band that has traveled to over 17 countries in earnest.

Sure, you may not know them yet, but for the group who’s name means “youth” (ungdom) “school ” (skulen), crafting memorable new wave tunes that last a spell is a cakewalk. Since their official inception, they’ve released six 7`singles, three  albums (including Gimme Ten, Cry Baby and Bisexual), had one of their song’s featured on EA Sports’ FIFA 09 video game and sister network, MTV2 crowned their video for “Drummer” as the 5th best indie video back in 2008. And thank god they’ve finally settled on a name after changing it multiple times (see Standing Ovation, Thundersome and Goddamnit—same band B.U… —Before Ungdomskulen).

All roads now lead to their forthcoming Secrecy album, the fourth studio album to date, which sees Ungdomskulen maintaining their nifty sound that is one part Beach Boys (you’ve got to admit there’s a beachy, reckless abandon feel to their vocals…), one part psychedelic (the tribal drums, man, the tribal drums!) and  two parts rock. If the avant guarde have any say in this, this may be, albeit 15 years later, the year the boys of Ungdomskulen have been waiting for.

Watch their video for ”Askefast” below: