SPAN was a Norwegian rock band that formed in 2000 from the ashes of two other outfits; Explicit Lyrics and Squid. Self-proclaimed as "Norwegian Turbo-Rock 'n' Roll Commandos", the band was made of Jarle Bernhoft on lead vocals and guitar, Fridtjof Nilsen on guitar, Vemund Stavnes on bass and Fredrik Wallumrød on drums. When Vemund Stavnes left in 2003, he was replaced by Kim Nordbæk. SPAN spent much of the years between 2002 and 2004 touring the UK and Norway as well as spending a brief time in the U.S.. To date they have sold over 55,000 albums worldwide. In August 2005, much to their loyal fans' disappointment, SPAN announced that they were to take a break. Unfortunately there are no plans to return since a post on their website stated that the band "no longer share a common dream and ambition" and that they have "decided to end this while we are still the best of friends".
Labels
In the Summer of 2002, the band signed to Island Records, recording their debut album at RAK Studios in London with producer Gil Norton. Despite much interest gained from incessant touring and the minor-hit singles 'Found' and 'Don't Think The Way They Do', Island held back the albumMass Distraction until 2004, a year after its originally planned release date, and much of the early impetus was lost. SPAN then tried to establish themselves in the U.S. but were unsuccessful after attempts to sign with Geffen Records and Interscope Records fell through. In fact Interscope had agreed to sign the band after an impressive showcase gig at LA's Troubadour. However, following roster rationalisation at the label, SPAN were unceremoniously discarded without releasing a note Stateside. Additional tracks were recorded for a planned US version of the album but this never saw the light of day. The track "Stay As You Are" featured on a US TV Nissan car ad, which attracted considerable public attention, but the opportunity had gone. Additionally, their song 'Don't Think the Way They Do' was featured in Gran Turismo 4. Their second album, Vs. Time, was released in Norway only, on the Johnny NoWhere/Mercury label. Despite a domestic hit single with 'Cut Like Diamonds' peaking at number two, by the Summer of 2005 the band had decided to split, with singer Jarle keen to pursue a more mellow style. The band played their final gig before a sold-out Oslo crowd in October 2005 and fans eagerly await a commemorative DVD of the event, which has yet to see the light of day.
Life after SPAN
On September 1, 2008, singer Jarle Bernhoft released his first solo album "Ceramik City Chronicles". He showcases songs and videos on his MySpace site. He has done work with acclaimed Norwegian artists Kristin Asbjørnsen, Friko, Shining, Bigbang and Hanne Hukkelberg, doing guitar, bass, percussion, vocals, flute, et al. Guitarist Joff Nilsen, bassist Kim Nordbæk and drummer Fredrik Wallumrød formed the heavier metal outfit Dog Almighty, with singer Sindri from the Norwegian band Farout Fishing. Their debut release emerged in the autumn of 2007 but didn't have the pop sensibility of SPAN. Sindri subsequently departed the band and though auditions took place for a new singer, the band appears to have split. Freddy now plays with Norwegian metallers El Caco, whilst Kim is working with the melodic local outfit Sibir. Meanwhile Joff has kept a relatively low profile, focussing on session work and production. On January 24 the release "" saw the light of day. This multivocalist 12-track cd, written by Freddy and Joff, has Jarle singing on one of the tracks along with other vocalists like Venke Knutson, Thom Hell and Shaun Bartlett to name a few. No touring to promote the album is so far scheduled, with all the vocalists focusing on their own careers.
