Welcome to Kaizers Institution, a fansite for the Norwegian alternative rock band Kaizers Orchestra and related projects. Not in any way associated with Kaizers Orchestra, Kaizerecords or other affiliates.
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Band Statuses
Kaizers Orchestra - Active. Studio Tour 2010 announced with some shows in Norway in February 2010.
Skambankt - Active. Finishing up recording of new album, due out next year, unbeknownst when exactly.
Cloroform - Inactive.
Zahl - ? Geir claims to have recorded a new solo album, but unknown for now if this is the Zahl project.
Janove Ottesen - Inactive. Next album reputedly out in 2010.
Geoff Berner - Active. Klezmer Mongrels out now!
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News (09.11.2009)
Ah. Hi there. Been a while, huh? Well, long story short, my computer gave out on me thanks to a major virus attack and I haven't been able to procure a new rig until recently. So that pretty much explains the "no-activity-for-six-months" thing. Sorry 'bout that. On top of that, I misplaced my password and to be honest, sort of forgot about this for a while. But don't you worry, the Kaizers Inst. machinery is in full activity again, vying to bring you the best English Kaizers Orchestra experience we can! Let's see what kinda stuff we've got for you on this fine morn'.
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Kaizers Orchestra
A-well-a-hell-a, after a busy summer with shows here and there, Kaizers are settling down for a bit before embarking on a small tour come early next year. They are said to be working on new material, which is always a good thing. Among notable events from the summer of 2009 was a project which saw Kaizers Orchestra join forces with fellow Norwegian balkan punk band Farmers Market to create a truly unique take on both well-known Kaizers Orchestra songs, as well as Kaizers attempting to jam (despite Janove's claims that they are the worst jam band on the planet) together with the virtuosos, one of which is a certain Stian Carstensen, a man of pure musical talent who helped produce Ompa til du dør. I was there and it was great fun, even though Janove's comment truly showed itself to be...truthful at times. This was a once-upon-a-lifetime event, so you had better be sad if you missed out on it. Aww.
As previously noted, Kaizers Orchestra are heading out On the Road Again come early next year, on a special mini-tour called the Studio Tour. The earnings from these shows are to finance the recording sessions for our boys' next album of progressive wonderment. Tickets are already becoming scarce, so there you have some more proof that they haven't lost any public adoration. Aside from this, Kaizers Orchestra's doings in the year 2010 remain in the dark...for now. I wouldn't be too surprised if the boys were to take a well-deserved break after 2 continous years of touring, but let's live in hope, eh?
In their off-time from touring, Kaizers have traveled to third world countries as part of a UNICEF charity event. Talk about your good samaritans eh? Additionally, Janove and Rune ran as part of the New York Marathon last week. Both guys scored a pretty impressively good time: Rune, the acknowledged most well-conditioned of the guys finished the thing in 3:40:44, while Janove made it in 4:33:47.
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Side Projects
Wow, those crazy Skambankt punks are at it again; less than a year after the release of Hardt Regn, another great Skambankt album, they're back in the studio, working on a new album supposedly out next year. Well, I guess if Kaizers did two albums in a year, Skambankt should be able to as well. We all know what these guys can do with power chords, angry vocals and a mean drummer, and seeing as how they've really evolved both musically and lyrically with each new album, you've got to reckon it could be another awesome hard rock release courtesy of Skambankt. Nothing to do but tip your hat to these guys and their dedication to their art.
With some snide hints here and there, Geir has obviously been planning another solo album for some time. Just recently, some information about his new album has come to light; nothing beyond the fact that it's slated for a January 2010 release, but that's good enough for most. Geir's previous solo album, Nice for a Change, was a bit of a change from his Kaizers Orchestra material, with emotional americana/heartland rock with a signature that is undeniably his own. It's currently not entirely clear whether or not this new solo album is a continuation of the Zahl project or an entirely new, separate project. In the latter is the case, it's not known yet what style of music this new album will have. Make sure to keep coming back to Kaizers Inst. for info about Geir's new album.
Lastly, Janove also has a solo project to work on, namely, the bluegrass quartet Tresko. This is a limited project not aiming for any recording sessions but rather just shows here and there across Norway. Janove has worked in limited capacity in the bluegrass genre before ("170") so you have to figure he's a shoe-in for this kind of thing. Aside from this, there is no news on a new album on his part.
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Poll results
Now, any kind of paranoid whacko would, at this point, probably make the conclusion that my inactivity was all an elaborate plan to get lots and lots of votes for the poll. Well, you're insane and paranoid. But golly gee! 278 votes in 6 months ain't nothing to scoff about! Thanks guys! Oho, and ain't this fun. The winner of the poll, dedicated to Kaizer fans' favourite song from the new(est) album, Våre demoner, is "Prosessen", the song that was cut for being a too pop-y number. Heh, imagine what Kaizers would be like had they chosen this as their first ever single. Maybe it was better that they did in the long run, but tomorrow never knows. Anyways, 'grats to "Prosessen" with 57 of the total votes.
Coming in second with 41 is "Señor Torpedo", in which the classical pump organ Kaizer style evolves into something else and Janove knocks off some falsettos that would give any hair rock band a run for their money. Awesome stuff. Pretty close competition for spot #3, but the Keane-ish pop rocker "Fanden hakk i hel" came out on top, with 29 votes. The song with the least support, with only 8 votes, is "Sonny", the sailor shanty with a strong odor of Evig pint.
Very interesting seeing your view on the new(est) album guys, thanks for all the votes.
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Oh yeah, as one last thing, the bootlegs I promised earlier is still stuck on the hard drive on my defunct computer, so no dice on that deal for now...sorry :/ ah well, I promise a lot more activity and news on the part of Kaizers Inst. in the future! Thanks for your patience and contined support of the site!
--Bastard1
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Events by Eventful
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Featured Video
Kaizers Orchestra - "Die Polizei"
Kaizers performing the album version of "Die Polizei" in Cafeteateret, Oslo, Norway, courtesy of P3TV.
Photo by Paal Audestad
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