Dear readers, it is our pleasure to offer you in this article an interview with a Norwegian Progressive Rock band that has been active for over 50 years. We welcome Lucifer Was.
Hello, how are you?
“Hello, hello and oh! well.“
The band formed between 1969 and 1970, how did the project come about?
“Our then very young drummer Kai Frilseth contacted local guitarist Tor LangbrĆ„ten (RIP) in 1969 with the intention to form a band. Then the half local, Arild Larsen, joined on bass. I got in the band, then called Autumn Serenade, in 1970. After gigging under a couple of names, we settled on Lucifer Was in 1971.“
Your style is classic Heavy Prog with the use of the flute, where did your passion for this sound come from and what are your sources of inspiration?
“Most important to me was being there in real-time as rock music unfolded in so many directions from mid-late sixties and onwards. I was drawn to guitar/vocal dominated music via Cream with Eric Clapton, Frank Zappa, Black Sabbath, Gentle Giant and loads more. Often with keys, flutes, and other treats. They were all stunning to me. There were no references to that sound at that time. Pure magic.“
You were very active in the golden years of rock, the 1970s, what memories do you have of that period?
“My forgettery is better than my memory from those years. Freedom, friendship and some degree of musical snobbery, kinda āusā and āthemā. Those things donāt change, I hope, apart from the snobbery bit.“
How do you think the way of gigging has changed since the 70s? What has changed for you?
“Not being specific or detailed, different venues, equipment and more money critical. The public is more into concerts than ever.“
Your first record releases are from the 90s, how would you describe those works?
“The first, Underground and Beyond, is raw, 18 hours in the studio and a document of what was. From the second albumā¦ well, it has grown to the progressive blues with a string quartet based āBlues From Hellahā in 2003, via progressive rock orientated stuff like āThe Divine Treeā and others. Then thereās the āThe Crown of Creationā from 2010 with Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra including classical virtouso soloists like Michala Petri on various recorders and violinist Jan Stigmer. Sound diverse, maybe, but not genre diverse. I feel safe to say that it makes for a coherent catalogue and Lucifer Was are absolutely recognisible as the band behind the recorded music, be it with orchestra, choir or as a rock trio.“
Your new album “En Fix Ferdig Mann” is on the way, what can we expect from this new record?
“Nine tracks, vocals, heavy guitars and keys in many forms. Some tracks are expanded with a choir and other spices. And as always, the flutes are in the house.“
What themes do you deal with in the album and in the lyrics of the tracks?
“The intense drama and consequences of the demands and expectations for people to be available 24/7 and make it in some way or another. Creates losers that are not losers, but get to feel like they are. Disturbing.“
Music is constantly evolving, how do you see the modern music scene in the Prog genre and in your country being one of the main exponents today?
“Everything changes. Slow or fast revolutions. New prog music, here as elsewhere, all quite different, but building and expanding on the same foundation and principle. Touching minds and/or bodies.“
What advice would you give to young artists approaching music in a more refined genre such as yours?
“Proud stamina.“
I thank Lucifer Was for the interview and wish them all the best for the continuation of their artistic career and the release of their new album.
Pre-Order the album in various formats here: https://thebandwagonusa.com/collections/lucifer-was
Pre-Order the Digital format on Bandcamp:Ā https://lucifer-was.bandcamp.com/album/ein-fix-ferdig-mann
