Gnags is a danish band formed in 1966 first as Those Gnags with brothers Peter and Jens G. Nielsen (dm), the year after established with Jacob Riis Olsen on guitar and Sven Fenger bass. In 1968 they would shorten the band's name to Gnags.
Today Gnags consists of Peter A. G. Nielsen (vocal), Mads Michelsen (dm), Mika Vandborg (guitar) and Bastian Sjelberg (bass). Band website: www.gnags.dkGnags is a Danish rock band from Skjern formed by Peter A.
G. Nielsen and his brother Jens G. Nielsen in 1966.The band started playing regularly in 1968 after winning the then important Danish national championship in "beat music". Their championship title paved the way for the band's first two single recordings, "Eyes and Ears" and "I Can't Talk About It Now".
Sven Fenger left the band in 1969, after which Gnags continued as a trio, , they played Danish festivals and in Amsterdam and moved to Århus in 1971 and joined a commune, where they invited new keyboard player Ivan Sørensen to the group.
There they also recorded their first album: På Vej, which was released in 1973. The band had financed the album themselves, and sold the distribution rights to producer Johnny Reimar. Struggling to find a record label, Gnags created Genlyd Records in 1974.
Per Chr. Frost (guitar) joined in 1974 and Gnags released their second album: Del af en ring, in 1974.Gnags started Feedback Studios in 1975, from which most of their subsequent works have been recorded.
Gnags' sales and popularity rose steadily during the 1970s reaching national saturation around 1980 with albums such as Burhøns and Intercity that took a powerpop/new wave direction The following albums Safari, X and Den Blå Hund.
(Produced by Jack Nuber), integrated other influences and were career highlights. During the 80s Gnags integrated reggae and latin, and blended their influences into their very own mainstream pop style that established them and tv-2 as the two best selling danish poprock bands of the late 80s.
During their heyday Gnags had a spell of danish hits: Under Bøgen, Slinger Gennem Vestergade, Vilde Kaniner, Danmark and Mr Swing King among the best known classics. Gnags succes faded in the 90s, but interest in them were renewed by the prolific dancehall scene that emerged in Denmark in the late 2000s,where main figures expressed their influence and respect for their unique style and lyricism on the danish scene.
Gnags lyrics written by Peter A.G., had a touch of magical realism. . Mads Michelsen (dm, perc) joined in 1981 replacing Henning Stærk (who joined in 1977). Although some members have left over time, band has maintained a stable membership over the years, although it was felt when Per Christian Frost and founding member Jens G.
Nielsen left in 1996. When Ivan Sørensen (born 1955- died 2015) (keyboards) and Jacob Riis Olsen left in 2003, the present quartet line-up was established. (see above)In August 2013 the original band members reunited for a concert also celebrating the coincident birthdays of Peter Nielsen (60) and his son (40).
In September 2013, Peter Nielsen began performing a solo performance show.Gnags' musical style is unusual. It is clearly rock and roll but stylistically it is dominated by Peter A. G. Nielsen's fabulatin vocal style.
From 1981 to 1983 there was a strong influence from reggae music, which should be seen in connection with their work with producers from abroad Jack Nuber and Karl Pitterson. Gnags have recorded almost all their songs in the Danish language.
Exceptions are three songs in English: Their singles "Eyes and Ears" and "I Can't Talk About It Now", and the last track on the 1982 album Safari ("American Boy"). Gnags are energetic performers on stage.
Studio recorded album1973 På vej1975 Del af en ring1976 Det er det1977 La' det gro1978 Er du hjemme i aften1979 Burhøns1980 Intercity1982 Safari1983 X1984 Den blå hund1985 En underlig fisk1986 Plads til begejstring1987 Har de puttet noget i kaffen?1989 Mr.
Swing King1991 Lygtemandens sang1994 Øjne på stilke1996 Gösta Hammerfedt2000 Ridser, Revner & Buler2002 Skønhedspletter2003 Skitsernes Drøm2008 Legepladsen
