Sort Sol
Sort Sol is a Danish rock band from Copenhagen, formed in 1977 as the punk outfit Sods, which transitioned into post-punk and alternative rock upon adopting its current name in 1983.[1][2] Originally comprising vocalist Steen Jørgensen, guitarist Peter Schneidermann (known as Peter Peter), bassist Knud Odde, and drummer Tomas Ortved, the group released its debut album Minutes to Go in 1979, marking one of Denmark's earliest punk records.[1][2] The band's early work as Sods emphasized raw punk energy, as heard on Under En Sort Sol (1980), an experimental follow-up that incorporated new wave elements.[2] After the name change—translating to "Black Sun" in Danish—Sort Sol expanded its sound, blending post-punk with gothic influences and collaborating with international artists like William S. Burroughs, Lydia Lunch, and Link Wray.[1] Key albums during this period include Dagger & Guitar (1983), a gritty post-punk effort, and Everything That Rises Must Converge (1987), often regarded as their artistic breakthrough for its atmospheric depth.[1][2] Lineup changes occurred over time, with Peter Peter departing in 1995, bassist Knud Odde in 2001, and guitarist Lars Top-Galia (who joined in the 1980s) stepping back in 2004; the band continued briefly before hiatus, reuniting in 2010 with Top-Galia's return to form the current core trio of Jørgensen, Top-Galia, and Ortved.[3] Sort Sol achieved commercial success in Denmark with Flow My Firetear (1991), their first CD release, and Glamourpuss (1993), which sold over 100,000 copies and broadened their audience through radio play and tours.[1] The band went on hiatus after 2002 but reunited in 2010, releasing the retrospective The Blackest Box in 2011 and performing at festivals like Copenhell in 2024.[3] As of 2025, they remain active, with scheduled performances including a show at ODEON in Odense on April 17, 2026.[4] Throughout their career, Sort Sol has been influential in Danish music, evolving from punk pioneers to a versatile rock act known for poetic lyrics and genre-blending innovation.[1]History
Formation as Sods (1977–1981)
Sods was formed in Copenhagen in 1977 by vocalist Steen Jørgensen, guitarist Peter Peter (born Peter Schneidermann), bassist Knud Odde (full name Knud Odde Sørensen), and drummer Tomas Ortved, positioning the group as Denmark's pioneering punk band.[5][6][7] Inspired by the raw aggression of British punk acts, particularly after Jørgensen and Peter Peter attended Sex Pistols concerts at Daddy's Dance Hall on July 13 and 14, 1977—which ignited the Danish punk scene—the band embraced short, fast-paced songs with socially charged lyrics addressing themes like consumerism and authority.[8][9] They quickly integrated into Copenhagen's late-1970s underground scene, performing at intimate venues and anarchist events that fostered a DIY ethos among local youth, often sharing bills with emerging acts and building a reputation for energetic, confrontational shows.[9][10] The band's initial releases captured this punk fervor, starting with the debut single "Television Sect" b/w "Military Madness" in 1979 on Medley Records, produced in a straightforward style that highlighted their urgent guitar riffs and Jørgensen's snarling vocals; the track earned acclaim in punk circles for its critique of media influence, achieving a strong collector following with high ratings (4.6/5 on Discogs based on user reviews).[11][12] Later that year, Sods released their debut album Minutes to Go in February on Medley Records (with a UK edition on Step-Forward), recorded in autumn 1978 primarily at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen (with additional sessions at To Trin Ned), produced by Poul Bruun and the band, and engineered by Flemming Rasmussen.[13][14] Widely recognized as the first Danish punk album, it featured 10 tracks blending high-speed anthems and atmospheric interludes, including:- "R.A.F." (1:51)
- "Television Sect" (1:37)
- "Pathetic" (2:04)
- "Police" (1:31)
- "Flickering Eyes" (5:21)
- "Suicide" (1:05)
- "Transport" (4:24)
- "Copenhagen" (3:07)
- "No Dancing" (1:52)
- "Minutes to Go" (2:28)