TV-2 (stylized as ·2) is a Danish pop rock band group formed in 1981 in Aarhus. The group is composed of Steffen Brandt, Hans Erik Lerchenfeld, Georg Olesen, and Sven Gaul. Having released 20 studio albums, four live albums and three compilations, they are one of the most commercially successful Danish bands of all time - according to the band's own sales figures, they have sold more than two million records.
TV-2 was formed prior to the Danish television station TV 2, which began broadcasting in 1988. The band was originally called Taurus with lyrics sung in English. Taurus released a single album, Whatever Happened To The Sixties, in 1978. Taurus changed their name to TV-2 in 1981, and began singing in Danish at the same time. The band has dismissed rumors that TV-2 was an abbreviation of "Taurus Version 2". TV-2's success can be attributed to Steffen Brandt's songwriting, that often features ironic and satirical observations about the Danish middle class; making fun of its consumerism and conformity. Some of their songs, such as Fantastiske Toyota ("Fantastic Toyota"), are known to have commercial like concepts, with satirical undertones. Because of the mundane nature of the songwriting, TV-2 used to refer jokingly to themselves as "Denmark's most boring band".
In the beginning of their career, TV-2 played new wave pop music, heavily influenced by Kraftwerk, Talking Heads and the Danish band Kliché, where Steffen Brandt briefly played keyboards. In the band's early years, the critical reception was negative, as TV-2 were unfavourably compared to Kliché, but around the release of their third album Beat, music critics became more positive. The band has cited Beat as a defining album, where the band found their own unique sound.
Over the years, TV-2's music has gone through several phases, including a more acoustic folk pop sound. In 2005, TV-2 had a major comeback with the hit single De første kærester på månen, where the group returned to their roots and played 1980s-styled new wave music once again. The 1988 album Nærmest Lykkelig were added to the Danish Culture Canon in 2006.
Band members TV-2 is notable for virtually having the exact same line up since the band's formation in 1981. The only exception to the line up was their debut album from 1981, where drummer Sven Gaul was on vacation, and drummer Eigil Madsen would perform on nearly all songs.Bille, Torben (editor) 1997: Politikens Dansk Rock – 1956-1997. Copenhagen: Politikens Forlag, p. 463 Through the years, TV-2 has collaborated with other musicians and orchestras, including The Danish Chamber Orchestra on the live album Manden der ønskede sig en havudsigt.
Steffen Brandt – vocals, keyboards, guitar Hans Erik Lerchenfeld – guitar Georg Olesen – bass guitar Sven Gaul – drums
Discography
Studio albums YearTitleTranslated titleSales 1981 Fantastiske ToyotaFantastic Toyota28,000 1982 Verden Er VidunderligThe World Is Wonderful26,000 1983 Beat -54,000 1984 Nutidens UngeContemporary Youth103,000 1985 Rigtige Mænd (Gider Ikke Høre Mere Vrøvl)Real Men (Don't Want to Hear More Fuss)250,000 1987 En Dejlig TorsdagSweet Thursday120,000 1988 Nærmest LykkeligAlmost Happy180,000 1990 Vi Bli'r Alligevel Aldrig VoksneWe'll Never Grow Up Anyways128,000 1991 SlaraffenlandLand of Milk and Honey57,000 1994 Verdens Lykkeligste MandThe World's Happiest Man100,000 1995 Kys BrudenKiss the Bride138,000 1998 YndlingsbabeFavourite Babe75,000 2001 AmerikaAmerica56,000 2002 På Kanten Af Småt BrændbartOn the Edge of Tiny Flammable48,000 2005 De Første Kærester På MånenThe First Lovers on the Moon161,000 2007 For Dig Ku' Jeg Gøre AltingFor You I Would Do Anything80,000 2011 Showtime -35,000 2015 Det gode livThe Good Lifeunknown 2018 Tæt Trafik I HerningDense Traffic in Herningunknown2025Som Om Vi Ikke Har Mere At SigeAs If We Don't Have More To Sayunknown
Live albums YearTitleTranslated titleSales 1987 Fri Som FuglenFree as a Bird69,000 1999 Verdens Lykkeligste Band - Live 99The World's Happiest Band – Live 9970,000 1999 Manden Der Ønskede Sig En HavudsigtThe Man Who Wanted A Sea View14,0002014Greatest Green - Sæler, Hvaler og SolskinGreatest Greenland – Seals, Whales and Sunshineunknown2022The Holbæk Recordings 81 -unknown
Compilation albums YearTitleTranslated titleSales1992Greatest - De Unge ÅrGreatest – The Early Years173,0002004Hits -106,0002012Bag Duggede Ruder (box set)Behind Steamy Windowsunknown
References
External links Official website