After the successful release of his solo debut album ‘Shotgun Seat DJ’ (2016), the autobiographical memoir ‘How I Didn’t Turn Out a Dancer’ (2018) and Ukes of Tomorrow’s ‘Seconds of Our Lives’ (2022), Kent Nielsen is gearing up to release his next solo album, entitled ‘Too Many Train Rides.’ The new album features ten songs co-written with Stefan Kletetzka, Helge Reich (R.I.P.), Torsten ‘Totti’ Scharfenberg, Nik 21 and Jens C. Möller, most of whom can be heard performing on the album. Additionally, the musical appearances are rounded out by guest musicians Ginger Wade and Luise Schitteck. Five more songs are covers of tunes by Justin Townes Earle, Shelby Lynne, Kirsty MacColl, The Mekons, and Allison Moorer. Two songs were engineered by Nik 21 and one by Thorsten Luck. The remaining songs were produced by Joszi Sorokowski (who has worked with everyone from Bobby Byrd and Ukes of Tomorrow to Pressgang and many more) in his studio in Elmshorn, Northern Germany. Kent Nielsen is Danish but lives in Lübeck (Northern Germany). He’s worn an array of hats in his life: author, percussionist, shoe shop clerk, record label guy, mail order honcho, night porter and ukulele player, as only a sampling.
- Since going solo in 2016, Kent Nielsen has played literally hundreds of club shows and house concerts across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, England, Italy, Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands, including support slots for: The Ruts DC, The Mekons, TV Smith, and Hamburg Glam Rock legends GERD.
- Festivals include (multiple) appearances at: Rebellion Blackpool (UK), Kirstyfest UK), Thinking Pink Festival (UK), Punk Rock BBQ (UK), Rebellion Amsterdam (NL), Nostalgurato Fest (DK), Sojus 7 Boat Trip (GER) and the Winterswijk Ukulele Hotspot (NL), just to name a few.
- Together with Stefan Kletetzka, he co-wrote the song ‘Day of Reckoning for Who?’ for the English documentary ‘On Resistance Street’, which is being shown at various film festivals throughout the world in 2024/2025.
- In a set developed especially for his autobiographical memoir, “How I Didn‘t Turn Out a Dancer,” he mixes Danish Punk Rock classics re-arranged for the uke, together with reading excerpts from “How I Didn‘t Turn Out a Dancer“ between the songs.
“My dear friend Danny K. said the following when she heard the album teaser track: “ ‘Losing Friday’ created an image in my mind of setting off, travelling. Sitting in the car or on the train and letting the snapshots/impressions from outside have their effect on my inner self.” I thought about this sentence, and perhaps it more or less describes the whole album. At any rate, I would be very happy if that were the case!” (Kent Nielsen)
Out now
V.W. 132
Label: Viking Wreckchords
Cat.-No.: V.W. 132
Digital distribution by The Orchard
CD distribution by Viking Wreckchords.
Still available
V.W. 130
Label: Viking Wreckchords
Cat.-No.: V.W. 130
Digital distribution by The Orchard
CD distribution by Viking Wreckchords.
Bundles, CDs, T-Shirts, etc.: https://kentnielsen.bandcamp.com/merch
Links
Kent Nielsen at:
Facebook Soundcloud Instagram
Discography
– as Kent Nielsen
2016: “Shotgun Seat DJ” CD
2024: Soundtrack contribution to the British documentary “On Resistance Street”
2024: “Too Many Train Rides”
– w/ L.U.L.L.
1986: V/A “Smörebröd und Sauerkraut” LP
1987: “Highest Wall” LP
1988: V/A “Something Is Wrong” LP
1989: “Freakline” LP
1992: V/A “10 Meter ohne Kopf” LP/CD
– w/ Attent!on
1988: “Hearts Of Stone” MLP
1990: “Greetings From Norway” 7″ Single
1997: “Network Of Friends” DLP/CD
2004: “2,3,1!” 7″EP
– w/ Ugly Food
1989: “s/t” MLP
1990: “Seneca Boulevard” LP
1991: V/A “X-Press” LP
1992: V/A “Shabab” LP
– w/ Band Full Of Leroys
1992: “Mohawkrevolt At Oka” Benefiz 7″EP
1993: “Asshole Of The Week” 7″EP/CA 1994: “Out Of Sight” 7″ Single
V/A “If You Don’t Get Folked …” CD
V/A “Roots All Over The Goddamn’ Place” DCD
1995: “Between The Chairs” CD
V/A “Harakiri” CD & Magazine
– w/ Judgemen
1994: V/A “Roots All Over The Goddamn’ Place” DCD
– w/ One Bar Town
2001: “Power Of Principles” CD
2002: V/A “Orange Blossom Festival” Vol. 6 VHS
2003: “Say Me A Rosary” CD
2003: V/A “SEKA – Sister” Vol. 3 CD
2003: V/A “Soniche Avventure Punk V” CD
2004: “‘Boy Scout Songs” CD
2006: “ARC – Classic Country” Promotional CD
2006: V/A “Orange Blossom Festival” Vol. 10 DVD
2007: V/A “The ARC Classics-Michael Weston King” CD
2009: “Steal, Nick & Borrow” CD
– w/ Leroys
1996: “s/t” MCD
V/A “Skaters Have More Fun” CD
V/A “Fresh Tones” Vol. 1 CD
1997: V/A “Zensur” DCD/4xLP
1998: V/A “In-fraction” CD
1999: V/A “The Trip – BSide” CD + Magazine
2013: ‘Psycho Bubbles’ Demo CDR
Biography by Morten Hammelboe & Thomas Golzen
In 1980 Kent Nielsen, then in high school, was looking for a cure for small town traumas. Seeking refuge in the nearby Danish city of Odense, Kent soon found himself a new home in the growing local punk rock community, singing and performing with various punk and no wave bands. In 1985 he joined the Danish hardcore band L.U.L.L. (LEBEN UND LEBEN LASSEN). The band virtually put Odense on the Danish punk rock map. In 1987 they landed a record deal with the West German label Starving Missile, and released their debut LP „The Highest Wall“ in the same year.
While still singing in L.U.L.L, Kent had involved himself in another project together with a handful of distinguished likeminded punks from Poland, Norway and Germany: ATTENT!ON. Their debut album „Hearts Of Stone“ was released on X-Mist Records in 1988.
Now based permanently in Lübeck, Kent refused to rest on his laurels and pushed himself even harder. By the end of 1989 he had established his own label, Twah! (Tunes With A Heart), and together with ATTENT!ON drummer Gustav Kaspereit formed the band UGLY FOOD, who released 2 LPs and completed several European tours.
In the following year, Kent formed the more roots rock-oriented BAND FULL OF LEROYS (B.F.O.L.) together with Skinny Kaspereit and Torsten Scharfenberg. However, the local Lübeck punks didn‘t take too kindly to roots rock and the band repeatedly managed to provoke outrage when entering the stage clad in everything from confederate hats to Cro Mags Longsleeves. In 1991 UGLY FOOD was put to rest, leaving Kent to focus on his label and B.F.O.L. They released two full-length albums – „Asshole Of The week“ in 1993 and „Between The Chairs“ in 1995 – as well as a number of singles. They also appeared on various compilations and toured the length and breadth of the European continent. From Dresden to Birmingham, from Trondheim to Palermo. On their second German tour they were joined by Mohawk Activist Don Patrick Martin, and released the benefit single „Mohawk revolt at Oka“ on Twah!. In support of the 1995 „Between The
Chairs“ album, B.F.O.L. released a video clip for the song Apology, which received airplay on MTV and numerous other European music programs. The following year, B.F.O.L. shortened their name to LEROYS, and contributed a song to the official compilation CD for the World Championship in skateboarding. Despite a somewhat difficult start, B.F.O.L.‘s touring activities in Italy, England and Germany continued into the spring of 1998 when the band split up, worn out by ever changing line-ups, lack of success and the general financial and physical strain of constant touring.
However, Kent was already planning new projects. As 1999 dawned, he formed the roots rock-oriented ONE BAR TOWN with Stefan Kletetzka and his two loyal swordsmen Skinny Kaspereit and Jerk Christiansen from B.F.O.L., with the later addition of rhythm guitarist Andreas Jeßberger to the Line-Up. A couple of years down the line Thorsten Luck replaced Jerk on the drums. ONE BAR TOWN continued in full swing for the next 13 years, touring and releasing 4 studio albums, before their final shows at the end of 2012. And this pretty much brings us up to date with the situation today.
Since 2011, the LEROYS have been at it again, albeit this time around they’re going at a much more moderate working pace compared to their relentless touring routine across the European continent during the ‘90s. Still based in Lübeck, North Germany, the LEROYS will most likely play shows around that geographic area. That said, they wouldn’t be violently opposed to taking the occasional road trip if the circumstances are right.
On top of that Kent is playing in the Ukulele Punk Rock cover duo UKES OF TOMORROW and also relaunched the project FREAKLINERS with his old band mate Lars Thomsen (ex-L.U.L.L.).
So this year we‘ll probably see Kent off to yet another bash of clubs around Europe. Alternatively, we’ll see him retire to Langeland or maybe even see him try his hand as a wedding singer. Well, actually he‘s already had a shot at the latter, but that‘s another story …