Reykjavík Grapevine - 19.05.2017, Page 38

Bring The Misery
The hardcore boys of Une Misère

Words: Hannah Jane Cohen Photo: Art Bicnick
Sitting with the boys of Une Misère
feels like a sitcom. They seamlessly
rip on each other with catchphrases,
jokes, and a wit only gained from
knowing someone deeply. The pub-
lic knows them less well: they’ve
only released one song and played
a handful of live performances. But
that didn’t stop them from stealing
the show at this year's Wacken Metal
Battle, where they took first prize.
Each member found a different
path into music. “I
got bullied a lot so,
being an isolated kid,
heavy music was my
niche,” says guitar-
ist Finnbogi. “When
I realised drinking
wasn’t for me, the
hardcore commu-
nity immediately
accepted that. In my
view, metal was more
about being drunk
and blasting Slayer.
Not that that’s bad.”
Drummer Benni
responds by throw-
ing up horns. Singer
Jón leans into the
microphone. “Note
that Benni is throw-
ing up horns right
now. Put that in.” Finnbogi adopts
an aggressively metal expression.
“No, but without irony, for a sixteen-
year old who didn’t drink, I didn’t
relate. Then I found hardcore and it
changed everything.”
Guitarist Gunnar is next in the
circle. “It’s hard for me to be angry
or to express anger,” he explains, “so
the aggression of the
music just clicked. It
was a positive outlet.
Instead of going out,
getting hammered
and beating up some guy—just go to
a hardcore show.” He smirks. “Punch
your friend instead, and then make
out with them.” Finnbogi points
at him. “Hell yeah,
I fuck with that.”
They’re joking—I
think.
For Fannar, the
outlet of aggres-
sion that came with
playing shows was
like therapy. “That’s
probably why every-
one says we’re such
calm guys,” smirks
Finnbogi. “Alongside
actual therapy. I fuck
with therapy hard.
Put that in.”
Afterbirth
T he Une M i sère
members flitted be-
tween bands for the
last few years. The members met
through previous projects such as
Grit Teeth, Trust the Lies, and In
The Company of Men. Whenever
one of the bands is mentioned, the
name elicits cries of “RIP!” and
“Never forget!”
But the beginning of Une Misère
changed everything. “At our first
practise, we immediately had riffs
and material for three or four songs,”
says Fannar. “It was so natural. And
through experience, we’ve learned
what not to do ten times over—so
this time we’re doing it right.”
Finnbogi lays out the ethos
of the band. “We have an artistic
take on the genre,”
he says. “We’re not
pretentious. We’re
influenced by black
metal, death metal,
everything. I mean, I fuck with Limp
Bizkit. I fuck with—ok, new Drake
wasn’t bomb.” This starts a lengthy
debate about new Drake versus old
Drake. It’s kind of bizarre.
But the band is about more than
just music. “We have a media de-
partment with graphics, video and
audio works,” Finnbogi explains.
“Everyone has their own part, like a
company.” He smirks. “And as soon
as we can associate cocktail work
with the band…” Jón, a bartender,
frowns. “Uh, the Une Misère Rock-
tail,” he says. “Patent pending.”
They joke about their post-Wack-
en plans. “Eurovision! Une Misère.
Portugal. We’re coming,” says Jón.
“Airwaves, Eistnaflug, Wacken, and
some other shows. Also, my friend is
getting married this year—but you
guys aren’t invited.” Everyone mock-
argues about this until Finnbogi mo-
tions for silence. “Ok, here’s the catch-
phase. 2017: The year of damages.”
“But seriously,” says Finnbogi.
“Une Misère is just a bunch of dudes,
crackin’ open a cold one with the
boys.” They all nod. “Like we all do,”
he finishes. “Every day. Always. Put
that in.”
Music 38The Reykjavík GrapevineIssue 08 — 2017
“Instead of
going out,
getting ham-
mered, and
beating up
some guy,
punch your
friend in-
stead. And
then make
out with
them.”
Immediately before punching each other then making out.
gpv.is/music
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