Hellbillies are a country rock group from Ål in Hallingdal, Norway. Since their founding in 1990, they have become one of Norway’s most popular recording artists/groups.
Hellbillies are an excellent example of the concept of country music put in the context of another country’s culture and language. The group sings only in the Hallingdal dialect (not in English or “standard” Norwegian). When they have covered American songs — as they sometimes did on their earlier albums — they translated the lyrics into Hallingdal dialect and/or wrote new lyrics that reflect contemporary Norwegian people, life and culture. Today, most of Hellbillies recordings are original material.
As of 2008, the group has recorded ten albums — two of which are “live” albums.
The group has also collaborated with musicians from the US such as Rob Hajacos (fiddle player for Garth Brooks) from Nashville, who plays fiddle on at least three of Hellbillies’ albums. Hajacos has been to Norway twice to do live gigs and record albums with the group.
In May 2009, Hellbillies shared the stage with legendary southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd at the Oslo Spektrum.
Hellbillies are: Aslag Haugen (vocals, rhythm guitar) Lars Håvard Haugen (vocals, lead guitar, steel guitar, mandolin) Arne Moslåtten (rhythm guitar, flute, recorder, accordion) Arne Henry Sandum (bass) Bjørn Gunnar Sando (drums) Lars Christian Narum (piano, keyboard)
