The Contenders
The Contenders were formed in 1987 in Oslo, Norway, by brothers Bjørn Kulseth
(vocals, guitars) and Stein Kulseth (vocals, piano, accordion, guitar,
mandolin). After the dissolution of Bjørn’s previous band The Act, the duo
recruited drummer Per Ivar Stræte, bassist Odd Eirik Fleischer, and guitarist
Arnfinn Tørrisen, creating a roots‑rock ensemble that quickly attracted local
attention. Their first breakthrough came with the 1989 debut album The
Contenders, released by EMI Odeon, which included the single "Sweet Little
Thing" that received national airplay and positioned the gro...
