Hank von Hell

(Redirected from Hans Husby)

Hans-Erik Dyvik Husby (15 June 1972 – 19 November 2021), also known as Hank von Helvete in Norway and Hank von Hell internationally, was a Norwegian singer best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Turbonegro.[2][3] He was a member of Turbonegro from 1993 to 2010, appearing on six studio albums with the band, and later embarked on a solo career.[4][5]

Hank von Hell
Hank von Hell at Coachella 2009
Hank von Hell at Coachella 2009
Background information
Birth nameHans Erik Dyvik Husby
Also known as
  • Hank von Helvete
  • Hank
  • Hertugen
  • Herr Tugen
  • Hertis
Born(1972-06-15)15 June 1972
Vestvågøy Municipality, Norway[1]
Died19 November 2021(2021-11-19) (aged 49)
Slottsparken, Oslo, Norway
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actor
Years active1992–2021
Formerly of

Described as "a charismatic frontman who equally channeled humor and vulnerability", he died on 19 November 2021, at the age of 49.[6]

Career

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Husby began his musical career with the punk band INRI and released the EP Breakfast Serial X in 1992.[4] He joined Turbonegro the following year, where he would become known for his interactions with the audience while performing.[4] In 1998, Turbonegro disbanded due to Husby's drug addiction.[7] After going through rehab, he reunited with Turbonegro in 2002.[7] Husby left the band in 2010 to focus on his family and career outside of rock music.[8][9]

In 2009, Husby had a number one single on the Norwegian Singles Chart with Maria Solheim and the song "Rom for alle".[10] The single spent three weeks at the number one spot, including the Christmas chart for 2009. In 2010, Husby portrayed singer-songwriter Cornelis Vreeswijk in the Swedish film Cornelis.[11] He released a cover album with Vreeswijk songs titled I ljuset av Cornelis later that year.[12]

On 6 June 2011, Husby and his new band Doctor Midnight & The Mercy Cult, released their first album I Declare: Treason.[13] In late 2011, he was a judge in the Norwegian TV series Idol.[14] Husby's biography was released in Norway in October 2012, written by writer and poet Håvard Rem, where he spoke openly about his life and career.[15]

Solo career

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On 31 August 2018, Husby released the first single, "Bum to Bum", from his debut solo album Egomania.[16] The album was released on 2 November through Sony Music/Century Media worldwide.[17] Egomania was co-written with Swedish guitarist and solo band member Eric Bäckman, also known as Cat Casino of Deathstars. When asked why he decided to return and produce a solo record in a 2018 interview, Husby stated: "The timing was just right. I was done with others "angels" in life, and it felt like it was time to go back and do what I always should've done – ROCK. And shake ass."[18]

On 25 January 2019, Husby's song "Fake It" was chosen for competition in the Melodi Grand Prix 2019 to represent Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest in Israel.[19] In June 2020, Husby released his second solo album, Dead.[20]

Personal life and death

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Husby and his family moved frequently during his childhood and adolescent years, living in various places across Norway. His early childhood years were spent in the village of Å in Moskenes Municipality on the southwest edge of the Lofoten islands, later moving to Fauske, Rognan and Tvedestrand.[4]

Following Turbonegro's split in 1998, Husby went through detox while living at the island of Moskenesøya in Lofoten, where he worked as a guide at Norwegian Fishing Village Museum and as a presenter at Moskenesradioen, a local radio station.[21]

Husby was married to model Gro Skaustein from August 2009 until October 2014.[22] The couple had a daughter together who was born on 21 December, 2008.[23]

Husby died suddenly on 19 November 2021, at the age of 49, and was found dead in Slottsparken in Oslo.[24] No cause of death was made public, but his manager later denied rumours that he had committed suicide, stating that "his body had finally given in" after a long life of drug abuse.[24] Turbonegro and former bandmates Happy-Tom, Euroboy and Tim Skold paid tribute to him on social media, as did Tony "Duke of Nothing" Sylvester, his replacement in Turbonegro, who wrote "I never tried to fill your shoes as that would have been impossible."[25][26][27][28][29] Other tributes were made by Eagles of Death Metal frontman Jesse Hughes, Steve-O, Behemoth frontman Nergal, former-Queens of the Stone Age drummer Joey Castillo, Sum 41 bassist Jason McCaslin, Danko Jones, wrestler Darby Allin and actress Juliette Lewis.[30][31][32][33][34][35] On 9 December, Husby was buried in Lillestrøm.[36][37]

Discography

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Hank von Hell with Turbonegro in 2005

Solo

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  • I ljuset av Cornelis (2010)
  • Egomania (2018)
  • Dead (2020)

Studio albums

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Live albums

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Compilation albums

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With INRI

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  • Breakfast Serial X (EP, 1992)
  • "Rom for Alle" (2009)

Guest appearances

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Year Artist Title Song(s)
2003 Bandkind Look Away, Kids "Nihil Sleighride"
2004 Schtimm Featuring... "Waybackthens", "Idiotsong"
Valentourettes Valentourettes Speller Jokke "Narkoman"
2009 Carola Christmas in Bethlehem "Silent Night"
2011 With Tobias Fröberg, Peter Morén, Trygve Haug and John Eriksson GateGrep "Ballad Om En Gammal Knarkare" (Cornelis Vreeswijk cover)
2018 Mustasch Silent Killer "Fire"
2021 Charlie Benante Silver Linings "Public Image" (Public Image Ltd cover)
Me and That Man New Man, New Songs, Same Shit. Vol. 2 "Black Hearse Cadillac"
2022 CKY Thoughts & Prayers "Fuck Shit Help & Yeah"

References

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  1. ^ "Hank von Hell's profile". MusicBrainz. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  2. ^ Turbo charged Sydney Morning Herald – 3 October 2003
  3. ^ Turbonegro Bring Boners Back to Times Square – Vulture. Nymag.com (26 September 2007). Retrieved on 29 June 2011.
  4. ^ a b c d Moslet, Håkon (8 December 2021). "Gutten som ble Hank von Helvete". ballade.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  5. ^ "Hans-Erik Dyvik Husby (1972 – 2021): Han gjorde norsk rock farlig". www.aftenposten.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). 19 November 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  6. ^ Eggertsen, Chris (23 November 2021). "Hank Von Hell, Former Lead Singer for Norwegian 'Deathpunk' Band Turbonegro, Dies at 49". Billboard. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  7. ^ a b Sættem, Trond. Turbonegro - The ResErection (2002). Nordisk Film.
  8. ^ Hartmann, Graham (10 July 2019). "Hank von Hell's Life Is No Longer About Self-Destruction". Loudwire. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  9. ^ Enis, Eli (20 November 2021). "Hank Von Hell, Turbonegro Singer, Dead at 49". Revolver. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  10. ^ Gulbrandsen, Troy; Søum, Veronika (15 November 2009). "Maria og Hans-Erik med et rom for alle". TV 2 (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  11. ^ Engström, Josefin (22 October 2010). "Rørende Hank von Helvete på Skavlan". NRK (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  12. ^ Tjoflot, Eirin (20 November 2021). "Hans-Erik Dyvik Husby blir hylla verda rundt". NRK (in Norwegian Nynorsk). Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  13. ^ Blabbermouth (5 April 2011). "DOCTOR MIDNIGHT & THE MERCY CULT: Debut Album Track Listing, Artwork Unveiled". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  14. ^ Hegseth, Morten (22 May 2011). "Hans Erik Dyvik Husby sliter med å være Idol-dommer". VG (in Norwegian). Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  15. ^ Christiansen, Tomm W. Christiansen (18 October 2012). "- Der og da tenkte jeg: Hva faen er dette?". dagbladet.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  16. ^ Blabbermouth (15 October 2018). "Former TURBONEGRO Frontman HANK VON HELL Releases 'Pretty Decent Exposure' Solo Single". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  17. ^ "Century Media Records -".
  18. ^ "INTERVIEW - Hank Von Hell - I stole the idea from Gandalf..." November 26, 2018. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  19. ^ Melodi Grand Prix entry: Hank von Hell
  20. ^ Winwood, Ian (15 June 2020). "Hank Von Hell: A Life Of Punk Rock, Addiction And Intergalactic…". Kerrang!. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  21. ^ NRK (4 August 2003). "Hertugen fra Lofoten". NRK (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  22. ^ Redaksjonen (15 June 2015). "- Det siste året har vært et sant mareritt". Se og Hør (in Norwegian). Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  23. ^ Vassbotten, Arve (14 October 2014). "Hans-Erik Dyvik skilles etter fem år". Se og Hør (in Norwegian). Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  24. ^ a b Blabbermouth (22 November 2021). "HANK VON HELL's Manager Denies Former TURBONEGRO Singer Committed Suicide". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  25. ^ Eggertsen, Chris (23 November 2021). "Hank Von Hell, Former Lead Singer for Norwegian 'Deathpunk' Band Turbonegro, Dies at 49". Billboard. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  26. ^ Bu, Fanny; Tønnessen, Maria Schiller; Fossheim, Kenneth (20 November 2021). "Planla reunion-turné: - Jeg er det tristeste jeg noensinne har vært". TV 2 (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  27. ^ Schreiner, Knut (20 November 2021). "Instagram post". Instagram. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  28. ^ Skold, Tim (19 November 2021). "Instagram post". Instagram. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  29. ^ Sylvester, Tony (20 November 2012). "Instagram post". Instagram. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  30. ^ Hughes, Jesse (21 November 2021). "Instagram post". Instagram. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  31. ^ Fosse, Anders Lohne (20 November 2021). "«Jackass»-stjernene hyller Hans-Erik Dyvik Husby". Nettavisen (in Norwegian). Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  32. ^ Darski, Adam (20 November 2021). "Instagram post". Instagram. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  33. ^ Castillo, Joey (20 November 2021). "Instagram post". Instagram. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  34. ^ Jones, Danko (20 November 2021). "Twitter post". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  35. ^ Stephens, Chris (25 November 2021). "Darby Allin Pays Tribute To Recently Deceased Punk Singer On Dynamite". SE Scoops. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  36. ^ Blabbermouth (1 December 2021). "Public Funeral Service For Former TURBONEGRO Singer HANK VON HELL To Be Held Next Week". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  37. ^ Persen, Kjell; Habbestad, Mariann (29 November 2021). "Hans-Erik Dyvik Husby skal begraves i Lillestrøm kirke 9. desember". TV 2 (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 19 November 2023.
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