Pil & Bue are a forceful duo from the very depths of northern Norway, who despite their minimal format sounds like a full-blown band
Band members: Gøran Johansen on drums and percussion and Petter Carlsen, one of Norways most unique and powerful voices, on vocals and baritone guitar.
Pil & Bue deliver an explosion of raw, hard, and melodic rock with a twist of darkness.
With subtle, but pronounced references to artists like Placebo, Deftones, Sigur Ros, Anathema and Mars Volta, Pil & Bue deliver “Hard, gloomy & joyful music...” (Metal Hammer NO) based on topics like memories, childhood aspirations, use of imagination, video games, and the intriguing online rabbit holes.
The band´s raw and melodic music quickly struck a note with Hollywood director Tommy Wirkola who included the Pil & Bue single “You Win Again” in his now cult-status movie “Dead Snow: Red vs. Dead” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival January 2014.
In addition, their single “Fire” from second album “Forget the Past, Let’s Worry About the Future” is featured on the end credits of Hollywood/Netflix blockbuster “What Happened to Monday” (2017).
Pil & Bue’s mantra is to be impulsive and spontaneous, something that reflects their live shows as well as their recordings. This may also be one of the many reasons for rave reviews from both Norwegian and international critics who have described the duo´s music as “...unique, vital and long-awaited...” (Dagbladet) and classified their previous album as a "a global sound experience" (Voir.ca)
In 2021 the band are returning following a three-year hiatus, with big changes in the lineup. Singer and guitarist Petter Carlsen is joined by drummer Gøran Johansen following the departure of former drummer Aleksander Kostopoulos, for the forthcoming album.
Petter Carlsen says: "Aleksander wanted me to continue what we started with Pil & Bue after he unfortunately had to step away from the band. I’ve played in other bands with Gøran for a few years. He’s an amazing drummer and I felt it was natural for him to make his mark on this band in its next chapter. We’ve had a lot of fun jamming out these songs together, and I feel we’ve taken Pil & Bue further while still keeping the band’s identity close at heart."