because it's lovely & it suits us

yes. in 7 countries so far. yes. many!

drastically

only if it were one a la Radiohead, where we maintain complete control

for LO-FI FESTIVAL #1, Carl Christian summed up the sfu·ma·to experience as such in the program (my translation from the Danish):

"Formed in '96 by Lars RO (gtr, voc), Andreas FUPS (bs), and Kasper ANDERSEN (dr) - voc, gtr in THE NAKED (Crunchy Frog Records). The group concentrates on using its music to bring forth a Christian message, and all of their lyrics therefore take root in the scriptures. Meanwhile, in the fall of '98 Andreas FUPS left the band and was replaced by Carl Christian TOFTE of OBSTINATE ESTHER. It can be difficult to characterize their music compared to that of other bands, but one can say that LAMPshADe; has been a decisive influence. These days, the band is being temporarily dissolved due to Lars RO's departure from Denmark in March '99 in order to continue his studies in California, USA."

i can add to this that we actually started as Kasper (a.k.a. Tania) & i. the 2 of us met at a VERSUS show at Loppen Christiania one night in the mid-nineties. we realized our common interests & resolved to do radio together. this gradually happened a few times in the ensuing years, and somehow faded into us playing in a band together. Tania also spent her time playing in THE NAKED & POLISH. looking for a guitarist, i ran into a guy, his name was Lars Sveistrup, he said "howdy," i said "hi." eventually we picked up Finnegan for his poetic prowess. Lars Sveistrup (now of EL RAY) was replaced by Andre CHERCKA (Andreas FUPS? :)), who was, truly enough, replaced by Carl Christian. for 2 years Lars RO collected the California version, together with Carey DALL on f.e. guitar & f.e. bass, and then Bomba on drums & f.a. guitar, Bryan GOSKI on f.e. & f.a. guitar, & Darren HERTELL on f.e. bass. in 2001 we were back in København with Lars RO, Carl Christian, & an elusive drummer. ENSEMBLE ORLANDO, but we look back fondly on the years we played together (and look forward to future collaborations). this then gave way to the latest lineup in Summer of 2002, which was slightly compromised by Lars' move to the South of France in Summer 2003. as of 2006, Lars is wandering around again, contemplating the future of the band or the lack thereof, and wondering which musicians he will play with now... adieu!

Drive Like Jehu, Cat Power, Rodan, Pixies, Fugazi, Sonic Youth, The Wedding Present, Radiohead, Nirvana, Pavement, Jimi HENDRIX, Godspeed You! Black Emperor/The Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra La La Band, Polvo, The Naked, Velvet Underground, Come, The Replacements, Eric's Trip, The Rolling Stones, Haywood, Talking Heads, Bob DYLAN, Shellac, John LENNON...

ooh - Montreal is probably the favourite city. as for spots, Petra, Mt. Sinai, there are many...

guitars, bass, drums, vocals, the occasional sitar or banjo...