Rocky Kramer

Sindre Langhelle (/ˈsɪndrɛ ˈlɑːŋhələ/; born August 3, 1990), known professionally as Rocky Kramer (/ˈrɒki ˈkreɪmər/), is a Norwegian guitarist, singer, songwriter, composer, and bandleader from Trondheim, who is now based in Los Angeles, California.[4] In 2018, Kramer became more widely known when he headlined the Seattle Hempfest.[5][6] The next year, in 2019, he released his debut Album "Firestorm" and was nominated for a Hollywood Music in Media Award.[7] Following release of Firestorm, Kramer performed at the 2019 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota,[8] before joining Buckcherry's tour throughout the United Kingdom.[1][2] Kramer has been described as "[o]ne of the strongest and most poignant guitarists since [Jimi] Hendrix."[9] Kramer plays and endorses Fender Stratocaster guitars.[10]

Rocky Kramer
Rocky Kramer in concert 2018
Born
Sindre Langhelle

(1990-08-03) August 3, 1990
Trondheim, Norway
Occupation
  • Musician
  • Singer
  • Guitarist
  • Songwriter
  • Record producer
Years active2012–present
Parents
  • Bjørn Langhelle (father)
  • Ingjerd Langhelle, nee Andresen (mother)
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentsVocals, guitar
Labels
Associated acts
Websiterockykramer.com
Signature

Early life

Kramer was born to Bjørn Langhelle and Ingjerd Langhelle, nee Andresen, in Trondheim, Norway. He grew up in a musical family, as his mother was a skilled pianist and vocalist, while his father was first violinist in the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra.[11][12] Kramer's older brother is Norwegian Jazz musician Ståle Langhelle.[13] When Kramer was five, his mother died of cancer.[14] Kramer began his musical career playing the piano and violin, before switching to guitar after listening to KISS and AC/DC.[4] He cites Yngwie Malmsteen as a key guitar influence[5] and Pink Floyd for general inspiration. As a teenager he was a member of the band Armed Science, which reached the final of the Ungdommens kulturmønstring or UKM talent show.[4][15]

Career

After his teenage years, Kramer moved to Los Angeles, California, to pursue music. During this time he perfected his already good English. He was soon signed by the Allied Artists Music Group.[16][17] Kramer was granted word and trade marks for his stage name "ROCKY KRAMER", as well as a logo bearing the same name on June 11, 2013.[18] Working together with his band and noted producer Kim Richards, he released his debut album Firestorm on August 9, 2019,[14] celebrated with a "star-studded" red carpet release party, held on a sound stage in Los Angeles on July 30, 2019, that was catered by In & Out Burger.[19][20] On April 23, 2019, it was announced that Kramer had signed with TKO Booking Agency.[21] Immediately after the 2019 album release party, Kramer played August 4, 5 and 6 at the 2019 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota,[8] followed by a tour of the United Kingdom with Buckcherry, playing at venues such as the O2.[1][2] Kramer's first single "Rock Star," from the Firestorm album reached #1 on the Global DRT Chart on October 5, 2019.[22] On November 19, 2020, organizers of the "'Let Me Help' Celebrity Benefit Concert" announced that Kramer would join Steve Vai, Slash, Verdine White (Earth, Wind & Fire), Suzy Quatro, Martha Davis (The Motels), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne and many others, in a concert "to benefit those devastated by COVID-19, bullying, and prostate cancer" to be aired on November 24, 2020.[23][24]

On April 7, 2020, the weekly Kramer-hosted live broadcast, "Rock & Roll Tuesdays with Rocky Kramer", premiered on Twitch.[25][26] During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, Kramer looked for ways to entertain from home. He had previously released a video of Comfortably Numb from Pink Floyd's The Wall, a tribute to David Gilmour.[27] Kramer chose Twitch because it was a "great way to stay in touch with fans and ... develop new fans"[28] During Kramer's October 13, 2020 Rock & Roll Tuesdays program, he premiered a cover video tribute to Yngwie Malmsteen, of the "Baroque & Roll" instrumental from Malmsteen's fourteenth studio album, Attack!!.[29][30] Throughout the Pandemic Lockdown, Kramer has released additional cover videos of Foo Fighters "The Pretender",[31] Linkin Park "Breaking The Habit,"[32] Edwyn Collins "A Girl Like You,"[33] CHVRCHES "Keep You on My Side,"[34] Queen "The Show Must Go On,"[35] and Genesis "Mama."[36][37]

The Rocky Kramer Band

Kramer assembled an accomplished group of progressive metal musicians formally known as "The Rocky Kramer Band".[38] In addition to Kramer, the current line up consists of Alejandro Mercado on drums and backup vocals,[39] Michael Dwyer on bass guitar and backup vocals[40] and Matt Grossman on Keyboards and backup vocals.[41][42] Each of the current members played on Kramer's Firestorm album, with the exception of Grossman, who joined the band after Firestorm was recorded, but has toured with Kramer. Grossman is expected to perform on Kramer's follow-up album. The original keyboard parts on Firestorm were performed by Jon Dunmore.[43]

Discography
Year Title Album details
2019 Firestorm[44][lower-alpha 1] Label: Allied Artists Music Group

Videography
Year Title Video details
2019 Rock Star Music Video, from the Rocky Kramer Firestorm Album[45] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group
2020 Pink Floyd, "Comfortably Numb" by Rocky Kramer[27] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group
2020 Foo Fighters, "The Pretender" by Rocky Kramer[31] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group
2020 Linkin Park, "Breaking The Habit" by Rocky Kramer[32] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group
2020 Edwyn Collins, "A Girl Like You" by Rocky Kramer[33] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group
2020 CHVRCHES, "Keep You on My Side" by Rocky Kramer[34] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group
2020 Queen, "The Show Must Go On" by Rocky Kramer[35] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group
2020 Genesis, "Mama" by Rocky Kramer[36] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group
2020 Yngwie Malmsteen, "Baroque & Roll" by Rocky Kramer[30] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group
2020 KISS, "Love Gun" by Rocky Kramer[46] Released through: Allied Artists Music Group

Accolades
Award Category Year Result Ref(s)
Hollywood Music in Media Awards Rock music 2019 Nominated [7]

Equipment
Rocky and a wall of ENGL Amps with "Ace," one of his Fender Stratocasters

In regard to Kramer's choice of musical instruments, equipment and endorsements, he has stated: "I approach endorsements different than some artists. I only endorse products I honestly use and honestly love."[47] Kramer bought his first Fender Stratocaster at age 14 and owns a number of them today, along with a Fender Telecaster and Jazz Bass. Kramer had an opportunity to endorse Gibson guitars, but chose Fender over Gibson because that's what he plays.[10] In addition to Fender, Kramer also endorses ENGL Amps,[48] Jim Dunlop Guitar Picks,[49] ClearTone Guitar Strings,[50] Spiral Electric FX Pedals,[51] Fractal Audio Axe FX III Amp Modelers,[52] and JH Audio In-Ears.[53][47]

Notes
  1. The song Rock Star achieved Number 1 - TOP 150 INDEPENDENT AIRPLAY CHART October 5, 2019[22]

References
  1. "BUCKCHERRY ANNOUNCE NOVEMBER U.K. TOUR, THE TREATMENT AND ROCKY KRAMER TO SUPPORT". MusicPlayers.com. April 24, 2019. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  2. "Rocky Kramer Joins Buckcherry European Fall Tour". Issuu. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  3. "Premiere Yngwie Malmsteen Cover Video". Allied Artists' YouTube Channel. Rock & Roll Tuesdays with Rocky Kramer, Season 2, Episode 7. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  4. Melstveit, Maren Elvig (August 16, 2016). "(+) Supergitarist Rocky Kramer fra Trondheim gjør suksess i Los Angeles". Adresseavisen (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  5. Ring, Su (August 18, 2018). "From Norway, with Love: Rocky Kramer's passion for playing metal and saving the environment". NorthWest Music Scene. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  6. Ball, Linda (August 3, 2018). "HEMPFEST returns to Seattle for its 27th year". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  7. "2019 music genre nominees". HMMA Awards. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  8. "Rocky Kramer is performing August 4th, 5th and 6th at One-Eyed Jack's during Sturgis 2019". Bands in Town. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  9. Shapiro, Eileen. "Rocky Kramer – A Musical Virtuoso". Official Fame Magazine. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  10. "Rocky Kramer "Rock Star in the Truest Form"". The Hype Magazine. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  11. "Trondheim Symfoniorkester". Internet Archive tso.no. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
  12. "Interview – Rocky Kramer Released Cover Of Queen's 'The Show Must Go On'". The Green Room Magazine. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  13. "The Internet Movie Database". IMDb (in Norwegian). Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  14. Randy Radic (July 14, 2020). "Rocky Kramer Struts His Talent on 'Firestorm'". The Hollywood Digest. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  15. "The Norwegian Youth Festivals of Art". ukm.no. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  16. "Interviews: Allied Artists Music Group's Stephan Bauer signs Rocky Kramer". Allied Artists YouTube Channel. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  17. "Rocky Kramer Signs Recording Contract with Allied Artists Music Group". Allied Artists. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  18. "United States Patent & Trademark Office, Reg. No. 4349557". www.USPTO.gov. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  19. "ROCKY KRAMER – Record Release Party and Red Carpet – LA River Studios – 7/30/19". Will To Rock Magazine. August 12, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  20. "Allied Artists To Host Star Studded Party To Celebrate Rocky Kramer's Firestorm Album Release". PR Log. June 30, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  21. "Rocky Kramer Signs With TKO". Allied Artists. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  22. "DigitalRadioTracker.com - Your Global Radio Airplay Monitoring Solution..." www.digitalradiotracker.com. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  23. "Rocky Kramer Joins Steve Vai, Rick Wakeman, John Lodge, Kennny Lee Lewis and More at the SohoJohnny "Let Me Help, Inc" Celebrity Benefit Concert 11/24/20". Hollywood Fame Magazine. September 19, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  24. "Rocky Kramer To Make A Highly Anticipated Appearance at the SohoJohnny "Let Me Help, Inc" Celebrity Benefit Concert 11/24/20". Los Angeles Weekly Times. September 19, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  25. "Rocky Kramer Rock & Roll Tuesdays On Twitch 7-9 PM PT". Celebrity Zones. September 21, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  26. "Rock & Roll Tuesdays with Rocky Kramer". IMDb. April 7, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  27. "Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb COVER (A Tribute to David Gilmour by Rocky Kramer)". YouTube. February 7, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  28. "Rocky Kramer "Firestorm"". Mimic News. August 16, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  29. "Rocky Kramer To Premier Video Tribute to the Great Yngwie Malmsteen On Rock & Roll Tuesdays On Twitch 10/13/20". Indie Pulse Music. October 12, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  30. "Yngwie Malmsteen - Baroque & Roll (A Humble Tribute by Rocky Kramer)". YouTube. October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  31. "Foo Fighters - The Pretender (80s Synth Rock Cover by Rocky Kramer)". YouTube. February 28, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  32. "Linkin Park - Breaking The Habit (Metal Cover by Rocky Kramer)". YouTube. March 2, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  33. "Edwyn Collins - A Girl Like You (80s Inspired Cover by Rocky Kramer)". YouTube. May 15, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  34. "CHVRCHES - Keep You on My Side (Metal Cover by Rocky Kramer)". YouTube. June 12, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  35. "Queen - The Show Must Go On (Cover by Rocky Kramer)". YouTube. July 14, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  36. "Genesis - Mama COVER (A Tribute to Phil Collins by Rocky Kramer)". YouTube. September 1, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  37. "Rock & Roll Tuesdays with Rocky Kramer Episode Guide". Allied Artists Broadcasting. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  38. "The Rocky Kramer Band". rockykramer.com. October 13, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  39. "Precision thrashing from one unique drummer!". rockykramer.com. December 6, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  40. "One boundless bass player!". rockykramer.com. December 6, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  41. "One Prodigious Piano Player!". rockykramer.com. December 6, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  42. "Rocky Kramer releases video for track "Rock Star"". rockykramer.com. December 6, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  43. "Rocky Kramer On Twitter". twitter.com. December 6, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  44. "Album Review: Firestorm by Rocky Kramer (7/10) | Magazine". Music Connection Magazine. October 15, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  45. "Rock Star, The Music Video by Rocky Kramer (7/10) | YouTube". YouTube YouTube. October 15, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  46. "KISS - Love Gun (1987 Cover by Rocky Kramer) | YouTube". YouTube YouTube. December 1, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  47. Shapiro, Eileen. "Rocky Kramer – One of The Most Gifted Guitar Players On The Planet". L.A. Times Now. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  48. "Rocky Kramer's Engl E645 PowerBall 2 Head". EquipBoard. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  49. "Jim Dunlop Jazz III Rocky Kramer Black Guitar Pick". EquipBoard. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  50. "Rocky Kramer's Cleartone 10-52 Light Top Heavy Bottom Electric Guitar Strings". EquipBoard. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  51. "Rocky Kramer's Spiral Electric FX Black Fuzz". EquipBoard. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  52. "Rocky Kramer's Fractal Audio Axe-FX III". EquipBoard. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  53. "Rocky Kramer's JH Audio Custom In Ear Monitors". EquipBoard. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
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