Thor's Hammer – My Life

Thor's Hammer (clockwise from top): Rúnar Júlíusson, Engilbert Jensen, Erlingur Björnsson and Gunnar Þórðarson.  

The Who probably never heard of Thor's Hammer, but if they would, they would without a doubt be very inpressed. Thor's Hammer, or Hljómar, was the most noteable '60s Icelandic rock band and the only one that's well known among collectors for their mega-rare releases on Parlophone sung in English. They are also the only Icelandic band to have a song included on the Nuggets II box set, the fuzz-drenched 'My Life'.

This song is probably one of the main reasons the fuzz pedal was invented. With it's echoed drumming and fuzz guitar, this is, along with Mascots' 'I Want To Live', one of the best freakbeat tracks. Thor's Hammer kept going until 1969 with an English female singer, Shady (real name Patricia Gail Owens). Shady, Gunnar Þórðarson and Rúnar Júlíusson then went progressive under the name Trúbrot.

Front and back of the 'Umbarumbamba' EP, 1966