Jenny Woolworth’s Women in Punk Blog

Iceland is amazing, over a few decades they have produced both kooky music and a totally cockeyed economy. The country only has about 300,000 total inhabitants - living together on a huge chunk of volcanic rock in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean - but the music scene is thriving world wide, while unfortunately, the financial market is crumbling from that same international exposure.

Let’s go back to a more innocent time, during the early 80s, when Reaganomics are trickling down all across the US and the UK is deep in the throws of a terrible scourge of Thatcherism. Iceland meanwhile is stepping out of the middle ages straight into punk rock…

Grýlurnar was an all female foursome, formed in 1982, featuring Ragnhildur “Ragga” Gisladóttir on vocals, Inga Rún Pálmadóttir on guitar, Herdis Hallvardsdóttir on bass and Linda Björk Hreidarsdóttir on drums. They were one of several bands to emerge during this time - have a look at the Punk Rock Iceland page for a comprehensive overview of the scene. Then click on over to my website for a feature I did on the band, including a video of an amazing live performance.

Now you’re ready to download the full digital version of their 1983 LP, Mávastellið, included here, free of charge. It won’t do much to boost the country’s failing economy but may go some way in securing their musical oddball status.

Grýlurnar - Mávastellið lp
Hlid 1
1. Sísí
2. Í tránum
3. Valur og jardaberjamaukid hans
4. Betri er limur en limlestir
5. Lilja Laufey Þórsdótti
6. Grátkona

Hlid 2
1. Sigmundur kroppur
2. Þú ert of hvít
3. Djásnið mitt
4. Tröllapvaður
5. Lalli, Leifur, og Laumi á vínberjauppskeruhátið 1969

Download: Grýlurnar - Mávastellið, side A
Download: Grýlurnar - Mávastellið, side B