Florence Henderson vs. the Norwegian Post-Rock Band That Bears Her Name

Youth Pictures of Florence Henderson are a Norwegian post-rock band, formed by journalism students in Bodø in 2003. The have a new EP just out called Small Changes We Hardly Notice, which features lush, sweeping, orchestral textures and, unlike many other albums in the genre, includes vocals.

Recently Spinner spoke with Youth Pictures of Florence Henderson's guitarist Øystein Svendsen, not just about the ethereal new EP, but also the origin of their bizarre band name. We also caught up with a certain beloved American actress to get her take on what it's like to have such an honor.

Speaking to Spinner from Oslo, where the band is based, Svendsen told us that he is happy thus far with the reaction to the new release. "It was a natural transition for us to include vocals. We used to be strictly instrumental, like a lot of post-rock music, but we've been experimenting with vocals along with some other elements that may be a bit unexpected. We were frightened to add vocals at first because we were not sure if any one of us could sing. We shared duties on that but we finally landed on one band member, Gjermund, who seems to sing the best. But the fans seem to reacting very well to what we have created and that pleases us. It says that they are willing to grow with us."

Then there is the name of the band, which seems to pay homage to a woman known to millions around the world as Carol Brady. Just how did that come about?

The band had their first gig before they even had a proper name. The booker called the week before and said, "We must have a name for the poster." The TV was on and the band thought they heard a mention on a Norwegian news program about supposed "nude pictures of Florence Henderson." It was decided that as cool as that name sounded, it might be a bit too vulgar so it became Youth' Pictures of Florence Henderson.

The band had never heard of her, but felt a connection to a photo they saw of the perky blonde American actress. Since then, they have become fans. Big fans. They watch clips of "The Brady Bunch" on You Tube. They followed her on "Dancing With the Stars." And they are always on the lookout for new Henderson footage -- even though there were never actually nude photos of her. They also heard that Henderson's niece introduced the 78-year-old actress to their music.

"'From what we understand about her," Svendsen says, "Florence Henderson is a really cool person. Very liberal, outgoing and a lot of fun. And one more weird thing about the name -- the date of the band's very first show, the one we needed the name for, coincidentally took place on Florence Henderson's birthday."

At Spinner, we thought it would be fun to see what Florence Henderson thinks about the band's name and its music.

"I heard about them a couple of years ago," she says. "It could have been my niece that made me aware of them but I think it was a fan. I feel great about having a band named after me, especially if they're good! I never took any nude pictures, so I find that interesting. But I'm thrilled that they checked me out and liked and respected me. And when the band plays in L.A., I would love to say hi to them. By the way, I spent several months in Norway filming the movie 'Song of Norway.' I have a very special place in my heart for that country and its people."

Stay tuned, as we will look to help her actually meet this bunch when they visit.