Copenhagen, Denmark • 1965-1973

Terje, Jesper & Joachim was a groundbreaking Danish psychedelic rock power trio formed in 1965, with Terje Barnholdt on drums, Jesper Schmidt on guitar, piano, and vocals, and Joachim Ussing on bass and vocals. Starting out as "The Unknown," the group began performing at school dances and band competitions before transitioning into sit-ins and hippie venues. They blended original material along with covers of songs by Rolling Stones, The Kinks, and early Pink Floyd.

By 1968, they had embraced a more experimental style, reaching the finals of a national pop competition with an improvisational acid rock performance, broadcast live on Danish radio. Their creative peak came in the summer of 1970, when they recorded their self-titled album at Spectator Studios in Aalborg. Despite technical challenges during the three-day session, the band captured their distinctive sound: a mix of wah-wah-laden riffs, blues-infused rhythms, and unrestrained energy. Tracks like “Ricochet” and “We Got to Leave” exemplify their raw and dynamic style.

Though the band disbanded in 1973, their sole album gained cult status, celebrated as a vibrant snapshot of Denmark’s psychedelic rock scene. Terje, Jesper & Joachim remains a vital piece of the era’s countercultural legacy, and revered for their fearless creativity and adventurous sound.