Come Taste the Band

Norwegian hardrock band formed by guitarist Jo Henning Kaasin and singer, Vidar Heldal in 1997. The band has focused on the rich and wonderful songs from british hardrock legends, Deep Purple. Come Taste the Band has been on tour since 1997 and have recorded two albums and two live concerts (VHS/DVD). The band has played hundreds of concerts since 1997.

In 2007 CTTB made a special concert with former Deep Purple bassplayer/ singer, Glenn Hughes. This collaboration led to four tours that celebrated the music of Deep Purple Mark III and IV. Playing songs like Burn, Stormbringer, Mistreated and many more, Glenn Hughes & CTTB made big success with these concerts! The last concert was a high energic performance at Trondheim Rockfest in 2010!

In 2011 Come Taste the Band linked up with former Rainbow/Deep Purple singer, Joe Lynn Turner to do a concert at Kartfestivalen, Norway. The show was a huge success with some 2000 fans attending the show. The setlist was a mixture of Rainbow and Deep Purple classics!

The band are now as focused as ever for keeping the purple flame alive!

CTTB Linups

1997–1999
Jo Henning Kaasin – guitar
Vidar Heldal – vocals
Eldar Melkvik – keys
Ståle Naas – bass/vocals
Håkon Austheim – drums

1999–2001
Jo Henning Kaasin – guitar
Vidar Heldal – vocals
Eldar Melkvik – keys
Ståle Naas – bass/vocals
Terje Evensen – drums

2002–2011
Jo Henning Kaasin – guitar
Vidar Heldal – vocals
Eldar Melkvik – keys
Ståle Naas – bass/vocals
Frode Flatland – drums

Other musicans associated with the band

Frode Hammersland – bass, played one gig with the band in 2005
Kristian Dale - drums, stepped in on three concerts in 2007
Erland Dahlen - drums, on the first gig with Glenn Huges in 2007
Glenn Hughes worked with CTTB in the years 2007–2010
Tobias Ørnes Andersen – drums, played the concert with Joe Lynn Turner & CTTB
Joe Lynn Turner worked with the band in 2011

Discography

Come Taste the Band – A Tribute to Deep Purple (1999), CD sold out
Come Taste the Band – With a Few Red Lights (2001), VHS sold out
Come Taste the Band – LIVE (2007), CD still in stock
Come Taste the Band – An Evening of Deep Purple (2011), available on youtube.com