The Contenders were formed in 1987 in Oslo, Norway, by brothers Bjørn Kulseth (vocals, guitars) and Stein Kulseth (vocals, piano, accordion, guitar, mandolin). After the dissolution of Bjørn’s previous band The Act, the duo recruited drummer Per Ivar Stræte, bassist Odd Eirik Fleischer, and guitarist Arnfinn Tørrisen, creating a roots‑rock ensemble that quickly attracted local attention. Their first breakthrough came with the 1989 debut album The Contenders, released by EMI Odeon, which included the single "Sweet Little Thing" that received national airplay and positioned the group as a prominent live act in Norway. In 1992 the band released Radioland, whose title track dominated Norwegian airplay charts for four weeks and sold approximately 15,000 copies; the success secured an international publishing deal with EMI Music Publishing and a supporting slot for Tom Petty in Sweden. The following year, Amors bil was issued, featuring the Norwegian‑language singles "Folkets Hus" and "Indianere"; although critically praised, the album did not achieve significant commercial traction. After drummer Per Ivar Stræte retired due to tinnitus, the group’s lineup shifted, and the remaining members eventually performed sporadic reunions rather than releasing new material. The Contenders’ legacy remains in their contribution to Norwegian folk‑rock and their early chart successes during the early 1990s.