Chris Summers (drummer)
The powerhouse Norwegian drummer who provided the relentless, driving beat behind the chaotic glory of punk rock band Turbonegro.
Born 1974 (age 52)·Musical artist·Birthday: November 7·Generation X
Biography
Chris Summers, born Christer Engen, is the rhythmic engine of Scandinavian rock. Emerging from the Oslo scene, he co-founded the band Bigbang in 1992, where his solid, groove-oriented playing helped shape their soul-infused rock sound. But his legacy was cemented in 1997 when he joined the resurrected Turbonegro. Donning the drummer's mantle and the band's signature uniform, Summers was the perfect fit for their self-proclaimed 'deathpunk'. His style was not about technical flash but about immense power and unshakeable tempo, a thunderous foundation that allowed the band's guitar-driven chaos and anthemic choruses to soar. Behind the kit for Turbonegro's celebrated 'comeback trilogy'—'Apocalypse Dudes', 'Scandinavian Leather', and 'Party Animals'—Summers helped define the band's most iconic era. His departure in 2008 marked the end of a chapter, but his work remains integral to the band's cult stature. A musician of versatility, he later explored softer territories with the band Lady Friend, proving his skills extended far beyond punk rock's aggressive demands.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Chris was born in 1974, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Chris Was Born
The biggest hits of 1974
#1 Movie
The Towering Inferno
Best Picture
The Godfather Part II
#1 TV Show
All in the Family
Chris's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1974Born
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1979Started school
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1987Became a teenager
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1990Could drive
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1992Could vote
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Turned 21
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2004Turned 30
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2014Turned 40
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 50
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 52 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played drums on Turbonegro's seminal album 'Scandinavian Leather', a cornerstone of their 'deathpunk' sound.
- Was a founding member of the Norwegian rock band Bigbang, contributing to their early development and success.
- Performed as Turbonegro's drummer during their peak international touring years, building a dedicated global fanbase.
- Recorded and released four studio albums with Turbonegro between 1998 and 2007.
Did You Know?
His stage name 'Chris Summers' was adopted when he joined Turbonegro, as the band used aliases.
Before joining Turbonegro, he was a member of the band Euroboys.
He left Turbonegro in 2008, shortly before the recording of their album 'Sexual Harassment'.
He is known for a very straightforward, powerful drumming style, often described as 'like a machine'.
“The drums are not about speed; they are about the space between the notes.”
