Dizzy Mizz Lizzy

{{Short description|Alternative rock band from Denmark}} {{for|the Larry Williams song|Dizzy, Miss Lizzy}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Dizzy Mizz Lizzy | image = Dizzy Mizz Lizzy Royal Arena 2022.jpg | alt = Dizzy Mizz Lizzy performing in 2022 | caption = Dizzy Mizz Lizzy performing in 2022 | image_size = <!-- Only for images narrower than 220 pixels --> | alias = Dizzy (abbreviation)<ref name="europe">Reuss, Anders (1996). [https://gaffa.e-pages.pub/titles/gaffa/9520/publications/156/pages/12 "Fra Europe til Seattle"]. ''GAFFA'', 1996(5), 12. {{in lang|da}}</ref><br />DML (abbreviation)<ref name="DML2015">Svidt, Ole Rosenstand (20 October 2014). [http://www.gaffa.dk/nyhed/88882 "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy vender tilbage"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006002439/http://www.gaffa.dk/nyhed/88882 |date=2015-10-06 }} ("Dizzy Mizz Lizzy returns"). ''GAFFA''. {{in lang|da}}</ref> | origin = Valby, Denmark | genre = Alternative rock,<ref>Apple Inc. [https://music.apple.com/dk/artist/dizzy-mizz-lizzy/17266193 Dizzy Mizz Lizzy]. "Danish alternative rock band Dizzy Mizz Lizzy [...]"</ref> arena rock<ref name="new wave">{{cite book|title=Dansk rockleksikon |editor-last=Bille |editor-first=Torben |publisher=Politikens Forlag |date=2002 |isbn=87-567-6525-8 |edition=1 |page=145 |language=da |quote=Dizzy Mizz Lizzy igangsatte med teknisk ekvilibristisk og umiddelbar powerrock en ny bølge i dansk rock [...] |trans-quote=Dizzy Mizz Lizzy started, with technical virtuosity and catchy power rock, a new wave in Danish rock [...]}}</ref><ref name="europe" /> | years_active = {{start date|1988}}–{{end date|1998}}<br />{{start date|2009}}–{{end date|2010}}<ref>Christensen, Tim (29 September 2010). [http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=112572045470558&id=14122824532 "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy ✶ 1988 ✝ 2010"]. ''Facebook''.</ref><br />{{start date|2014}}–current<ref name="gaffa2014">Svidt, Ole Rosenstand (22 October 2014). [http://gaffa.dk/nyhed/88950 "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy tager på turné – med nye sange"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924044845/http://gaffa.dk/nyhed/88950 |date=2017-09-24 }} ("Dizzy Mizz Lizzy goes on tour - with new songs"). ''GAFFA''. {{in lang|da}}</ref> | label = EMI, ArtPeople, Columbia, Sony Music | associated_acts = Tim Christensen | current_members = Tim Christensen<br />Martin Nielsen<br />Søren Friis | past_members = }}

'''Dizzy Mizz Lizzy''' is an alternative rock band from Copenhagen formed in October 1988 in Valby.<ref>{{cite book|title=Dansk rockleksikon |editor-last=Bille |editor-first=Torben |publisher=Politikens Forlag |date=2002 |isbn=87-567-6525-8 |edition=1 |page=145 |language=da |quote=Dannet oktober 1988 i Valby. |trans-quote=Formed October 1988 in Valby.}}</ref><ref>Apple Inc. [https://music.apple.com/dk/artist/dizzy-mizz-lizzy/17266193 Dizzy Mizz Lizzy]. "Founded in 1988 in Copenhagen, Dizzy Mizz Lizzy [...]"</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Heavy Metal – 40 år med hård rock |last=Rasmussen |first=Jens |publisher=Informations Forlag|year=2010|isbn=978-87-7514-259-0|edition=1st|page=224|language=da|quote=Vi dannede Dizzy Mizz Lizzy i 1988 [...] [English: We formed Dizzy Mizz Lizzy in 1988 (...)]}}</ref> The power trio consists of Tim Christensen (vocals, guitar, songwriter), Martin Nielsen (bass guitar) and Søren Friis (drums). Dizzy Mizz Lizzy have stated that they are influenced by The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Nirvana, but are not very fond of the designation grunge, which Dizzy perceived as an overused buzzword in 1994.<ref>Skaaning, Jesper (1994). [https://www.e-pages.dk/gaffa/131/ "Rock and roll anno 1994"]. ''GAFFA'', 1994(3), 8. {{in lang|da}}. "Vi er ikke så vilde med betegnelsen grunge, det er mere blevet et prædikat af mange dimensioner. Vi koncentrerer os om musikken og ikke betegnelserne. Det vi spiller er ægte, levende og med energien i højt gear. [English: We are not very fond of the designation grunge, it has more become a buzzword of many dimensions. We concentrate on the music and not the designations. What we play is genuine, alive and with energy in high gear.]"</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=90'er rock: Dansk rock 1990-2000|author=Nielsen, Jens-Emil|publisher=Her & Nu|year=2015|isbn=978-87-93093-71-3|edition=1st|page=52|language=da|quote=Det kan også siges på den måde, som Dizzy Mizz Lizzy (navnet er taget fra titlen på en af de hårdere rocksange med The Beatles) beskriver sig selv på fra starten: Beatles møder Led Zeppelin i Seattle. [English: It can also be described as Dizzy Mizz Lizzy (the name is taken from the title of one of the harder rock songs with The Beatles) have done themselves from the start: Beatles meet Led Zeppelin in Seattle.]}}</ref> Between 1994 and 1997, they were highly successful in Denmark and Japan and are credited for heading the 1990s rock revival in Denmark<ref name="new wave"/><ref name="gaffa2000">Elsnab, Peter (2000). [http://www.e-pages.dk/gaffa/2000-10/ "Guldfuglen er landet på begge fødder"] (Golden bird has landed on both feet). ''GAFFA'', 2000(10), 19–20. {{in lang|da}}</ref><ref name="rykker">Vollertsen, Arne (1993). [http://www.e-pages.dk/gaffa/1993-12/12 "Nu rykker energi rocken"] (Energy rock is coming). ''GAFFA'', 1993(12), 12. {{in lang|da}}</ref> with their studio albums ''Dizzy Mizz Lizzy'' (1994) and ''Rotator'' (1996). After the group disbanded in 1998, Christensen started a successful solo career.

In 2010, Dizzy Mizz Lizzy undertook a reunion tour in Denmark and Japan in their original line-up.<ref name="final">Christensen, Tim (29 September 2010). [http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=160147004012430&id=14122824532 "Facebook: Tim Christensen"]. ''Facebook''.</ref> The popularity of ''Live in Concert 2010'', recorded during this reunion, caused the band to consider a more permanent comeback,<ref name="biografi">Svidt, Ole Rosenstand (6 November 2015). [http://gaffa.dk/nyhed/101064 "Grundig Dizzy Mizz Lizzy-biografi byder på flere afsløringer"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101051330/https://gaffa.dk/nyhed/101064 |date=2019-01-01 }} (Thorough Dizzy Mizz Lizzy biography offers more insights). ''GAFFA''. {{in lang|da}}</ref> which they announced in late 2014.<ref name="DML2015" /> Their third studio album ''Forward in Reverse'' (2016), and its successor ''Alter Echo'' (2020) were both released to critical acclaim and helped regain their position as Denmark's most popular rock band.<ref name="gaffaprisen2016">Kallehave, Cæcilie (12 March 2017). [http://gaffa.dk/nyhed/115520/de-dobbelte-gaffa-prisvindere-dizzy-mizz-lizzy-vi-er-hotte-igen/ "De dobbelte GAFFA-Prisvindere Dizzy Mizz Lizzy: Vi er hotte igen"] ("Double GAFFA Award winners Dizzy Mizz Lizzy: We are hot again"). ''GAFFA''. {{in lang|da}}</ref><ref name="toptunet">Poulsen, Jan Opstrup (2017). [http://gaffa.dk/anmeldelse/124098/anmeldelse-toptunet-rocktrio-pa-sejrstogt "Toptunet rocktrio på sejrstogt"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216034908/http://gaffa.dk/anmeldelse/124098/anmeldelse-toptunet-rocktrio-pa-sejrstogt |date=2017-12-16 }} ("Toptuned trio triumphs"). ''GAFFA''. {{in lang|da}}</ref> To date, the band has released four studio albums and three live albums.

== History == === Formation and early years (1988–1994) === When Tim Christensen's family moved from Espergærde to Valby, a district of Copenhagen,<ref name="anno1994">Skaaning, Jesper (1994). [https://www.e-pages.dk/gaffa/131/ "Rock and roll anno 1994"]. ''GAFFA'', 1994(3), 8. {{in lang|da}}</ref> he started attending the Hanssted Skole, where he became friends with his classmate Martin Nielsen on the first day of school,<ref name="hale">Kentorp, Maria (25 April 2016). [http://pleasure.borsen.dk/portraet/artikel/1/323205/dizzy_mizz_lizzy_-_den_lille_loegn_med_den_lange_hale_er_tilbage.html "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy - Den lille løgn med den lange hale er tilbage"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412004454/https://pleasure.borsen.dk/portraet/artikel/1/323205/dizzy_mizz_lizzy_-_den_lille_loegn_med_den_lange_hale_er_tilbage.html |date=2019-04-12 }}. ''Børsen Pleasure''. {{in lang|da}}</ref> They already cared more about music than about their school work,<ref name="docu">Molin, Theis (2010). [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1773550/ "Lost Inside a Dream: The Story of Dizzy Mizz Lizzy"]. Documentary.</ref> and decided to start a band. Nielsen picked up the bass because Christensen already played the guitar, and a friend recommended Søren Friis to them.<ref name="docu" /> Prior to choosing "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy", they also considered "Heaven", "King's Cross", "Battlefield", "After the Storm" and "Boyazont" as a band name.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/DizzyMizzLizzyMusic/photos/a.125807404120273/1122614257772911/?type=3 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/120628284638185/1122614257772911 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=Dizzy Mizz Lizzy|website=Facebook.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The trio practiced instrumentally in the first year while looking for a fourth member who could sing and play guitar, because Christensen, the band's songwriter, was too shy to sing.<ref name="anno1994" /><ref name="hale" /> This continued until they held an audition with Noller from Hvidovre, who sang so badly that they sent him home after a glass of cola.<ref name="hale" /> It was then that Friis and Nielsen convinced Christensen to do the vocals in the absence of a better singer, because they felt that every time he sang to demonstrate how he wanted the melody, it sounded exactly the way it should.<ref name="hale" /> Later attempts at expanding to a quartet with an extra guitarist failed,<ref name="anno1994" /> and critics would explain: "From the outset it was clear that Tim Christensen was the group's undisputed center, but the band benefited significantly from the collective dynamics."<ref name="toppen">Tuxen, Henrik (1998). [http://www.e-pages.dk/gaffa/1998-4/8 "Stopper på toppen: Dizzy opløst"] (Stop at the top: Dizzy dissolved). ''GAFFA'', 1998(4), 8. {{in lang|da}}</ref>

Dizzy Mizz Lizzy's debut concert was in Valby on 8 December 1989 for about 75 people.<ref>{{cite book|title=Dizzy Mizz Lizzy: En drengedrøm|author=Poulsen, Jan|publisher=Gyldendal|year=2015|isbn=978-87-02-18053-4|edition=1st|page=51|language=da}}</ref> In search of their own musical style, they used a cheap youth club in Hvidovre for a rehearsal room<ref name="anno1994" /> while playing "porn rock with nauseating choruses."<ref name="anno1994" /> Their inspiration came from poodle rock bands such as Europe, Bon Jovi and Def Leppard.<ref name="europe" /><ref name="anno1994" /> They won the competition "Rock Træf" in 1990, using the 5,000 kr (about € 700, or US$ 800) in prize money to record a demo.<ref name="bio">Facebook. [http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dizzy-Mizz-Lizzy/120628284638185?v=info "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy: Info"]. Retrieved on 22 October 2010.</ref> The band subsequently entered Denmark's largest music championship<ref>GAFFApedia (2010). [http://gaffa.dk/pedia/index.php/LiveContest "LiveContest"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070126234010/http://gaffa.dk/pedia/index.php/LiveContest |date=January 26, 2007 }}. Retrieved on 22 October 2010. {{in lang|da}}</ref> ''DM i Rock'' in 1991 and came in fourth.<ref name="docu" />

Inspired by Nirvana's 1991 album ''Nevermind''<ref name="europe" /> and especially the breakthrough hit "Smells Like Teen Spirit",<ref name="anno1994" /> their style became more inspired by grunge. As the band would explain, "Suddenly there was something about playing rock music the old-fashioned way."<ref name="anno1994" /> They would throw themselves into "Hey Joe" by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, "Rock and Roll" by Led Zeppelin, and The Beatles' cover of the Larry Williams song "Dizzy, Miss Lizzy",<ref name="anno1994" /> from which they derived their band's name. They started writing potential song material and decided to dedicate themselves to a career in music.<ref name="anno1994" />

Christensen received a Marshall 4x12 G1275 amplifier from his parents for his 18th birthday,<ref name="docu" /> which helped him write heavier music and would shortly thereafter result in the riff to the hit song "Waterline".<ref name="anno1994" /> Their style would frequently be compared to Led Zeppelin and Pearl Jam,<ref name="musketeers">Grau, Christian (1993). [http://www.e-pages.dk/gaffa/1993-12/14 "De tre grunge-musketerer"] (The three grunge musketeers). ''GAFFA'', 1993(12), 14. {{in lang|da}}</ref><ref name="debutreview">Poulsen, Jan Opstrup (1994). [http://www.e-pages.dk/gaffa/1994-4/18 "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy: Dizzy Mizz Lizzy, EMI/Medley"]. ''GAFFA'', 1994(4), 18. {{in lang|da}}</ref> even though critics admitted that "the trio wants—and inexplicably even manages—to create their own musical identity."<ref name="debutreview" /> This style would become known as power rock,<ref name="docu" /> which the band would later also use to describe their genre<ref name="europe" /> and which they were more comfortable with than the label "grunge", explaining: "We are not so wild about the descriptor grunge, as it has become a predicate for a variety of dimensions. We focus on the music, not the descriptions. What we play is genuine, vivid, and with the energy in high gear."<ref name="anno1994" /> As a reviewer would put it: "[It is] 'Grunge light' perhaps - but well-composed, well-acted, engaging and above all different and personal. Dizzy Mizz Lizzy had the pedal to the metal, and it did something." Christensen explains: "It's like The Police, who came out of the punk-wave without being punk, and still did well. It's the same with us. We came out of the grunge-wave, without being grunge."<ref name="europe" />

Dizzy Mizz Lizzy's new-found sound took them to the ''DM i Rock'' semifinals in 1992, where they were beaten by Passion Orange.<ref name="anno1994" /> With Dizzy Mizz Lizzy's third attempt at ''DM i Rock'' in Jazzhus Montmartre on 30 April 1993, the trio won because of "their obvious talent and charisma."<ref>{{cite book|title=Dizzy Mizz Lizzy: En drengedrøm|author=Poulsen, Jan|publisher=Gyldendal|year=2015|isbn=978-87-02-18053-4|edition=1st|page=79|language=da|quote=[...] juryen kunne kåre Dizzy Mizz Lizzy som vindere af DM i Rock 1993, der fandt sted i Montmartre i København den 30. april det år. [English: [...] the jury could elect Dizzy Mizz Lizzy as winners of DM i Rock 1993, which took place in Montmartre in Copenhagen on 30 April that year.]}}</ref><ref name="anno1994" /> Part of the grand prize was a recording session for a 4-track demo at Sweet Silence Studios, which spawned the songs "Waterline" and "Silverflame" that became huge hits on DR P3 and DR P4. The grand prize also contained a spot in the travelling Rock Show '93 and performances at the L'Europe d'Art d'Art festival in Niort, France, the Nordic Rock '93 competition that they also won, and all the major Danish summer festivals.<ref name="anno1994" /><ref name="dizzco" /> A reviewer from that time remarked, "They are not quite as extroverted as one might have expected, but in return they play much better than one might dare hope for. Dense and energetic, making one wonder why there are only three men on stage. One is tempted to look into the back room to see where the rest of the band is hiding."<ref name="musketeers" /> They would also entertain with ironic covers of among others "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees.<ref name="musketeers" />

Other contestants in the 1993 ''DM i Rock'' competition included Kashmir, who came in second,<ref name="docu" /> Inside the Whale, and Impotators.<ref name="dizzco">Poulsen, Jan (February 2010). Dizzcography (complimentary booklet).</ref> These bands have all had a significant place in the 1990s revival and the further development of rock in Denmark,<ref name="europe" /><ref name="rykker" /> but of which Dizzy Mizz Lizzy has been the most successful.<ref name="gaffa2000" /> Friendships have grown among this generation of musicians,<ref name="anno1994" /> which can among others be seen in Christensen's contributions to several Kashmir albums, his continued songwriting with Inside the Whale frontman Marcus Winther-John, and with Inside the Whale guitarist Lars Skjærbæk being the lead guitarist in Christensen's solo band since 2000.

=== ''Dizzy Mizz Lizzy'' (1994–1996) === {{See also|Dizzy Mizz Lizzy (album)}} The high expectations raised by the demo put enormous pressure on the band to deliver,<ref name="anno1994" /> especially because the demo was in limited circulation. The demand grew, but the band took their time to release their debut album.<ref name="anno1994" /> Dizzy Mizz Lizzy had declined various offers from foreign labels, waiting for a Danish label to come forward.<ref name="anno1994" /> They "quite literally felt on home soil"<ref name="anno1994" /> when they were contacted by Nick Foss, head of A&R at EMI-Medley,<ref name=bibo>{{cite magazine |author=Ferro, Charles |date =24 January 2004 |title=Danish execs form label: Former EMI Denmark staffers to run Copenhagen Records |magazine=Billboard |pages=42 |issn= 0006-2510 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gQ8EAAAAMBAJ |accessdate=26 April 2011 }}</ref> and known by the band as the producer of several albums by D-A-D and The Sandmen.<ref name="anno1994" /> He signed them to the label<ref name="debut">Poulsen, Jan (February 2010). "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy - Dizzy Mizz Lizzy" (foreword in reissued Dizzy Mizz Lizzy CD booklet, part of the Dizzcography box set).</ref> and went into the studio with them for three months.<ref name="anno1994" />

At long last, the eponymous debut album ''Dizzy Mizz Lizzy'' was released on 4 March 1994 in Europe and 18 January 1995 in Japan.<ref name="detailed discography">{{cite book|title=Dizzy Mizz Lizzy: En drengedrøm|author=Poulsen, Jan|publisher=Gyldendal|year=2015|isbn=978-87-02-18053-4|edition=1st|page=284|language=da}}</ref> It was a huge success in Denmark, was on the local record chart for almost two years and sold 220,000 copies,<ref>[http://www.dizzymizzlizzy.com/discography/dml.php/ Dizzy Mizz Lizzy Discography] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050911035809/http://www.dizzymizzlizzy.com/discography/dml.php/ |date=September 11, 2005 }}. {{in lang|da}}</ref> which makes it the best selling debut rock album ever in Denmark.<ref>{{cite book|title=Dansk rockleksikon |editor-last=Bille |editor-first=Torben |publisher=Politikens Forlag |date=2002 |isbn=87-567-6525-8 |edition=1 |page=145 |language=da |quote=[...] 4. marts 1994 med debutalbummet [...] ''Dizzy Mizz Lizzy'' lå på hitlisten i næsten to år [...] det bedst solgte debutalbum i dansk rockhistorie. |trans-quote= [...] 4 March 1994 with the debut album [...] ''Dizzy Mizz Lizzy'' was on the record chart for almost two years [...] the best selling debut album in Danish rock history.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Heavy Metal – 40 år med hård rock |last=Rasmussen |first=Jens |publisher=Informations Forlag |date=2010 |isbn=978-87-7514-259-0 |edition=1st |page=224 |language=da |quote=''Dizzy Mizz Lizzy'' blev Danmarkshistoriens mest sælgende debutalbum [...] [English: ''Dizzy Mizz Lizzy'' became the most sold debut album in the history of Denmark (...)]}}</ref> This record still stands,<ref name="docu" /> and has sold over 250,000 copies by 2011.<ref name="dizzco" /> One notable fan is King Frederik X,<ref name="gik2004">Tuxen, Henrik (2004). [http://www.e-pages.dk/gaffa/2004-1/22 "Året, der gik: Tim Christensen"] (The year that went: Tim Christensen). ''GAFFA'', 2004(1), 22. {{in lang|da}}</ref> who is an outspoken lover of rock music,<ref>Tuxen, Henrik (2005). [http://www.e-pages.dk/gaffa/2005-1/22 "Året, der gik: Tim Christensen"] (The year that went: Tim Christensen). ''GAFFA'', 2005(1), 22&ndash;23. {{in lang|da}}</ref> and who has attended many of their concerts.<ref name="gik2004" /> By accident, a copy of the CD fell into the hands of someone at EMI's Japanese division, who was excited about the album and had it released in Japan, where it sold about 100,000 copies.<ref>{{cite book|title=Dizzy Mizz Lizzy: En drengedrøm|author=Poulsen, Jan|publisher=Gyldendal|year=2015|isbn=978-87-02-18053-4|edition=1st|page=168|language=da|quote=Halvandet år efter udgivelsen af ''Dizzy Mizz Lizzy'', som nu var tæt på at runde 200.000 solgte eksemplarer i Danmark, og yderligere 100.000 i Japan [...] |trans-quote=One and a half year after the release of ''Dizzy Mizz Lizzy'', which had then reached almost 200,000 sold copies in Denmark, and a further 100,000 in Japan [...]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Dansk rockleksikon |editor-last=Bille |editor-first=Torben |publisher=Politikens Forlag |date=2002 |isbn=87-567-6525-8 |edition=1 |page=145 |language=da|quote=Debuten endte på 100.000 solgte i Japan. |trans-quote=The debut ended up selling 100,000 in Japan.}}</ref> Five singles were released from the album and all got much radio play: "Silverflame", "Barbedwired Baby's Dream", "Love Is a Loser's Game", "Glory" and "Waterline". The band is recognized for heading the early 1990s rock revival in Denmark,<ref name="gaffa2000" /> which Christensen would later explain as follows: "The Dizzy records were a mild version of what took place in Seattle with a delay of two years, and therefore perfect for Denmark,"<ref name="gaffa1999">Tuxen, Henrik (1999). [http://www.e-pages.dk/gaffa/1999-11/4 "Fremadpegende retrohjerte"] (Progressive retro heart). ''GAFFA'', 1999(11), 4. {{in lang|da}}</ref> referring to the grunge movement. However, they lacked an entrance to the UK and US like the modern Danish rock bands do.<ref name="gaffa2003">Winther, Anne (2003). [http://www.e-pages.dk/gaffa/2003-9/58 "Tim Christensen: Giv ham en million, og han vil investere i et nyt køkken"] (Tim Christensen: Give him a million and he will invest it in a new kitchen). ''GAFFA'', 2003(9), 58. {{in lang|da}}</ref>

Interviews paint a picture of rather well-behaved musicians; they kept living with their parents<ref name="anno1994" /> until their debut album and the ensuing tour had earned them enough money to each buy their own homes in Copenhagen.<ref name="europe" /> The closest they ever came to rock star misbehavior was a backstage food fight in Aalborg with Inside the Whale, and trashing a disappointing hotel room in Germany at a time they felt depressed and homesick.<ref name="europe" /> The band members rehearsed 3–4 times a week but also received choreography lessons since at that time they considered themselves "an incredibly boring band to watch" in terms of their performance.<ref name="anno1994" />

They were the support act of the Spin Doctors on their October/November 1994<ref name="dizzco" /> tour through Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland.<ref name="dizzco" /><ref name="tcinfo">Facebook (2010). [http://www.facebook.com/TimChristensenMusic?v=info "Tim Christensen: Info"]. Retrieved on 12 November 2010.</ref> before they flew to Japan to play three sold-out shows<ref name="bio" /> in the cities Sapporo, Osaka and Tokyo.<ref name="dizzco" /> The performance in Osaka on 16 July 1995 was recorded and released as the Japan-only CD ''One Guitar, One Bass and a Drummer, That's Really All It Takes — Live in Japan'',<ref>Spirit of Metal Magazine (2010). [http://www.spirit-of-metal.com/album-groupe-Dizzy_Mizz_Lizzy-nom_album-Live_in_Japan-l-en.html "Live in Japan (Live) - Dizzy Mizz Lizzy"]. Retrieved on 22 October 2010.</ref> which was later included in the ''Dizzcography'' box set. Dizzy Mizz Lizzy performed for four consecutive years at the Roskilde Festival, from 1993 through to 1996. The 1994 performance was on frontman Christensen's 20th birthday, when sales of their debut album had just crossed the 50,000 mark.<ref name="dizzco" /> In 2003, Christensen considered that particular performance a special highlight in his career.<ref name="gaffa2003" /> Dizzy Mizz Lizzy won the 1995 Danish Grammys for "Danish group of the year", "Danish newcomer of the year", "Danish rock album of the year", and the "People's choice award" which included a fee of 25,000 kr (about € 3,350, or US$ 3,800) to help cover travel expenses.<ref name="dizzco" /> In the time leading up to the release of the band's sophomore album, it was speculated the band would be changing their name to "Dizzy".<ref name="europe" /> Although this abbreviation is in widespread colloquial use among both band members and fans, the band never considered using it as an official name.<ref name="europe" />

=== ''Rotator'' (1996–1998) === {{See also|Rotator (album)}} Nick Foss had promised Christensen that if their debut album won gold (equal to 40,000 copies at that time), the next one would be recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London,<ref name="live04">Poulsen, Jan (October 2004). "Live at Abbey Road Studios 2004" (complimentary booklet).</ref><ref name="rotator">Poulsen, Jan (February 2010). "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy - Rotator" (foreword in reissued Rotator CD booklet, part of the Dizzcography box set).</ref> which would fulfill a boyhood dream of Christensen, who is an immense fan of The Beatles.<ref name="live04" /> With the album having sold over four times that amount by 1996,<ref name="europe" /> Foss kept his promise and saw to it that the follow-up album ''Rotator'' was recorded at the venerable studio.<ref name="live04" />

A crisis ensued when Christensen was going through a gamut of emotions while recording at the Abbey Road Studios.<ref name="live04" /> Christensen could not share these feelings with the other band members, as they neither shared Christensen's enthusiasm,<ref name="docu" /><ref>Soundvenue (2004). [http://www.soundvenue.com/anmeldelser/2004/12/10/tim-christensen-live-at-abbey-road-studios "Tim Christensen: I Beatles' fodspor"] (Tim Christensen: In The Beatles' footsteps). {{in lang|da}}</ref> nor could appreciate the unique symbolism of recording in these legendary studios as much as Christensen did.<ref name="biografi" /><ref name="gaffa2003" /> This caused Christensen to turn to his long-time girlfriend Pernille Rosendahl in and out of the studio,<ref name="biografi" /><ref name="gaffa2003" /> while growing increasingly estranged from the band.<ref name="biografi" /> Nielsen and Friis even went so far as to call the couple as "John and Yoko", referring to the supposed detrimental influence of Yoko Ono on John Lennon, which is said to have contributed to the break-up of the Beatles.<ref name="biografi" /> This period also showed the first signs of the band members heading in different musical directions,<ref name="docu" /> about which Christensen explained in 2000: "I needed change, while the others wanted to continue in the same style, and that was actually the most important reason we split up."<ref name="gaffa2000" /> This is especially evident from the final song on the album "Rise and Fall"; although songs were usually a collaborative effort by the band, Christensen requested Nielsen and Friis to allow him to be in full control over this song,<ref name="docu" /> and as a result it is distinctly different from all other songs on the album.

The record was less carefree than its predecessor, with a hint of bitterness especially in regard to the state of the music industry.<ref name="europe" /> The album reached gold status the very day it went on sale in Europe, 2 April 1996<ref>{{cite book|title=Dansk rockleksikon |editor-last=Bille |editor-first=Torben |publisher=Politikens Forlag |date=2002 |isbn=87-567-6525-8 |edition=1 |page=145|language=da |quote=Albummet fik titlen ''Rotator'' og udkom 2. april 96. |trans-quote=The album got the title ''Rotator'' and came out on 2 April '96.}}</ref> and 24 May 1996 in Japan,<ref name="detailed discography"/> and appeared to live up to the notorious expectations for a worthy sequel to their debut album.<ref name="europe" /> Reviews were generally positive and it sold 100,000 copies in Denmark, "which is exceptionally high for a guitar rock album in Denmark,"<ref name="toppen" /> though it fell significantly short of the sales figures for their debut. Another 100,000 copies were sold in Japan.<ref>{{cite book|title=Dizzy Mizz Lizzy: En drengedrøm|author=Poulsen, Jan|publisher=Gyldendal|year=2015|isbn=978-87-02-18053-4|edition=1st|page=206|language=da}}</ref> The singles "11:07 PM" and "Rotator" became hits, the album won the 1997 Danish Grammy for "Rock Album of the Year," and Nick Foss received the prize for "Best Producer".<ref name="bio" /><ref>{{cite book|title=Dansk rockleksikon |editor-last=Bille |editor-first=Torben |publisher=Politikens Forlag |date=2002 |isbn=87-567-6525-8 |edition=1 |page=145 |language=da |quote=Albummet fik titlen ''Rotator'' og udkom 2. april 96 [...] ''Rotator'' fik statuetten for Årets Danske Rockudgivelse ved Dansk Grammy 97.}}</ref> They played at festivals in Denmark, Norway and Germany, and went to Japan in September 1996 for shows in Tokyo (2×), Sapporo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka. In Denmark, they played dozens of shows, which fatigued both the band and the fans,<ref name="docu" /><ref name="dizzco" /> while the problems that arose during the recording of ''Rotator'' also pursued the band on tour.<ref name="biografi" />

=== Disbandment (1998–2009) === {{See also|The Best of Dizzy Mizz Lizzy + Live in Aarhus '96}} After five years of non stop recording and touring and having lost touch with reality, the band decided to take a sabbatical in 1997.<ref name="dizzco" /><ref name="gaffa2003" /> They worked on some demos in January 1998,<ref name="toppen" /> but did not find the band dynamics revitalized,<ref name="biografi" /> and the trio decided to split up on 10 March 1998<ref name="rotator" /> when discussing the future of the band on a bench in the Rosenborg Castle Gardens.<ref name="gaffa2000" /> A press release was issued the same day that stated the band is dissolved, and has in total won 5 Danish Grammy Awards, as well as Tuborgs Grønne Pris.<ref>{{cite book|title=Dizzy Mizz Lizzy: En drengedrøm|author=Poulsen, Jan|publisher=Gyldendal|year=2015|isbn=978-87-02-18053-4|edition=1st|page=222|language=da}}</ref> The split occurred amidst a wave of prominent Danish bands disbanding.<ref name="toppen" /> Critics would later explain their decision as the band having the courage to stop in time despite enormous success,<ref name="vega">Tuxen, Henrik (18 August 2006). [http://gaffa.dk/nyhed/7842 "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy på Vega i går"] (Dizzy Mizz Lizzy at Vega yesterday). ''GAFFA''. {{in lang|da}}</ref> although it was largely due to fatigue that the trio could not bring themselves to continuing to play.<ref name="docu" /> Their tastes in music had become less compatible,<ref name="toppen" /><ref name="dizzco" /> with Christensen wanting a more vintage Beatles-like sound and Nielsen and Friis preferring to make heavy metal music.<ref name="docu" />

Eighteen days after the breakup, the Japan-only release ''The Greatest'' was released.<ref>Rateyourmusic.com (2010). [https://archive.today/20120530200742/http://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/dizzy_mizz_lizzy/the_greatest/ "The Greatest by Dizzy Mizz Lizzy"]. Retrieved on 22 October 2010.</ref> The song "Waterline" was included on the 1999 charity record Grænseløs Greatest in support of refugees of the Kosovo War. In 2000, the Danish dance-pop duo Infernal used samples of the 1994 song "Silverflame" for the song "Sunrise". It was released as the second single from their album ''Waiting for Daylight''.

Following the breakup, Christensen became more introverted than usual, and his girlfriend could not handle him being in this crisis.<ref name="hale" /> He went through a difficult time of coping with both his breakup with the band and with Rosendahl, but he went on to find his musical style, which resulted in the release of his debut solo album ''Secrets on Parade'' in 2000,<ref name="gaffa2000" /> of which some songs were based on the Dizzy Mizz Lizzy demos from 1998.<ref name="toppen" /> Several songs on the album were rather ambiguous as to whether they referred to Dizzy Mizz Lizzy or Rosendahl.<ref name="gaffa2000" /> The album was a success,<ref>[http://www.e-pages.dk/gaffa/2003-6/8 "Cd'er på vej"] (CDs along the road). ''GAFFA'', 2003(6), 8. {{in lang|da}}</ref> and it allowed him to further pursue a career in music. Nielsen and Friis initially also intended to continue in music,<ref name="toppen" /> but turned to a normal working-class life. To walk off the extra weight he had gained from being at home for a long time, Nielsen took a job as a postman,<ref name="docu" /><ref name="grandteatret">Grand Teatret (2010). [http://grandteatret.dk/film/filminfo/?filmid=1564283 "Filminfo: Lost Inside a Dream - The Story of Dizzy Mizz Lizzy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719124211/http://grandteatret.dk/film/filminfo/?filmid=1564283 |date=2011-07-19 }}. Retrieved on 20 October 2010. {{in lang|da}}</ref> while Friis became a truck driver delivering gas containers.<ref name="grandteatret" /> Despite their different paths, Christensen explained in a 2000 interview that the trio remained friends: "We meet occasionally and have great fun together. Of course we talk about the old days and amuse ourselves with it, because we experienced a lot of great things together and I simply can not remember anything bad from back then. (...) But we just developed ourselves in three different directions, and we kept growing further apart, so it was simply the time to stop."<ref name="gaffa2000" />

On 29 April 2002,<ref name="detailed discography3"/> the band released a greatest hits collection named The Best of Dizzy Mizz Lizzy + Live in Aarhus '96, which includes a live performance recorded in Aarhus on 11 May 1996.<ref name="bio" /> The band's only performance during their 1998&ndash;2009 break was a charity concert called ''Brandalarm'' (Fire Alarm), held on 16 August 2006 in the Copenhagen venue Vega for musicians whose studio had burned to the ground. Here, they played 5 songs in about 20 minutes ("Thorn in my Pride", "When the River Runs Dry", "Waterline", "Silverflame", and "Glory").<ref name="vega" /> Christensen commented in 2008 that this was a one-off event, but that the band would be open to do a reunion tour at some point in the future for nostalgia's sake, but without the aim to go back into the studio to record a new album.<ref name="talent">Tuxen, Henrik (27 November 2008). [http://gaffa.dk/artikel/30106 "Tim Christensen – Jeg tror på mit talent"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212220055/http://gaffa.dk/artikel/30106 |date=2009-02-12 }} (Tim Christensen – I believe in my talent). ''GAFFA''. {{in lang|da}}</ref><ref>Fogde, John (6 November 2008). [http://gaffa.dk/nyhed/29689 "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy gendannes"] (Dizzy Mizz Lizzy restored). ''GAFFA''. {{in lang|da}}</ref> The band would later refer to the charity concert as the first germ towards a reunion.<ref name="biografi" />

=== First reunion (2009–2010) === {{See also|Dizzcography|Live in Concert 2010}} [[File:Dizzy Mizz Lizzy.jpg|thumb|Dizzy Mizz Lizzy at Vig Festival in July 2010.]]

On 15 September 2009, the band announced they would hold a small reunion tour in Spring 2010, with concerts in Odense, Aarhus (2 shows), Aalborg, Esbjerg (2 shows) and Copenhagen (4 shows).<ref>Fogde, John (15 September 2009). [http://gaffa.dk/nyhed/34574 "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy er tilbage"] (Dizzy Mizz Lizzy are back). ''GAFFA''. {{in lang|da}}</ref> The idea was spawned when Christensen, Nielsen and Friis were bowling, which they often did when meeting up.<ref name="docu" /> EMI suggested the reunion to be paired with the release of a box set containing their collected works.<ref name="bokssaet">Tuxen, Henrik (4 March 2010) [http://gaffa.dk/nyhed/37513 "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy udgiver bokssæt"] (Dizzy Mizz Lizzy releases box set). ''GAFFA''. {{in lang|da}}</ref> Although the band were sceptical about this at first,<ref name="bokssaet" /> ''Dizzcography'' (a portmanteau of 'Dizzy' and 'discography') was released on 29 March 2010<ref name="detailed discography2"/> as a 4-CD or 8-vinyl record box set, containing remasters of all previously released material (the band's two studio albums ''Dizzy Mizz Lizzy'' and ''Rotator'' and the live album ''Live in Aarhus '96''), and the compilation album ''The Rest of Dizzy Mizz Lizzy'' which comprises the original 1993 demo, two B-sides and the tracks from the live album ''Live in Japan''.<ref>Discogs (2010). [http://www.discogs.com/Dizzy-Mizz-Lizzy-Dizzcography/release/2201432 "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy - Dizzcography (CD) on Discogs"]. Retrieved on 20 October 2010.</ref>

Dizzy Mizz Lizzy were overwhelmed when the tour's first show on 9 April at the K.B. Hallen had sold out in less than 15 seconds on 20 September 2009,<ref name="bio" /><ref>Larsen, Katrine Bøg (20 September 2009). [http://vip.tv2.dk/musik/article.php/id-25186365:dizzy-mizz-lizzy-udsolgt-p%C3%A5-15-sek.html?ss "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy udsolgt på 15 sek"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719134423/http://vip.tv2.dk/musik/article.php/id-25186365:dizzy-mizz-lizzy-udsolgt-p%C3%A5-15-sek.html?ss |date=2011-07-19 }} (Dizzy Mizz Lizzy sold out in 15 sec). ''TV 2''.</ref> and the other shows sold out in less than 45 seconds,<ref name="dizzco" /> showing that the demand for their shows was far greater than they expected. The band subsequently expanded the tour that would eventually total 52 dates, including festival headlines and Japanese legs to the tour in May and September,<ref>MySpace (28 December 2009). [https://archive.today/20121203073540/http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=113365879&blogId=523805926 "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy reunion tour 2010 expanded"] .</ref><ref>Facebook (2010). [http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dizzy-Mizz-Lizzy/120628284638185?v=app_4949752878 "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy: The CD"]. Retrieved on 28 October 2010.</ref> making this one of the most successful comebacks in the history of Danish music.<ref>Hansen, Thomas Søie (3 July 2010). [http://www.aok.dk/roskilde2010/dizzys-fine-finale "Dizzys fine finale: Tim Christensen og co. fik smil og nostalgi frem hos 50.000, nostalgiske Roskilde-publikummer"] (Dizzy's fine finale: Tim Christensen and co. receive smiles and nostalgia with 50,000 nostalgic Roskilde audience members). Berlingske Tidende / Alt om København. {{in lang|da}}</ref> Their performance at the Roskilde Festival coincided with Christensen's 36th birthday. The renewed interest for Dizzy Mizz Lizzy inspired the Danish producer and DJ Morten Breum to release a remix of "Waterline" on 5 April 2010.<ref>iTunes (2010). [https://itunes.apple.com/dk/album/waterline-morten-breum-remix/id365333841 "Waterline (Morten Breum Remix) Extended - Single by Dizzy Mizz Lizzy"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112004531/http://itunes.apple.com/dk/album/waterline-morten-breum-remix/id365333841 |date=12 November 2012 }}. Retrieved on 22 December 2010.</ref>

After the tour's final show in Tokyo on 29 September 2010, the band returned to hibernation.<ref name="final" /> The documentary ''Lost Inside a Dream: The Story of Dizzy Mizz Lizzy''<ref name="docu" /><ref name="nyplade">Ritzau (27 September 2010). [http://ibyen.dk/musik/article1069756.ece "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy udgiver ny plade"] (Dizzy Mizz Lizzy release new record). ''Ibyen.dk''. {{in lang|da}}</ref> by the Danish film maker Theis Molin exploring the band's rise, break-up and reunion premiered at the Copenhagen International Documentary Festival on 4 November 2010. The band attended the film's second screening on 8 November 2010,<ref>Svidt, Ole Rosenstand (29 September 2010). [http://gaffa.dk/nyhed/43348 "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy gæster CPH:DOX"] (Dizzy Mizz Lizzy guests at CPH:DOX). ''GAFFA''. {{in lang|da}}</ref> where they answered questions from the audience. On the same day, the 2CD/DVD and 2CD/Blu-ray set ''Live in Concert 2010'' was released, which includes the documentary and features a live recording of two concerts in the K.B. Hallen on 16&ndash;17 April 2010, making it the first Danish performance to be released in Full HD.<ref name="nyplade" /> The moment where Dizzy Mizz Lizzy were awarded a platinum record for this live recording would later be considered the turning point towards the band considering a more permanent comeback.<ref name="biografi" /> Molin received the Politiken Publikumspris (People's choice award) for his documentary.<ref>CPH:DOX (2010). [http://www.cphdox.dk/d/a2.lasso?d=2009600&n=1285&e=0 "CPH:DOX: And the award goes to..."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726172922/http://www.cphdox.dk/d/a2.lasso?d=2009600&n=1285&e=0 |date=2011-07-26 }} Retrieved on 13 November 2010. {{in lang|da}}</ref> A few days later, on 12 November 2010, EMI released the compilation album ''Big-5: Dizzy Mizz Lizzy''<ref>iTunes. [https://itunes.apple.com/dk/album/big-5-dizzy-mizz-lizzy-remastered/id402946234 "Big-5: Dizzy Mizz Lizzy (Remastered) - EP by Dizzy Mizz Lizzy"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110223023/http://itunes.apple.com/dk/album/big-5-dizzy-mizz-lizzy-remastered/id402946234 |date=November 10, 2012 }}. Retrieved on 21 December 2010.</ref> as part of their Big-5 series, containing their artists' five best tracks. In the case of Dizzy Mizz Lizzy, these were all taken from their eponymous debut album.

For the reunion tour, Christensen and Rasmus Meyer of Danish guitar pedal manufacturer Carl Martin designed a signature ''Dizzy Drive'' with knobs for level, tone, drive and edge.<ref>4Sound (2010). [https://archive.today/20120721030329/http://www.4sound.dk/shop/pedaler/carl-martin/dizzy-drive.html "Køb Carl Martin Dizzy Drive - 4Sound.dk"] (Buy Carl Martin Dizzy Drive at 4Sound Music Store). Retrieved on 10 November 2010. {{in lang|da}}</ref> Its production was limited to 250 pedals,<ref>4Sound (2010). [http://www.4sound.dk/artikler/ae/generic.asp?aid=799&spotlight=31 "Meet'n'greet med Dizzy Mizz Lizzy"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316173055/http://www.4sound.dk/artikler/ae/generic.asp?aid=799&spotlight=31 |date=March 16, 2012 }} (Meet'n'greet with Dizzy Mizz Lizzy). Retrieved on 6 December 2010. {{in lang|da}}</ref> and went on sale on 16 May 2010.

=== Second hiatus (2010–2014) === After the reunion, Nielsen and Friis returned to anonymity and resumed their respective jobs as postman and truck driver.<ref name="hale" /> while Christensen continued his solo career, with his fourth solo album, ''Tim Christensen and The Damn Crystals'' getting released on 25 November 2011. In interviews, he was often asked questions about Dizzy Mizz Lizzy, to which Christensen explained that already a week after the last show, Dizzy Mizz Lizzy was out of his system again.<ref name="slumre">Svendsen, Emil Møller (23 November 2011). [http://www.urban.dk/2011/11/tim-c-rejser-sig-fra-slumretaeppet/ Tim C. rejser sig fra slumretæppet] (Tim C. rises from slumber blanket). ''Urban''. {{in lang|da}}</ref> Prior to the reunion, Christensen was often being asked about a Dizzy-reunion. On the question whether people have stopped asking about this now, Christensen answered: "No, they haven't. Except that now, it's no longer: 'Will Dizzy ever reunite?' but instead: 'Will you do it again?' And I won't exclude the possibility, but it won't be any time soon. But I have stopped asking that question to myself."<ref>Gonzalez, Michael Jose (25 November 2011). [http://gaffa.dk/nyhed/54764 Tim Christensen: Jeg har lånt fra Pantera] (I have borrowed from Pantera). ''GAFFA''. {{in lang|da}}</ref> Christensen went on to release ''The EP Series, Volume 1: Acoustic Covers'' in 2012,<ref name="acousticcovers">Gonzalez, Michael Jose (3 November 2011). [http://gaffa.dk/anmeldelse/67500 "Seks akustiske hyggestunder fra Tim C og forbillederne"] (Six acoustic cozy moments from Tim C and idols). ''GAFFA''. {{in lang|da}}</ref> and he performed a Paul McCartney tribute with Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham and his solo band The Damn Crystals in 2012, which was released as the live album ''Pure McCartney'' in 2013. Together with Mads Langer, he recorded the EP ''Side Effects'' in 2014, of which "Bringing Back Tomorrow" became a hit. He was expected to also be working on his fifth solo album or a second volume of The EP Series, which Christensen still plans in addition to the Dizzy Mizz Lizzy reunion.<ref name="butikken" />

=== Second reunion and ''Forward in Reverse'' (2014–2017) === {{See also|Forward in Reverse}} On 20 October 2014, Christensen wrote the abbreviation "DML2015" on his Facebook wall, indicating a second reunion of his former band Dizzy Mizz Lizzy.<ref name="DML2015" /> Two days later, they revealed that they had written new songs and that six shows in Denmark were booked for April–May 2015,<ref name="gaffa2014" /> though at that time they indicated it was not yet known if the band would release an LP, an EP, or just one or two singles, as that would depend on the mood and creativity.<ref name="butikken">Andersen, Christian Voldborg (25 October 2014). [http://gaffa.dk/artikel/89047 "Tim Christensen: Jeg holder Dizzy-butikken åben nu"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426130459/http://gaffa.dk/artikel/89047 |date=2016-04-26 }} (Tim Christensen: I now consider the Dizzy-boutique opened). ''GAFFA''. {{in lang|da}}</ref> However, they later revealed that they had worked on the album for several years in secret.<ref name="hale" />

The band explained during a concert on 5 June 2015 that they do not consider themselves a ''reunited'' band, but a ''re-activated'' band. The band's first new single in 19 years, "I Would If I Could but I Can't", was aired on the Danish radio station DR P3 on 5 January 2015. Their first performance of their second reunion was during "Sport 2014", a Danish sports ceremony, where they also played their single. The second single, "Made to Believe", was released on 10 April 2015 in honor of their tour start.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gaffa.dk/nyhed/94433|title=Hør ny single fra Dizzy Mizz Lizzy|website=Gaffa.dk|access-date=2020-02-15|archive-date=2020-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108090407/https://gaffa.dk/nyhed/94433|url-status=dead}}</ref> The band among others toured through Denmark, played at Bospop in the Netherlands, and held several concerts in Japan. Before the tour, a secret rehearsal concert was performed in the same small club in Valby where they held their first larger performance in 1989, to which they invited former classmates of the band members.

On 6 November 2015, a biography of the band was released entitled ''Dizzy Mizz Lizzy: En drengedrøm'' (which means Dizzy Mizz Lizzy: A Boy's Dream), written by Jan Poulsen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gaffa.dk/anmeldelse/101787|title=Jan Poulsen : Dizzy Mizz Lizzy – en drengedrøm|website=Gaffa.dk}}</ref> On 7 November 2015, they performed at the Danish Grammy ceremony, where Christensen won the IFPI's Ærespris (Honorary Award), which is considered the most prestigious prize a Danish musician can be awarded.<ref name="frister">Veirum, Kristoffer (2 April 2016). [http://gaffa.dk/nyhed/105498 "Hør: Dizzy Mizz Lizzy frister med ny single"] ("Dizzy Mizz Lizzy deadline with new single"). ''GAFFA''. {{in lang|da}}</ref> On 12 March 2016, they performed a show for Rockpalast.

The band's third studio album, ''Forward in Reverse'' was released on 20 April 2016,<ref name="itunes_fir">iTunes (2016). [https://music.apple.com/dk/album/forward-in-reverse/1091199858 "Forward in Reverse by Dizzy Mizz Lizzy"].</ref> which was their first collection of new material in 20 years, after ''Rotator'' from 24 May 1996. In anticipation of the album, "Brainless" was released as the third single on 1 April 2016.<ref name="frister" /> It received the GAFFA Award for ''Danish album of the year'' and ''Danish rock album of the year'' for 2016.<ref name="gaffaprisen2016" /> The album's release was followed by an extensive tour of festivals and clubs in Denmark, and concerts in Japan, the Netherlands and Germany, playing their last show in support of the album on 10 June 2017 in Berlin.

=== ''Livegasm!'' and ''Alter Echo'' (2017–current) === {{See also|Livegasm!|Alter Echo (album)}} In the second half of 2017, the band started to work on new material in the studio.<ref name="gaffaprisen2016" /> During this time, the band released the live double-LP ''Livegasm!'' on 29 November (Japan) and 8 December 2017 (Denmark).<ref>Discogs (2010). [https://www.discogs.com/Dizzy-Mizz-Lizzy-Livegasm/release/11254880 "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy - Livegasm! on Discogs"]. Retrieved on 15 December 2017.</ref> It instantly became the best sold vinyl record in Denmark of 2017.<ref name="vinylplader">Svidt, Ole Rosenstand (10 January 2018). [http://gaffa.dk/nyhed/123841/dizzy-mizz-lizzy-udgiver-snart-livealbum" Her er årets mest solgte vinylplader i Danmark] ("Here are this year's most sold vinyl records in Denmark"). ''GAFFA''. {{in lang|da}}</ref> The band occasionally played shows, also trying out new songs such as "In the Blood" and "California Rain". On 25 May 2019, they performed a double headline concert with Lenny Kravitz at Horsens Statsfængsel (Horsens State Prison).<ref>Grønning, Kristina (17 September 2018). [https://gaffa.dk/nyhed/132248/lenny-kravitz-og-dizzy-mizz-lizzy-giver-dobbeltkoncert "Lenny Kravitz og Dizzy Mizz Lizzy giver dobbeltkoncert"] ("Lenny Kravitz and Dizzy Mizz Lizzy give double concert"). ''GAFFA''. {{in lang|da}}</ref>

On 20 March 2020, Dizzy Mizz Lizzy released their fourth studio album ''Alter Echo'', which had initially been announced for 2018.<ref name="snart">Svidt, Ole Rosenstand (5 December 2017). [http://gaffa.dk/nyhed/123841/dizzy-mizz-lizzy-udgiver-snart-livealbum "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy udgiver snart livealbum"] ("Dizzy Mizz Lizzy to release live album soon"). ''GAFFA''. {{in lang|da}}</ref> The album was lauded with the GAFFA Award for Danish rock album of the year, while Christensen received the award for songwriter of the year for the first time in his career.<ref name="gaffaprisen2021">Gonzalez, Michael Jose (6 March 2021). [https://gaffa.dk/artikel/148015/gaffa-pris-vinderne-dizzy-mizz-lizzy-vi-er-supertaknemmelige-for-at-sa-mange-stadig-er-med-pa-vores-vogn "GAFFA-Pris-vinderne Dizzy Mizz Lizzy: Vi er supertaknemmelige for, at så mange stadig er med på vores vogn"] ("GAFFA Prize winners Dizzy Mizz Lizzy: We are super grateful that so many are still on our bandwagon"). ''GAFFA''. {{in lang|da}}</ref> An instrumental version of the album, ''Alter Echo Instrumental'', was exclusively released on vinyl on 12 February 2021, initially to a limited run of 600 copies, but later receiving a second pressing due to high demand. For this album, the songs were remixed and newly mastered.

Because of the greater infusion of ambient and orchestral elements in the band's newer material, Dizzy Mizz Lizzy asked Anders Stig Møller of Turboweekend to join them on keyboards on tour. With the album's release coinciding with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the band was initially able to play only a few smaller shows when restrictions were partially lifted, ultimately performing their widely praised<ref name="vellyd">Broksø, Keld (2 April 2022). [https://gaffa.dk/anmeldelse/156282/opvisning-i-vellyd-til-fuld-plade-punktum "Opvisning i vellyd til fuld plade. Punktum."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427225328/https://gaffa.dk/anmeldelse/156282/opvisning-i-vellyd-til-fuld-plade-punktum |date=2022-04-27 }} ("A display of musicality across the board. Period."). ''GAFFA''. {{in lang|da}}</ref><ref name="rundtosset">Pristed, Mads (19 April 2022). [https://metaladay.dk/anmeldelse/i-goer-mig-rundtosset-dizzy-mizz-lizzy/ "I gør mig rundtosset, Dizzy Mizz Lizzy!"] ("You make me feel dizzy, Dizzy Mizz Lizzy! "). ''Metal A Day''. {{in lang|da}}</ref> "Arena Tour" at five large arenas across Denmark in April 2022, closing at the Royal Arena.

On 1 September 2021, the music video for the five-piece suite "Amelia", totaling 23 minutes, premiered at the Odense International Film Festival, directed by Marc Louis Sutton and starring Angela Bundalovic.<ref name="off">Night, Focus (2021). [https://filmfestival.dk/programme/dizzy-mizz-lizzy-musik-og-film/ "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy: musik og film"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122165711/https://filmfestival.dk/programme/dizzy-mizz-lizzy-musik-og-film/ |date=2022-01-22 }} ("Dizzy Mizz Lizzy: Music and film"). ''OFF''. {{in lang|da}}</ref> At the same time, the band released "Amelia" as a single in Denmark. As short film, the video among other things won ''Best rock music video'' at the Euro Music Video Song Awards (February 2022) and ''Best music video'' at the 2022 San Francisco Indie Short Festival.

On 12 March 2022, Dizzy Mizz Lizzy played the song "In the Blood" during the ''Sammen for Ukraine'' (Together for Ukraine) charity concert at Copenhagen's City Hall Square to aid victims of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which was streamed live on Danish TV and radio.

== Mascot == thumb|200px|Dizzy Mizz Lizzy's mascot as sepia photograph Since the band's early days, Dizzy Mizz Lizzy have been using the photo of a young "dizzy" girl as mascot, which has been used in varying ways. Christensen explains: "The photo is from around 1920. It depicts the older sister of my grandmother on mother's side. She died around the age of 12–14 of tuberculosis. Her real name is Vera. There are two or three copies of the photo in my family. I have one hanging in my apartment. The same photo hung in my home, and when we were searching for a cover for our first release (the 1993 promo), we felt it was a great idea to use the picture of her as a sort of mascot or logo."<ref>Christensen, Tim (14 October 2009). [http://timfans.dk/forum/dizzy-mizz-lizzy-snak/det-originale-billede/ "Det originale billede"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831050700/http://timfans.dk/forum/dizzy-mizz-lizzy-snak/det-originale-billede/ |date=2011-08-31 }} (The original photo). Timfans.dk. {{in lang|da}}</ref> On their demo's cover, the photograph was colored with fluorescent colors. Danish designer MandOverBord subsequently used the picture for the band's eponymous debut album and singles, coloring the girl with more natural colors but also adding red laser beams coming from her eyes. The 2002 compilation album ''The Best of Dizzy Mizz Lizzy + Live in Aarhus '96'' superimposed the mascot over the cover art from the band's second album, ''Rotator''. During the band's 2009 reunion, the mascot was used in promotional material and on stage, and appeared in a duotone black and white portrayal on the front of the 2010 ''Dizzcography'' box set. This set included all previous albums, of which the artwork (including the mascot) were completely redrawn because the original designs had not been saved.<ref name="bokssaet" /> The live DVD ''Live in Concert 2010'' features a black and white rendering of the original photo amidst text in a theater poster design. After the band reunited in 2014, the mascot was again used, this time in the form of an anaglyph 3D rendering for promotional material, on stage, and the cover art of the 2016 studio album ''Forward in Reverse'' and its singles.

== Awards == * 1993 ''Danish rock championship'' * 1994 ''Danish group of the year'' (GAFFA Award) * 1995 ''Danish group of the year'' (Danish Grammy) * 1995 ''Danish newcomer of the year'' (Danish Grammy) * 1995 ''Danish rock album of the year'' (Danish Grammy for ''Dizzy Mizz Lizzy'') * 1995 ''People's choice award'' / "Green prize" (Danish Grammy) * 1996 ''Danish live group of the year'' (GAFFA Award) * 1997 ''Danish live group of the year'' (GAFFA Award) * 1997 ''Danish rock album of the year'' (Danish Grammy for ''Rotator'') * 1997 ''Danish producer of the year'' (Danish Grammy for Nick Foss for ''Rotator'') * 2016 ''Danish album of the year'' (GAFFA Award for ''Forward In Reverse'')<ref name="gaffaprisen2016" /> * 2016 ''Danish rock album of the year'' (GAFFA Award for ''Forward In Reverse'')<ref name="gaffaprisen2016" /> * 2021 ''Danish rock album of the year'' (GAFFA Award for ''Alter Echo'')<ref name="gaffaprisen2021" /> * 2021 ''Songwriter of the year'' (GAFFA Award)<ref name="gaffaprisen2021" />

== Discography ==

=== Studio albums === {| class="wikitable" |- !rowspan="2"| Year !rowspan="2"| Album details !colspan="2"| Peak chart positions !rowspan="2"| Sales<ref name="dizzco" /><ref name="Billboard (2010)">Billboard (2010). [https://books.google.com/books?id=EgHgDgiLzqMC&dq=dizzy+mizz+lizzy+billboard&pg=RA9-PA31 "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy"]. Retrieved on 16 January 2013.</ref> !rowspan="2"| Certifications |- !style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|DK<br /><ref name="dk">DanishCharts.com (2010). [https://danishcharts.dk/search.asp?cat=a&search=Dizzy+Mizz+Lizzy "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy"] . Retrieved on 9 November 2010.</ref> !style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|JP<br /><ref name="jp">Oricon.co.jp (2015). [http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/108744/rank/album/ "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy"]. Retrieved on 9 May 2015.</ref> |- |1994 |'''''Dizzy Mizz Lizzy''''' *Released: 4 March 1994 (Europe), 18 January 1995 (Japan)<ref name="detailed discography"/> *Label: EMI-Medley *Producer: Nick Foss, Dizzy Mizz Lizzy |align="center"|1<ref name="Billboard (1994)">Billboard (1994). [https://books.google.com/books?id=XggEAAAAMBAJ&dq=dizzy+mizz+lizzy+billboard&pg=PA43 "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy"]. Retrieved on 16 January 2013.</ref> |align="center"|8<ref name="Gaffa (2014)">Gaffa (2014). [http://gaffa.dk/nyhed/81629 "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy"]. Retrieved on 9 May 2015.</ref> |align="left"| *DK: 250,000 *JP: 100,000 |align="left"| *DK: 4 Danish Grammys<ref name="tcinfo" /> *DK: 13× Platinum<ref>{{cite certification|region=Denmark|artist=Dizzy Mizz Lizzy|title=Dizzy Mizz Lizzy|certyear=2025|id=15888|accessdate=11 September 2025}}</ref> |- |1996 |'''''Rotator''''' *Released: 2 April 1996 (Europe), 24 May 1996 (Japan)<ref name="detailed discography"/> *Label: EMI-Casadida *Producer: Nick Foss, Dizzy Mizz Lizzy |align="center"|2<ref name="Billboard (1996)">Billboard (1996). [https://books.google.com/books?id=9AsEAAAAMBAJ&dq=dizzy+mizz+lizzy+billboard&pg=RA1-PA47 "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy"]. Retrieved on 16 January 2013.</ref> |align="center"|— |align="left"| *DK: 120,000 *JP: 100,000 |align="left"| *DK: 2 Danish Grammys<ref name="tcinfo" /> *DK: 2× Platinum<ref name="tcinfo" /> |- |2016 |'''''Forward in Reverse''''' *Released: 29 April 2016 *Label: Sony Music *Producer: Dizzy Mizz Lizzy |align="center"|1<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hitlisten.nu/ |title=Hitlisten.NU - Danmarks officielle hitlister |accessdate=2014-12-27 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226230629/http://hitlisten.nu/ |archivedate=2014-12-26 }}</ref> |align="center"|16<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/108744/products/1169130/1/|script-title=ja:Forward in Reverse(Standard Edition) - Dizzy Mizz Lizzy|accessdate=2016-06-11|publisher=oricon ME inc.|language=ja}}</ref> | | |- |2020 |'''''Alter Echo''''' *Released: 20 March 2020 *Label: Sony Music *Producer: Dizzy Mizz Lizzy |align="center"|2<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hitlisten.nu/default.asp?w=12&y=2020&list=a40|title=Album Top-40 Uge 12, 2020|publisher=Hitlisten|accessdate=1 April 2020}}</ref> |align="center"|35 | *JP: 2,001<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/w/2020-03-30/|script-title=ja:週間 CDアルバムランキング 2020年03月30日付|trans-title=Weekly CD Album Ranking on 30 March 2020|publisher=Oricon|accessdate=March 25, 2020|language=Japanese}}</ref> | |}

=== Live albums === {| class="wikitable" |- !rowspan="2"| Year !rowspan="2"| Album details !colspan="2"| Peak chart positions |- !style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|DK<br /><ref name="dk"/> !style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|JP<br /><ref name="jp"/> |- |1995 |'''''One Guitar, One Bass and a Drummer, That's Really All It Takes — Live in Japan''''' *Released: 13 December 1995<ref name="detailed discography"/> *Label: EMI *Japan-only |align="center"|— |align="center"|— |- |2010 |'''''Live in Concert 2010''''' *Released: 8 November 2010 (Europe), 27 April 2011 (Japan)<ref name="detailed discography2">{{cite book|title=Dizzy Mizz Lizzy: En drengedrøm|author=Poulsen, Jan|publisher=Gyldendal|year=2015|isbn=978-87-02-18053-4|edition=1st|page=286|language=da}}</ref> *Label: EMI *Producer: Theis Molin |align="center"|4 |align="center"|147 |- |2017 |'''''Livegasm!''''' *Released: 8 December 2017 *Label: Columbia |align="center"|4<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hitlisten.nu/default.asp?w=50&y=2017&list=a40 |title=Album Top-40 Uge 50, 2017 |publisher=Hitlisten |accessdate=20 December 2017}}</ref> |align="center"|— |}

=== Compilation albums === {| class="wikitable" |- !rowspan="2" | Year !rowspan="2" | Album details !colspan="1" | Peak chart positions |- !style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|DK<br /><ref name="dk"/> |- |1998 |'''''The Greatest''''' *Released: 28 March 1998<ref name="detailed discography3">{{cite book|title=Dizzy Mizz Lizzy: En drengedrøm|author=Poulsen, Jan|publisher=Gyldendal|year=2015|isbn=978-87-02-18053-4|edition=1st|page=285|language=da}}</ref> *Label: EMI *Japan-only |align="center"|— |- |2002 |'''''The Best of Dizzy Mizz Lizzy + Live in Aarhus '96''''' *Released: 29 April 2002<ref name="detailed discography3"/> *Label: EMI-Casadida *Producer: Nick Foss, Lars Overgaard |align="center"|4 |- |rowspan="2"|2010 |'''''Dizzcography''''' *Released: 29 March 2010<ref name="detailed discography2"/> *Label: EMI *Producer: Dizzy Mizz Lizzy, Nick Foss, Flemming Hansson |align="center"|6 |- |'''''Big-5: Dizzy Mizz Lizzy''''' *Released: 21 November 2010 *Label: EMI |align="center"|— |}

===Singles=== {| class="wikitable" |- !rowspan="2"|Year !rowspan="2"|Title !colspan="1"|Peak chart positions !rowspan="2"|Album |- !style="width:3em;font-size:75%"| DK<br /><ref name="dk" /> |- |rowspan="3"| 1994 | "Waterline" | style="text-align:center;"| 24{{ref label|A|A}} |rowspan="5"| ''Dizzy Mizz Lizzy'' |- | "Barbedwired Baby's Dream" | style="text-align:center;"| — |- | "Love Is a Loser's Game" | style="text-align:center;"| 13{{ref label|B|B}} |- |rowspan="2"| 1995 | "Silverflame" | style="text-align:center;"| 89<ref name="ChartBase">{{Cite web|url=http://www.chartbase.dk/index.php|title=ChartBase|website=Chartbase.dk}}</ref> |- | "Glory" | style="text-align:center;"| — |- |rowspan="4"| 1996 | "Rotator" | style="text-align:center;"| — |rowspan="4"| ''Rotator'' |- | "Find My Way" (Japanese promo) | style="text-align:center;"| — |- | "11:07 PM" | style="text-align:center;"| — |- | "When the River Runs Dry" | style="text-align:center;"| — |- |rowspan="3"| 2015 | "I Would If I Could But I Can't" | style="text-align:center;"| 44<ref name="ChartBase" /> |rowspan="3"| ''Forward in Reverse'' |- | "Made to Believe" | style="text-align:center;"| 6<ref name="ChartBase" /> |- | "Brainless" | style="text-align:center;"| 20<ref name="ChartBase" /> |} * '''A.'''{{Note|B}} The chart position is a re-entry on April 16. 2010 with the release of the "Morten Breum Remix" of "Waterline". * '''B.'''{{Note|B}} "Love Is a Loser's Game" charted at number 13 on the Danish Single Chart in week 35, 1994. This might not be its peak position.

== References == {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links == {{commons category|Dizzy Mizz Lizzy}} *{{Facebook|DizzyMizzLizzyOfficial}} *{{YouTube|c=UCj_0DfxFUwNDLQe-0ton7Xw|Dizzy Mizz Lizzy}} * [https://denstoredanske.lex.dk/Dizzy_Mizz_Lizzy Dizzy Mizz Lizzy] in Den Store Danske Encyklopædi *{{discogs artist}} *{{AllMusic|id=dizzy-mizz-lizzy-mn0000857105|label=Dizzy Mizz Lizzy}}

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Category:Danish alternative rock groups Category:Danish rock music groups Category:EMI Records artists Category:Musical groups established in 1988 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1998 Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2009 Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2014 Category:Danish musical trios