IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

MP3: The End Will Be Kicks - Exit ramps

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 15:23:11 -0700

So I busted out The End Will Be Kick's 2005 self-titled debut not too long ago after letting it collect dust on my shelf for way too long and was glad to discover that age had not dwindled its greatness, not even in the slightest. Real talk: Guitarist Niklas Quintana's career with the acts Him Kerosene and Breach would have been more than enough to seal his legacy; his work with the supremely underappreciated TEWBK was the victory lap you didn't know you needed (you do). As far as I'm concerned, dude can now rest on his laurels and enjoy being a dad and a regular citizen without recording another note because, even if far few people listen to his records, his body of work still towers over the rest of the Swedish indie scene now and forevermore.

MP3: Breach - Lost crew

Tue, 08 May 2012 15:46:46 -0700

Always good to revisit the classics every now and then to see how well they're holding up and yep, this one holds up just fine. In fact, I'd say that Breach's final album "Kollapse" still crushes pretty much everything that's come along since it was first released back in 2001.

Serene Record pitching in for Blessings

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:38:54 -0800

Serene Records, the same folks who did the recent Breach reissue, will be co-releasing the upcoming Blessings tape along side the band's own Dålig Stämning label.

Godbox vinyl reissue out now

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:51:05 -0800

New Swedish label Serene Records, in collaboration with Germany's Apocaplexy Records, has reissued Breach's stellar "Godbox" EP on 12" vinyl for the very first time with new artwork from original Breach artist Pierre Johansson. It's already close to sold out so act fast if you want one: http://serenerecords.net/

MP3: Dödsvarg - En väldig kropp av hat

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:27:12 -0800

Apparently it now takes me a full week to dig out of the hole I got myself into by taking time off in December. So while it might not feel quite so timely anymore, I'm going to try and take the time to highlight a few of my top 10 mentions over the next little while before getting back into the Sisyphean task of keeping up with what's new. First: Dödsvarg. The band initially spurred my curiosity because they/he is ex-Detektivbyrån, but when you combine that with the descriptor "a mixture of Meshuggah and Skitsystem," I knew I absolutely needed to hear it. The album "Livet är en dödsorsak" doesn't disappoint either -- the music is crusty, mathy and totally pissed, but they missed one very important note of reference: besides Skitsystem and Meshuggah, Dödsvarg also reminds me a lot of "It's me god"-era Breach. This is not just a good thing, it's a great thing. Don't let Dödsvarg stay overlooked and underappreciated!

Terra Tenebrosa - Probing the abyss

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 11:58:30 -0800

At last, a full-length preview of a Terra Tenebrosa track off their forthcoming album "The tunnels", due out March 4 via Trust No One Recordings. The band features ex-members of Breach and is totally crushing, as one would expect.

TOW Demo

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 13:01:05 -0700

TOW (The Old Wind) is Tomas Liljedahl from Breach, and it doesn't say who else (maybe it's just Tomas). So with some trepidation and a lot of anticipation involved, I checked out the myspace page expecting something ok-but-not-quite-as-good-as-Breach. "In fields" start really nice, dissonant guitars showing that Tomas does this quite well without Niklas Quintana and Anders Ekström, whose presence I was expecting to miss. But I do not! This sounds sludgy, dissonant, but crisp. When the vocals kick in I'm home. Tomas, you have direct access to my spine with your voice from my adolescence listening to Breach constantly on my freestyle (it was like an iPod but with cassettes). "Raveneye" continues the sludgy heavy dissonant vibe, throwing in a violin (is it a violin?), and "Reign" does the same. It quickly sinks in that this is some good shit right here. The lower production values and slower tempo remind me of "It's me god"-era Breach (greatest record ever) and a little pre-, like "Old songs vs new beats"-era (also a really good slice of Breach). Tomas shows here how much of his presence defined what Breach was, and what a great scream he has. This would be nostalgia, but since no 'good ole days' ever came Breach's way, this is really a second chance for the world to catch on. You hear that World! Catch the fucking fever already!!

Bear in mind that these are rough un-mastered cuts from the recordings of, hopefully, a very promising new album.

New music from TOW (ex-Breach)

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 19:41:00 -0700

TOW, the new band from Ex-Breach vocalist Tomas Liljedahl, is streaming three new demo tracks at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/theoldwind

MP3: Java - Smokescreen

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:01:17 -0800

The best new music is old, part II. Java was a somewhat short-lived instrumental act from Gävle, Sweden that formed out of the remains of the hardcore act Ashram. A mere footnote perhaps, but re-visitation might suggest otherwise. Also, consider that the 90s was a fertile time in Swedish hardcore, especially up in Norrland where you had acts such as Fireside, Breach, Refused and Starmarket; to say nothing of acts such as The Bear Quartet or Randy -- so many great bands, all from the same set of towns along the Bothnian coast. The year was 1996 and as such, Java embraced the zeitgeist and sought to expand the sound of modern hardcore as fragmented and moved towards postrock, a sound echoed in acts such as Slint, June of 44 and pretty much any Dischord act of that era. The remnants of the 90s 'core remains though, particularly on tracks like "Smokescreen" where you can hear the lingering effects of bands like Groundwork in the subtle mosh. Certainly not as overt as the stuff Desperate Fight was putting out further north, but oh yeah, it's there and it's alright. Java never amounted to much in their day, they never played a show even, but they did record a demotape and Dead Birds Records has seen fit for its rerelease. There is certainly nostalgia for those of us who remember this time in music and saw it firsthand, but I'd assert that Java is simply a good band that never got heard. Until now, that is.

Presenting: TOW (ex-Breach)

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:17:05 -0800

Ex-Breach vocalist Tomas Liljedahl has a new band: http://www.myspace.com/theoldwind

Sirius playlist week #50

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:35:11 -0800

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU, 100% pre-millennium edition:

01. TALK 1
02. Honey Is Cool - Bolero
03. Beyond Dawn - Addictions are private
04. Commando M Pigg - Baby doll
05. TALK 2
06. Kent - If you were here
07. Fireside - Let Rasputin do it
08. CMX - Ainomieli 97
09. Docent Död - Bensin i blodet
10. TALK 3
11. Bitch Boys - Automobile
12. Nicolai Dunger - This town
13. Broder Daniel - I'll be gone
14. Starmarket - Ten seconds
15. TALK 4
16. Madrugada - Beautyproof
17. Breach - Black sabbath
18. Silverbullit - Thank you Mr.
19. Camouflage - Syster sol
20. TALK 5
21. Entombed - Lights out

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers. Next week's show will feature tunes from my top 10 albums of the year.

MP3: NEI - 40 rabbits

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:02:32 -0700

Flattery will get you everywhere: seeing my name (or even just It's a Trap!) in an album's thank-you list is a surefire way to put a smile on my face. So thank you to NEI for making my day a little brighter. However, it's not as if I'd be tempted otherwise; I've been looking forward to their album for a long, long time and can confidently say that they deliver as-expected. As said before, these guys make the sort of quality angular rock'n'roll that dudes like me in their 30s and above still recall with extreme fondness. Still, I have a friend complain that he thought NEI were a bit lazy sounding, especially when you consider that these dudes formerly played with monster acts such as Brick, Breach and Fireside. While I understand his point, let me counter with "40 rabbits": a rager of a track that recalls those bands' finer moments. Patrik Instedt's vocals are especially maniacal here as he recalls a story that's as confusing to his own (fictional) experience, as it is for the listening. Blood, rabbits, an empty room, the woods, an abandoned car...? It's a distressing portrait. I like it.

Sirius playlist week #40

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:02:21 -0700

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:

01. Samtidigt Som - Constant in motion
02. TALK 1
03. NEI - Summertime
04. Mixtapes & Cellmates - Soon
05. Brothers of End - Wish
06. TALK 2
07. Tutankamon - Have you ever been in love?
08. C.Aarmé - British breakfast party
09. Okkultokrati - Hand of glory
10. Pintandwefall - Angus
11. TALK 3
12. Turboweekend - Something or nothing
13. Florence Valentin - Du kommer gå längt
14. Sofia Karlsson - Visa från Kåkbrinken
15. Melkeveien & Niño - Yo!
16. TALK 4
17. Beatbully - Buck Ferfen
18. Fontän - Neanderthaler
19. Bröderna Lindgren - Som raketer (feat. Mattias Alkberg)
20. TALK 5
21. Breach - Seven

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

MP3: Breach - Seven

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:48:41 -0700

Hard to believe, but It's a Trap! turns seven years old today, an age that could be considered near-ancient in the context of this whole interweb doo-hickey. Yep, I've been slogging away at this thing all those years, slowly improving my foreign language skills, refining my tastes, fighting burnout and maybe even becoming a better writer along the way (not really). I've sent out over 300 weekly newsletters, posted nearly 32,000 news items, visited Sweden three times (with a short sidetrip to CPH once), listened to countless albums and have also had the great pleasure of meeting a ton of lovely people along the way. So a huge thanks to you, my readers and also to all of the great artists who inspire me to keep this thing going -- without you, I am nothing.

Breach's final album "Kollapse" came out in 2001 towards the end of a period when I was intensely seeking out Norrland indie/hardcore. I don't remember my first connection, but that's how I got into KVLR, Fireside, Him Kerosene, Starmarket, Carpet People, Isolation Years and many other neighboring acts. Many of those bands remain favorites today and Breach is definitely near the top of the list, with their swansong record being an absolute classic. Nothing sounds like it, not even any of the band's other records. As for posting it today, it's mere luck they happen to have a song with a title fit for the occasion.

Sirius playlist week #12

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:41:30 -0700

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:

01. Lassus - Into another
02. TALK 1
03. Björn Kleinhenz - Black water
04. The Rollstons - The art of squandering time
05. Dear Euphoria - Pop pills
06. TALK 2
07. Samtidigt Som - Constant in motion
08. Obscure - Massacre
09. The Sweptways - Time of the season (ft. Pelle Almqvist)
10. Commando M. Pigg - Mot stjärnorna
11. TALK 3
12. Samuraj Cities - Mixed up record collections
13. Lowood - It's a mess
14. Wardruna - Bjarkan
15. TALK 4
16. Two White Horses - Good times are gone forever
17. Breach - Lost crew
18. Kristofer Åström - Twentyseven
19. The Fine Arts Showcase - London, my town
20. TALK 5
21. The Bear Quartet - Old friends

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

Moloken We all face the dark alone Discouraged Records

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Glad to hear someone emulating "Souls at zero"-era Neurosis rather than that band's monolithic, latter-day sound. Do that and you're only setting yourself up to fail. Instead, we're treated to crusty metal that's totally bass-driven with a similarly progressive, apocalyptic bent and a strong hardcore rooting. But no, not the usual mid-tempo sludge, thank goodness. They've got a healthy dose of northern darkness too, though I wouldn't put them up against the mighty Breach yet. Anyhow, this EP consists of one epic 15-minute track broken into three sections and while the rhythm section is exceptionally strong, the guitars and vocals don't add much more than texture. At least they're buried in the mix behind the bass because that's where Moloken shines. Gnarly tone, too -- like a cross between Man is the Bastard and Rush. I'm looking forward to hearing more from these guys in the future.

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The band's follow-up to their solid "Historiens svarta vingslag" full-length tones down the metal for a more streamlined, raging d-beat hardcore attack, though they manage to retain the dark melodies that elevate them above also-ran status. On this particular EP they seem to do best when they turn down the tempo and compensate by amping up the intensity. Closer "En av dom" ("One of them") doesn't quite reach Breach-like levels of bleak desolation, nor does it match up with "My war" in terms of pure vitriolic rage ("'82 demos" FTW), but it does exemplify the approach, especially when the band gives the music proper breathing room and embraces the far reaches of their dynamic range. Unfortunately, no matter how good the songs are, it's completely ruined by the shrill audio quality. I've heard mixed things about Pirates Press/CZ in the past, but this is the first record I've heard pressed through them that lives up to the bad hype. Without any low-end, the M:40's capacity for heaviness is essentially neutered, thus capping their potential at an unfairly low level. It's hard not to be disappointed.

MP3: Superdong - Don Lombardo

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:21:15 -0700

Thanks to mRa for this one! I had heard of the band Superdong for a long, long time, but only got a chance to hear them when they appeared on myspace. They've been sort of a Holy Grail act in my mind - these are the guys who later formed Fireside and Breach, after all, bands that have both factored very prominently in my love of Swedish/Scandinavian music. So to know a band existing, to know they have recordings, but yet to search fruitlessly for years... that's frustrating. Of course, the larger the legacy becomes to me, the more likely I am to be disappointed, but I'm actually kind of stoked to hear Kristofer Åström sing skaterock. "Don Lombardo" isn't as amazing as say, the early Him Kerosene track from the same comp ("Salmons of Hort"), but it's solid and well-representative of the era (1995). It's also infinitely better than everything else on said comp: Lapdog, The Fitz Geralds (or is that Fitzgeralds?), Stoned and Millencolin. 3rd wave ska-punk, no thank you. The early/mid-90s was a promising time for Norrland indierock, but it took some time to get going. It's fun to listen back.

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:54:42 -0700

Jacob Felländer, a Swedish artist probably best known so far for his photography, will release his debut album "Letters from the Trenches" on June 4. Guest musicians on said album include Dan Lepp (Grand Tone Music), Patrik Andersson (Moneybrother, Club Killers, Barr). Per Nordmark (Fireside, Breach, Christian Kjellvander), Britta Persson and many more. Hear samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jacobfellander

MyFriends: Bluebridge the Quartet, Desktop Orchestra, Epidemics, Gentil, Harasser, Panter

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700

I can't keep up! My list of bands to feature here gets longer and longer every day. Anyhow, here's six unsigned/up-and-coming acts that deserve more attention.

Bluebridge the Quartet
SOUNDS LIKE: Postjazz? Well, that's what they call it. Imagine what it sound like if EST indulged their rock side a bit more and I think you'll be close.
HIGHLIGHTS: Bergman, Torsdag, 2008 exclusive
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/bluebridgequartet

Desktop Orchestra
SOUNDS LIKE: It's amazing what you can accomplish with even a basic home studio these days. This is interesting electro/acoustic pop that should appeal to fans of acts like Fredrik or Fontän. Skirts the edges of experimentalism, but never alienating.
HIGHLIGHTS: Both tracks are great
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/desktoporchestradk

Epidemics
SOUNDS LIKE: Ex-members from Disconvenience soldier on with the punk-rock thing, 'cept now the vocal hooks are way bigger and the songs are better. Match that up with some excellent walking basslines and I can't help but think of The Rezillos. Nicely done!
HIGHLIGHTS: Bloodstains, Never grow up
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/epidemicspunk

Gentil
SOUNDS LIKE: Takes the weirdo electro/fucked-up indierock stylings of latter-era Bear Quartet and runs with it. Still a bit rough around the edges, but bursting with potential. Of course that probably means they'll be doomed to obscurity, but I'll be listening.
HIGHLIGHTS: Chapter 1 why language matters, Debaser
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/gentilmusic

Harasser
SOUNDS LIKE: Normally I'd say that attempting to emulate Swedish hardcore legends Breach is an idea that's doomed to fail, but somehow these Danes pull it off. Bravo!
HIGHLIGHTS: Fortabelse
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/fasterkatt

Panter
SOUNDS LIKE: Easily fits within the paradigm of modern indie MOR, but they do it well, so who am I to say it's no good? Again, tons of potential.
HIGHLIGHTS: Every song is eminently likable, but I like the low-key "Part time queers" best
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/pantermusic

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:10:56 -0800

"Great Northern Recordings compilation nr. 3", the latest edition of the short-run comp series focusing on some of Sweden's best experimental indie acts, is confirmed for release on March 1. This new one features eight previously unreleased tracks from the bands Nei (members from Breach, Fireside, Brick, The End Will Be Kicks), Giant Boar (members from Seven Feet Four), White Knives (members from Skull Defekts, Cut City) and Happiness (members from Tar... Feathers, Fuglesang) and will be amazing, no doubt. Hand-numbered, 167 copies and yes, I'll definitely be getting a few for resale. Celebrate the release with Nei's debut show at Debaser Slussen in Stockholm on March 1.

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 11:18:39 -0800

Here's the playlist for this weekend's radio show:

01. C.Aarmé - Blodet
02. TALK 1
03. Kaka - The hotspurs (the less we know the faster we go)
04. Bitch Boys - Automobile
05. Benea Reach - Rejuvenate
06. TALK 2
07. The Second Band - The urgency of now
08. Breach - Murder
09. Montys Loco - Criminal
10. TALK 3
11. Det Gamla Landet - Krutrök
12. Trapdoor Fucking Exit - Cardiac arrest
13. I Am Bones - Home is the one corner of hell that didn't catch fire
14. TALK 4
15. Madrugada - Look away Lucifer
16. Timo Räisänen - Sixteen
17. When - The king
18. TALK 5
19. Beyond Dawn - Increasing the gravity
20. Ljudbilden & Piloten - Plokk
21. As In RebekkaMaria - She lion (Pato Sick Hangover remix)
22. TALK 6
23. Robert Svensson - 1987 (ft. Adam Olenius)
24. Paper - To her
25. Animal Alpha - Even when I'm wrong, I'm right
26. TALK 7
27. Niccokick - The poet
28. Asha Ali - Coward heart
29. Viola - I don't know how to party
30. TALK 8
31. Voices Break the Silence - No matter if it's now
32. Marybell Katastrophy - Red red lips
33. Anna Ternheim - Shoreline
34. TALK 9
35. Ulf Ljusberg - Here, me
36. Sir Eric Beyond and the Avant-garde - Democracy
37. Once We Were - Carnival
38. Birds On Holiday - I had a plan
39. TALK 10
40. Björn Kleinhenz - Tredje Långgatan 26

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:34:18 -0800

Swedish doom act Suffocate for Fuck Sake has revealed that their new album is finally being sent to get pressed. The work is entitled "Blazing fires and helicopters on the frontpage of the newspaper. There's a war going on and I'm marching in heavy boots" and it features a story told in samples about "a girl who with help from her mother, a friend and a doctor looks back on the time when she was put in a mental institute." Samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/suffocateforfucksake
If you like Breach, Cult of Luna or any other bands of that ilk, you'll definitely dig this.

Top 10s for 2007: Magnus Öberg (Nomethod)

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Top 10 things for 2007, in no particular order.

Ossian was born
My first son was born on July 14. He is the coolest guy I have ever met.

Mixtapes & Cellmates trip to NYC & CMJ
Roaming the streets of NYC with Mixtapes was a lot of fun, met some really nice people and the Thurston Moore show at Soho's Apple Store was amazing. The Mixtapes show at CMJ was also really good.

Shape Up!
Our club (Nina's and mine) had a great year with guests like The Tough Alliance, Kocky, Matts Katt and many more. DJ:ing has never been so much fun.

Breach reunion
Enough said.

My Bloody Valentine reunion
Got tickets for the Glasgow show. Enough said.

Rediscovering Bob Mould and Hüsker Dü
Happens approximately every 3rd year.

New Order - Bizarre love triangle
Easily the song I listened to the most times this year

Thrash metal
Rediscovering great acts like Xentrix, Nuclear Assault and Death Angel

Chavez Reunion
Missed it but it is still extremely exciting to just watch YouTube liveclips

Jason Anderson - July 4th, 2004
Easily the song i listened to almost as much as "Bizarre love triangle" this year

---------------------------
Nomethod Records is home to Aerial, Mixtapes & Cellmates, Matts Katt and Robert Svensson. Look for new releases from most of them in 2008.
www.nomethod.se
www.myspace.com/nomethodrecords

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:05:31 -0800

Arena Grande will be streaming upcoming live shows from Swedish acts Christian Kjellvander (plus opener Kristofer Åström), Breach (yes!) and Weeping Willows: http://arenagrande.tv/news/2007/11/29/Coming-Attractions.html

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 12:25:21 -0700

Here's the playlist for this week's special spooky/scary Halloween edition radio show:

01. TALK 1
02. Entombed - Hollywood Babylon
03. ARM - Humming bug
04. Camouflage - Oktober
05. TALK 2
06. Notre Dame - Red Cross
07. Sanctum - Lie low
08. Bay Laurel - Pale colours
09. TALK 3
10. At the Gates - Blinded by fear
11. Frode Haltli - Lude
12. Brighter Death Now - Little baby
13. Death Breath - Lycanthropy
14. TALK 4
15. Breach - Mr. Marshall
16. The Skull Defekts - Carved in bones
17. The Cardigans - Mr. Crowley
18. TALK 5
19. Diabolique - Catholic
20. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - Masks, walls and other ways to keep things out, to keep things in
21. The Bear Quartet - Broken heart
22. Mercyful Fate - Come to the Sabbath
23. TALK 6
24. Beyond Dawn - Cigarette
25. Pimentola - Heart's dementia (Phase I)
26. Repoman - Chemically obsessed
27. TALK 7
28. MZ412 - Infernal affairs II
29. Satyricon - Nemesis divina
30. Switchblade - Selfdestruct schematics / Open aftermath
31. TALK 8
32. Rasion D'etre - Metamorphyses Phase IV
33. Cortex - We are the dead
34. TALK 9
35. Emperor - I am the Black Wizards

Live report: The End Will Be Kicks + AHRM @ IAT! Clubnight #1, Debaser, Malmö 09/08/07

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

It's not easy at all to open up for an act that all members are fans of. But Malmö-based trio AHRM showed no mercy whatsoever and they delivered a punk rock show full of furious beats and maximum overdrive. They kept it tight too, just doing six songs with an attitude that widely exceeded my expectations. Kudos for that! Their driven rock influenced by Drive Like Jehu and, to some extent, Alarma Man, left me exhausted and satisfied. That alone is a very good mark in my book. Singer/guitarist Jonas Ottosson (ex-Revolvo) has such an attack in his voice. A truly great experience opened up the first club night It's a Trap! hosted at Debaser Malmö. Now we'll just have to sit back and wait for the guys to finish up recording their upcoming album. I know I will buy a copy right away.

To say that the anticipations were sky-high is no exaggeration. After all, these guys have backgrounds in numerous bands that, to me and lots more, play such an important role to who I am today. And frequent readers already know what I'm talking about; Him Kerosene and Breach are both bands that Avi and I have been nagging about over the years and this was a chance to get to finally see them as The End Will Be Kicks. I have, to this date, seen Breach live two times and I guess I was aiming a bit over the top in my expectations for this gig, but dealing with the genius mind of Niklas Quintana, anything is possible. The gig was, on one hand, a bit rusty; mostly because of the lack of shows lately I guess, but on the other hand, the songs are pure magic. Giving us tracks like "Top fuel motorsåg", "You are all kinds of red lights", "If you see them tell them I love them", "Ass of a friend" and a new one that's not yet named (referred to as "the one in ¾"), I'm more than satisfied. TEWBK followed AHRM's example and did it short and intense. Beauty.

Text by Jonas Appelqvist
Pics by Sofia Qvarnström

Sat, 08 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Timo Räisänen - My valentine
02. TALK 1
03. Torpedo - From Russia with love
04. Desert Planet - Breakout button
05. Ebba Grön - Mamma pappa barn
06. TALK 2
07. The End Will Be Kicks - Don Johnson
08. Skywriter - Where both worlds never meet
09. Skull Defekts - The secret
10. TALK 3
11. Tsukimono - Tokyo OEast
12. Kristin Asbjørnsen - Trying to get home
13. Enemy Alliance - Government subsidized ghetto
14. TALK 4
15. The Indecision Alarm - Where every fucking dream is killed
16. Dismember - Soon to be dead
17. Mixtapes & Cellmates - Moments
18. TALK 5
19. Kristofer Åström - All in
20. Pan Sonic - Virta 1
21. Ulver - Of wolf and fear
22. TALK 6
23. Mainliners - Olivia
24. 120 Days - Let me come down
25. Universal Poplab - 60 is the new 40
26. TALK 7
27. Dag Vag - Popitop
28. The Bombettes - Lust is the new black
29. Breach - Big strong boss
30. TALK 8
31. CS Nielsen - Black spots
32. Tape - Sand dunes
33. The Psyke Project - For us to see for us to help
34. TALK 9
35. Cortex - Shark boys die hard
36. Viola - I don't know how to party
37. Don't Be A Stranger - Lonely together
38. TALK 10
39. Broder Daniel - What clowns are we

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Please send me money so I can afford to attend the upcoming Breach reunion.

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The mighty Breach will play an official reunion show on December 6 at Debaser in Stockholm. Now I just gotta figure out a way to pay for plane tickets! Read more: http://www.kuriren.nu/%5CGEN_Utmatning_Noje.asp?ArticleID=1614364&CategoryID=2766&ArticleOutputTemplateID=125&ArticleStateID=2&ParentID= (in Swedish)

MP3: NEI - City of gold

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

NEI is an all-star band of sorts and their mission is spelled out for you right in their myspace headline. Yes, they are indeed "redefining the old mans rock" and that suits me just fine. These despairing times call for harsh negative music and that's what they deliver, just like they were doing 10-15 years ago. NEI features members from two of my all-time favorite bands, Breach and Brick, though they sound much more like the latter than the former, no doubt due to Patrik Instedt's unmistakable vocals. Brick, for those who have missed my posts about them in the past or are otherwise unaware, were Norrland's answer to The Jesus Lizard. They never tried to match guitarist Duane Dennison's virtuosic chops, but more than made up for it with increased heaviness and a healthy touch of northern darkness. As for Breach, well let me just say that their final album "Kollapse" is easily one of the finest albums to ever come out of Sweden. They are the touchstone for all other bands that arrived in their wake to be forever compared to. Being a bit older now, NEI is leaner and more calculating, more focused. They never become self-indulgent and not a single note is wasted. Now the stupefying part: how can a band this good, with such an insane pedigree, remain unsigned? It makes no sense. I'd be honored to put it out myself, but I'm still paying off debts for my previous releases. Ridiculous!

Sat, 04 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The tracklist from this week's radio show featuring special guest Magnus Bjerkert of Adrian Recordings:

01. TALK 1
02. Familjen - Huvudet i sanden
03. Andreas Tilliander - Untitled
04. TALK 2
05. Printer - Minds Out
06. Boeoes Kaelstigen - Flir
07. TALK 3
08. Björns vänner - Isoleringskvall
09. The Fine Arts Showcase - Chemical girl (Familjen remix)
10. Laakso - Truck Driver
11. TALK 4
12. Breach - Diablo
13. Kent - Ingenting någonsin
14. Stina Nordenstam - Crime
15. Stardog - Lack of time
16. TALK 5
17. Bob Hund - Förträngda problem
18. Den Svenska Tystnaden - Reaktor
19. Björk - Venus as a boy
20. TALK 6
21. Honey is Cool - If I go
22. The Knife - We share our mother's health (Trentemøller remix)
23. Silverbullit - Buddy
24. TALK 7
25. Sharif - E.A.A. (Eagerly awaiting anytime)
26. TALK 8
27. eMiL Jensen - Bud från April

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

HOLY SHIT! Legendary Norrland hardcore act Breach played a one-song reunion at a wedding this weekend and it's on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX8P5kBBI5w
So ridiculously tight and amazing! My mind has been blown.

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The playlist for this week's radio show on Sirius:

01. TALK 1
02. Fattaru - Stila upp din skit
03. Samuraj Cities - Thxa1000000
04. The Fine Arts Showcase - I don't worry
05. TALK 2
06. Imagine I Had Hands - Captive
07. Scraps of Tape - Pickpockets vow
08. FAP - Jag drar till sjöss en sväng jag
09. TALK 3
10. Hello Saferide - I was definitely made for these times
11. Mainliners - Good storm
12. Breach - Gheeá
13. TALK 4
14. Him Kerosene - Neutrino
15. Familjen - Nu händer det igen
16. Sista Sekunden - D.I.We
17. Nine - Time has come
18. TALK 5
19. Emperor - Towards the pantheon
20. September - Can't get over (Long disco mix)
21. Kornstad - Turkey, Texas
22. TALK 6
23. Camouflage - Syster sol
24. Lolita Pop - Salta diamanter
25. Leather Nun - Gimme gimme gimme
26. TALK 7
27. Superfamily - I could be a real winner
28. Juvelen - Hanna
29. The Book of Daniel - Death caps and moonshine
30. Monkeystrikes - Serial faller in lover
31. TALK 8
32. Torpedo - Hang me high
33. Erik Enocksson - The lingering procession
34. Hederos & Hellberg - No fun
35. TALK 9
36. Death By Kite - Himmelfahrtskommando
37. The Tough Alliance - Something special
38. Seance - Controlled bleeding
39. TALK 10
40. Shout Out Louds - Hard rain

Sat, 19 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

My special guest on my radio show this week was Ola Frick of the Moonbabies. Here's what we played:

01. Johndoe - Kjøtere
02. TALK 1
03. Mixtapes & Cellmates - The better half of cynical boys
04. The End Will Be Kicks - Ass of a friend
05. Breach - Lost crew
06. TALK 2
07. Silverbullit - Only gold
08. Lack - Primo Levi
09. Samuraj Cities - All along the shoreline
10. Rockettothesky - Barrie for Billy MacKenzie
11. TALK 3
12. Fireside - Let Rasputin do it
13. Heroes & Zeros - Into the light
14. Moonbabies - War on sound
15. TALK 4
16. Moonbabies - Cocobelle
17. TALK 5
18. Moonbabies - Take me to the ballroom (comp version)
19. Björn Kleinhenz - Pocket of gold
20. TALK 6
21. Loney, Dear - Saturday waits
22. Revolvo - Marmelade
23. TALK 7
24. Emerald Park - Open up
25. KVLR - Capitol city child
26. TALK 8
27. David & the Citizens - Are you in my blood?
28. TALK 9
29. David Åhlén - Wasted breaths
30. Maia Hirasawa - Still June
31. TALK 10
32. Moonbabies - Sun A.M. (outtake version)
33. TALK 11
34. Moonbabies - Don't ya know?

Not only did Ola reveal that he used to be a member of the Mercyful Fate fanclub, but it also looks like he'll be recording the next David & the Citizens record. Excellent!

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Yet another 'missing link' in the same vein as Neveres (see this post): http://www.myspace.com/neitheband
Per and Anders from Breach plus Patrik from Brick and Lars from The End Will Be Kicks. Picks up fairly close to where Brick left off I think. Look for their album "New agenda" to possibly be released this fall.

MP3: Neveres - Repent

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Seeing as how I had an interview published in Norrbottens-Kuriren earlier this week, I figured it would be fitting to feature another Luleå band besides the weekly Bear Quartet post. I'm not sure who Neveres is - my sources tell me that it's the old band for a few of the The End Will Be Kicks guys. Maybe Breach-related as well? It certainly sounds like it. Whoever it is, they aren't talking:

Thank you for showing an interest in the band, however I dont know who they are... I dont think anyone does... I heard that the album was written during a one-year drinking binch and recorded in the woods of northern Sweden sometime in 2003. It was supposed to be released by freedumbrecords but they never payed the sound engineer in full, so the album never got sent to the company.
The finished reording got lost somewhere along the way and all that is left is the rough mixes that are now available at neveres.cjb.net for free...
I hope this helps you and I hope you help to spread the word about the album.

I know I'm being lied to, but what can I do? Argue? Maybe someone will shed some light on the mystery in the comments. Otherwise, enjoy a track of excellent, noisy Norrland hardcore in a similar vein of the bands referenced above. If you like what you hear, go to the link to download the entire record for free.

MP3: Brick - Hole digger

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

I've done a Friday post on Brick before, but it's been about two years, so I think they're due for revisiting. They also work well as a precursor to our weekly Bear Quartet post as drummer Jejo Perkovic played with Brick before he joined BQ. Some folks might recognize frontman Patrik Instedt's maniacal vocals from the final Breach album "Kollapse", one of my all-time favorites. Patrik was also the man behind the camera for Logh's "A sunset panorama" DVD. However, before all that, he led Brick - Sweden's leading Jesus Lizard imitators. It pains me to say it as I love both bands, but the influence is obvious. Things is, many have attempted the same and failed, but Brick somehow pulls it off. The jagged rhythms, the jabbering, unintelligible vocals, even the slide guitar riff on the track I've posted today - all totally derivative, but done incredibly well. Too close for comfort for you? Just remember that a 1st rate Jesus Lizard clone is still about 1000x better than most of what Touch & Go puts out today.

Video mix: Minilogue, I'm From Barcelona, Breach, Nicolai Dunger, Anja Garbarek, more...

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800

The Concretes - On the radio (live)
This is The Concretes' last ever performance with Victoria, playing "On the radio" on Jonathan Ross' UK talk show. (ST)

Minilogue - Hitchhikers choice
Minilogue did the music, Kristofer of Ljudbilden & Piloten did the visuals. The sum total is fantastic. (AR)

The Hives - Live medley
After you watch this you need to run down to your local record shop and buy the originals. (PA)

Breach - Replenish the empty
Alright, the video is not that great but my god, listen to the song taken from the marvellous "It's me god"!! Breach was definitely one of Sweden's finest. Still hard to get over the split-up. (JA)

I'm From Barcelona - I'm from Paris
Emmanuel from I'm From Barcelona went to France to promote his band, but he wasn't able to get his (28) bandmates with him, so instead he got all the staff (cleaners, etc) at the French radio station to act as his choir. Watch the (interesting) result! (ST)

Nicolai Dunger - Hunger
The incredibly profilic Dunger isn't always on, but when he nails it, it's something remarkable. This track is one of those times. (AR)

Starmarket - Amber
Starmarket have never really gotten the attention they deserve. I guess this kind of indierock never appeals to a greater amount of people. It's a pity... (JA)

Anja Garbarek - I won't hurt you
You won't? I don't buy it. (AR)

.:Who's who?

PA: Per Apelqvist
JA: Jonas Appelqvist
AR: Avi Roig
ST: Simon Tagestam

Video mix: Alarma Man, At the Gates, The Bear Quartet, Kings of Convenience, Montt Mardié, more...

Thu, 10 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Entry #2 in our series highlighting some of Scandinavia's best video art. No theme, just good music with visuals to match.

Alarma Man - Bird
Great indierock from Göteborg! This song is from the "Duets" 12"-split with Knife and Ape. Influences from the TV-show "24" makes the video even more fun to watch! (JA)

Kristofer Åström - All lover's hell (live)
This song is what made me love his solo material, and seeing this stripped down performance is an example of how great this song is. (MG)

At the Gates - Blinded by fear
Not much of a video by one of Sweden's finest. Just the band playing in some sort of a warehouse with lights blinking off and on. But the sound and the aggression! This is music at its best! The girl with the welder is pretty cool in the video though, makes me think of the girl in the "will it float?"-segment on Letterman. (JA)

The Bear Quartet - Ask me don't axe me
A charming video starring drummer Jejo Perkovic (also known from bands such as Brick, Infinite Mass and Breach) in every role. In times like these when the European Championships in athletics are held here in Sweden, it's always nice to see that not all of us can be athletes. (JA)

The Cardigans - Lovefool
Nina never looked better than in this video. Why on earth did she decide to ditch her blonde barnet, and go brunette? Like The Cardigans' change in sound, such a move was commercial suicide. (NL)

Kings of Convenience - I'd rather dance with you
I saw this video on M2 a couple of summers ago, and then I was in the record store a week or so later with a friend from Moss, Norway and he was surprised I knew who they were. I bought the album and this band has never ceased to amaze on each listen. (MG)

Logh - The smoke will lead you home
A band that needs more appreciation I think! This, the new video, is directed by Johannes Winkler and was shot in Malmö a few blocks from where I'm sitting right now. You gotta love the atmospheric and epic sound of these fine guys! (JA)

Loveninjas - I'm really sorry (that I killed you)
This video is a piece of lo-fi film at it's finest, and the man in heart suit dancing is priceless. (MG)

Montt Mardié - High school drama
It looks like Moneybrother finally has some solid competition for the most souful Swede of the early twenty-first century, and his name is Montt Mardié. And what's better than a song involving drama, The Beatles and pregnancy? (MG)

Tiger Lou - The loyal
As always, when it comes to Rasmus Kellerman and his craftmanship, the videos are works of completion. Especially this one. A dark and weary one that brings out the gloomy feeling the song is about. And, as a fan of horror movies I really like the "The Evil Dead"/"Blair Witch Project"-references. It kinda creeps me out a bit. In a good way! (JA)

.:Who's who?

JA: Jonas Appelqvist
MG: Matt Giordano
NL: Nick Levine

Profile: Iisole

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Name: Iisole

From: Stockholm, Sweden

Sounds like: Melancholy post-hardcore. Not quite metal enough for doom, but definitely heavier than most indierock.

Listen: The words

Discography:
2006 - s/t EP (self-released)
2005 - s/t EP (self-released)

Links:
www.iisole.com
www.myspace.com/iisole

Iisole is a band that seems almost tailormade for my tastes. They have driving, noisy guitars like my mates KVLR, but they also indulge in gloomy post-rock ala Logh, another one of my most favorite acts. Seriously, it doesn't get much better than that in my book. So why are they still unsigned? It makes no sense. Explore the mystery!

Who are you and where are you from?

I am iisole. I consist of four individuals with their own agendas.
I try to make them move in the same direction, but most of the time they don't, just to piss me off.
I currently live in Stockholm but sometimes I need a break from the big city and then I go to small places that are surrounded by trees, mountains and weaponfactorys.

What makes you special and why should anyone care?

I got three nipples, a gay dad, a crooked nose and I´ve got a bastard child (love him). That's why.

The power of flight or invisibility - which do you choose and why?

I have to go with invisibility on this one. Then I could sneak on a plane and then I would both be flying and be invisible. And of course rob a bank, start a record label and hire a lot of important people to do all my dirty work.

Tell me about one of your favorite childhood memories.

I'm still a child.
- I was drunk on stage in Norway... "Norway sucks...buy a t-shirt". Never seen people shop away like that.
- When I stole my favourite drum beat...pi-zza ka-tong, ka-tong — ka-tong me pi-zza. That was a good one.
- When I got dismissed by a record label due to alleged attitude problems.
- When I performed in Umeå this dirty punk yelled out, during a slow part in a song, "play faster!". After the show I hated myself for not responding "dance slower".

What's your strongest vice?

Discovery channel, showers, drinking beer while showering, Russian literature, laziness, anything smokable, anything drinkable (green yellow), food magazines, Emmerdale, df, skunk.nu... and my own music.

Tell me about some of the other bands various Iisole members are involved with.

Vi - heavier and slower. (jhd)
Iskra - my ego, indiepop project. Started in a livingroom standard in minor. (Iisole members + a bunch more)
Deud - garagenoise duo (jhd, hmn)
Avsmak - gory horror hip-hop in swedish (iaeb)
Suffocate for Fuck Sake - Breach, Sigur Ros, Cult of Luna and Mogwai at the same time. (emm, jhd)

What does the future hold for Iisole?

Iisole will be appearing on a 12" compilation by Jezbel Recordings set to release in June. We will also appear in the June issue of a Swedish music magazine called Groove and have a song on their monthly cd.
We will do pretty much anything to get a record deal, it would be so fucking nice not having to burn our own cd's or pay for doing gigs.
Other than that, we'd like to play live as much as possible.
Om inget händer innan imorgon så kommer jag.

MP3: Deud - Fredag

Wed, 07 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

I mentioned Deud in passing when they first appeared on myspace, but I always worry that my little side comments go unnoticed. I knew the band was something special even after hearing just a few songs streamed online, so I immediately requested a copy of their demo "The man who was Sunday". Blessed be the miracle of the Internet, I had mp3s in my mailbox in less than 24 hours! That's modern magic right there! The music probably isn't for everyone, but I for one love their take on doomy post-hardcore. Think Breach, but way more drawn-out and atmospheric. It's not quite as dark and menacing as Khanate or Switchblade, but it's still mighty ruling and the track I've posted today is a definite highlight. The sound quality can be a bit rough (it is a demo after all), but the sounds they create overcome the technological limitations. Please note that you can download the whole damn demo at the aforementioned myspace link, but also be aware that I boosted the levels for this particular mp3 so it'll sound slightly different.

Wed, 03 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Satura Lanx will be heading out on their first European tour in June and the first batch of dates are now posted: http://www.saturalanx.com/home.php?page=shows
In other news, bassist Aleksi has left the band to concentrate on his other screamy hardcore act City of Breach (more City of Caterpillar than Breach).

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Check out some demo tracks from the new band Deud: http://www.myspace.com/deud
The sound quality is a bit rough, but they sound like Breach, so that's enough to make me happy.

Fri, 10 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

German webzine Creative-Eclipses interviews ex-Breach members Tomas Hallbom and Anders Ekström: http://www.creative-eclipse.com/
Breach is one of my all-time favorite bands, so it's very cool to catch up with what the band members are doing now since their 2002 breakup.

Fri, 09 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Netherlands-based label Garden of Exile Records has announced that it will be releasing a split 7" featuring Swedish metalcore act Burst and Germany's The Ocean with artwork from Seldon Hunt (Isis, Neurosis, Pelican). Burst contributes a slower, more experimental track entitled "Flight's end" and The Ocean's song will be called "Killing the flies" and will feature guest vocals from Tomas Hallbom of Breach (SWE) and Nate Newton from Converge. It comes out in mid-October.

Fri, 26 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Today's oldie classic comes from Him Kerosene, one of my all-time favorites. Seriously, this is the kind of stuff I live for: huge walls of discordant guitars, dissonant melodies and a heavy rhythm section. What more do you need? This is the post-hardcore/indierock sound that got me hooked on the Norrland scene. From early Fireside, Starmarket and Brick to other bands like KVLR, Breach, Convoj and Seven Feet Four (not from the North, I know), Him Kerosene helped define and establish what I consider to be my favorite sound. And let's not forget HK frontman Niklas Quintana's newest band The End Will Be Kicks, also featuring ex-HK drummer Tomas Turunen. Today's selection comes from the sadly out-of-print magnum opus "Start.Stop", first released back in 1997 on Telegram/Warner, but it must be said that all of their releases are brilliant and worth tracking down even if they aren't quite so readily available. It's worth it, trust me. You want to start a band that I'm enthusiastically endorse, here's your blueprint.

Interview: Peter Ahlqvist (Burning Heart Records)

Sat, 30 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Way back in mid-March I took a roadtrip with my friend Kelly down to LA for the Export Music Sweden Swedish Showcase. As has already been posted, I got the chance to sit down and talk with Anders from Moneybrother before the show. Well, I also got a chance to sit down with Peter Ahlqvist, big cheese for Burning Heart Records. And I do mean big, dude is like eight feet tall. Anyhow, we grabbed a table in the barroom while Deportees finished up their soundcheck nextdoor and had ourselves a little chat. Here's how it went:

(note: Kelly was mostly busy sending text messages to her fake boyfriend, but she does chime in towards the end)

Avi: So let start with congratulations on a #1 record.

Peter: Yeah, it's good! Actually had one before, but it was in Norway and doesn't really count the same way.

A: Oh? What #1 in Norway?

P: Turbonegro

A: Oh, right right.

P: Three weeks in a row or something. Big band over there.

A: Oh yeah and they have that new one coming out. That's probably going to be a big record...

P: I hope so. It's good. Better than the last one.

A: So how is Moneybrother doing now with that Kent record out? Is it still holding on?

P: No, uh (laughs). They released it the last day of the week because they wanted to have a #1 that first week and the next week. They said they sold like half a million records on the last one.

A: So like how people are there in Sweden and how many records?

P: It's great actually how big they are.

A: Right.

P: I'm not sure actually that that's just Sweden, I think that's Scandinavia total, but they're still big in Sweden. But it's good, we're happy we're #2 at least. So that's good, as good as it can get.

A: But still y'know, you look at the cover of Sonic and see Anders is on the cover and Kent is down a ways.

P: But still they are such a mainstream popular band.

A: I don't think they're quite the talk as much as...

P: But you like them personally?

A: I haven't heard the new one yet, but I thought the last one was kind of mediocre.

P: Uh huh, that's the biggest one of course. But I like some of the old stuff.

A: Oh yeah, me too. I mean, the last one isn't bad. I'm curious about the new one, but in no rush to hear it.

P: No, same here. (laughs)

A: So now that you have this big success, what's next? What are you working on?

P: We're always working on tons of records, not just big ones.

A: You're not just concentrating on the pop stuff?

P: No no, I think the majority of our bands are punk bands in one or another. There's always a punk angle to the bands we are signing. Even Anders was in punk bands and Monster. I think everyone has some punk thing going. We're doing Turbonegro, we're doing Millencolin, new Looptroop. And that's all coming out in spring.

A: Right, all pretty big records.

P: Yeah, all big. And then we have Lost Patrol Band and Club Killers which is a cool band. Have you heard of them?

A: I think I've heard the name.

P: It's basically three of the guys from Moneybrother. They're all here actually, but not the trumpet guy.

A: Oh, were they on the comp? That live track, that's right.

P: They are a live band who are like a project... they're a real band now. Basically they play a club in Stockholm - Debaser - every second week or every month. They play ska, rocksteady; only covers. And they have fifteen people in the lineup and then they invite a lot of guests like Håkan Hellström, someone from The Hellacopters, Sahara Hotnights, Weeping Willows, everything. They have guest vocalists for all the songs.

A: So that's what the recording's gonna be like?

P: Yeah yeah, totally. It's like Buena Vista Social Club, but more indie/ska and in Sweden. It's started to become pretty popular - they have some great festival gigs last summer. This will be the first release, live at the club. It was recorded live during several nights or whatever and then put together.

A: Is it all ready to go?

P: Yeah, it'll be out in May.

A: So actually will be appearing on it then? The people you mentioned already?

P: Yeah, Håkan Hellström, Magnus Carlsson, Maria from Sahara, some hip-hop guys, Moneybrother's on two tracks. Then they have their own singer which is a girl, Anna Maria EspinosaModer Jords Massiva.

A: Kind of the all-stars, eh?

P: Yeah, I hope they're gonna develop into a real band.

A: And actually tour and everything?

P: Uh-huh. And write their own stuff. Which they want to do, but I don't know if they can get the time because of Moneybrother.

A: Are they going to do any festivals this summer?

P: Yeah, but they are also subject to what they can do because of Moneybrother. The drummer is also from Weeping Willows, the horn section is from a lot of bands.

A: Of course Moneybrother will in-demand this summer I imagine.

P: Yeah, right. It's gonna be tough for them. It's an interesting thing and of course if Moneybrother plays a festival they might also play the same festival.

A: Yeah, as long as none of the other bands are doing anything else?

P: Yeah. So that's what we're releasing this spring. And we've got tons of new stuff in the autumn actually.

A: What else you working on?

P: Sara from INC, a new band called The Vicious. We're doing that. That's more the Dead Boys kind of punk-rock.

A: So not going back to like the Doughnuts metalcore thing?

P: (laughs) no no... So that's a good one. And then we have a band called The Accidents.

A: Oh yeah, I have their record.

P: Yeah, it's more rock n' roll.

A: Yeah, that's another kind of all-star band in some ways.

P: Yeah, but some of the band members are from Voice of a Generation who just broke up. So now they have the bassplayer from VOAG and it's totally his band.

A: So they're going full-out now? Not like a side-project?

P: Yeah, also because one of the guys from VOAG who left and split up the band - he works for Burning Heart. That's why he wanted to quit. And he's still in The Accidents as well, but he's only gonna be on the record. He's not gonna tour.

A: Right. Now what does he do at Burning Heart?

P: He's running the publishing. He works for the publishing company which is part of Burning Heart in a way.

A: Right.

P: It's a different company that does the publishing for Refused, The Hives, whatever, a tons of bands.

A: Yeah, it's a lot of work I would imagine.

P: It's a lot of work, so it's tough.

A: Right. So how do you go about discovering new bands then? Do you go out to a lot of shows? Demos?

P: It's not demos really, it's more recommendations and usually we sign bands that already have a reputation.

A: Yeah, all those bands seem to have people that are already established.

P: Yeah, and live shows - yeah, I go to live shows, but not that many. It's hard - I don't travel a lot. If there's a band I really want to see and want to sign, of course I go. Usually I hear about a band through others and then go to the show. But it's not often you see a band that blows you away.

A: Has that ever happened to you?

P: Yeah. In a way I see that sometimes. Like I saw Flogging Molly on the Warped Tour a couple years ago. I really liked that because I thought it was excellent live and then we licensed them for Europe. But otherwise, thinking about it - it's not often I see a band live and go wow, this is something I have to work with. It's more like I heard about the band and then I see them live.

A: So nobody out of the blue then?

P: Not really. Flogging Molly I would say is the only one.

A: Is that different from the way you used to do things when you first started the label?

P: Of course, that was more demos actually at the beginning. And we started to sign a few bands that developed into others or started new bands or people recommended.

A: Well and Fredrik Holgren might accuse you of stealing his bands.

P: Ahhh yeah, but he was not involved in doing that deal with Refused. But that's the way - it's hard in the beginning. We signed the demos for a lot of the bands like No Fun At All, Millencolin. I did the first Refused EP which was basically me and Fredrik had around the same time, but he - initially he had a deal with the band and then I put out the EP. But all these bands, the early bands Millencolin, 59 Times the Pain, Breach and so on, that was through demos. Lately, it's not the same way now. That was part of the punkrock, hardcore way. And that was what Burning Heart was at the beginning, sort of a more punkrock hardcore thing.

A: Do you consider yourself a different kind of label now?

P: In a way. It's a more established label. It's not the same way. We don't pick demos with bands, there's not the same amount of good new bands around. It's not the scene. It's not something happening at the moment that you can relate to in the same way. On the other hand, I mean, sometimes you hear stuff like I heard a demo from Regulations I wanted to do. I dunno if you're familiar with them?

A: I've heard the name.

P: It's punkrock basically. It's gonna come out on Dennis' own label. Dennis and Stefan from Randy are gonna put it out. And maybe hopefully I'll be able to work with it later on. Vicious also, but that was also because I know Sara was in the band. You always have something. In the beginning it was different. I think we are still the same kind of label, though we are more established and we can work with more bigger bands.

A: So you think the scene has changed then?

P: Totally.

A: Do you think the DIY thing isn't going quite as strong or?

P: It wasn't much of a DIY thing at that point. It was because everyone started their punkrock label, but no - I wouldn't say it's as strong these days. It's definitely not as strong as it was when Refused and all those bands came. Then there were a lot of smaller Swedish punkrock labels established. And they were all gone after a few years, but a lot of them started and managed to do some okay things. A lot of indie labels sold a lot of records. Today there aren't that many.

A: Why do think that is?

P: I think there was an over-establishment at some point, in a way. But now... I think there was a boom in the scene and something new that came with Offspring and Green Day that totally changed. The kids were totally into it and there was a lot of new things about snowboarding and skateboarding.

A: The pop-punk explosion?

P: Yeah, it was - and the hardcore explosion followed. It was the same kind of thing. But now I don't see the same explosion in any scene. Y'know, for many years we had a lot of Swedish bands that wanted to sound like the Hellacopters and Backyard Babies. A lot of new bands started with that. And then if you go into that, maybe you have your own scene in a way, but you don't start booking shows. You don't bring bands from... It's a different thing. When the punkrock thing came a lot of people did their own thing with bands. That is pretty much gone. I would say of course there are many left, but it was such a big thing back then. I don't see any Swedish bands like that. There are mostly indie ones and very few hardcore ones.

A: So what do think's gonna happen in the future? Where do you see it going?

P: I don't know. I've been doing punkrock since 1980 when I did my first fanzine. I've seen so many changes, but it's always - I think there will always a place for something like harder music or extreme music. I don't see it as going away, but I don't see anything happening now that I can say oh, that's gonna happen in two years or Labrador Records is gonna be huge or whatever. They're a label that's got some cool things going on, even though they don't sell that much.

A: Yeah, they're very well known. Even here in the States you hear a lot of people talking about them.

P: Yeah, but otherwise I don't see any hardcore coming back. I see a lot of punk bands coming up. A lot of the bands, especially up north and so on - a lot of people are going back to playing punkrock. Everyone plays in a punkrock... as opposed to hardcore, they play punkrock influenced by all the American hardcore like Black Flag or Circle Jerks and also early Swedish punk or early English punk or whatever. And then there's a lot of oi! bands. That scene is also happening in a way. You never know, maybe there will be something.

A: Have your tastes changed as you've gotten older? Are you still into that stuff and following it?

P: I think I listen to the same type of music now. I mean, you get a little bored with only listening to punkrock. I don't pick up tons of new records and fall in love with them, but every now and then something comes along that I really like. For me, I think I've heard most of the good punk. I think it's been done in the past. I think there's always some good bands. I try to pick up good new bands I hear on other labels every now and then, but really - I'm not that excited about it. I'm still excited if I put on Minor Threat or if I put on...

A: The classics?

P: The classics, totally! I still listen to old oi! and that stuff and of course all the hardcore as well, or maybe some Hatebreed or something like that, but I don't pick new hardcore angry bands or melodic skatepunk bands or whatever. It's just not interesting anymore. I mean, there's always good bands.

A: So what do you listen to then?

P: I listen to everything. It's a lot of punkrock, a lot of indie bands. I still buy a lot of records.

A: Name some names that you've been hearing

P: Isolation Years is a great band. I like a band like Anti-Flag. Once more, I don't listen to that much new stuff I don't think.

A: So are just listening to more like the oldies?

P: No, really I buy a lot of stuff, but I'm not that really...

A: Nothing's been too terribly exciting?

P: I like Bloc Party. It's good. I like Libertines a bit, but it's not the classics. I like the old bands. I'm into stuff I've heard before, like Radio Dept. - I rather listen to something old like Ride.

A: You'd rather listen to the original?

P: Yeah, in a way. But still, it's hard to say that. Yes, it sounds sad, but... I like Koma. You know them? I like that record.

A: Yeah, they're on my comp that I put out.

P: Great band. But I don't see anything special that I really, totally am devoted to. My main preference is old ska. I listen to a lot of old ska, but it's hard to get new stuff in that genre that is good.

A: So then let's switch gears here...

P: It sounds bad, I want to be able to say "ah, this band's fantastic." But of course it's hard to be excited about music. I tried to put out good new stuff, but I can't say that I have to check out the new electro-punk scene from this place. It's not like that. I'm not into a special genre. I try to stick with what I really like. Before I could maybe buy everything on Revelation or everything on this label, but it's not like that anymore.

A: Right. So you're bringing Moneybrother over to the States. Do you think you have a good chance of getting him a break over here?

P: I hope so. I don't know - it's so hard to say. From a business point of view, I think he's a great artist and if people saw him live I'm sure he would be enormous. He's a great live act. You never know how things will work out in the US. There's already a lot of interest. If that's real interest, I don't know. I hope people check him out.

A: Are you hearing it from industry people or from like, the streets?

P: I would say only industry people so far because we haven't really done anything on the street market. He's such a new artist. I mean, it's only happening in Sweden. A few people know about Burning Heart, but maybe it's a bit out of the... it's a little bit different from what we used to put out so maybe, our original audience maybe doesn't...

A: Well you're not going to be licensing it to Epitaph then I guess?

P: No, I don't think so, but you never know. They're here, they're gonna listen. It could be something for Anti, but they usually only work with established artists. I don't want to say it - I hope it's going to work in the US. I can't say this is an American-style artist or this is something that will definitely go down in the US, but at the same time, no one thought that The Hives would work in the US and no one thought that this and this band would work in the US. It's all a matter of timing or whatever happens.

A: Are you really pushing on it? Do you think it's worth it?

P: We're over here, so yeah. We're trying to get something going. It's so hard to get things established in the US, it's such a big market. But I think every Swedish artist, since we are such a small country and only have a home market of 9 million people; every Swedish artist wants to go here. They sing in English because they have to to get over here and go to England and make it. We'll see. We're not depending on it. Of course it's everyone's dream to make it in the US somehow.

A: So, anyone else on Burning Heart you thinking of maybe bringing over? Or that you would like to?

P: Yeah. Of course Millencolin is doing their thing.

A: Well they're doing the Warped Tour this summer right?

P: Yeah, they're doing their thing. It's been running for what, 10 years or whatever. And Turbonegro is probably gonna come over and tour a lot more on this record. They are more, um, in-shape these days. (laughter)

Kelly: So they won't be so hard to look at?

(laughter)

P: Hank?

K: I don't know - it was just a naked man with a big bushy mustache was on my living room wall.

P: Yeah, that's Hank. Actually, on the new CD there's an extra added DVD with a workout video with Hank. So he's fit now.

(more laughter)

K: That's hilarious! Does he have a lot of enthusiasm like Jane Fonda on his workout tape?

P: No... I mean, I don't know if it's even funny, but it's cool to have it. (laughs) I would say that people who train for real will go "Oooh, he doesn't do anything right." It isn't exactly strict and all that stuff, so we'll see.

A: Yeah, I remember when Turbonegro played at Punx With Presses... that must've been like '96 or '97. That was ages ago.

K: I vaguely remember.

A: I remember when they came through and was like "Turbonegro? That's a funny band name." I missed the show, stupidly. Everyone else the next day was like "You missed the best show ever!"

P: It's a funny band. They were supposed to called - they changed it after a week of something- their first name was Nazi Penis. They took Turbonegro instead.

K: Flaccid penis?

A&P: Nazi.

K: Anyway...

P: Yeah, it's a funny band. But they are going to tour.

A: So you think there's a good future for importing bands over?

P: It's tough of course because of the cost of touring and of course bands, if really want to make it in the US they have to dedicate a lot of time. A lot of the bands that old don't have that time. They have their families. But we trying some newer bands that I really hope we can do more - we're signing a lot of "baby bands", younger bands. Hopefully we can get them over here. At the same time they need to develop in Europe as well. It's more important for us to have them touring in Europe than to come over here.

A: Have you ever thought of establishing a Burning Heart office in another country?

P: Not in the US. We were thinking of it before when we started to work with Epitaph. They were some plans to maybe have someone work for Burning Heart, but it hasn't really turned out that way. We haven't really pushed it either because it demands a lot of work.

A: Would it worthwhile for the benefits you'd get out of it?

P: Not now, if it was done five, six years ago maybe it would've been something. But then you would've needed some person who's really working it over here. We have an office in Germany. It's just one person actually, but he does the markteting and promotion there. We tried to sign a German band, but it was failed in the very last minute. They were on a label and their manager had the label and then he was picked up by Roadrunner, the whole label.

A: Which band was that?

P: Days in Grief. Has a bit of a Refused thing going, but more melodic maybe. At the Drive In, Refused with more melody.

A: So are there other bands outside of Scandinavia that you've thought about picking up?

P: We're talking to a band called Hell Is For Heroes.

A: Aren't they from New York?

P: No, they're English. They used to be on EMI in the UK. They sold a lot of records over there, but now they left EMI and want to do more of a Dischord thing on their own.

A: Oh, they're starting their own label then?

P: In the UK. They put it out in the UK, but then we're going to come along and do it for the rest of the world.

A: So you're going to license it not just for Scandinavia, but for everywhere?

P: For everywhere. And on the next record we're probably doing to do everything, even the UK. They are more of a post-hardcore, Fugazi/Refused/emo, but it has both the old and the new in there somehow. That's a band we really think is good and we're going to try to work hard and also try to get over here.

A: You've never limited yourself to local bands?

P: No, but still - the majority - it so much easier to be closer to your band. We try to sign American bands amd license American bands to do them over in Europe. but most of the time it's hard because they only want to sign for one album. They want to have a major deal over here and then we are out of the picture. So they say "You can only do one record."

A: Who have you been interested in?

P: Well we did Flogging Molly and then they started their own label. We only did one record and we wanted to work with them more and then they did their own, their label here started up in Europe and so they got a very good deal. We did Midtown. We did Give Up the Ghost, but they broke up.

A: Yeah, I do remember that. They broke up like right before they were supposed to tour?

P: Yeah, their second. What else? We still do Samiam.

A: I forget that they're still around. Living in the Bay Area, that's a band I grew up with.

P: They're actually in Europe now on a tour.

A: They do pretty well over there I'd imagine?

P: I don't know - it's been three or four years. I hope it's good, but the last record didn't do as good as the others. I think if they could do a another great new record I think they could do pretty okay because there was a lot of excitement for the tour.

A: Yeah, it's strange because over here, Samiam are hasbeens. (to Kelly) Would everyone even show up if they played you think? Do you remember them?

K: I remember them from like 10 years ago, but I haven't heard anything. I think that people would go.

A: I dunno. It's hard to say.

P: It's hard, I understand. They've done some really good records.

K: I feel like their records are always in people's record collections.

A: I see them along the same lines as J-Church - they're a band that people kind of don't really appreciate, but they persist. And they keep going and people go "Oh? Is that band still around?"

P: Yeah, maybe here. In Germany...

A: Yeah, that whole genre just seems to do a lot better in Germany.

P: Yeah yeah, but they were too early with that stuff. They're too old. If they were a little bit younger and nicer looking they would be really...

A: That is true. They aren't necessarily posterboys.

P: Yeah (laughs)

Mon, 27 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700

At the risk of total bandwidth overload, I've added a crapload of new mp3s added today including something from one of my longtime favorites, Swedish industrial act Sanctum. Four more Kristofer Åström live tracks as well. Also, as I was so nicely informed by ex-drummer Janne Westerberg, those live Breach tracks are actually from 1997, not 1998 as they were originally labelled.

Fri, 20 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700

The last two Breach tracks from that live set are now up. As said before, they've been one of my favorite bands for a long time so I encourage you to check 'em out. If anyone else has any other live stuff from them, please please pass it along. I'd love to hear it.

Tue, 17 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700

New live tracks today from one of my all-time favorite bands Breach. They started out as a relatively run-of-the-mill hardcore band, but eventually evolved and mutated into something totally unique, culminating with the brilliant final album "Kollapse" in 2001. This recording is from just after the release of "It's me god" which marked the turning point in the band's career as they expanded their sound and discovered their own niche. First three tracks are up today, the rest will soon follow.

Top ten: First half 2004

Wed, 23 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700

The summer is here and the solstice has passed, leaving us smack dab in the middle of the calendar. 'Bout time we took a look back, right? Back at the beginning of 2004 I declared it to be the year of the singer/songwriter and whaddya know - they make up the majority of the lists you're about to read. Lists? As in plural? Yup, while I count up my top album picks for the year so far (+ one EP), colleague Jim Kelly of Parasol chimes in with his top EP picks. So let's get to it! In no particular order...

Avi's top 10 albums of the year so far:

01. Sophie Zelmani - Love affair (Columbia)
Okay, so this technically came out in the final week of 2003, but as far as I'm concerned, it might as well be from 2004. Who the heck puts out a new album at that time anyways? Regardless of release date, it's a great record - quiet and understated and full of sweetness and beauty. It never quite whallops you over the head with it's positive qualities either, rather it slowly unfurls them like tentacles, slithering them into your brain.

02. David Sandström - The dominant need of the needy is to be needed (Mofab Teg)
Part of this album's appeal lies in its element of surprise. It's nothing like any of David's previous work with Refused and it really isn't much like his first solo album either. In no way did I expect something as folky as this. We're talking clever lyrics and good songs, the kind of stuff you can imagine playing around a campfire. A solid piece of work the whole way through.

03. Kristofer Åström - Loupita (Startracks)
Kristofer's last couple EP releases were good, but I was definitely not ready for how amazing "Loupita" is. I can't quite put my finger on what makes it so special though. Is it Mattias Friberg's (Logh) production? Britta Persson's guest vocals? The song selection themselves? I'm not sure, but the end result is amazing. I have no doubt that this will remain as one of my favorite albums for the entire year.

04. Tiger Lou - Is my head still on? (Startracks)
Startracks scores with yet another up-and-coming singer/songwriter. Tiger's earlier EPs never completely blew me away, but then I saw him live and was mightily impressed. Only then was I able to go back and listen to the older stuff with newfound appreciation. Something about hearing him play solo made me better understand what he was was about. Then this debut full-length came out and knocked me slack-jawed. The talent that was only hinted at from before finally became realized. Everything about him was stepped up a notch, be it the songwriting, the playing or the vocals. If he continues on like this, I think it's just the first step of what could be quite a career.

05. Sivert Høyem - Ladies and gentlemen of the opposition (EMI Norway)
With this record, Sivert faced the difficult job of distinguishing himself as a solo performer apart from his main act Madrugada. With a voice as distinctive as his, that's no easy task. But you know what? He succeeds, even outdoing that other band's more recent work. The mood is lighter and the songwriting is breezier and I think the excitement of doing something a bit different shines through. One can't wallow in gloom all the time, y'know. And that's not to say it's all sunshine either, there's still plenty of emotional depth, it's just conveyed differently. I knew I liked this record as soon as I first heard it, but it's getting even better with repeated listens. End-of-year contender? Yep.

06. The End Will Be Kicks - If you see them tell them I love them EP (Chalksounds)
As yes, my one EP pick of the lot. Niklas Quintana from Him Kerosene/Breach strikes back with a new band and kicks out the motherfucking jams. We're talking about huge intertwining guitar melodies, all done in Niklas' distinctive and unique style. Can I say best debut of 2004? My only complaint: it's only four songs long. More!

07. C.Aarmé - s/t (Burning Heart/Carcrash/Epitaph)
This album is simply vicious. Never once do they let up the full-throttle attack, from the moment they start to the very bitter end. So amazingly tight and energetic. I'm glad Epitaph had the good sense to license this for a US release as hopefully that means I'll get a chance to see 'em play live on these shores. Make it happen, dammit! Just don't send 'em out on a lame package tour. I'd feel bad for other sorry bands that'll be forced to follow them on stage night after night.

08. Koma - Tsunami (Black Star Foundation/Fullsteam Records)
I feel like a broken record I've said it so many times already, but this record truly surprised me. At first I was just like "meh, more mid-tempo heavy melodic rock - I guess the Ozzfest crowd is still into this stuff," but then I made myself go back for repeated listens and was justly rewarded. This is good stuff: epic riffs, melodic vocals, good melodies, huge choruses and plenty of true heaviness. It's amazing that so many bands try to do this stuff (ahem, see anything recent from Roadrunner Records) and fail so miserably, but goshdarnit, Koma figured it out.

09. Marit Bergman - Baby dry your eye (BMG)
Marit creates perfect pop albums. She's got heartfelt ballads, goofy pop singalongs and everything in between. As always, a lot of her appeal for me lies in her straightforward accessibility and simplicity. There is just something so basic, honest, sweet and heartfelt about her. I'd even go as far to say there's something timeless about her. It's the kind of pop music that transcends the era in which it's created, as the sentiments and ideas are the sorts of things that will never sound dated. But is it a classic? Let's talk in another few years.

10. KVLR - s/t (Stickman/It's a trap!)
If I didn't love this album so much, I wouldn't have put it out. Simple as that. Just like TEWBK, it's got everything I look for in the music I love: loud guitars, complex, yet delicate melodies, and pounding drums. Perfect.

Jim's top 10 EPs of the year so far:

01. Jens Lekman - Maples Leaves EP (Secretly Canadian/Service)
02. Jens Lekman - Rocky Dennis EP (Secretly Canadian/Service)
Twenty-two-year-old wunderkind songwriter Jens Lekman, the artist formerly known as Rocky Dennis, is the Swedish Scott Walker, the Scandinavian Morrissey, a Nordic Stephin Merritt, and the Arctic's very own Divine Comedy... Lusciously lofi orchestral pop bliss combines late-60's soft pop, lotsa piano, sampled beats and a sweet voice full of camp and heartbreaking melancholy and distinctive turns of phrase, morose to the point of paralysis or catharsis he hasn't sorted out which.

03. Eskju Divine - Darkness All Around EP (Imperial Recordings)
Debut of melodramatic pop otherworldliness from Eskju Divine, who have chosen to eschew guitar and focus on piano, bass and drums. That said you will not believe the heights of anthemic grandeur the band can attain without the axe. Names are being dropped like Coldplay, Ben Folds, and even classic U2, along with being likened to 70s symphonic pop, but that doesn't begin to explain the overwhelming, incandescence beauty of ED's massive, melodious soundscapes balanced with timeless pop and beautiful voices, ambitious arrangements clothed in sweltering reverb. Out of all these EPs this is the strongest and most enticing, as I suspect the album will be even huger.

04. José González - Stay In The Shade EP (Imperial Recordings)
The newest EP from acclaimed Swedish/Argentine minstrel whose debut album, "Veneer", garnered José comparisons to Nick Drake, Mark Kozelek, Elliott Smith, and Father & Son Buckley. "Stay In The Shade" is taken from "Veneer", while the two new songs, "Down The Hillside" and "Sensing Owls" are among his very best tunes to date. Also included is a lovely cover of Kylie Minogue's "Hand On Your Heart" and a long lush instrumental. José's a total genius, there's no getting around it.

05. Pete Thompson - Self-Titled EP (Johnny Brattom)
Starkly psychedelic Nordic folkrock masquerading as melancholy Americana? Like British soft-popper John Cunningham with a Neil Young infatuation, Pete's voice is warm like the sun, blazing in fact, and backed strummy acoustic guitars and luminous harmonies. The highlight here is the simply described "Folk Song", with it's muted accordion lead and gloriously subdued falsetto harmonies on the chorus. This one is all about moonlight.

06. Rundfunk - Kings & Queens EP (A Westside Fabrication)
Stockholm's Rundfunk offers dizzying electro-pop and technofunk grooves bombarded with squiggly synths and guitar, shaded with hip-hop, house, Latin and 70s AM radio pop. The single "Kings & Queens" is a singalong psychedelic pomp-romp, rivaling the Elephant 6 and Kindercopre rosters for sheer opiate-ability, and kitchensinkness, plus there's even a bagpipe solo. Encompasses everything from Stones Roses to Pet Shop Boys to Avalanches to Magnetic Fields, with a mood-enhancing beatboxing loosey-goosey-ness.

07. Hip Whips - s/t EP (Dubious/S56)
Incredible debut from Scandinavian soul-pop-rock outfit Hip Whips, an organ-saturated riot! Songs range from pulse-racing rave-ups to eyelash-fluttering ballads to languid, luminous psychedelia? What propels The Hip Whips is The Holy Spirit of Rock 'n' Roll and Blue-Eyed Soul burning incandescently within the heart of mainman Markus Lindmark. Lindmark sings, possessed by phantoms of eras long past and kicks the Hammond organ-overdrive (actually a huge old wooden Korg) so hard you can hear the beast's veneers creaking and wheezing. while the rhythm section artfully swaggers or strolls, depending on their mood. Think Spencer Davis Group, ? And The Mysterians, The Stones, Procol Harum, Van Morrison. But what really sets Hip Whips apart is the most loving homage to late sixties recording values (or lack thereof?). It is such a freakin' timewarp, it is so very very very 1967 that it does not even qualify as "retro". A seance of classic rock, soul, and pop. Probably this came out in 2003, but new to me in 2004, and more likely qualifies as a mini-album with 9 tracks, although a couple are lovely little between-song interludes. But who cares?

08. Eric Beyond - Step Off EP (Flora & Fauna/Idiotwind)
Sir Eric Beyond redefines twee. Known as The Most Sensitive Guy In Stockholm, an eccentric singer-songwriter-nature-lover from Stockholm, has finally released his debut EP. Upon first listen there's no doubt Eric deserves the title. The four songs feature Eric's meek and moving, teensy tiny popsongs sung in his exquisitely squeaky falsetto (Beyond, indeed)? EP features guest appearances from Nina Persson (The Cardigans) and Ludvig Rylander (The Concretes, The Chrysler, Moder Jords Massiva), among others. The title track's chorus features one of the best listener double-takes of all time! Old highschool pal Nina Persson joins Eric for a duet on "Prom Night" and I had no idea Nina could sing so high! Or is that Eric?

09. David & The Citizens - Bill Chill EP (Adrian Recordings)
Bear Quartet vocalist Mattias Alkberg joins David & The Citizens for this brand new tune, "Big Chill", a guitar-pop romp with a rollicking punk edge. A great way for BQ fans to check out D+TC and vice versa. A mutual appreciation society might result. The EP also features an alternate version of "Let's Not Fall Apart" (with pal Sara Culler on background vocals), plus two exclusive tunes, both rather Belle & Sebastian-esque: "Everything You'll Never See" employs a dramatic trumpet while "Kellerman's Song" gently weeps. One of Sweden's best pop bands? Nifty fold out poster sleeve.

10. Monkeystrikes - Angry Knees EP (Planekonomi)
Simmering guitar-rock with a defiantly sultry swing from Stockholm's Monkeystrikes, like Blondie meets Babes In Toyland meets Bikini Kill, with some extremely feverish production. Monkeystrikes feature former members of The Souls, including vocalist-guitarist Cecelia Nordlund, who unveils an intensity bordering on immolation, what with her smoldering riffs and vocal pyrotechnics. For fans of high-octane action like Sahara Hotnights, the searing sensuality of The Cardigans, and fiery Pixies-styled riff-and-lick-blasts? "Lost On The Lawn" is my favorite here, and it, in keeping with the theme of heat and combustion, just explodes. Beautifully designed digipak...orange.

Streaming playlist: Instrumental

Sat, 05 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700

DATE ADDED : 06.05.04
LAUNCH : [stream no longer available]

01. Esbjorn Svensson Trio - In my garage
02. Pan Sonic - Rähinä II / Mayhem II
03. Dialog Cet - Crocodile hunt
04. Jan Johansson - Visa från Rättvik
05. Supersilent - 6.1
06. Kristofer Åström - Loupita #1
07. Rotoscope - Cooks whip, music goes on
08. Breach - Kill the sun
09. Ellis the Vacuumchild - Summershitty
10. Magyar Posse - Witchcraft
11. Tord Gustavsen Trio - Graceful touch
12. Alog - St. Paul sessions II
13. Motorpsycho + Jaga Jazzist Horns - Doffen ah um

Interview: Niklas Quintana/The End Will Be Kicks

Thu, 29 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0700

As soon as I heard that Niklas Quintana had a new band going, I was stoked. Having been a huge fan of both Him Kerosene and Breach, I couldn't wait to hear what he'd do next. And of course, I was not let down. The new "If you see them tell them I love them" MCD on Chalksounds is brilliant. So it's with great pleasure that I was able to have Niklas answer me a few quick questions via email. Here goes...

01. It's been awhile since Him Kerosene and Breach ended. What have you been doing since then? Did you spend a lot of time between projects or did you always have new music being worked on?
Tomas Turunen have been working on an album with a band called Neveres which also includes our guitarist Lasse Holmberg. I just to a break from music after we decided to kill both HK and Breach.

02. How did everyone in TEWBK come together?
I've been playing with Tomas in both HK and Breach and I, Lasse and Emil Sandsten (bass) shared a flat in Stockholm for a while. Since not one of us was playing at the time, we started to rehearse just for fun. It came out really good and we decided to record some songs.

03. How did you come up with the band's sound?
It's something that came naturally. Kind of a mix of everything we like to listen to.

04. Tell me about the new record. How do you think people will react to it? How do you want them to react?
Hopefully people will react the same way we do when we listen to it. we love it. There's a lot of 80's style music out at the moment so maybe some people will think we're out of style, but we couldn't care less. This is the kind of music we love.

05. How has the response been for the live shows you've done?
We've only done like four shows so far but I think the response has been good taking in count that nothing had been released at the time. Also we've been blessed with a lot of good friends that have helped to fill the floors.

06. How'd you guys hook up with Chalksounds?
We've been friends with Magnus for a long time and he also released the Him Kerosene EP "no mend no repair".

07. You've been playing in bands for quite some time. Any important lessons that you learned along the way?
We're still idiots. Maybe not as a naive as we once were.

08. Any advice for up-and-coming musicians you'd like to pass along?
I dont think we've ever done anything right so we're not the ones to ask. but a lesson learned is to not trust people in the music biz. A classic. Do what you do for yourself and people who like music.

09. What kind of stuff have you been listening to recently? Any recommendations?
There's a lot of good music out there so this is hard. The list could go on forever. personally I'm in a period where I listen to a lot of older stuff like Valentine and Sonic Youth. And of course Blonde Redhead, Interpol, Riddle of Steel, Radiohead, The Smiths, The Cure, Johnny Cash, Morbid Angel, The Bear Quartet, Pixies, Aphex Twin and loads of other stuff. Also there's a new swedish band called C.Aarmé that really great. This is always a fun question to answer.

10. What's next? Tell me about your plans for the future.
We are doing a few festivals this summer and writing and recording as much as we can for the forthcoming album.

Thu, 25 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Chalksounds is starting to take pre-orders on the debut release from The End Will Be Kicks, the new band from Niklas Quintana (ex-Breach, Him Kerosene). I shouldn't have to tell you, but of course it's awesome. 4 tracks, 1000 copies. Act now: http://www.chalksounds.com/
Audio samples on the pop-up window.

Mon, 01 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

The End Will Be Kicks, the new band from Niklas Quintana of Him Kerosene/Breach fame, will release their debut 4-song single on April 12 via Chalksounds. If the one song I already heard is any indication, it's gonna be a monster. Full length drops in the fall, samples and artwork coming soon.

Mon, 26 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800

I do believe that I can now confirm that Chalksounds has signed The End Will Be Kicks, the new band from guitarist/vocalist Niklas Quintana of Him Kerosene and Breach fame. The band also features drummer Tomas Turonen from both those acts and we can be sure to expect great things from them. The one demo track I've heard already of "Lucifer Over Luleå" is pretty great and definitely follows strongly in the classic Him Kerosene tradition of Norrland-flavored indierock that I love. More info soon.

Wed, 15 Oct 2003 00:00:00 -0700

And the Sound has let the cat out of the bag about the new Chalksounds signee KO, the new band from ex-Him Kerosene frontman and ex-Breach guitarist Niklas Quintana. Well, it turns out to not be completely true as the band doesn't have a name yet and they're still working out details for the contract. However, I did heard a rough mix of a track without vocals and I can confirm that the sound is more akin to earlier HK material in that it's faster and much more rockin' than their later stuff. That part is true and confirmed. Classic Norrland-style indie rock, so you know I'm diggin' it and can't wait to hear the album when it's done.

Wed, 04 Dec 2002 00:00:00 -0800

I encoded Kristofer Åström's performance from the Crossing Borders fest (see 12/03) into mp3s. They sound pretty darn good, too. Check it out on the right.

Cult of Luna's new album "The Beyond" will be released February 10 on Earache Records. Fans of bands such as Breach or Neurosis should take note.

Opeth has an audio feature on the New York Times website. It requires you register before listening, but it's free and a good listen. Check it.

Listen to some mp3s from Philemon Arthur & the Dung, er "and the Vic", that were done using a Commodore 64 right here.

Lars Winnerbäck is working on a new album. The tentative tile is "Söndermarken" and it should be out March 3. He's also confirmed to do some touring around Scandinavia beginning late March and I do believe that tickets will be on sale soon.

The Finnish black metal/folk band Finntroll is in the process of recording a new EP for release in the spring next year. The music is apparently more "acoustic/experimental" and they describe one of the already-completed tracks as "a bit like what happens if you crossbreed Midgårds Söner, Bal-Sagoth and Danny Elfman's various works." They go on further to say that there are "some surprises coming up, maybe some Oi!-influences and more evil and more 'disturbed' stuff." As for the search to replace their departed vocalist Katla, they added:

Whatever happens concerning the studio, one thing is for sure: Katla will take care of every single lyric and song title on the album. We are trying some new fellows, and may actually have already decided who it will be, but I can't give any proper information until we all have agreed about it. Most likely Katla won't sing in the album, and thus we have two alternatives left: Either we find a suitable, non-compromising (no second-rate trolls approved!) brutal, trollish and evil vocalist.....or then we do the screeching and roaring by all of the members left. How we do that on stage then, is another and a very good question indeed. However, most likely a new vocalist will step in."

Dan Swanö will be holding a listening party and online chat for his band Nightingale on December 8 from 6 to 8pm Eastern Time. They will be playing the entire new album "Alive Again" along with various selections from Swanö's vast ouvere. To listen go to http://www.seismicradio.com/ and click the 'listen' tab. To join the chat, either click the 'chat' button on the site or log onto IRC using server irc.forestnet.org, port 6667, room #seismic.