For most folks, the band Cobolt is, at best, a forgotten footnote from the Umeå music scene of yore. For nerds like me who pursued every thread until exhausted, they were a revelation, an eye-opening glimpse into the vast and varied expanse of the Norrland music scene in a post-Refused world. And now, at long last, Refused bassist Magnus Björklund has posted his old band's final unreleased recordings for public consumption. I've had semi-illicit copies of a number of these tracks for many years now and am glad they are finally getting a proper chance to find an audience -- very recommended!

08/22 - Ogden Theater, Denver, CO
08/28 - Paramount Theater, Seattle, WA w/Sleigh Bells
08/29 - Roseland Theater, Portland, OR w/Sleigh Bells
08/31 - Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, CA w/Sleigh Bells

I'll gladly accept an invite to the Seattle or Portland show, should one be forthcoming.

Refused cover Sick of It All with help from Lou Koller live in NYC.

Full audio of Refused's live set from Coachella: part 1 / part 2

As hinted at the other day, Refused played another "secret" gig of sorts this past weekend at Debaser Medis in Stockholm and course there's plenty of footage online for everyone who missed it.

07/15 - Masquerade Music Park, Atlanta, GA
07/16 - The Fillmore, Silver Spring, MD
07/18 - Williamsburg Waterfront, New York, NY
07/19 - Riot Fest East, Philadelphia, PA
07/20 - House of Blues, Boston, MA
07/21 - Metropolis, Montreal, Canada
07/22 - Sound Academy, Toronto, Canada
07/23 - Sound Academy, Toronto, Canada
07/25 - Royal Oak Music Theater, Royal Oak, MI
07/26 - Congress Theater, Chicago, IL

I also understand that they'll be playing another "secret" show somewhere in Sweden this weekend, but my lips are sealed.

Tour doc: José Saxlund (ex-Abhinanda, Out of Vogue) and Fredrik Holmgren (Startracks) travel from Stockholm to Umeå for Refused's secret reunion warmup gig. Many misspelled English subtitles are provided for the Swedish illiterate.

I know the Refused reunion has everyone's attention n' all, but howabout a trio of Umeå Hard Core classics backed by Hårda Tider?

Christoffer "138" Röstlund reports back from Refused's hometown reunion gig in Umeå last night: http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/musik/rockbjornen/article14453693.ab (in English!)
More here: http://www.aftonbladet.se/webbtv/noje/musik/article14455592.ab

Per-Sinding Larsen of PSL interviewing Dennis Lyxzén about his plans to write an autobiography on his years with Refused, complete with English subtitles. Tack SVT!

Kind of weird to watch this video without actually hearing Refused, but it does bridge the gap between Dyno and Closer. I dig it! Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UrEQGuOlSU

David Sandström (Refused, Final Exit, AC4) and Igor Calavera (Mixhell, ex-Sepultura) jamming out at Scharinska in Umeå on May Day. Not the best quality, but still makes me wish I could've been there.

Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze8a_7lTTQ8

"Social Suicide have a great single out on our label. Their melodic hardcore is in the vein of Refused, Some Girls and JR Ewing. They did a shockingly great show, and are definitely growing in my book. But then again, I'm really biased! Check them out on myspace.

The best shows I caught at By:Larm included Kitschy Kitschy Ki-Me-O, a band consisting of members of three known bands to us Norwegians, of which Madrugada is the one you've maybe heard of. I don't know what sparked your mind when you heard the name, but if you thought Quentin Tarantino, you're getting close. It's basically what Black Rebel Motorcycle Club were trying to do with their latest albums, but never quite did. Catchy, riff-laden desert rock infused with gospel, Ennio Morricone background vocals (the soprano version of a theremin). Maybe my new favorite band, if they make records that can match up to that performance. They don't have a myspace I'm afraid, so you're going to have to take my word for it. Their website on the other hand is: www.kitchiekitchiekimeo.com

Another outstanding show was Susanne Sundfør. I've followed her ever since I heard her playing solo with her piano. Solo performances can be dull, but when you have a divine voice unlike any other, and songs in the vein of Radiohead and Björk, the aforementioned is no problem for you. When I heard rumours of her working with Jaga Jazzist's Lars Horntvedt I was pleased, and eagerly anticipating the new material. I was not disappointed, as they had not thought radio hits, they had not thought solely on minimalism, or maximalism for that matter; the concert was a beautiful mesh of electronic beats, string samples, her Rhodes piano, synthesizers, Lars' horns and steel guitars and luscious harmonies by the background vocalists. In the center, always, is Susanne's voice in all its glory. You'll know what I mean when you listen to the track "The brothel" on myspace [or here for our own coverage -Ed.]

My last tip has to be Leif & The Future, which I play the bass in. We released the track "Let you go", which now is on heavy rotation on the radio. It's 80's pop like old U2, Duran Duran, [and] Talk Talk in sweet harmony with Krautrock..."

Interview by Sophy Grimshaw

So with a rather large grain of salt, let me present to you It's a Trap's 2008 top albums of the year.
- Avi Roig

10. Siena Root - Far from the sun (Transubstans)
Graveyard and Witchcraft get all the acclaim, but Siena Root is the better band.

09. Nitad - Ibland kan man inte hindras sig själv (Kranium/Deranged)
Fucked Up, another band who put out one of 2008's best releases ("The chemistry of commmon life"), have moved far beyond the realms of hardcore. Nitad have stepped up to take their place.

08. Park Hotell - Free for friends (Ultra Radio Records/BD Pop)
I can't stand Morissey, yet somehow some Swedish acts are able to take his influence and turn it into something wonderful. If only more indiepop bands were as good as Park Hotell.

07. Katzenjammer - Le pop (Propeller Recordings)
I fully expected Detektivbyrån to be my favorite folk-crossover act, but these ladies from Norway snuck in ahead of them.

06. Hello Saferide - More modern short stories from Hello Saferide (Razzia)
Even better than I hoped. The perfect follow-up to the first album.

05. Johan Heltne - Vetenskapliga bevis för att Jesus lever (Raffaella)
A beautiful and beguiling album. So weird and mysterious, so absolutely entrancing.

04. Montys Loco - Farewell Mr Happy (NONS)
Of all the bands on my list, these ladies are the only ones to truly create something new and unique sounding. Sweden's most consistently underrated and underappreciated band.

03. Haust - Ride the relapse (Fysisk Format)
If there's a more pissed-off, evil sounding album in 2008, I haven't heard it.

02. Lukestar - Lake Toba (Phone Me Records)
A full year later and I still love this album just as much when it first came out.

01. The Goner - H-Trilogy: Hind hand, Hallartrallar, Haven (Svarta Markaden)
I realize it's pretty lame to put a series of limited cult releases at #1, yet no other artist this year has intrigued me as much as The Goner. "Hind hand" blew me away when I first heard it, the following two were even better.

Jonas Appelqvist

10. Wildbirds & Peacedrums - The Snake (Caprice Records)
This headstrong indie duo got me convinced at a festival gig this summer. And when I heard "The snake" for the first time I was hooked. It's that good.

09. Frida Hyvönen - Silence is wild (Licking Fingers)
Frida goes from strength to strength and with this album she has established her status as one of the finest songwriters in Sweden right now. Don't believe me? I dare you, listen to "Dirty dancing" and you'll know what I'm talking about.

08. Paper - An object (Novoton)
A homage to Suicide, Joy Division and monotonous kraut rock. The mix between The Bear Quartet and Audionom is a win-win. Literally.

07. Satyricon - The age of Nero (Roadrunner)
With massive walls of sound this Norwegian old school combo decided to continue to piss off black metal fans that claim they're not "true" anymore. Hell, when it sounds this good, I couldn't care less.

06. David Sandström Overdrive - Pigs lose (Razzia)
David Sandström and Oskar Sandlund went into the studio and came out with an astounding album only surpassed by early career move Refused.

05. Lack - Saturate every atom (Play/Rec)
2008 turned out to be the year of resignation for Lack. At least they got to resign at the peak of their career; "Saturate every atom" is proof of that.

04. Britta Persson - Kill Hollywood me (Amigo)
Britta released this album with a somewhat secluded approach and it was received with open arms by almost everyone. Sounds contradictory? It's not, just pure genius.

03. Cult of Luna - Eternal kingdom (Earache)
It just goes to show, these guys don't know how to fail. Top notch!

02. Division of Laura Lee - Violence is timeless (I Made This)
Göteborg's finest spent three years in the studio. The result, Fugazi-esque punk rock, shows that it was worth the wait.

01. Lukestar - Lake Toba (Phone Me Records)
Indie rock at its best - edgy, melodic and, at the same time, raw and hard hitting as hell! The number one spot was, even in January, Lukestar's spot all along.

Matt Giordano

06. Vapnet - Döda fallet (Hybris)
Their track record has been making consistently good albums, and this is not an exception.

05. Robert Svensson - Young punk are on the never-never (Nomethod)
A fantastic pop album that has me looking even more forward to the next Mixtapes and Cellmates record.

04. The Kid - Transient blood (Hybris)
On their second album, The Kid has transformed themselves into brooding pop masters.

03. Paavoharju - Laulu laakson kukista (Fonal)
A beautiful, cold, meandering album. Not only does this album sound natural, it sounds symbiotic with nature.

02. Markus Krunegård - Markusevangeliet (V2/Universal)
He's made classic albums with Laakso, and a great Hets album. Now Markus is a bonafide solo artist, and, with this maintains that he's one of the best songwriters around.

01. Juvelen - 1 (Hybris)
One of my most anticipated of the year. Ten songs, ten potential singles, yet one cohesive pop statement. Juvelen is here to stay.

Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

10. Division of Laura Lee - Violence is timeless (I Made This)
This is a total gut decision. Part of me is not okay with this result, but enough of me is perfectly alright ousting at least five other contenders to make room for this dirty, energetic album in my top 10. Despite giving this album only an 8, it has survived in far better standing than a few 9s from this year. "LAX" has been on quite a few of the mixtapes I've made for friends over the past few months, and DoLL launched my brother and I across America this summer... I couldn't imagine 2008 without "Violence is timeless".

09. Robert Svensson - Young punks are on the never-never (Nomethod)
Mr. Svensson lost considerable ground on this list, especially compared to the first draft I worked up a few weeks ago. Still, even at number nine, "Young punks are on the never-never" made it. A wonderful debut solo album from Mixtapes & Cellmates' vocalist, marking the beginning of what is sure to be a fine career.

08. Park Hotell - Free for friends (Ultra Radio/BD Pop)
This top 10 list is populated with a lot of debut records. "Free for friends" is definitely one that I had been waiting for, and it didn't let me down. It's a perfect autumn record: tracts of introspection still fuelled by the reckless hope of summer days.

07. Kiki Pau - Let's rock (Pyramid/Johanna Kustannus)
While I was completely surprised by "Book of Norma", I at least knew who Norma were. Kiki Pau are my favorite surprise this year. Their style of indie rock is confident well beyond their years, harkening back to "Meat is murder"-era Smiths, contemporary NYC garage, The Clash ... and any album with a song titled "Bukowski" (with the lyric: "Steinbeck made me want to get drunk") gets my vote.

06. Convoj - Exceptionnel (Wonderland)
This latecomer also forced me to reconstruct my list. It was all about complete, too. Oh well. Convoj's "Exceptionnel" is a brilliant record, more than deserving of a top 10 spot.

05. Håkan Hellström - För sent för edelweiss (Dolores)
If it weren't for all the summer memories I attach to "Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust", Hellström's effort would be in fourth place. The fact that this album is in fifth place is a testament to the creative forces at work in Northern Europe. When I first heard this record, I was pretty sure it would be in my top three albums of the year. How wonderful it is to be so wrong. "För sent för edelweiss" has become my favorite Håkan Hellström album, just edging out "Känn ingen sorg för mig Göteborg".

04. Sigur Rós - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (XL Recordings/EMI)
The fact that Sigur Rós took risks on this album when they could have skirted by with "Takk pt. II" impresses me. It may not be their finest album, but it's fun, kinetic, and lush; everything we expect from the Icelanders, and yet something quite different, too.

03. Tiger Lou - A partial print (Startracks)
I struggled a little with "A partial print" at first, but it eventually won out. As I wrote in my review, the album is "a collage, a collection of images, all of them darkly beautiful extensions of the emotional landscape of "The loyal", but the connections between these impressions can take some time to present themselves, but they will, and then "A partial print" comes fully into being."

02. Markus Krunegård - Markusevangeliet (V2/Universal)
While I gave "A partial print" higher marks, "Markusevangeliet" has been a valued companion of mine since April -- and there's something to be said about resilience. I said back then that I thought Laakso frontman Markus Krunegård had possibly crafted the best record of the year... and, although I might have proven myself wrong, his accomplishment is by far one of the best solo records in recent memory.

01. Norma - Book of Norma (Novoton)
In a damned impressive year for Scandinavian music, my top prize goes to "Book of Norma". It's been a while since I have been as taken aback by a record as I was with Norma's latest effort, the first album I have ever given a 10 to here on It's A Trap! Just an absolutely brilliant album.

Arnulf Koehncke

10. Ane Brun - Changing of the seasons (DetErMine)
Someone wrote somewhere how well recorded this album is -- I can't help but agree. The songs are good too and it's actually the first Ane Brun record that I can really relate to.

09. Audrey - The fierce and the longing (Tenderversion)
Honestly, this record sounds a lot like their last one. That's a good thing in Audrey's case -- I think it's really rare that a band is this well defined regarding both songwriting and sound-aesthetics.

08. Fredrik - Na na ni (Jezebel)
It surprises me how much I still like this record. I didn't think it would be such a grower -- guess I was wrong.

07. Snöleoparden - Snöleoparden (Rump)
I just like the whole of-the-cuff playfulness and complexity that this record embodies. I dare anyone to listen to the daycare-singalong second track and not smile.

06. Hello Saferide - More modern short stories from Hello Saferide (Razzia)
If you'd asked me in the beginning of the year, I'd probably have predicted this album to top my year-end list. Well, it hasn't completely gotten me hooked yet, though I totally agree with all the praise for Annika's development. And "Lund" has already become a personal favorite of mine.

05. Bobby and Blumm - Everybody loves... (Morr Music)
This record is just so playful -- there's so much to discover in F.S. Blumm's guitar work and Ella's charming voice. It makes me wish I could see them live again.

04. V. Sjöberg New Jazz Ensemble - Do nothing 'til you hear from me (iDEAL)
Another great record, though it needs patience and concentration to really enjoy it as a whole. It's just great how it builds up all this tension with its drones and suspense curves only to then release the listener with a soothing return to tonality in the next to last track.

03. The Radio Dept. - Freddie and the Trojan Horse (Labrador)
Too bad their album was delayed until next year. This EP showed such potential with all its Prefab Sprout'ish moments and melodies. And it even delivered some nostalgia to me as a long-time fan when I listen to the hidden track's distortion and overdrive.

02. Vapnet - Döda fallet (Hybris)
It's amazing: This record is such an instant classic that I almost didn't think of it as a 2008-release. And doesn't that already say all there is to say?

01. Auton - Anywhere out of this world (Structures Sonores)
This record is just so good (which is why my review of it is just so overdue). Incredibly virtuosic yet never overbearing musicians that shift from straight-out jazz to drone to post-rock to Satie-like piano moments with such casualness and grace. My Scandinavian record of the year. Go to the label website now and order copies to give away as christmas presents ;-)

Nancy Baym

10. Don't I wish I could put something here. Like the Caesars. What a bummer that record was.

09. Mikko Singh - Uskotko että siellä on kukkia? (self-released)
An almost-entirely instrumental record that's somewhere between pop and new age, equally well suited to a massage or mellow downtime at home. Very pretty with some nice elements of fun.

08. Violent Years - s/t (Playground)
A fine contribution to the southern gothic alt country genre with many outstanding moments and at least one truly great song.

07. Kusowsky - Något speciellt (self-released)
Kusowsy are so unabashedly singalong guitar pop that I feel a little guilty enjoying them, but everytime a song from this EP showed up on shuffle this year I found myself stopping to smile.

06. The Social Services - It's nothing personal, it's national security (Stereo Test Kit)
Only 1/3 Scandinavian, but she's the singer so she gets extra credit. It's a smart, eclectic, cynical, funny, and loose indie pop album.

05. Tiger Lou - A partial print (Startracks)
I really wanted to love this record, but don't. As background music its dark, hypnotic and self-contradictory sound is stunningly close to perfect, but on close listening its repetitiveness becomes abrasive in ways I don't think were intended.

04. Markus Krunegård - Markusevangeliet (V2/Universal)
On his solo record, Krunegård avoids most of Laakso's glam excesses to deliver a powerful and rich electronically-driven yet organic and seductive sonic environment.

03. Vapnet - Döda fallet (Hybris)
They don't stray too far from the distinctive, poppy, and borderline corny sound of their previous recordings on this one, but that's a good thing because they are one of the most calming make-you-happy bands going today. I highly recommend this as a soundtrack for either hanging out on a warm beach or cleaning house, cooking, and other mundane chores of daily life.

01. Madrugada - s/t (Virgin/EMI)
Faced with the sudden death of their guitarist and an album 80% completed, Madrugada did the right thing by finishing it up. Even without the tragic back story, it's a powerful and mature rock album that I am still listening to regularly almost a year after its release.

01. Detektivbyrån - Wermland (Danarkia)
In a very disappointing musical year, this instrumental genre-collapsing folk album based on accordion and glockenspiel was the one extraordinary surprise. Everyone I've played it for ran out and got it immediately. You should too.

Simon Tagestam

10. Nordpolen - s/t (Sincerely Yours)

09. Joel Alme - A master of ceremonies (Sincerely Yours)

08. Envelopes - Here comes the wind (Brille)

07. Håkan Hellström - För sent för edelweiss (Dolores)

06. Markus Krunegård - Markusevangeliet (V2/Universal)

05. Love Is All - A hundred things keep me up at night (What's Your Rupture?)

04. Afasi & Filthy - Fläcken (P.O.P.E.)

03. Frida Hyvönen - Silence is wild (Licking Fingers)

02. Moto Boy - s/t (Songs I Wish I Had Written)

01. Vapnet - Döda fallet (Hybris)

Individual Scores:
We're only in it for the drugs: 10
Kärlek och uppror: 7
Ebba Grön: 5]]> Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28190-mp3-lack-achilles-and-the-tortoise http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28190-mp3-lack-achilles-and-the-tortoise http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28190-mp3-lack-achilles-and-the-tortoise#comments Lack, one of my favorite modern hardcore acts, has a new split 7" with Beta Satan (preview clip here) plus a new album on the way early next year. They've progressed an immense over the years, so I figure it's a good time to check in again with where they came from. Their 2001 debut "Blues Moderene: Danois Explosifs" is considered by many to be the finest post-Refused album emulating the Swedes' angular, polyrhythmic style. Personally, I'm a much, much bigger fan of the 2005 follow-up "Be there pulse", a far more melodic and progressive album. The huge gap between records gave them ample time to regroup and reemerge as a band with their own distinctive sound. However, there's certainly something to be said for that first album. I think it actually holds up much better than Refused's "The shape of punk to come" as it's far more streamlined and fierce. The jazzy bits and electronica dabblings that seemed so amazing and groundbreaking at the time of its release, come off as tired now. What Lack manages to do, is refine all the other bits that made Refused so good. Sure, there's tons of other 'core bands that can out-tech them, but that's not the point. That whole riff-salad approach doesn't appeal to me anyhow, especially if you don't have anything to say. For Lack (and Refused too, for that matter), that's not a problem. As to where their career takes them next, guess we'll have to wait and see.]]> Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:58:45 -0800 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20248 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20248 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20248#comments Missing Toof has a bunch of Refused remixes posted for download: http://missingtoof.com/v2/2007/11/15/refused-the-finest-hardcore-punk-of-our-generation-gets-electro-fied-hip-hopd-out-by-shark-attack-hensforth/]]> Mon, 19 Nov 2007 12:06:57 -0800 news multimedia http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28144-mp3-meleeh-malign http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28144-mp3-meleeh-malign http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28144-mp3-meleeh-malign#comments Musically, I like Meleeh quite a bit. They've got a great balance of aggression and melody and they throw in just enough little rhythmic tricks to keep things interesting without overdoing it. The weak link however, are the vocals. They aren't bad per se, but they're definitely far too screechy for my tastes. Of the many influences they draw from Refused, that's definitely the one I appreciate the least. The syncopated breakdown on "Malign" on the other hand, is pretty damn awesome.]]> Mon, 08 Oct 2007 11:16:02 -0700 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/269 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/269 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/269#comments Check out Volyo, a Swedish experimental all-star group featuring Mats Gustafsson(The Thing, way too many other groups to list), Jens Nordén (Step Forward), Henrik Oja (Säkert!, The Spacious Mind), and David Sandström (Refused, Final Exit, etc.): http://www.myspace.com/volyo
The group was put together by David for the Made-07 Festival in Umeå and the various tracks posted are live recordings from that show.]]> Thu, 30 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25812-path-of-no-return-the-absinthe-dreams-burning-heart-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25812-path-of-no-return-the-absinthe-dreams-burning-heart-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25812-path-of-no-return-the-absinthe-dreams-burning-heart-records#comments Path of No Return has, judging by the labels own statement, gone full circle with their metal-/hardcore. And I agree in a way. The debut album "Black nights coming", released on the The Mars Volta-label GSR, left me disappointed and indifferent. But after listening to this album, I'm bound to say that they've gone through a huge improvement and have added new dimensions to the music. It's not all about technique and skill anymore; something that was mye overall impression last time around. And from what I've heard, that was the main part to why previous vocalist Adam Hector left the band shortly after the debut. There's a whole different depth to the band nowadays, both when it comes to the music in general, but also in the lyrics and graphics. That is something that I welcome. Musically, it's reminiscent to Swedish colleagues Nine, but also American combos such as Himsa and Snapcase. Yeah, remember those dinosaurs? Hardcore with a metal touch is somewhat the new black these days and, sure, it's easy to accuse the band of jumping on the bandwagon, but having been around since 2001, Path of No Return can be considered veterans in this genre. Not only that, they're veterans with songs! And that's something that lots of other bands in the genre lack. That there are also influences from Swedish hardcore trendsetters Refused is not surprising at all, but they're not making it into a carbon copy except for the bridge in "Broken dances" wherein the guitar melody is similar to the one in Refused's "Last minute pointer". But where that classic Umeå-band always maintained focus throughout every album, that's what this Örebro-band is having problems. A full-length format seems a bit like overkill, instead an EP-release would've probably been in the band's best interest.]]> Mon, 27 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27681-mp3-the-process-mot-sverige-i-tiden http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27681-mp3-the-process-mot-sverige-i-tiden http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27681-mp3-the-process-mot-sverige-i-tiden#comments The Process kicks off their debut EP "Taste the knife" with their best Refused impression. Jagged rhythms, screaming vokills, yadda yadda. Considering it's been nine years since "The shape of punk to come", it's finally safe to start resurrecting that style. When bands like Crazy Town are covering them, you know the shit is way played out. Wait a more years though and it's okay again.
The Process aren't totally by the book, but they aren't really all that progressive either. They make up for a lack of precision with increased anger. Elsewhere on the disc, they play it more straight, fast and furious, throwing the odd little breakdown in here and there. As much as I'm nostalgic for (bad) mid-90s moshcore (such as early Refused), I'm glad The Process has evolved beyond and does not venture even come remotely close to that territory. For a debut EP, this is a fine start. It's not my idea of the future of hardcore, but it's decent, well-played and well-recorded. Good enough!]]> Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/839 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/839 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/839#comments The Refused fansite finally got their own domain name: http://www.refusedfan.com/]]> Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25699-festival-report-hultsfred-2007-the-year-it-all-broke-down-almost http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25699-festival-report-hultsfred-2007-the-year-it-all-broke-down-almost http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25699-festival-report-hultsfred-2007-the-year-it-all-broke-down-almost#comments I guess most of you people, at least in Sweden, know by now. This years Hultsfredsfestival was a total failure. More than 5000 tickets remained unsold, and you can tell when there are 5000 people missing. But hey, come on! No one can really be surprised? Even the ancient Greek knew the dangers of hubris, two sold out festivals in a row don't necessarily equal a third. If you raise the cost of the ticket and don't provide enough value for the raise, then you are in it over your head. Especially when the Hultsfredsfestival has a very young audience in general, which teenage kid can afford 1800 SEK [ed: approx. $250 USD], just for the ticket? It was doomed from the beginning.

Enough of that. Time to get down to business, the music. Even though I thought this year's line up to be quite lame, there where still some goodies to be found. Tingsek for instance. This tall and handsome man of soul played like no man has ever played before and it was absolutely amazing. Great weather, the outdoors and soft tunes of soul, gospel and reggae with a touch of pop, what more can a man want from the first concert of the festival? Speaking of reggae with a touch of pop, Svenska Akademien recently released their new album "Gör det ändå. Gör det ändå". Once again General Knas + Sture Vikingsson and friends prove that there's no limit to how much groove you can fit into one album. Although playing in the middle of the night the first day of the festival, you could tell that they love being on tour again. To help them light up the night they had brought a bunch of people with Bengal lights and lit up sticks and chains being constantly rotated. It sure made me stay awake a little bit longer.

The Friday set off with a gush of rock'n'roll signed the Swedish rockers Bring Me The Fucking Riot... Man. I enjoyed their first album very much but don't really think they can push things any further. And I was quite right. They played one of the smallest stages and they played no longer than thirty minutes. It was a good thirty minutes though. Sophie Zelmani got a little bit longer than that, much to everyone's delight. All dressed up in a nice white dress and her ever-lasting sidekick Lars Halapi by her side; everything is as it should be. This is the third time I've been to a Sophie Zelmani concert on the Hultsfredsfestival over the years, and I still get amazed by the magical atmosphere this sweet girl creates with her soft whispering and mere presence.

Taxi, Taxi! also aspires of creating something that is pure magical. Twin sisters Miriam and Johanna Eriksson Berhan have something ordinary mortals don't. Their unique co-singing style and complex, yet simple, songwriting makes them one of the best acts I've seen on the entire festival. A must-see if possible. Laleh on the other hand, is a don't-see, at least when it comes to a festival gig. The Pampas stage is too big for an intimate artist like Laleh and the sound was quite terrible. No, next time I hope she'll get to play one of the smaller stages. A band that should definitely play the larges stages is Mando Diao. Their gig on the main stage only manifests what we already knew for sure, that Mando Diao is one of the best live bands in Sweden right now.

Still now really satisfied by what I've seen so far on the festival, I went to see Asha Ali first thing the last day. And I'm glad I did. Having released a critically acclaimed EP, "Warm fronts" in 2005, she just recently released her first full-length self-titled album and now she stands ready to take on the world with her striking singer/songwriter-meets-soul music.

Dennis Lyxzén is a man of many words and projects, I'm sure you've heard about a few of them (Refused, The (International) Noise Conspiracy). The Lost Patrol Band is his take on classic old-school punk rock. Not all that exciting, it's been done before, but still enjoyable. Lisa Miskovsky on the other hand, is hardly exciting at all these days. I never really liked her much laid back (and well produced) country pop songs. It's got no edge what so ever. Sure, I did enjoy a couple of songs laying in the grass in front of the stage, but nothing more. Sadly, I had my hopes up in vain for a duet between Lisa Miskovsky and Dennis Lyxzén in the last song of the set, "Alright". I mean, Dennis was in the neighbourhood after all.

Turbonegro is still one of rock's most overrated bands. I did enjoy them the first time I saw them on the Hultsfredsfestival, but nowadays they seem to play each and every year on each and every festival there is. Not all things sucked on this year's festival though; there was one artist that totally blew me away. Saving the best to last, Norwegian self proclaimed Queen of the World, Ida-Maria, put up a show that will be remembered for years to come. It was so honest and genuine; she was ready to blow anytime. The voice! The power! And the anthem! "Oh my god" is the best fucking song I've heard in ages. Thank you Ida-Maria for making my festival worth the while.

- Christian Stenbacke

]]> Tue, 19 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700 articles fest http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1039 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1039 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1039#comments If you liked today's mp3 post, read more Refused reminiscing from Hype Beast: http://www.hypebeast.com/stevenvogel/2007/06/14/the-shape-of-punk-to-come/]]> Fri, 15 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27701-mp3-refused-sunflower-princess http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27701-mp3-refused-sunflower-princess http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27701-mp3-refused-sunflower-princess#comments Frequent contributor Matt Giordano is taking care of this week's Friday post:

Remember when Dennis Lyxzén knew how to rock? It's been a while, and it sure is sorely missed. This song is amongst the older of the Refused catalogue, and I really have no idea if this EP is still in print [ed: it is]. The release this is from, "Everlasting", served as a logical connector between their very early-90s hardcore sounding debut album "This just might be... the truth" and the heavier "Songs to fan the flames of discontent". Mixing the punk of the former and the more driving metal-influenced rhythms of the latter, "Everlasting" might just be the best of the bands' early material.]]> Fri, 15 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2597 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2597 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2597#comments Wasted Sounds will be reissuing Final Exit's discography on vinyl. The legendary Umeå-based straight-edge band included both Dennis Lyxzen and David Sandström pre-Refused and will be performing a one-off reunion show at this year's Umeå Open. In other Wasted Sounds news, the label will be sending off new LPs from Knugen Faller, Blinds and Asta Kask to get pressed in the next week or so. For preorder info and tons of tourdates for all Wasted Sounds-affiliated acts, go to their website: http://www.wastedsounds.com/]]> Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3660 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3660 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3660#comments Straight Edge Terror Force strikes in Umeå: http://www.thelocal.se/5530/
The band is actually supposed to be Final Exit, the group that David Sandström and Dennis Lyxzén were in before founding Refused.]]> Thu, 16 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3712 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3712 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3712#comments This week's It's a trap! Last.fm/Audioscrobbler listening group top 10 tracks of the week:

01. Damien Rice – 9 Crimes
02. Bloc Party – Banquet
03. The Radio Dept. – It's Personal
04. The Magic Numbers – Take A Chance
05. The Magic Numbers – This Is A Song
06. Damien Rice – Elephant
07. The Shins – Sleeping Lessons
08. Refused – New Noise
09. Damien Rice – Rootless Tree
10. The Knife – Neverland

And the top 10 albums of the week:

01. The Arcade Fire – Funeral
02. The Radio Dept. – Pet Grief
03. The Postal Service – Give Up
04. The Knife – Silent Shout
05. Thom Yorke – The Eraser
06. Beirut – Gulag Orkestar
07. Bloc Party – Silent Alarm
08. Tiger Lou – The Loyal
09. Hot Chip – The Warning
10. The Magic Numbers – The Magic Numbers

Want to make your own playlist count? Join us! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/]]> Mon, 13 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3913 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3913 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3913#comments Cobolt, the Umeå-based slowcore act featuring ex-Refused bassist Magnus Björklund, is now on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/coboltmusic]]> Wed, 25 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4017 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4017 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4017#comments Swedish music show Musikbyrån celebrates 10 years with a marathon of programming on October 20, including many classic performances from bands such as Refused, Bob Hund and The Hives. Read more: http://svt.se/musikbyran]]> Thu, 19 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4773 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4773 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4773#comments Ny Våg, the Swedish punk label run by Dennis of Refused/(Int'l) Noise Conspiracy, has started podcasting: pcast://nyvag.com/Podcast/NyVagPodcast.xml]]> Thu, 17 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25596-video-mix-a-ha-a-camp-fidget-vapnet-the-psyke-project-timbuktu-more http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25596-video-mix-a-ha-a-camp-fidget-vapnet-the-psyke-project-timbuktu-more http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25596-video-mix-a-ha-a-camp-fidget-vapnet-the-psyke-project-timbuktu-more#comments Thanks to the modern miracle of YouTube, we now have video on-demand twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. No longer are Scandinavian music videos the sole domain of MTV Nordic, ZTV and the like. Now it's for everyone, everywhere, anytime. Hopefully this will be the first of many posts where we can share in the bounty just waiting to be discovered.

A-ha - Take on me

Certified classic. Great song made even better by an amazing video. An obvious first choice. (AR)

A Camp – I can buy you

I don't watch that many videos these days, but when this came out I lived with my parents (a time for sitting on the couch, watching MTV and drinking chocolate milk) and I remember being swept away by the cunning use of two polar opposite Ninas! Shame that the rest of the A Camp album wasn't as good. (ST)

Fidget - Living on video

Although the video does not come close to the original (Trans-X, 1982) it is still a grand cover. (PA)

The Knife - Handy-man

Despite the extremely bright colors and goofball lyrics, this video still totally creeps me out. (AR)

Teh funneh Immortal

Everything is better when it's set to the Benny Hill music. And I actually really like Immortal. (AR)

Vapnet – Thoméegränd
Here's another well made video with a nice little storyline. It's difficult to not be biased though, when the song is my favourite one of the year. (ST)

Refused - New noise

What's with the bunny suites? Anyway, this video makes me want to dance... (PA)

The Psyke Project - In the mist

There's no way that a video matching the brutality of the music would get aired anywhere, so we've got to settle for a performance clip on an empty soundstage. Works for me. (AR)

Timbuktu – The botten is nådd

This is Swedish hip-hop, which would mean nothing to you if you don't speak Swedish, but thanks to the brilliance of videos, everyone should be able to understand the message of hangover and regrets from the previous night, that this song by Timbuktu so masterfully conveys. (ST)

Tiger Lou - Sam

A brilliantly dark video from a brilliant artist. I feel so honored to be working with Tiger Lou on the "Until I'm there" 7" that I'm putting out. (AR)

The Embassy - Stage persona

Say what you will about the band, this video is brilliant! (PA)

Last Days of April – Playerin

An awful and shoddy video for a... no wait a minute, this is indeed a horrible video, but it's a great song and it features a guy running, something that the director of The Embassy's video obviously stole and made into a visual feast. (ST)

.:Who's who?

AR: Avi Roig
PA: Per Apelqvist
ST: Simon Tagestam

]]> Thu, 03 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700 articles videos http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5644 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5644 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5644#comments Indieworkshop on the Refused DVD: http://www.indieworkshop.com/film.php?id=149]]> Thu, 25 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5692 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5692 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5692#comments Drowned in Sound talks to Kristofer Steen about the legacy of Refused and the new DVD: http://drownedinsound.com/content/view/777156]]> Mon, 22 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27995-mp3-text-those-kids-are-gone http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27995-mp3-text-those-kids-are-gone http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27995-mp3-text-those-kids-are-gone#comments Happy Friday everyone! This week's flashback post belongs to Matt Giordano:

For my first mp3 posting of an older track I chose "Those kids are gone" by Text. For those who are unaware, Text was a collective featuring most of the Refused members (Dennis being the one absent). Whilst most of the disc is spoken word, this track really sticks out. Not only is it the catchiest song on the record, but also because of its production quality. It's one of the rawest acoustic tracks I have ever heard, and David Sandström's melody is quite beautiful. And since this track was only performed by him, it, at the time, was giving you hints at what to expect from his solo work, as well as David Sandström Overdrive.

The whole album used to be available for free download at the Demonbox site, but the links are broken. However, you can still go there to read more about the band.]]> Fri, 19 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25580-live-report-marit-bergman-firefox-ak-tack-tack-tack-london-uk-05-15-06 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25580-live-report-marit-bergman-firefox-ak-tack-tack-tack-london-uk-05-15-06 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25580-live-report-marit-bergman-firefox-ak-tack-tack-tack-london-uk-05-15-06#comments London's only truly international club night: flies acts in from abroad, plays music from abroad (or from cyberspace), truly cuts the mustard tonight, matching the amazing with the sublime. The bill was the most exciting to-date, however T!T!T! actually came undone tonight. Marit Bergman put T!T!T! to shame. And why you ask?

Okay, the pre-gig press-ups were one thing, the raw diet of love another, the wicked anecdotes and vivid descriptions in her songs just too good.

You must put into context: Marit Bergman draws on over 10+ years experience, has played everywhere [okay not ev-erywhere...but you know!), according to one on the night: "This is wild, in Sweden Marit can play to 7000 people at the Kalas tours [think: Lollapalooza]". She has a name. But she is much much more than a name, she is an artist, correctly described in the Guardian as "Scandinavia's finest Chanteuse". We agree. Drawing on new material, not relying on old, save "This is the year". It was sold out - and for many it worked, for some not, they needed smash hits/productions not constructions with performance.

In a band? Follow this line carefully: Marit thanked the sound technician, for being a very sound-technican. Magdeline was really pleased that she got a mention / compliment from Marit. Note the attention to detail at such an oft-forgotten level, then think how much is paid to the master task of music? Yes, she is on point Marit is.

Then It's a trap! DJ Per Apelqvist pitches in with: "At some point during her performance Marit made a reference to the bathrooms behind her, the very same bathroom indoctrinated as the back stage, by The Embassy."

Up steps Firefox AK for a super solid, completely confident show. Then someone asked: "have you got a light", of course I said: "over there mate, she is on fire." It went down as well as the subject. Firefox AK worked the crowd, the first stadium-esque handclap sequence, and she bowed to the the backstage toilet area!

It need be said that "The Draft" duet with Rasmus Kellerman (Tiger Lou) is top-ten material. The dynamic, the posture, the delivery, the electric static coming from their cold interaction on stage as they compete for perfection on this song makes for pivitol inclusion. Just brilliant. More than one fashion student in the back moving their hips.

Guest DJ Sweden Made Me Rob was on good lash and form. An hour for T!T!T! and SMM to unite for the night.

There is no other place in London you can go and see great live performances coming out of Sweden that you did last night with DJ's mixing everything from Familjen, Refused, Speaker, Robyn and on and on and on.

What a Monday night shrups and shizzle.

T!T!T! shouts to: La Tour, The Rushes, Consequences, Ruth Moog, Daniel Hansson (Art), Nicolia (Print), Sigmacon (Print), The Social, and SwedenMadeMe Rob, Piers SSS Productions and the mighty dope film crew they are, plus extended Hello's! to: Sounds Of Sweden (good luck!), Razzia Recs, Adrian Recs, and MySpazzers new and old: it snurrar babe it snurrar.
- Jason Christie

]]> Tue, 16 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700 articles reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26212-refused-refused-are-fucking-dead-dvd-burning-heart-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26212-refused-refused-are-fucking-dead-dvd-burning-heart-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26212-refused-refused-are-fucking-dead-dvd-burning-heart-records#comments "The 'Chinese Democracy' of punkrock". The statement in the press release from Burning Heart couldn't be more right. The waiting has been long and the expectations incredibly high. But the comparisons with the Axl Rose-monster stops there. While he seems to be more and more of a shadow of his former self, most Refused-members have great musical careers apart from the old band (Dennis in The (International) Noise Conspiracy, David in David Sandström Overdrive and Jon as Jon F. Kennedy [ed: and don't forget ex-bassist Magnus and Cobolt]). Lots of us grew up with Refused. We went to their gigs, bought every record and sought extrication from other punkbands often lousy records and live shows. When Refused got up on stage or went into the studio we knew magic would come out of it. And that's what makes it so hard to watch this DVD. Sure, the music and photography is brilliant and ex-guitarist Kristofer Steen has made this movie with love, I can tell; but the story about why the band broke up and the feelings evolving around that is never deeply penetrated. My feeling is that they are just scratching the surface. The band broke up during the USA-tour following the masterpiece "The shape of punk to come". All members get interviewed thoroughly and they're giving answers to some things never mentioned before, but when I watch "Refused are fucking dead" I can't help but think "I know this already, I know about the whole scenario. I want to get under their skins and really know how they felt about each other." That makes me wonder one other thing: who is this movie really made for? If you're like me, there's nothing new under the sun in these 38 minutes. And if you're someone who's just interested in what Refused was, the movie can seem a bit too self-centered, as if the filmmakers think it's obvious that people know who this band was. And believe me, as much as I'd like that everyone should know, not all people do know the Refused-story. The extra material is two videos ("New noise" and "Rather be dead") and live clips of every song featured on "The shape of punk to come". Oh, and speaking of liveclips; it's not ok to edit a livegig for a DVD-release. I happen to know for a fact that the samples in "New noise" weren't present during the Popstad-gig in the movie. It's not ok to pretend that everything's alright. At least we can take comfort in that no matter how much I dislike this DVD, "Chinese Democracy" will be even worse. Time will tell.]]> Fri, 05 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5996 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5996 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5996#comments Many people consider them to be Sweden's most overrated band, but Refused's influence is undeniable. I personally go back and forth on my feelings with regards to their legacy, but I cannot deny that "The shape of punk to come" blew me away when it first came out. I have yet to see the "Refused are fucking dead" DVD, but I'm still quite curious even though almost all of what I've heard about it has been less than positive. As an aside, the title is a reference to a song by Born Against, possibly the greatest hardcore act of the 90s. Or at least one of the most important. I'm not sure about all the backstory, but it involves beef with the dudes from Sick of it All and I'd imagine there's a good summation of events somewhere out there. Anyhow, for today's Friday mp3 post I've dug up an old version of Refused's "New noise from the "Straight edge as fuck III" compilation released back in 1997 by xDesperate Fightx, the label that defined the zeitgeist of the legendary hardcore scene in Umeå in the 90s. Enjoy!]]> Fri, 28 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28010-mp3-refused-new-noise http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28010-mp3-refused-new-noise http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28010-mp3-refused-new-noise#comments Many people consider them to be Sweden's most overrated band, but Refused's influence is undeniable. I personally go back and forth on my feelings with regards to their legacy, but I cannot deny that "The shape of punk to come" blew me away when it first came out. I have yet to see the "Refused are fucking dead" DVD, but I'm still quite curious even though almost all of what I've heard about it has been less than positive. As an aside, the title is a reference to a song by Born Against, possibly the greatest hardcore act of the 90s. Or at least one of the most important. I'm not sure about all the backstory, but it involves beef with the dudes from Sick of it All and I'd imagine there's a good summation of events somewhere out there. Anyhow, for today's Friday mp3 post I've dug up an old version of Refused's "New noise from the "Straight edge as fuck III" compilation released back in 1997 by xDesperate Fightx, the label that defined the zeitgeist of the legendary hardcore scene in Umeå in the 90s. Enjoy!]]> Fri, 28 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6458 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6458 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6458#comments The trailer for the long-awaiting Refused DVD is now online: http://www.myspace.com/refused]]> Mon, 27 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7101 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7101 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7101#comments Check out the brand new official Refused website for full details on the forthcoming posthumous DVD: http://www.burningheart.com/refused/]]> Thu, 09 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7156 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7156 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7156#comments Burning Heart has finally confirmed the release dates for the long-awaited Refused DVD "Refused are fucking dead":

04/15 - AUS
04/19 - Scandinavia
04/21 - DE, AT, IT
04/24 - EUR
04/25 - US]]> Tue, 07 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7736 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7736 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7736#comments Of all the post-Refused bands, I like David Sandström's stuff the best. He made one brilliant Scandinavian folk-inspired album ("Om det inte händer nåt innan i morgon så kommer jag") and then reinvented himself as a singer/songwriter. Quite a distance from his beginnings as Final Exit's frontman, eh? His latest album "Go down" almost made it into my top 10 for the year, but I listened to it too much and burnt myself out. It's still a great record, we just need some time apart y'know? Today's track is David's take on Stina Nordenstam's lead single from her last record "The world is saved". It's interesting to note how well the song works in a rock context - even with all of Stina's pop artifice stripped away, you still have a great song.]]> Wed, 28 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28071-mp3-david-sandstrom-overdrive-get-on-with-your-life http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28071-mp3-david-sandstrom-overdrive-get-on-with-your-life http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28071-mp3-david-sandstrom-overdrive-get-on-with-your-life#comments Of all the post-Refused bands, I like David Sandström's stuff the best. He made one brilliant Scandinavian folk-inspired album ("Om det inte händer nåt innan i morgon så kommer jag") and then reinvented himself as a singer/songwriter. Quite a distance from his beginnings as Final Exit's frontman, eh? His latest album "Go down" almost made it into my top 10 for the year, but I listened to it too much and burnt myself out. It's still a great record, we just need some time apart y'know? Today's track is David's take on Stina Nordenstam's lead single from her last record "The world is saved". It's interesting to note how well the song works in a rock context - even with all of Stina's pop artifice stripped away, you still have a great song.]]> Wed, 28 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7780 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7780 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7780#comments Burning Heart swears that the long-awaited Refused DVD "Refused are fucking dead" will be out in April.]]> Fri, 23 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8161 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8161 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8161#comments Randy has a new album that just came out, but I'm not going to post a track from it. It's not because it isn't great, because it is (Simon Tagestam reviewed it here), but instead I'm going to reminisce about the record that got me into the band: 2001's "The human atom bombs". Every couple years or so, just about when I'm about to totally give up on punk-rock, along comes a record that breathes new life into the genre. Refused did it to me in the late 90s and Randy did it again with this record. It's not even that they were doing anything all that original - it's that they were doing it with such enthusiasm and vitality that it was impossible not to stand up and take notice. "The human atom bombs" is fun and funny, energetic and entertaining and just all around amazing. So here's a track from that record that'll hopefully help brighten up your Friday.]]> Fri, 25 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28086-mp3-randy-i-dont-need-love http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28086-mp3-randy-i-dont-need-love http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28086-mp3-randy-i-dont-need-love#comments Randy has a new album that just came out, but I'm not going to post a track from it. It's not because it isn't great, because it is (Simon Tagestam reviewed it here), but instead I'm going to reminisce about the record that got me into the band: 2001's "The human atom bombs". Every couple years or so, just about when I'm about to totally give up on punk-rock, along comes a record that breathes new life into the genre. Refused did it to me in the late 90s and Randy did it again with this record. It's not even that they were doing anything all that original - it's that they were doing it with such enthusiasm and vitality that it was impossible not to stand up and take notice. "The human atom bombs" is fun and funny, energetic and entertaining and just all around amazing. So here's a track from that record that'll hopefully help brighten up your Friday.]]> Fri, 25 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26444-frivolvol-frivolous-volume-ii-the-false-security-program-if-society http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26444-frivolvol-frivolous-volume-ii-the-false-security-program-if-society http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26444-frivolvol-frivolous-volume-ii-the-false-security-program-if-society#comments Refused are your thing, then it's worth giving these Finnish dudes a closer look. Personally, I think the album wears a bit thin after the first 4 or 5 songs.]]> Sun, 25 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9004 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9004 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9004#comments The Refused movie finally had its premiere in Umeå last night and, sad to say, the reports are not good. It's a shame that something so many people have waited so long for has turned out to be a pretentious, laughable mess, but I can't say I'm terribly surprised either. So it goes. On the brighter side, the movie they showed immediately afterwards "Umeå the hardcore city" is supposed to be much, much better. The film covers the Norrland punkscene and features bands like Step Forward, Garbage Pail Kids and Randy as well as interviews with many people active during the height of the scene in the 90s. Of course I suspect I'll have to wait three years for a subtitled version on DVD, but who knows?]]> Tue, 20 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9248 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9248 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9248#comments New track today from Regulations, whose self-titled debut album was recently released on Dennis Lyxzén's (The (Int'l) Noise Conspiracy, Refused) new label Ny Våg. Along with Knugen Faller, these dudes are putting Umeå on the map as the place to go for quality punk-rock. And we're talking classic 80s So-Cal style punk, not the kind of stuff that passes for punk on the radio or MTV. This is way more gruff and raw than any of that bullshit. Which is not to say that it's totally lacking in pop flavor. There's still tons of hooks and worthy sing-alongs. I listen to this stuff and I feel like I did when I was twelve years old and just discovering punk for the first time. It's not that they're tackling big issues with the lyrics or anything (they most definitely aren't), but they've got the spirit and that's enough to move me. I often get sour about how bad the scene has become, but then I hear stuff like this and I realize once again that it's not so bad. Can't wait to see 'em when they tour the US this fall. Go here for the latest dates.]]> Wed, 31 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28124-mp3-regulations-fashion-girl http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28124-mp3-regulations-fashion-girl http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28124-mp3-regulations-fashion-girl#comments New track today from Regulations, whose self-titled debut album was recently released on Dennis Lyxzén's (The (Int'l) Noise Conspiracy, Refused) new label Ny Våg. Along with Knugen Faller, these dudes are putting Umeå on the map as the place to go for quality punk-rock. And we're talking classic 80s So-Cal style punk, not the kind of stuff that passes for punk on the radio or MTV. This is way more gruff and raw than any of that bullshit. Which is not to say that it's totally lacking in pop flavor. There's still tons of hooks and worthy sing-alongs. I listen to this stuff and I feel like I did when I was twelve years old and just discovering punk for the first time. It's not that they're tackling big issues with the lyrics or anything (they most definitely aren't), but they've got the spirit and that's enough to move me. I often get sour about how bad the scene has become, but then I hear stuff like this and I realize once again that it's not so bad. Can't wait to see 'em when they tour the US this fall. Go here for the latest dates.]]> Wed, 31 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25488-podcast-the-sound-of-umea http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25488-podcast-the-sound-of-umea http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25488-podcast-the-sound-of-umea#comments DATE ADDED : 08.04.05
LENGTH : 31:08 min
DOWNLOAD : itsatrap_podcast_08042005.mp3 (21.9mb)
RSS : [click here]

Tracklist:
01. Knugen Faller - Inte som ni
02. Refused - New noise
03. KVLR - Capitol city child
04. David Sandström Overdrive - Puppet arms
05. The Spacious Mind - Rotvälta 5
06. Meshuggah - Shed
07. Isolation Years - Cover the distance

]]> Thu, 04 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700 articles podcast http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10263 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10263 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10263#comments A little bird has informed me that time has been booked at Tonteknik Studios in Umeå to mix the sound for the long-promised Refused DVD. That means the film has actually been compiled and is ready to go. Finally! It should be 100% finished by midsommar.]]> Fri, 03 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26547-the-lost-patrol-band-s-t-burning-heart-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26547-the-lost-patrol-band-s-t-burning-heart-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26547-the-lost-patrol-band-s-t-burning-heart-records#comments Refused. I found The (International) Noise Conspiracy intriguing in the very beginning of their career, before they turned extremely boring. I liked the first Lost Patrol album and wasn't too keen on the second one. What about this new album from the ever-so-creative Dennis Lyxzén then? Well, there's none of the slower beautiful stuff that can be found on "Songs in the key of resistance", and too many songs sound like something by T(I)NC. Surprisingly enough, there are 5 fantastic pop songs on this album, that in a fair world should all be released simultaneously worldwide, then all entering the top 5 all over the globe (with "Golden times" occupying the #1 spot everywhere, of course).]]> Mon, 23 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26548-david-sandstrom-overdrive-go-down-mofab-teg http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26548-david-sandstrom-overdrive-go-down-mofab-teg http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26548-david-sandstrom-overdrive-go-down-mofab-teg#comments Refused breaking up, it's funny how, now sever years after the split, Dennis Lyxzén (with The Lost Patrol Band) and David Sandström are making pretty similar music (melodic rock). David and Dennis should really re-ignite their partnership and form a new band, Dennis would surely benefit from David's impressive songwriting ability, and Dennis could bring his "commercial appeal" to the table. Enough of this wishful thinking now and let's review this album - David Sandström's third album is in the same vein as his last great album, but whereas "The dominant need for the needy soul" shot of in all directions, "Go down!" feels more like a proper and solid album. This aspect alone makes "Go down!", in my opinion, an even better record than its predecessor.]]> Mon, 23 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10575 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10575 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10575#comments The UK's Stereo Test Kit Records will be releasing a new EP from Sweden's We Are Soldiers We Have Guns this coming fall. The band started as the solo project of Malin Dahlberg from Douglas Heart and Laurel Music and now includes Robert Tenevall (Royal Downfall, Knugen Faller) and Pontus Wallgren (Franke, Douglas Heart, Afraid of Stairs) as backing musicians. The recording will be handled by Jon Brännström (ex-Refused, JFK) and you can hear samples of older home-recorded material at the band's website: http://www.wearesoldiers.net/]]> Tue, 10 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news