Presenting "Rock Science", a new rock'n'roll boardgame featuring artwork and a themesong by Nicke Andersson of Imperial State Electric/The Hellacopters/Entombed. Check it: http://www.rockscience.tv/

Black and white - Linnea Jönsson (Those Dancing Days)
Bad hands - Nina Kinert
Northern lights - Britta Persson & Karl Larsson (Last Days of April)
Kick you out - Nicke Andersson (The Hellacopters) & Howlin' Pelle (The Hives)
Andra relationen - Subbah
Close enough - Choir of Kiemi
We love blood - Henric de la Cour (Strip Music)
Cartoon wolf - David Sandström
I can do it - Therese Johansson (Lowood)
Sillodill - Britta Persson

Synth:
Thermostatic - Humanizer (Wonderland Records)
Zeigeist - The Jade Motel (Spegel/Imperial Recordings/Playground)
Moonlight Cove - Orphans of the Storm (Kinetophone/Hot Stuff)
Elegant Machinery - A soft exchange (Out of Line/Hot Stuff)
Rhythm:
Movits - Äppelknyckarjazz (BD Pop/Universal)
Erici - Brasilicum (Erici Music/Dead Frog)
Saft Stockholm - Ordet (Saft Productions/Stockholm Electronica)
Kungers - Galaxen (Rätta Visan/Border)
Experimental:
Anders Dahl - Doorbells (Bombaxbombax)
Nina de Heyney, Charlotte Hug & Christian Jormin - Acoustic Electronic (LJ Records)
Pär Thörn - Schöneberg/Stammheim/Gärdet/Rågsved (Treffpunkt)
Anders Hultqvist - Traces (Chamber Sound)
Pop:
Frida Hyvönen - Silence Is Wild (Licking Fingers/Playground)
Hello Saferide - More modern short stories from... (Razzia/Bonnier Amigo)
Joel Alme - A Master Of Ceremonies (Sincerely Yours/Border)
Nordpolen - På Nordpolen (Sincerely Yours/Border)
Rock:
The Hellacopters - Head Off (Wild Kingdom/Sound Pollution)
Pascal - Galgberget (Novoton/Bonnier Amigo)
Fatboy - In My Bones (Fat State Production/Playground)
Manikins - Crocodiles (P.Trash Records)
Dance:
Pär Grindvik - Samlad årsproduktion (Stockholm LTD)
Anders Ilar - Sworn (Level Records 11)
Style of Eye - Duck cover and hold (Pieces of eight records)
Zoo Brazil - No Place Like Home (Gung Ho! Recordings)
Jazz:
Bobo Stenson Trio - Cantando (ECM/Naxos)
Nina Ramsby & Ludwig Berghe Trio - Du har blivit stor nu [En kamp!] (Moserobie/Bonnier Amigo)
e.s.t. - Leucocyte (ACT/Bonnier Amigo)
The Splendor - Sound of Splendor (HOOB/Border)
Punk/Hardcore:
Disco Volante - "We are forever" (Not enough)
Disfear - "Live the storm" (Relapse/Border)
Nitad - "Ibland kan man inte hindra sig själv" (Kranium)
Meanwhile - "Reality or nothing" (Feral Ward)
Hårdrock/Metal:
Burst - Lazarus Bird (Relapse/Border)
Dismember - Dismember (Regain/Sound Pollution)
Grand Magus - Iron Will (Rise above/Border)
Opeth - Watershed (Roadrunner/Bonnier Amigo)
Hip-hop/R'n'B/Soul:
Chords - Things We Do For Things (Juju/Playground)
Afasi & Filthy – Fläcken (P.o.p.e./Playground)
Masse - Gott & Blandat Vol. 2
Allyawan - Blu Duk Mixtape Vol. 2
Folk/Ballad:
Gunnel Mauritzson Band - Det som sker...(Sandkvie Records/CDA)
Maria Hörnelius, Bernt Andersson & Kjell Jansson - En sång för Kent (Eld Records/Border)
Jonas Knutsson & Johan Norberg - Skaren - Norrland III (Act/BAM)
Bjernulf/Björklund/Lindh – Pål Olles väg (Courage)
Singer/Songwriter:
Melpo Mene - Bring the Lions Out (Imperial Recordings/Playground)
Hyacinth House - Black Crows Country (True Music Production/Glitterhouse)
First Aid Kit - Drunken Trees (Rabid Records/Border)
Olle Nyman - Venture (A West Side Fabrication/Border)
Live:
Detektivbyrån (Danarkia)
The Hellacopters (Psychout Records)
Lykke Li (LL Recordings)
Robyn (Konichiwa Records)
Myspace prize for best unsigned act:
Montauk
Hero in action
Miranda Gjerstad
Sci-Fi Hands
John F Karlsson
Dyno
Tim Schmidt
Nottee
The Bellevues
Diskoteket

Go here for more: http://www.manifestgalan.se/

You're still based in Gbg, right? What's kept you there all these years? Ever considering picking up and relocating somewhere else?

Yes I'm still here. Well one reason is I'm quite happy to have an apartment... some kind of safety thing I guess. I'd love to have a little shack in the Caribbean to go to in the wintertime though.

What makes the Gbg music scene special, if it's even special at all? The people, the geography, the weather... what are the primary characteristics that define the city and its artists?

I dunno if there is a special scene here. Think there's quite a good diversity of scenes/bands/clubs. People tend to say that the music from here is more working-class with a more "rough" touch. Maybe it used to be that way, but I don't think it's a general "tag" to put on the Gothenburg "sound" anymore. Maybe I'm wrong...

So you've started to do shows with Martin Hederos (The Soundtrack of Our Lives) again as Hederos & Hellberg -- why resurrect that project now? Why'd you even stop playing together in the first place?

Well, we were asked to close the Way Out West festival this summer in a big beautiful church. An offer we couldn't refuse. It was a bit scary but great fun at the same time and it was an amazing vibe in a packed church way after midnight. And of course nice to play together again. Then we did a weekend in our old hometown Karlstad and Oslo in November. But now we both got new albums to tour and promote (TSOOL & mine), so now there wont be much time for anymore reunions for a while...

Why we stopped playing together was because the project started to grow out of proportion, we had to say no to some quite good offers (tours) because it would interfere with TSOOL. So it was better to call it off and quit.

And now the new band The White Moose - how did this group come together? Do you see it as an extension of your solo career or it is more of a full band project?

I wrote the songs early this year and had already talked to Ludwig (Dahlberg, The (International) Noise Conspiracy) about him playing drums with me. Then I just asked Olle and Henke (Hagberg, Whyte Seeds and Lindén, Fox Machine respectively) to join in and the band was goin'.

I don't think I've had much of a "solo" career. This is something new. It can't really be a full-band project as I have to consider the other guys got other bands. We'll find a way to make it work though.

Obviously you keep yourself very busy with all sorts of musical adventures - got any more surprises we should look forward to? Anyone in particular you'd really like to worth with?

I'd love to learn how to play the Oud. I also have a dream about going to some foreign country and making music with local musicians.

Lastly, got a song you'd like to share? Tell me about it.

Ok I choose "Why is it so?" from the new album "Out of the frying pan, into the woods". It's actually the first song I wrote after Nymphet Noodlers split up back in '96.

I think I had some plans for a solo album back then already, but I was not much of a songwriter, so it got put on hold for sometime... The original version was an acoustic Stooges kinda "ballad" with different lyrics, same refrain though. This new version is something else... Maximum White Moose Jazz.

I'm bummed they never made it over to the US for one last tour, but at least I did manage to see 'em a few times, though never during the era of "Payin' the dues", easily my favorite 'Copters record. I was under 21 when that album came out in 1997, so all I could do was eye the club listings and wait. They still played a huge role in my Swedish music education though, especially with tracks like "Where the action is", a song that's not much more than a laundry list of friends' bands: Nomads, The Robots, Kids Are Sick, Entombed, Backyard Babies... and those are just the obvious names. It wouldn't matter if it wasn't also kick-ass rock'n'roll, but of course they pull that off flawlessly. See, learning can be fun!

Our train arrived Thursday afternoon and were whisked away to the Rockparty HQ for a quick seminar and a whirlwind tour of the Swedish Rock Arkiv (something I would love to revisit when I have more time). Unfortunately, these meetings meant missing the first acts of the festival: Anti-Flag, Markus Krunegård and Parken. Once we finally made it to the festival grounds, I decided to take it easy and start off slow by catching up with old friends such as the dudes from Dagensskiva before watching my first band of the day, Shiloh. And what a great start that was! Pure over-the-top melodrama in fine Svenska tradition. Not many bands can pull that off convincingly, but Shiloh has the exact attitude to make it work. Kudos!

After retreating back to the backstage bar area, we were treated to an encore performance by the adorable Little Marbles, which was cute (are they old enough to be back here, I wondered), but otherwise unexceptional. I'm not sure if they're a band better suited to their peers or what, but it's not for me.

There's a ton of other worthwhile acts I probably should've checked out after that, but again I opted for socialization over the foreign imports and mediocre hip-hop (ie, Adam Tensta and Lazee). No, I decided to wait it out for Familjen at 1:30am and I'm glad I did because it was worth it. Now that was a proper finish for day 1: bright lights and dancing until the sun started to rise in the wee hours. I couldn't quite muster the stamina to catch Özgur Can at quarter-till 3, but I assume it was great. Uh, maybe next time?

Day 2 started off fairly similar to the first. Early (relatively) seminars at Rockparty HQ followed by a tardy festival arrival. Sorry to Palpitation, Raised Fist and The Process; you were on my to-see list, but it wasn't meant to be. Instead, my first act of the day was Billie the Vision and the Dancers. I can't say that I'm that big of a fan to be honest, but they are awfully charming in-person and the packed Teater crowd was loving every minute. Undeniably fun, I must admit. Up next: Säkert!. The band opened the big stage Hawaii and attempted to recreate a living room atmosphere on stage, but it ended up kind of pathetic compared to The Hives' massive neon backdrop which would fill the stage later that evening. Still, the band gave it their all and sounded great. A guest spot from Markus Krunegård and the now-traditional encore of The Wannadies' "My hometown" på Svenska ("Min hemstad") were bonus for those who stuck it out.

Timo Räisänen, on the other hand, had no trouble getting the crowd riled up with a powerhouse lineup that included two drummers. I forget that he used to be a lead guitarist before striking out on his own, so his heroics were all the more surprising and impressive. Maybe not quite my favorite act of the fest, but a strong contender. (also worth noting, this quip which I only caught half of at the time)

A short beer-break later and it was time for the aforementioned Hives to take the stage and show everyone what it takes to a headliner act. Having seen them wow a festival audience before, their usual shtick was comforting and familiar and entertaining as always, so it wasn't until they covered "(Gotta get some action) Now!" by The Hellacopters that my excitement level was peaked. I expected complacent consistency, but that was something special.

Looptroop Rockers were next on my list and they brought a set full of hits, but had a hard time holding my attention. Instead, I found that Afasi & Filthy put on a much better show later that evening at the Teater stage. They weren't an act I expected to catch, so file that one under pleasant surprises. I'm very glad I let my friends drag me along to see them.

Unfortunately, I didn't have time to catch more than three songs from Witchcraft, but what little I did see was awesome. It also marked the first (and last) time I smelled dope at the fest, something that seemed very appropriate considering their heavy stonerrock sound. No, three songs were all I had time for as my presence was required at Pampas for Mustasch, an absolute must-see band I've wanted to catch for a long, long time. People tell me it wasn't their best performance, but whatever it was, I was plenty satisfied. Nice Hasselhoff altar dudes!

Day 3 was far more relaxed than the previous two. No rushing off to seminars, just an easy morning catching up on email and the like before strolling over around mid-afternoo to catch Ane Brun who, I must say, sounded marvelous. I can imagine that she'd be absolutely stunning in a proper theater-type venue, but the Pampas stage was still a nice start for my 3rd and final day of the fest. What a great backing band too! I slipped away after a bit to see a few songs from Herbrightskies, but quickly discovered that was a terrible idea, so it was back to the backstage bar until The Deer Tracks took over Stora Dans. Now this was what I wanted to see: a small band with no expectations who ended up totally flooring me. The core duo of David and Elin was augmented by a small ensemble and the fullness of their sound was amazing. Really looking forward to their new album when it finally comes out now - this is a band to watch out for.

Heeding the advice of IAT contributor Nancy, I made my way across the festival grounds to Atlantis for Miss Li who proved to be every bit as charming as I had hoped. It's worth noting that she held on to her sizable audience even after the football game started also! Firefox AK fared reasonably well too, despite said game. The band might tell you different considering the various technical problems they encountered, but I found the show to be great -- even better than the intimate gig I attended at Kafé 44 earlier in the week. Everything came together in just the right way as far as I was concerned.

After watching lots of dudes get very upset due to Team Sverige's loss (I watched the viewers more than the game), I caught a bit of Those Dancing Days, a band with far more moxie than actual talent for the time being. I don't wish them ill, I just hope they are able to persevere long enough to get good because I think they have the potential. Following that, I took a break and eventually wandered over to catch Denmark's The Blue Foundation, but after waiting 30 minutes with no show, I gave up. You blew it guys.

Otherwise, forget Lykke Li -- she'll tour the US again -- next on my agenda was Håkan Hellström, the one artist I absolutely knew I had see! I made sure I placed myself among the throng for the full fan experience and was rewarded justly. The man is a great entertainer with a great band and he put on a fantastic show. As I said on my blog report, the encore probably should've ended with "Kom igen Lena", but I still walked away more than happy. That was the Swedish festival experience I came for and I didn't dare taint it with any more bands so with that I said goodnight! Back to the bar for final farewells and well-wishing. Until next year?

01. E.M.D. - A state of mind
02. Amanda Jenssen - Killing my darlings
03. Christer Sjögren - Jubileum 40 år med Christer Sjögren
04. Sanna Nielsen - Stronger
05. Brolle - Ett hjärta som glöder som en gång brann
06. Takida - Bury the lies
07. Nordman - Djävul eller gud
08. Suzzie Tapper - Mirakel
09. Gessle - The world according to Gessle
10. Håkan Hellström - För sent för Edelweiss
11. Ebba Grön - Boxen
12. Charlotte Perrelli - Hero
13. Linda Bengtzing - Vild & galen
14. The Hellacopters - Head off
15. Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm just me (new edition)
16. Peter Lemarc - Lemarc live!
17. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
18. Oh Laura - A song inside my head, a demon in my bed
19. Melissa Horn - Långa nätter
20. Monica Zetterlund - Sakta vi gå genom stan - Det bästa med Monica

01. Amanda Jenssen - Killing my darlings
02. Sanna Nielsen - Stronger
03. Christer Sjögren - Jubileum 40 år med Christer Sjögren
04. Charlotte Perrelli - Hero
05. Brolle - Ett hjärta som glöder som en gång brann
06. Nordman - Djävul eller gud
07. Håkan Hellström - För sent för Edelweiss
08. Peter Lemarc - Lemarc live!
09. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
10. BWO - Pandemonium - The singles collection
11. The Hellacopters - Head off
12. Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm just me (new edition)
13. Melissa Horn - Långa nätter
14. Amy Diamond - Music in motion
15. Linda Bengtzing - Vild & galen
16. In Flames - A sense of purpose
17. Oh Laura - A song inside my head, a demon in my bed
18. Takida - Bury the lies
19. Papa Dee - A little way different
20. Monica Zetterlund - Sakta vi gå genom stan - Det bästa med Monica

09/15 - Markthalle, Hamburg (GER)
09/16 - Schachthof, Wiesbaden (GER)
09/18 - Razzmatazz 2, Barcelona (ESP)
09/19 - Rockstar, Bilbao (ESP)
09/20 - Palacio Congresos, A Coruña (ESP)
09/21 - Heineken, Madrid (ESP)
09/23 - Mascotte, Zürich (CH)
09/24 - Backstage Werk, München (GER)
09/25 - SO36, Berlin (GER)
09/26 - Vooruit, Gent (BEL)
09/27 - Live Music hall, Köln (GER)
09/28 - Tivoli, Utrecht (NL)
09/29 - LA2, London (UK)

01. Charlotte Perrelli - Hero
02. Christer Sjögren - Jubileum 40 år med Christer Sjögren
03. Sanna Nielsen - Stronger
04. Peter Lemarc - Lemarc live!
05. Melissa Horn - Långa nätter
06. Amy Diamond - Music in motion
07. Nordman - Djävul eller gud
08. Brolle - Ett hjärta som glöder som en gång brann
09. The Hellacopters - Head off
10. Tiamat - Amanethes
11. Håkan Hellström - För sent för Edelweiss
12. BWO - Pandemonium - The singles collection
14. Linda Bengtzing - Vild & galen
15. In Flames - A sense of purpose
16. Mikael Wiehe & Ebba Forsberg - Dylan på Svenska
17. Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm just me (new edition)
18. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
19. Chords - Things we do for things
20. Takida - Bury the lies

01. Charlotte Perrelli - Hero
02. Sanna Nielsen - Stronger
03. Looptroop Rockers - Good things
04. Christer Sjögren - Jubileum 40 år med Christer Sjögren
05. Brolle - Ett hjärta som glöder som en gång brann
06. The Hellacopters - Head off
07. Håkan Hellström - För sent för Edelweiss
08. Nordman - Djävul eller gud
09. BWO - Pandemonium - The singles collection
10. In Flames - A sense of purpose
11. Linda Bengtzing - Vild & galen
12. Pugh Rogefeldt - Vinn hjärta vinn
14. Amy Diamond - Music in motion
15. Takida - Bury the lies
16. Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm just me (new edition)
17. Oh Laura - A song inside my head, a demon in my bed
18. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
19. Monica Zetterlund - Sakta vi gå genom stan - Det bästa med Monica
20. Tommy Körberg - Rakt upp och ner

01. Sanna Nielsen - Stronger
02. Christer Sjögren - Jubileum 40 år med Christer Sjögren
03. The Hellacopters - Head off
04. Brolle - Ett hjärta som glöder som en gång brann
05. Håkan Hellström - För sent för Edelweiss
06. BWO - Pandemonium - The singles collection
07. Nordman - Djävul eller gud
08. In Flames - A sense of purpose
09. Streaplers - Rakt av
10. Linda Bengtzing - Vild & galen
11. Oh Laura - A song inside my head, a demon in my bed
12. Amy Diamond - Music in motion
14. Monica Zetterlund - Sakta vi gå genom stan - Det bästa med Monica
15. Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm just me (new edition)
16. Edith Backlund - Death by honey
17. Takida - Bury the lies
18. Caracola - This is Caracola
19. Pugh Rogefeldt - vinn hjärta vinn
20. Veronica Maggio - och vinnaren är...

The day started off well enough. I woke early and had a good stroll around central Göteborg and managed to get myself fairly oriented to city. I also had a surprise run-in with Viktor Sjöberg in an empty parking lot and his dog Douglas suprised me right back, sending my cup of coffee flying through the air. Things were off to a good start! The majority of my afternoon was spent exploring the Konstmuseum (I think I'll be needing an Ivar Arosenius print at some point) and then it was time to meet more friends and start the Way Out West concert experience.

I missed openers Function, but Low exceeded expectations with their set at Trädgär'n. I'm only moderately familiar with their catalog, but what I saw was understated, elegant and quite powerful. Following them was another American act, Woven Hand. Naturally, I came to WoW primarily to see Swedish acts, but since Woven Hand tours Sweden far more often than the US, I made sure to make this show and they did not disappoint one bit. Frontman David Eugene Edwards has an incredibly intense stage presence, on par with Neurosis, easily one of the most emotionally demanding bands I've ever been fortunate enough to see.

Knowing fully well that there would be no way to top Woven Hand, I still set out to Pustervik to catch some more bands for my evening's entertainment. ...And You Will Know Us By Our Trail of Dead was packed solid and admitting no new patrons, so I went upstairs to check out Last Days of April. The wait was slightly longer than expected, but Håkan from Division of Laura Lee/Carcrash Records kept things interesting from his position behind the DJ booth. As for LDOA when they did finally take the stage, they were 100% solid despite a less-than-stellar placement in the lineup. I couldn't help but feel underwhelmed. Another time, another place perhaps.
(AR)

Friday

At last, the start of the 'real' festival and the Boredoms set things off right. I was bit hesitant, having been disappointed by a show sometime around the period of "Super Æ", but this was something else entirely. My impression is that today's music was based on (or at least similar to) the recent "77 drummers" performance. It featured a steady onslaught of three pounding drummers and the reappearance of Eye's percussive guitar tree. The meandering psychedelia of years ago was vanquished from my mind and I let myself get lost in the endless hypnotic beat. I still can't say that I'll always be into everything the Boredoms do, but it's undeniable that they are always interesting and this performance certainly lived up to the hype.

I tried my best to avoid Salem Al Fakir's weak Billy Joel impression at one of the many beer tents before securing myself a proper position up front for Hello Saferide. The show was everything I'd hoped for: charming and sweet; equally balancing the upbeat, poppy material with the darker, more soulful (and often far more satisfying) ballads. All of the proper album highlights were played as well as a brand new track and the recent "I was definitely made for these times" single. It wasn't quite the transcendent experience I had hoped for, but it was quite nice to finally hear the songs in-person from the band's own instruments.

After Hello Saferide, it was proper time again for more beer and meeting friends. Finally got a chance to meet up with contributor Simon Tagestam (his SMS: "Hey Avi! You at the festival? Watching rubbish Laleh...") as well as a multitude of other folks. The next band to catch my attention: The Hellacopters. An experience made all that much greater from standing next to Fredrik Holmgren of Startracks who would constantly interrupt himself to yell things like "Oh my god! This fucking song! Yes!". Yeah, they were pretty good. And then The Hives - jeez, now there's a band that know's how to work a crowd of 16,000. Performing a few tracks from the forthcoming "The black & white album" as well as a plethora of classics, Pelle and the boys put on a proper show. Even if said record ends up being a total disaster, they are still a band not to be missed on tour. That's been obvious ever since the first time I saw them blow The (International) Noise Conspiracy off the stage.

Having now hooked up with another IAT contributor, a certain Jonas Appelqvist along with photographer companion Sofia Qvarnström, we decided it was a good time to exit the main festival grounds, seek nourishment from something besides weak Swedish lager and headed up to Sticky Fingers for Juvelen and Laakso. Once we arrived, it became instantly obvious that we made the right decision because the venue filled up right after our arrival. The unmistakable Ebbot Lundberg kept the people entertained from behind the decks as we waited patiently for the show to get underway.

Juvelen proved himself to be a considerably bigger draw than I anticipated and the crowd gushed with adoration as he strutted back and forth across the stage. No backing band, just lights, smoke and a guitar. That's all he needed. The females in attendance didn't seem to mind that he kept shedding layers of clothing as well. Impressive, for sure!

Of course, the big draw of the evening, especially for me, was Laakso and they were absolutely everything I had hoped them to be. Anthemic and glorious, perhaps even a bit cathartic. They played the hits and then they played some more. Annika Norlin came out and joined them for a rousing version of "Italy vs Helsinki". The band performed with fiery vigor and not a single moment was wasted. Some say that Laakso is currently Sweden's best band. I'm inclined to agree.

I should've called it a night following Laakso, but instead I set out on a fool's errand for a proper after-after-party. A wasted effort and a long walk home, but a good way to clear my jetlagged-rattled head and wind down. Lesson learned!
(AR)

Due to a wedding on the Saturday I was only able to attend Way Out West on Friday and I also had to leave early (halfway through The Hives' decent set) which meant I missed all the club nights too. Instead of getting to see Moneybrother, Regina Spektor, Juvelen, Laakso, TTA, Säkert!, Kanye West, Franke etc I was treated to the dire 'talents' that are Salem Al Fakir, Laleh, Albert Hammond Jr and the now questionable lot of The Hellacopters. Salem Al Fakir and Laleh could have been the worse festival combo I've ever witnessed, I was in shock by their horrible performances. Thankfully, Hello Saferide turned out to be a hint of sunshine in the rain, her set was much better than I expected it to be (I'm half a fan). The weather was rubbish, it was humid and rained most of the time, but the festival itself was nice. I love festivals near city centres! I'm definitely coming back if there will be a WoW in 2008, as long as I can go to the day when all the good bands are playing (no weddings then, please).
(ST)

Anticipations for the forthcoming album by The Hives are sky-high worldwide. And by all means, they should be. We're talking about a band putting up with a lot of pressure from, like, everywhere; the media, the record label and, most of all, the fans. And they know it. 'Cause what we saw was a hungry band eager to show off some new tunes and live up to the live rumor they've earned. After being locked up in studios around the globe for a long, long time it was quite obvious that Howlin' Pelle, Chris Dangerous, Vigilante Carlstroem, Dr. Matt Destruction and Nicholaus Arson wanted to kick ass. And maybe that's what made it come off as overkill. Sure, the band is a really tight one; the entertainment is top notch (especially Howlin' Pelle's banters wherein he heckles the crowd while stating that what we're watching is the greatest band in the world) but there's a downside to the enthusiasm. The new songs suffer from the furious tempo on stage. And frankly, those songs were the ones I wanted to hear. The new single "Tick tick boom" is a good choice for the first one out from "The black and white album" with its hooks and easy sing-along, but as a whole, the other new ones tleft me a bit disappointed. The patented Hives-sound was all over and that's what I'm having problems with. Been there, done that. But hey, don't worry; the gig as a whole wasn't a disappointment. It's when these guys from Fagersta play the wonderful "AKA I.D.I.O.T" from my favorite album "Barely legal" the show starts for real! Elegant as always, they deliver punk rock for the masses with crowd pleasers such as "Walk idiot walk" and "A little more for little you" (dedicated to Nicke Andersson from The Hellacopters who was celebrating a birthday). Pelle had the crowd right where he wanted them, following his every move. And guess what?! His voice lasted the whole show. A seldom heard thing.

To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of electronic dance music, or Prince for that matter. But I can tell when competent music is performed and this was one show that proved me wrong. Performing inside a club and not on a stage at an outdoor festival definitely improved Juvelen since his music is made for the dance floor. And the crowd danced! And that's what it's all about I guess. The live show is secondary in this case and it should be, as long as you have great music to back things up. The hit single "Hannah" is a perfect example of that. Sung in a high falsetto over samples and a hot-tempered distorted guitar, the tune almost gets me down on the dance floor myself. And that is perhaps the best review you can get from me, seeing that I very rarely do such a thing! I have problem with the fact that a lot of the songs get kind of monotonous, but this one man show was a small success. At least if you're dancing.

Entering the stage 1:30 am and what a show they put on! Laakso's "Mother, am i good looking?" is one of this year's best records this far and Avi, photographer Sofia and me weren't the only ones at the venue with that opinion. Right from the first chords of "Worst case scenario", the band kickstarts into a euphoric journey full of Markus Krunegård's lyrical anguish with the added glam touch and disharmonic guitar licks of Bear Quartet's Jari Haapalainen. You could definitely tell that the band really loved this gig as they repeatedly stated that the clock was too much. The wonderful storytelling on "Västerbron", the heavy metal shouts on "In my blood", the reckless drumming on "Hang me in the Christmas Tree" and, of course the duet with Annika Norlin on "Italy vs Helsinki"; all that made this gig a tremendous experience.
(JA)

Saturday

The euphoria of the previous evening must've still been with me because I rose early again, ready and raring to go despite very few hours of sleep. I had some doubts about passing on The Pogues the previous night, but those fears were allayed from friends who declared the performance to be a pathetic travesty of a freakshow. No thank you! So with that, it was off for another long day of performances, starting off with Florence Valentin who were a perfect, rousing way to start the afternoon. The band's ample membership filled the Linné stage and their considerable energy got the crowd moving. That's some classic Göteborg indiepop done right and I'm glad they're back.

From Florence Valentin, it was back to the beer tent for refreshment after a quick glimpse at Shout Out Louds who were just as exciting as expected (read: not very). Caught a few songs from Sparta somewhere in there, then back for more beers to allay the boredom of the mid-afternoon lull. It was quite telling that the random dude Devandra Banhart invited up to perform a song far outshined the man himself. Moneybrother, sadly, proved to be equally lackluster, especially when compared to the full band with strings show I saw at Umeå Open two years ago. Again: no thanks.

Peter Bjorn and John on the other hand, delivered a strong and confident set, no doubt a testament to their endless tour schedule. Seeing as how they are still a small-stage act in their native Sweden, the set was all top-shelf material of wall-to-wall hits. Once again, Annika Norlin came out for a duet, this time filling in for Victoria Bergsman on the ubiquitous "Young folks". Well done! Funny that I had to travel thousands of miles to finally see these guys in the flesh, but I know it won't be for the last time. A small taste here at Way Out West whetted my appetite for the band's forthcoming club tour in the US this fall.

A break now for dinner (including a decent Swedish microbrew! shocking!) and then back in time for Säkert!, yet another festival highlight. Obviously I'm a big fan of Hello Saferide, but seeing Annika with the good folks of Isolation Years (plus Henrik Oya of The Spacious Mind and Jakob Nyström's sister Lovisa on keys/backing vocals) was fantastic. No gueststars today as all duets were aptly handled in-band, not that it mattered. They wrapped up the Parksommar tour here in top-notch style. The driving stomp of set-closer "Allt som är dit" was perfection and the crowd responded in kind. After that, I wandered over to catch the tail-end of The Ark's set, but was driven to seek shelter by the pounding rain. Had I been up front with sympathetic souls, I'm sure I would've loved it, but I opted for the easier (and drier) choice of watching from the safety of the beer tent. Hearing Ola Salo deliver a verse from "Känn ingen sorg för mig Göteborg" during one of their triumphant breakdowns was a nice touch.

Lily Allen replacement Teddybears STHLM proved to be far better than expected. Despite having a softspot for the band's obnoxious early years as a hardcore band, there's no denying the group's reinvention as the new century's biggest hitfactory. Each and every song, another solid gold single. It also must be said that the overwhelmingly surreal experience of thousands singing along to final track "Punkrocker" was a capper. "Cuz I'm a punkrocker, yes I am!" Oh, really?

The spectacle of Kanye West was alluring, even moreso with the promise of a PB&J cameo, but my friends and I opted instead for the elusive Franke. Bad move! Not that Kanye West would've been much better (reports have not been flattering), but Franke was absolutely dreadful. The sound was shit and so was the performance. By far the biggest disappointment of the entire festival. Wisely, we decided to cut our losses and headed back to the Norrländska Generalkonsulatet for late-night Randy and Bruce Springsteen singalongs plus plenty of Norrlands Guld. Now that is a proper way to end an evening and a perfect conclusion to the Way Out West experience.
(AR)

Anders Wendin has been a class act entertainer ever since the days he fronted the sadly missed Monster. Something that's oh so obvious at this gig as well. As with The Hives, Moneybrother also have a new record due to be released and the focus is concentrated on material from that one, "Mount pleasure". Apart from the first single "Just another summer" ,I have not yet heard the record, but what they presented live sounded great and familiar. And that is, as always, a problem. The songs sound a bit too alike live. But when putting on such a live show, you're excused. This, the only Moneybrother festival gig this year, was a pure discharge after just recently completing a summer tour. And with hits like "They're building walls around us", "The pressure" and the marvelous final number "Reconsider me", you just can't go wrong. Too bad the guys (presented by Anders as the most attractive band out there) had some difficulties with the sound at times, but that's a problem I can overlook. I can't wait to see this again in a more intimate club venue some time soon.

I'm sure everyone knows about Annika Norlin's Säkert! by now. But I could never imagine that she'd bring such an all-star team to Way Out West. The fellow musicians were, among others, Mats Hammarström and Jakob Nyström from Isolation Years, Henrik Oja from David Sandström Overdrive and Tonteknik and other studios way up north (he's like the Swedish equivalence to Steve Albini, lots of great records bear his mark)! Aware of this fact or not, the crowd was euphoric and sang along to every song. The feeling in that big tent was a warm and fuzzy one and just what this, in Annika's own words, more outspoken cousin to Hello Saferide deserves. As much as I adore HS, I must say that Säkert! gets to me in a more direct way. And that's not at all just about me understanding the words, the music is more exposed and in your face. This is exactly why this was a really nice experience. With only one record out, the band can only do so much, but what they did was more than enough. Hearing Jakob singing Martin Hanberg's part on "Sanningsdan" is something I will remember as one of the finest things from this festival. The only downside was that Juliette & the Licks drowned some of the more mellow songs with their mediocre rock n' roll. Definitely nothing that Annika can be held responsible for. All in all, one of the finest shows at the festival!
(JA)

What can I say? Way Out West was a smashing success. And I nearly missed it. Who could have thought that this rookie-festival would sell out as fast as it did? With such a strong line up, it was a matter of time really, but several weeks ahead? And with me being quite lazy, well, Friday came and I still had no ticket. I did try though, I even went to the black market, but no. The Hives, Hello Saferide, The Hellacopters, and I wasn't there. Saturday came and I was about to lose all hope when luck finally came about. 200 extra tickets where released on demand and I got one. Off to the festival then!

Even though I couldn't make it the day before, I wasn't all bummed out. Saturday actually held a couple of really good and exciting Scandinavian bands as well. I missed Shout Out Louds due to my ticket problem, but since I've already seen them on just about every festival this summer, I couldn't care less. A little part of me felt sad for not being able to see the Saturday opening act Florence Valentin though. Instead, I arrived right on time to catch the one and only Moneybrother. In 2003 I saw Anders Wendin perform on one of the smaller stages on Accelerator, The Big One. Some had heard of Monster, none had heard of Moneybrother. And the gig was great. The two following records, "Blood panic" and "To die alone" were also great. Moneybrother was here to stay. But things change - sometimes you can only push things to a limit and thereafter it becomes boring. Anders Wendin and his colleagues give their best, but the news songs simply won't stick to my mind. No, more of the old Anders and less of Bruce Springsteen/Ulf Lundell.

Peter Bjorn and John. I've given these guys a hard time in the past, I know. I still think "Writers' Block" is a mediocre record, but live these guys rock! The place is crowded and I even forgive those who wait for that one special song alone. There's no Victoria Bergman on guest vocals today, but Annika Norlin from Säkert!/Hello Saferide still manages to give a golden touch to the indie anthem "Young folks". The gossip of today is, or course, what will Peter Bjorn and John pull off when they are to play with Kanye West this evening? Speaking of Annika Norlin, I was quite sceptical of her new project Säkert! when I heard the first single "Vi kommer att dö samtidigt", but yet again, I'm overwhelmed by the outcome live. It just sounds great. A little bit more raw and intense, exactly how I like my music. Annika Norlin is truly something special.

I skipped Timo Räisänen to get something to get something to eat and a new set of dry clothes (the sky opened up during the Regina Spektor concert, of course). I wasn't that sad about it, you've heard one Timo song, you've heard them all. Come to think of it, having already released two records, with a third on the way, and still getting to play just about anywhere, the guy must be doing something right. But you can't argue with hunger and cold. The Ark played about every festival I've been to this summer as well, but I still haven't been to an entire concert up to now. Why you ask? Well, it tends to become quite static after a while. This time it's different. As Ola Salo points out, it's the almost the end of the summer and soon enough it's back to school or to the old job. And we don't want that. So they play and we sing along.

Lilly Allen had to cancel, say hello to Teddybears STHLM! I've never been too fond of this band either (I know, I sound like a grumpy old man), but you can't argue with the hits. Who can say no to "Cobra style", "Punkrocker" and "Hey boy"? But there's Way Out West for you, bands you didn't expect to do well, did awesome instead.

I really wanted to get in the day before as well, but the Saturday alone gave me the chills. Too bad I was trapped inside a manic crowd during Kanye West (and yeah, Peter Bjorn and John did play "Young folks" again. This time it sucked though), I really wanted to see a couple of songs with Franke. Next time perhaps.
(CS)

Who's who:

CS: Christian Stenbacke

ST: Simon Tagestam

AR: Avi Roig

JA: Jonas Appelqvist

Pics by Sofia Qvarnström]]> Fri, 17 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 articles fest http://www.itsatrap.com/n/519 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/519 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/519#comments Fest update! Friday was great - Low exceeded expectations and Woven Hand was amazing. I couldn't get into Trail of Dead, but I did manage to catch Last Days of April to wrap up the evening and they were pretty damn good too. Saturday started nicely with a thunderous set from Boredoms followed by my first-ever in-person Hello Saferide show. Some folks tell me it wasn't their best, but I was more than happy. The Hellacopters and The Hives both brought the rawk like you would expect and after that I decided to bail early to Sticky Fingers so I could stake out a position for Laakso. It was obviously the right move 'cuz that place filled up mighty quick right after we got there. Seeing Juvelen open was bonus. As for Laakso, it was brilliant. Practically a greatest-hits set you could say. Oh, and Annika Norlin performed the "Italy v Helsinki" duet. Good times! Pictures to come as well.]]> Sat, 11 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/802 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/802 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/802#comments The playlist for my radio show this week:

01. Death By Kite - Scared of heights
02. TALK 1
03. Kompjotr Eplektrika - Crakkin zombees...
04. Monomen - Asian spacestation
05. José González - Hints
06. TALK 2
07. I Am Bones - Backpackers
08. Ellen Beach - The widespread acclaim
09. Moder Jords Massiva - Ingenting
10. TALK 3
11. Iisole - The words
12. Kornstad - Sweden
13. Cortex - Mind of darkness
14. TALK 4
15. Silverbullit - Run
16. [ingenting] - Hollywood dreams
17. In Flames - The jester race
18. TALK 5
19. Nicolai Dunger - Soul rush
20. Existensminimum - Changing lines
21. Echo Is Your Love - Peace song
22. TALK 6
23. Laakso - The death of us
24. Christian Kjellvander - Words in the wires
25. Mustasch - Double nature
26. TALK 7
27. Tellevika + Firefox AK - Eric
28. Tape - A spire
29. C.Aarmé - Golden retriever
30. TALK 8
31. The Bear Quartet - Put me back together
32. Susanne Sundfør - Walls
33. The Hellacopters - Like no other man
34. TALK 9
35. Aerial - You will all die, all things will]]> Sat, 07 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/939 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/939 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/939#comments The Hellacopters have joined the ranks of rock legends Kiss (and others) with the introduction of their very own pinball machine: http://www.hellacopters.com/site/default.asp]]> Thu, 21 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1788 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1788 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1788#comments Check out the microsite for the new comp "Ge Fan I Våra Vatten", a benefit to raise money for fish/water restoration: http://www.sportfiskarna.se/gefan/
Many of the contributing acts such as Erik Ohlsson from Millencolin and Kimmo Kirvesmäki of Voice Of A Generation/The Accidents are sport fishermen themselves, so consider this a labor of love. Other contributing acts include The Hives, The Hellacopters, Millencolin, Soundtrack Of Our Lives, Backyard Babies, Moneybrother, Weeping Willows and Randy. It comes out on May 18.]]> Wed, 18 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2043 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2043 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2043#comments The Hellacopters report that progress on their new album is going well. Once again, they are working with producer Chips K (Sator) and they plan to have it mixed by Henryk Lipp in early May. Expect a fall release.]]> Wed, 28 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27802-the-bear-quartet-fuck-your-slow-songs http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27802-the-bear-quartet-fuck-your-slow-songs http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27802-the-bear-quartet-fuck-your-slow-songs#comments I hate irony in music. Hate it with passion. That's one of the reasons that Scandinavian music is appealing to me - it's so refreshingly irony-free. Bands like The Hellacopters play ridiculous, over-the-top arena rock, but there's no "ha-ha, we're only joking" wink-wink/nudge-nudge to it. They play it like that's what they were meant to do and they do it well. There's nothing half-ass about it and that's why it's awesome.
So why does The Bear Quartet's "Fuck your slow songs" appeal to me? It's approach is so blatant, but that too, is the point. The lyrics:

"Your criticism has been noticed
and we plead guilty to a major part
but nothing's easier or more fun
than annoying young punks
so we slowed it down
and added strings and a steel guitar
we wrote song words
about how misunderstood we are"

It's entrapment! If you're annoyed, it means they've won. It's true - nothing is easier than annoying young punks and I know that first-hand. The song itself isn't exceptional, but it serves as a fine anthem for the band's dissatisfaction with the musical norms of the day and proves to be prognostic with regards to their future path. That's more than enough to make it Important with a capital i.
2001's "Gay icon" was the first BQ album I bought. Despite my horror at the gatefold image, I found it to be a great introduction to the band as I immediately set off to devour their vast back catalogue. The music tends to be a bit too typical slacker/indierock for my tastes, but that's okay - there's plenty of highlights to make up for it.]]>
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Sat, 17 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500 mp3s bq http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27836-death-breath-morbid-mind http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27836-death-breath-morbid-mind http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27836-death-breath-morbid-mind#comments Almost every review of Death Breath that I've read so far seems entirely too preoccupied with how they compare to some other classic death-metal throwback. Who cares? All that matters is that "Stinking up the night" rips! It's by no means a life-changing classic, but that was never the point. The story: Nicke Andersson (The Hellacopters, ex-Entombed) was inspired by Decibel magazine editor Albert Mudrian's book "Choosing death: The improbable history of death metal and grindcore" and decided to explore his roots. It harkens back to a time when death-metal meant bands like Autopsy or Possessed, before Entombed made their mark on the scene. The horror of the lyrics is kitchsy, like an old b-movie. It's meant to be fun, not scary. Death Breath is pure nostalgia, but it's also more than a few old, tired dudes trying to relive their youth. They recapture the energy and vitality of those early days and I love it.]]>
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Tue, 09 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3369 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3369 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3369#comments The Hellacopters will begin recording their 7th album in January.]]> Mon, 11 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4514 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4514 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4514#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lisa Miskovsky - Changes
02. Peter Jöback - Flera sidor av samma man
03. Basshunter - LOL
04. Cajsastina Åkerström - Kärleken finns överallt
05. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
06. Rydell & Quick - Rockoholic
07. Daniel Lindström - Nån slags verklighet
08. The Hellacopters - Air raid serenades
09. Mats Bergmans - Den stora dagen
10. Anne Sofie von Otter - I let the music speak
11. Sugarplum Fairy - First round first minute
12. Patrik Isaksson - Patrik Isaksson
14. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao på turné
15. Fibes, Oh Fibes! - Emotional
16. BWO - Halcyon days
17. Mange Schmidt - Samtidigt, i Stockholm
18. Akcent - French kiss with Kylie
19. Sofia Karlsson - Svarta ballader (sjunger Dan Andersson)
20. Amy Diamond - Still me still now]]> Thu, 07 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4602 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4602 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4602#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Peter Jöback - Flera sidor av samma man
02. Cajsastina Åkerström - Kärleken finns överallt
03. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
04. Patrik Isaksson - Patrik Isaksson
05. Daniel Lindström - Nån slags verklighet
06. Mats Bergmans - Den stora dagen
07. Jonas Gardell - Nästan vackra
08. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao på turné
09. BWO - Halcyon days
10. Tomas Ledin - Plektrum
11. Amy Diamond - Still me still now
12. The Hellacopters - Air raid serenades
14. Peps Persson Oh boy - Det bästa med Peps Persson
15. Carola - Från nu till evighet
16. Sofia Karlsson - Svarta ballader (sjunger Dan Andersson)
17. Eric Gadd - Eric Gadd
18. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
19. Pernilla Wahlgren - Beautiful day
20. The Poodles - Metal will stand tall]]> Thu, 31 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4680 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4680 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/4680#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Peter Jöback - Flera sidor av samma man
02. Daniel Lindström - Nån slags verklighet
03. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
04. Patrik Isaksson - Patrik Isaksson
05. Jonas Gardell - Nästan vackra
06. Tomas Ledin - Plektrum
07. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao på turné
08. David & the Citizens - Stop the tape! Stop the tape!
09. Amy Diamond - Still me still now
10. Sofia Karlsson - Svarta ballader (sjunger Dan Andersson)
11. The Poodles - Metal will stand tall
12. Eric Gadd - Eric Gadd
14. Carola - Från nu till evighet
15. Peps Persson Oh boy - Det bästa med Peps Persson
16. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
17. Marie Fredriksson - Min bäste vän
18. BWO - Halcyon days
19. Totta & Wiehe - Dylan
20. The Hellacopters - Air raid serenades]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27952-the-stores-the-tv-reminds-me-of-what-to-be http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27952-the-stores-the-tv-reminds-me-of-what-to-be http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27952-the-stores-the-tv-reminds-me-of-what-to-be#comments Even though we haven't heard anything new from The Hives in awhile, it's not as if Scandinavian garage-rock suddenly went away. The scene has been going strong for a long time and was one of the first things I discovered once I started to venture beyond the realms of metal in the mid-90s (via The Hellacopters, of course). The Stores are a Danish threesome continuing the fine tradition. I love the mix of that cavernous surf-rock guitar tone over a driving rhythm section. The main hook riff is introduced and almost immediately abandoned while the bass and drums work hard to make sure to hold everything together. The band is so tight and on-fire, it gives the guitarist room to do pretty much whatever he wants. It doesn't matter if he's just wailing on chords or working out new ways to tear apart the main theme, it all sounds great. Funny to think that these guys are labelmates with Attrap, but it's true. As you should know, good music is good music, regardless of genre.]]>
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Thu, 20 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5441 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5441 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5441#comments Finnish act Disco Ensemble is spreading their tentacles into Europe and has signed a worldwide deal (excluding Finland where they remain on Fullsteam) with Universal Records. They recently re-recorded four songs from the "First aid kit album with Pelle Gunnerfeldt (Fireside, The Hives, etc.) and Michael Ilbert (The Hellacopters, Cardigans, etc.) in Sweden for a special European rerelease in August. The single "Black euro" comes out first on August 4 and the full-length follows on August 18. And that's not all - the band will also release "We might fall apart" as a 7" single in the UK on July 3 simultaneously with a release in their home country of Finland. For the record, "We might..." is probably my favorite DE song that I've heard, but that's not necessarily saying that much.]]> Tue, 13 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5482 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5482 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5482#comments Black Lodge has announced the signing of Death Breath, the new death-metal band of Nicke Andersson (The Hellacopters, ex-Entombed). Their as-yet untitled debut album is finished and is currently being prepped for a late August/early September release. The band will also release a three-song 7" single very soon featuring the a-side "Death breath" b/w two exclusive tracks: "Corpses of death" (featuring Markus Karlsson of I Quit on vocals) and "Matricide". Listen to a short sample track at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/deathbreathdeathmetal]]> Fri, 09 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5493 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5493 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5493#comments Swedish rockers Thunder Express, the band fronted by Robert Persson of The Hellacopters, will be entering Studio Cobra next week to the record their sophomore album. Soundtrack of Our Lives guitarist Mattias Bärjed will produce.]]> Thu, 08 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6051 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6051 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6051#comments This year's Where the Action Is travelling festival tour in Sweden will feature Millencolin, The Hellacopters, Backyard Babies, Soundtrack of Our Lives and The Hives. Dates:

07/27 - Strömstad
07/28 - Huskvarna
07/29 - Linköping
07/30 - Örebro
08/03 - Malmö
08/05 - Göteborg
08/08 - Söderbärke
08/09 - Stockholm

Tickets go on sale Friday.]]> Tue, 25 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6071 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6071 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6071#comments American label Sacred Heart will be doing a special limited edition vinyl version of The Hellacopters' "Rock & roll is dead" on picture disc. It will also include two bonus tracks ("It might mean something to you" and "Positively so naive") and the first 200 copies (of 1000) will have a different pic on the a-side plus a sticker.]]> Mon, 24 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6466 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6466 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6466#comments Deathbreath, the new retro death-metal project of Nicke Andersson (The Hellacopters, ex-Entombed), has posted the rough mix of a song for streaming on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/deathbreathdeathmetal
I was expecting much of the typical Swedish/Sunlight Studios sound ala Bloodbath (who totally rule btw), but this is different and totally awesome in its own way.]]> Mon, 27 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6723 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6723 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6723#comments The Hellacopters have had quite a rough start for their US tour: http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/noje/story/0,2789,789418,00.html (in Swedish)]]> Wed, 08 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6947 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6947 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6947#comments The new Backyard Babies album "People like people like people like us" has been confirmed for release on April 12. The record was produced by Nicke Andersson of The Hellacopters/Entombed and the band will support the release with a Scandinavian tour beginning in mid-April.]]> Mon, 20 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7201 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7201 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7201#comments ExMS has confirmed the full list of Swedish artists performing at their SXSW showcase this year: http://www.musikindustrin.nu/mi/smpage.fwx?page=198&NYHETER=6623
Artists include Amandine, Ane Brun, Empire Dogs, José González, Loney, Dear, Quit Your Dayjob, The Ark, The Concretes and The Hellacopters.]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7206 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7206 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7206#comments The Musikbyrån site is now updated with the new In Flames video for "Take this life" as well as The Knife's "Silent shout" and "We're from Barecelona" from I'm From Barcelona: http://svt.se/musikbyran
Coming up (tonight?) on the Musikbyrån Live series with be Robyn from Mejeriet in Lund last year to be followed by shows from The Hellacopters, Bear Quartet and more. As always, the shows will be available for streaming for a limited time shortly after they air.]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7229 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7229 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7229#comments Fucking finally! The Hellacopters return to the US:

03/06 - Double Door, Chicago IL
03/07 - tba
03/08 - Khyber, Philadelphia PA
03/09 - tba
03/10 - Bowery Ballroom, New York NY
03/11 - Axis, Boston MA
03/12 - Black Cat, Washington DC
03/13 - Masquerade, Atlanta GA
03/14 - Juanita's Cantina Ballroom, Little Rock AR
03/15 - Lizard Lounge, Dallas TX
03/16 - Meridian, Houston TX
03/17 - Sanctuary, San Antonio TX
03/18 - SXSW, Austin TX
03/20 - Bluebird, Denver CO
03/21 - Club Sound, Salt Lake City UT
03/22 - tba
03/23 - Casbah, San Diego CA
03/24 - Slim's, San Francisco CA
03/25 - El Rey, Los Angeles CA

No Seattle show? Not even Portland? Weak!]]> Wed, 01 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7494 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7494 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7494#comments On September 25 Satellite Records will be releasing a tribute comp for Swedish singer/songwriter Ola Magnell entitled "Påtalåtar - Hyllning till Ola Magnell". Check out the tracklist:

01. Elin Sigvardsson - Tomma Tunnor
02. Lars Winnerbäck - Ta Det Kallt (Don't Think Twice..)
03. Stefan Sundström - Påtalåten
04. Lalla Hansson - Bruten Vinge
05. Mats Ronander - På Älvors Vis
06. Sanna Carlstedt - Nya Perspektiv
07. Tomas Andersson Wij - Trasten
08. 13th Floor Escalators - Rulltrappan (I think this is Nicke from The Hellacopters with Dregen from Backyard Babies)
09. Ronny Eriksson/Kristofer Åström - Vällingklockan
10. Anna+Idde - Vargarnas Vår
11. Lars Demian - Kliff
12. Benneth Fagerlund/Max Schultz - Malvina Utan Mörker]]> Mon, 16 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7828 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7828 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7828#comments Boba aka Anders Lindström of The Hellacopters will be doing a new project with Sulo from Diamond Dogs called The Bitter Twins and the Last of the Lovers to mark the occasion of 20 years playing together. Rounding out the band will be Anders Härnestam (Weeping Willows) on drums, Mattias Bärjed (The Soundtrack of Our Lives) on guitar and Stefan Björk (ex-Wilmer X) on the bass. The plan is record at the end of January with an eventual album release sometime around early Summer.]]> Tue, 20 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7901 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7901 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7901#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
02. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
03. Jill Johnson - The christmas in you
04. Monica Zetterlund - Z - det bästa med monica zetterlund
05. Darin - Darin
06. Lena Philipsson - Jag ångrar ingenting
07. Thåström - Skebokvarnsv 209
08. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
09. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
10. Nanne - Alltid på väg
11. Eva Dahlgren - Snö
12. Laleh - Laleh
13. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
14. Brolle Jr - Brolle jr tolkar cornelis - en stund på jorden
15. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
16. The Soundtrack of Our Lives - A present from the past
17. Sophie Zelmani - A decade of dreams 1995-2005
18. Carola - Jul i betlehem
19. Jussi Björling - Från operans värld till svenska sånger
20. Peter Lemarc - Sjutton sånger - lemarc sjunger lemarc

The nominees for the Swedish Grammis have been announced:

Best pop female:
Amy Diamond - This is me now
Ane Brun - A temporary dive
Frida Hyvönen - Until death comes
Jenny Wilson - Love and youth
Robyn - Robyn

Best pop male:
Darin - Darin
Håkan Hellström - Ett kolikbarns bekännelser
Mauro Scocco - Herr Jimsons äventyr
Peter LeMarc - Sjutton sånger - LeMarc sjunger LeMarc
Son of a plumber - Son of a plumber

Best pop group:
Alcazar - Dancefloor deluxe
Bodies without organs - Prototype
CDOASS - Extra fingers
Doktor Kosmos - Ett enkelt svar
Suburban kids with biblical names - #3

Best rock album (solo):
Christian Kjellvander - Faya
Freddie Wadling - Jag är monstret
Moneybrother - To die alone
Thåström - Skebokvarnsv. 209
Tomas Andersson Wij - Tomas Andersson Wij

Best rock group:
Kent - Du & jag döden
Soundtrack of our lives - A present from the past
The Ark - State of the Ark
The Cardigans - Super extra gravity
The Hellacopters - Rock & roll is dead

Best composer:
Anders Wedin (Moneybrother) - To die alone
Joakim Berg - Du & jag döden
Laleh - Laleh
Robyn/Klas Åhlund - Robyn
Thåström - Skebokvarnsv. 209

Best lyrics:
Håkan Hellström - Ett kolikbarns bekännelser
Jason Diakité - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
Joakim Berg - Du & jag döden
Laleh - Laleh
Thåström - Skebokvarnsv. 209

Best proder:
Anders Hansson & Alexander Bard
Bloodshy/Avant
Klas Åhlund
Laleh
Lars Halapi

Best hip-hop/soul:
Hearin'aid - The Boom Lucy
Jaqee - Blaqalixious
Looptroop - Fort Europa
Masayah - p.s.
Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö

Best hard-rock:
Candlemass - Candlemass
Hammerfall - Chapter V: Unbent, unbowed, unbroken
Hardcore Superstar - Hardcore Superstar
Meshuggah - Catch thirtythree
Opeth - Ghost reveries

Best jazz:
Bobo Stenson/Anders Jormin/Paul Motian - Goodbye
e.s.t. - Viaticum
Jonas Kullhammar Quartet - Snake city north
Putte Wickman & Jan Lundgren - An intimate salute to Frankie
Torbjörn Zetterberg - Krissvit

Best club/dance:
Arash - Arash - new version
v/a - Inside Scandinavia vol 2
Hundarna från söder - Troika
September - In orbit
Spånka Nkpg - The City of the golden king

Open category:
Allan Edwall - Alla Allans visor
v/a - Du Beppe, Beppe Wolgers mästerverk
Peps Blodsband - Äntligen!
The Latin Kings - Familia Royale
Totta Näslund - Totta 8: Greatest hits!

Best newcomer:
Amy Diamond
Bodies Without Organs
Darin
Frida Hyvönen
Laleh

Best album:
Bodies without organs - Prototype
Kent - Du & jag döden
Laleh - Laleh
Robyn - Robyn
Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö

Best artist:
Kent
Laleh
Moneybrother
Robyn
Timbuktu

Best music dvd:
Abba - Abba the movie
Cornelis Vreeswijk - Cornelis
Evergrey - A night to remember
Marit Bergman - Marit Bergman - Live at Rival
Timbuktu - Funken styr våra steg

Best song:
Amy Diamond - What's in it for me
Darin - Money for nothing
Kent - The hjärta & smärta ep
Robyn - Be mine
Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö

Full list of every category here: http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2198&a=503182]]> Thu, 15 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28089-the-hellacopters-you-are-nothin http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28089-the-hellacopters-you-are-nothin http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28089-the-hellacopters-you-are-nothin#comments When I first heard that Nicke from Entombed had started a garage-rock sideproject, I was stoked. I was just starting to get into other dirty rock/garage bands like The Mummies and The Devil Dogs, so the first Hellacopters album "Supershitty to the max" fit right in with my collection. And while that record is pretty good, it's the second disc "Payin' the dues" that really got me going. That record is absolutely on fire and you can hear it with the very first track "You are nothin'". If that's not a ballsy statement of intent, I dunno what is. Unlike the band's more recent material, the recording is still buried in fuzz and dirt, perfectly emulating the style they were going for. Remember- this is garage rock, not the 70s-style arena rawk the band later evolved into. Both eras of the 'Copters are excellent (and in some ways, I prefer the latter), but it's always good to listen back at where they came from.]]>
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Fri, 18 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0500 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8412 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8412 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8412#comments

The nominees in the Scandinavian categories at the MTV Europe Music Awards:

Best Swedish: Christian Walz, Kent, Moneybrother, The Hellacopters, Timbuktu
Best Danish: Mew, Carpark North, Nephew, The Raveonettes, Nik and Jay
Best Norwegian: Röyksopp, Marion Raven, Turbonegro, Thomas Dybdahl, Ane Brun
Best Finnish: The Rasmus, HIM, Nightwish, 69 Eyes, Apocalyptica]]> Thu, 03 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8424 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8424 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8424#comments Entombed has revealed that "Serpent saints" will be the title of their forthcoming album, due on June 6, 2006 via their own Threeman Recordings. Rumor has it that ex-drummer Nicke Andersson (The Hellacopters) might contribute to the songwriter and recording now that Uffe is gone, but nothing is confirmed yet.]]> Wed, 02 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9287 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9287 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9287#comments The next single off of The Hellacopters most recent album "Rock n' roll is dead" will be "I'm in the band". Universal will be putting out the CD version with the video and b-side "Positively so naive". A 12" vinyl edition will be released by Wild Kingdom. Upcoming live dates with fellow Swedes The Doits:

09/19 - Markthalle, Hamburg (GER)
09/20 - Longhorn, Stuttgart (GER)
09/21 - Flex, Vienna (AUS)
09/22 - Rote Fabrik, Zurich (CH)
09/23 - PTR Usine, Geneva (CH)
09/24 - Apolo, Barcelona (SPA)
09/25 - Santana 27, Bilbao (SPA)
09/26 - Aqualung, Madrid (SPA)
09/28 - L'Elysée Montmartre, Paris (FRA)
09/29 - Schlacthof, Wiesbaden (GER)
09/30 - Werk 2, Leipzig (GER)
10/01 - Live Music Hall , Köln (GER)
10/02 - Georg Elser Halle, Munchen (GER)
10/03 - Soundgarden, Dortmund (GER)
10/04 - Schlacthof, Bremen (GER)
10/05 - Postbahnhof, Berlin (GER)
10/06 - KB, Malmö (SWE)
10/07 - The Cod, Strömstad (SWE)
10/08 - Rockefeller, Oslo (N0R)
10/09 - Trädgårn, Göteborg (SWE)
10/10 - Cirkus, Stockholm (SWE)
10/13 - Viking Line Ferry between Stockholm and Helsinki

More Scandinavian dates tbc for October and November.]]> Mon, 29 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9404 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9404 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9404#comments When Nicke Andersson first left Entombed to concentrate 100% on The Hellacopters, the future of his old band was left totally up in the air. C'mon, what do you do when one of your founding members and main songwriters leaves? The pressure was on, to say the least. So when the new album "Same difference" finally was released in 1998 with new drummer Peter Stjärnvind, a lot of people were especially critical of the record. Now, I'm not gonna come out and say that everyone was wrong, but I do think they were unjustly harsh. While it's obviously not the best thing they've ever done, it's still nowhere near as bad as a lot of those initial reviews would have you believe. Coming out after the fuzzy death n' roll onslaught of 1997's "To ride, shoot straight and speak the truth", "Same difference" was a study in contrasts. The production was significantly cleaner and the playing was much more subdued, though tighter. It was the sound of a band in transition, trying to figure out where to go next. Yeah, there's some definite clunkers on the record, but I think that it hold up well regardless. It doesn't help that the tracklist is totally front-loaded, but it works just fine on shuffle. And ignore those five bonus tracks on the US version - they were much better off left as a separate disc on the "TRSSASPTT" limited edition digipack. So anyhow, as you should know, I love me some country music along with my death metal. So when Entombed throws some downtuned slide guitar into the mix, you bet your ass I'm all about it as on today's track "Clauses". It still might not be enough to redeem all of "Same difference", but hopefully it'll at least make you go back and rethink it.]]> Fri, 19 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9660 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9660 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9660#comments I don't feel like copying and pasting the whole thing, so go here for the first set of European tourdates this fall for The Hellacopters: http://www.hellacopters.com/site/theshows.asp]]> Fri, 29 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9822 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9822 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9822#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. CajsaStina Åkerström - De vackraste orden
02. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
03. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
04. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
05. Robyn - Robyn
06. Musikal - Mamma Mia
07. Di Leva - Själens krigare: samlade sånger 1980-2005
08. Ulf Lundell - Högtryck
09. Kent - Du & Jag Döden
10. Carola - Störst av allt
11. Lars Winnerbäck - Vatten under broarna
12. Darin - The anthem
13. Magnus Uggla - Den tatuerade generationen
14. Sofia Karlsson - Svarta ballader
15. Totta Näslund - Totta 8: Greatest Hits
16. Nanne - 20 år med Nanne
17. The Hellacopters - Rock & Roll Is Dead
18. Anna Ternheim - Somebody outside
19. Kina Jaarnek & Elvis Presleys Band - En hyllning till Elvis
20. Monica Zetterlund - Monicas bästa]]> Thu, 14 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9926 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9926 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9926#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. CajsaStina Åkerström - De vackraste orden
02. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
03. Robyn - Robyn
04. Di Leva - Själens krigare: samlade sånger 1980-2005
05. Totta Näslund - Totta 8: Greatest Hits
06. Carola - Störst av allt
07. The Hellacopters - Rock & Roll Is Dead
08. Musikal - Mamma Mia
09. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
10. Ulf Lundell - Högtryck
11. Sofia Karlsson - Svarta ballader
12. Kent - Du & Jag Döden
13. Pandora - 9 Lives
14. Nanne - 20 år med Nanne
15. Ted Gärdestad - Sol vind & vatten - Det bästa
16. Laleh - Laleh
17. Bodies Without Organs - Protoype
18. Electric Banana Band - Electric Banana Band och Trazan & Banarnes bästa
19. Helena Paparizou - My Number One
20. Arvingarna - #8

Indieworkshop reviews the solo debut from Karl Larsson (Last Days of April): http://indieworkshop.com/music/1818/]]> Thu, 30 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10004 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10004 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10004#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. CajsaStina Åkerström - De vackraste orden
02. Musikal - Mamma Mia
03. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
04. Robyn - Robyn
05. Carola - Störst av allt
06. Ulf Lundell - Högtryck
07. The Hellacopters - Rock & Roll Is Dead
08. Sofia Karlsson - Svarta ballader
09. Kent - Du & Jag Döden
10. Pandora - 9 Lives
11. Nanne - 20 år med Nanne
12. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
13. Ted Gärdestad - Sol vind & vatten - Det bästa
14. Di Leva - Själens krigare: samlade sånger 1980-2005
15. Arvingarna - #8
16. Totta Näslund - Totta 8: Greatest Hits
17. Laleh - Laleh
18. Electric Banana Band - Electric Banana Band och Trazan & Banarnes bästa
19. Jill Johnson - Being Who You Are
20. Bodies Without Organs - Protoype

Dusted reviews the reissue of Efterklang's "Springer" EP: http://dustedmagazine.com/reviews/2183]]> Thu, 23 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25482-podcast-feel-good-summer-mix-pt-2 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25482-podcast-feel-good-summer-mix-pt-2 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25482-podcast-feel-good-summer-mix-pt-2#comments DATE ADDED : 06.19.05
LENGTH : 29:59 min
DOWNLOAD : itsatrap_podcast_06192005.mp3 (21.1mb)
RSS : [click here]

Tracklist:
01. Last Days of April - Playerin
02. The Hellacopters - Before the fall
03. Björn Kleinhenz - Better company
04. David Sandström Overdrive - Here's for summer
05. Tenderloud - Happy days - the feast
06. Powersolo - Juanito
07. Gravy - Behind my walls
08. Uncle's Institution - Babe remix
09. Richard Reagh - Hangin' on a limb
10. When - Flower jam

]]> Sun, 19 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0400 articles podcast http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10096 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10096 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10096#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Musikal - Mamma Mia
02. The Hellacopters - Rock & Roll Is Dead
03. Ulf Lundell - Högtryck
04. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
05. Robyn - Robyn
06. Carola - Störst av allt
07. Kent - Du & Jag Döden
08. Sofia Karlsson - Svarta ballader
09. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
10. Nanne - 20 år med Nanne
11. Ted Gärdestad - Sol vind & vatten - Det bästa
12. Electric Banana Band - Electric Banana Band och Trazan & Banarnes bästa
13. Laleh - Laleh
14. Mustasch - Powerhouse
15. Helena Paparizou - My Number One
16. Bodies Without Organs - Protoype
17. Arvingarna - #8
18. Moneybrother - To Die Alone
19. Jill Johnson - Being Who You Are
20. Shirley Clamp - Lever Mina Drömmar

Delusions of Adequacy reviews Paatos: http://www.adequacy.net/review.php?reviewid=5609]]> Thu, 16 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10292 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10292 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10292#comments This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (01) Jenny Wilson - "Let My Shoes Lead Me Forward"
02. (03) LCD Soundsystem - "Disco Infiltrator"
03. (04) The Sunshine - "She's My Television"
04. (02) Josh Rouse - "It's the Nighttime"
05. (12) Svenska Akademin - "Du Vill Så Du Kan"
06. (13) El Perro Del Mar - "Here comes that Feeling (21)"
07. (15) Missy Elliott - "Lose Control"
08. (05) Turbonegro - "High On The Crime"
09. (06) Röyksopp - "Only This Moment"
10. (07) Mattias Alkberg BD - "Politix"
11. (08) Daft Punk - "Technologic"
12. (09) Doktor Kosmos - "När Min Pojke Går På Stan"
13. (10) The Hellacopters - "Everything's On TV"
14. (11) Hello Kinski - "The story of Eric and Jerry"
15. (14) Timbuktu - "Det Löser Sig"
16. (16) White Stripes - "Blue Orchid"
17. (17) Thievery Corporation - "The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter"
18. (18) Sambassadeur - "New Moon"
19. (19) Queens of the Stone Age - "In my head"
20. (20) Juliette & The Licks - "You´re Speaking My Language"]]> Wed, 01 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10471 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10471 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10471#comments This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (01) Jenny Wilson - "Let My Shoes Lead Me Forward"
02. (06) Mattias Alkberg BD - "Politix"
03. (04) The Sunshine - "She's My Television"
04. (18) The Hellacopters - "Everything's On TV"
05. (11) Timbuktu - "Det Löser Sig"
06. (05) Queens of the Stone Age - "In my head"
07. (15) Foo Fighters - "Best of you"
08. (07) White Stripes - "Blue orchid"
09. (08) Turbonegro - "High On The Crime"
10. (02) Eels - "Hey Man (Now You´re Really Living)"
11. (NY) Doktor Kosmos - "När Min Pojke Går På Stan"
12. (13) Turin Brakes - "Fishing for a dream"
13. (12) The Fine Arts Showcase - "The Hazel Ridge"
14. (19) Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - "Funeral Face"
15. (NY) Sambassadeur - "New Moon"
16. (NY) Juliette & The Licks - "You´re Speaking My Language"
17. (17) The Lost Patrol - "Golden Times"
18. (NY) Svenska Akademin - "Du Vill Så Du Kan"
19. (16) New Order - "Jetstream"
20. (20) Daft Punk - "Technologic"

Leaving the chart: Hal, Thievery Corporation, The Tough Alliance and Maximo Park.]]> Wed, 18 May 2005 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10533 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10533 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10533#comments The Hellacopters website is open once again and now has lots of pics from the recording of the new album "Rock and roll is dead" along with extensive band member info and more: http://www.hellacopters.com/]]> Thu, 12 May 2005 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10558 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10558 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10558#comments This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (02) Jenny Wilson - "Let My Shoes Lead Me Forward"
02. (05) Eels - "Hey Man (Now You're Really Living)"
03. (08) Hal - "Play the Hits"
04. (NY) The Sunshine - "She's My Television"
05. (NY) Queens of the Stone Age - "In My Head"
06. (01) Mattias Alkberg BD - "Politix"
07. (10) The White Stripes - "Blue Orchid"
08. (11) Turbonegro - "High on the Crime"
09. (12) Thievery Corporation - "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter"
10. (03) The Tough Alliance - "Keep it Pure"
11. (NY) Timbuktu - "Det löser sig"
12. (04) The Fine Arts Showcase - "The Hazel Ridge"
13. (15) Turin Brakes - "Fishing for a Dream"
14. (ÅT) Maxïmo Park - "Graffiti"
15. (NY) Foo Fighters - "Best of You"
16. (NY) New Order - "Jetstream"
17. (NY) The Lost Patrol - "Golden Times"
18. (NY) The Hellacopters - "Everything's On TV"
19. (06) Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - "Funeral Face"
20. (NY) Daft Punk - "Techologic"

Leaving the chart: Prominent, Kent, The Rakes, Håkan Hellström, The Kills, The House of Love, Looptroop, Hello Saferide and Audio Bullys.]]> Wed, 11 May 2005 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25471-interview-peter-ahlqvist-burning-heart-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25471-interview-peter-ahlqvist-burning-heart-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25471-interview-peter-ahlqvist-burning-heart-records#comments 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)

]]> Sat, 30 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0400 articles interviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11913 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11913 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11913#comments Century Media rock n' roll offshoot Liquor and Poker Music has announced that they will release the "Cream Of The Crap! Vol. 2" b-sides and rarities collection from The Hellacopters in the US on February 22.]]> Tue, 01 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26633-the-deadbeats-long-hard-nights-bootleg-booze-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26633-the-deadbeats-long-hard-nights-bootleg-booze-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26633-the-deadbeats-long-hard-nights-bootleg-booze-records#comments Rock 'n' roll from Finspång, Sweden akin to The Hellacopters. Guitarist/vocalist Andreas Axelson and company deliver 12 tracks of good, clean retro-rock (see: Jet and any other band in the same category.) The album's opening track, "State of Shock" is a good opener that gets the toes tapping but then I found myself getting kinda bored halfway through the album. The last two tracks, "Too Much" and the album's title track, sound like how the entire album should have sounded. Recommended for fans of The Hellacopters and bands of that vein.
- Navy Keophan
Rating: 0

Best newcomer:
Ana Johnsson - "The Way I Am"
Anna Ternheim - "Somebody Outside""
Deportees - "All Prayed Up"
Jens Lekman - "When I Said I Wanted To Be Your Dog"
Raymond & Maria - "Vi ska bara leva klart"

Best album:
Christian Walz - "Paint By Numbers"
Marit Bergman - "Baby Dry Your Eye"
Stina Nordenstam - "The World Is Saved"
The Hives - "Tyrannosaurus Hives"
The Soundtrack of our Lives - "Origin Vol. 1"

Best artist:
Gyllene Tider - "Finn 5 Fel!"
Lena Philipsson - "Det gör ont en stund på natten men inget på dan"
Marit Bergman - "Baby Dry Your Eye"
The Hives - "Tyrannosaurus Hives"
The Soundtrack of Our Lives - "Origin Vol. 1"

Best song:
Raymond & Maria - "Ingen vill veta vart du köpt din tröja"
Lena Philipsson - "Det gör ont"
Nic & The Family - "Hej Hej Monika"
Gyllene Tider - "Tuffa tider/Sten vid en sjö i en skog"
Shirley Clamp - "Min kärlek"

Best pop (female):
Anna Ternheim - "Somebody Outside"
Lena Philipsson - "Det gör ont en stund på natten men inget på dan"
Marit Bergman - "Baby Dry Your Eye"
Sophie Zelmani - "Love Affair"
Stina Nordenstam - "The World Is Saved"

Best pop (male):
Christian Walz - "Paint By Numbers"
Di Leva - "Tiden faller"
Jens Lekman - "When I Said I Wanted To Be Your Dog"
Mattias Alkberg BD - "Tunaskolan"
Tomas Andersson Wij - "Stjärnorna i oss"

Best pop group:
Alcazar - "Dancefloor - Deluxe"
Deportees - "All Prayed Up"
Gyllene Tider - "Finn 5 Fel!"
Melody Club - "Face The Music"
Raymond & Maria - "Vi ska bara leva klart"

Best rock album (solo):
Kristofer Åström - "Loupita"
Lars Winnerbäck - "Vatten under broarna"
Nicolai Dunger - "Here's My Song You Can Have It..."
Stefan Sundström - "Hjärtats melodi"
Ulf Lundell - "Ok Baby Ok"

Best rock group:
Sahara Hotnights - "Kiss & Tell"
Silverbullit - "Arclight"
Teddybears Sthlm - "Fresh!"
The Hives - "Tyrannosaurus Hives"
The Soundtrack of Our Lives - "Origin Vol. 1"

Best songwriter:
Anna Ternheim
Christian Walz & Ollie Olson
Marit Bergman
Per Gessle
Stina Nordenstam

Best lyrics:
Anna Ternheim
Jens Lekman
Lars Winnerbäck
Marit Bergman
Tomas Andersson Wij

Best producer:
Christian Walz
Johan Forsman & The Soundtrack of Our Lives
Lars Halapi
Pelle Gunnerfeldt & The Hives
Teddybears Sthlm & Phat Fabe

Best hip-hop/soul:
Damn! - "Youth Style"
Embee - "Tellings From Solitaria"
Infinite Mass - "1991"
Ison & Fille - "Ison & Fille"
Promoe - "The Long Distance Runner"

Best hard-rock/metal:
Dismember - "Where Ironcrosses Grow"
Entombed - "Unreal Estate"
Europe - "Start From The Dark"
In Flames - "Soundtrack To Your Escape"
The Hellacopters - "Strikes Like Lightning"

Best club/dance:
Andreas Tilliander - "World Industries"
Da Buzz - "Dangerous - The Album"
Guidelines - Must Be The Music"
Hird - "Moving On"
Stonebridge - "Can't Get Enough"

Best jazz:
Goran Kajfes - "Headspin"
Kullrusk - "Kullrusk"
Putte Wickman & Jan Lundgren - "We Will Always Be Together"
Rigmor Gustafsson And The Jacky Terrasson Trio - "Close To You"
The Torbjörn Zetterberg Hot Five - "Förtjänar mer uppmärksamhet"

Open category:
Alice Babs & Nisse Linds Hottrio - "Alice Babs & Nisse Linds Hot-Trio"
Anders F Rönnblom - "F-Box"
Blacknuss - "Gold"
Stefan Nilsson - "Så som i himmelen"
Titiyo - "Best of Titiyo"

Check out the full list here: http://www.ifpi.se/02.images/01.top/02.subnav_pdf/08.grammis/pdf/Grammisnomineringar_2004.pdf]]> Thu, 16 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12826 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12826 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12826#comments Via Dagensskiva, here's this week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (16) Timo Räisänen - "Lovers Are Lonely"
02. (08) Promoe - "Long Distance Runner"
03. (02) The (International) Noise Conspiracy - "A Small Demand"
04. (11) Bloc Party - "Helicopter"
05. (04) The Go! Team - "Ladyflash"
06. (01) Bergman Rock - "I'm A Crab"
07. (10) Björk - "Who Is It?"
08. (NY) Radio LXMBRG - "L'Indiffirence EP"
09. (NY) Ison & Fille - "Vill va Highwon"
10. (05) The Tough Alliance - "Holiday"
11. (09) Mando Diao - "God Knows"
12. (NY) Faithless - "Miss U Less, See U More"
13. (NY) Ayesha - "Squaffie"
14. (NY) Keane - "This Is The Last Time"
15. (03) Embee - "Not Tonite"
16. (NY) Snow Patrol - "How To Be Dead"
17. (NY) Joanna Newsom - "Sprout and the Bean"
18. (ÅT) Richard Reagh + Wwnb2 - "Outlaw"
19. (15) Doktor Kosmos - "Distance Equals Rate Times Time"
20. (17) Peter Bjorn And John - "Teen Love"

Hot tracks outside the top 20:
Dizzee Rascal - "Dream"
Florence Valentin - "Där jag borde va"
Sophie Rimheden/Håkan Lidbo - "Shout"

Leaving the chart:
(06) Phoenix - "You Can't Blame It On. (Anybody)"
(07) Ed Harcourt - "Born In The '70s"
(12) Sahara Hotnights - "Who Do You Dance For?"
(13) Kanye West - "Jesus Walks"
(14) 22-20s - "Shoot Your Gun"
(18) The Hellacopters - "Turn The Wrong Key"
(19) The Streets - "Blinded By The Lights"
(20) Starmarket - "Cologne"]]> Tue, 16 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12903 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12903 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12903#comments Via Dagensskiva, here's this week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (01) Bergman Rock - "I'm A Crab"
02. (02) The (International) Noise Conspiracy - "A Small Demand"
03. (06) Embee - "Not Tonite"
04. (09) The Go! Team - "Ladyflash"
05. (NY) The Tough Alliance - "Holiday"
06. (03) Phoenix - "You Can't Blame It On. (Anybody)"
07. (05) Ed Harcourt - "Born In The '70s"
08. (NY) Promoe - "Long Distance Runner"
09. (NY) Mando Diao - "God Knows"
10. (NY) Björk - "Who Is It?"
11. (NY) Bloc Party - "Helicopter"
12. (04) Sahara Hotnights - "Who Do You Dance For?"
13. (07) Kanye West - "Jesus Walks"
14. (16) 22-20s - "Shoot Your Gun"
15. (19) Doktor Kosmos - "Distance Equals Rate Times Time"
16. (NY) Timo Räisänen - "Lovers Are Lonely"
17. (NY) Peter Bjorn And John - "Teen Love"
18. (NY) The Hellacopters - "Turn The Wrong Key"
19. (NY) The Streets - "Blinded By The Lights"
20. (08) Starmarket - "Cologne"

Hot tracks outside the top 20:
Florence Valentin - "Där Jag Borde Va"
Ayesha - "Squaffie"
Bright Eyes - "Take It Easy"

Leaving the chart:
(10) [Ingenting] - "Här Kommer Solen"
(11) Snoop Dogg Feat. Pharell - "Drop It Like It's Hot"
(12) Baby Shambles - "Killamangiro"
(13) Deportees - "Not Tonight"
(14) Mos Def - "Sex, Love & Money"
(15) Destiny's Child - "Lose My Breath"
(17) The Mo - "Howl In The Jungle"
(18) Richard Reagh + Wwnb2 - "Outlaw"
(20) The Concretes - "Seems Fine"]]> Tue, 09 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12945 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12945 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12945#comments Look for the new issue of Drum! Magazine for an interview with Robert Eriksson of The Hellacopters. Fellow 'Copter Robert 'Strings' Dahlqvist is interviewed in the new issue of Guitar One.]]> Mon, 08 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13061 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13061 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13061#comments All-star Swedish punkrock sideproject Urkke T & The Midlife Crisis will be releasing a single with three cover tunes on it before the end of the year. The tracklist:

01. Sick Of You (The Users)
02. Centre Of Lies (Warheads)
03. The American In Me (The Avengers)

The full lineup of the band is Urrke (Maryslim) on bass/lead vocals, Dregen (Backyard Babies) on guitar/vocals, Måns Maggot (The Maggots) on guitar/vocals, and Robban E (The Hellacopters) on drums/vocals.]]> Thu, 28 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13138 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13138 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13138#comments Bootleg Booze has announced that the debut full-length album "Long Hard Nights" from classic rockers The Deadbeats will be released on November 26. I thought their first 7" sounded awfully similar to The Hellacopters, but that's not necessarily such as a bad thing. Check out the track "Mr. Brokenhearted" right here: http://www.bootlegbooze.com/sounds/booze014/deadbeats_mr_brokenhearted.mp3]]> Thu, 21 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13222 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13222 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13222#comments Swedish rock n' roll label Wild Kingdom has announced that they will release the brand new album "Constant Reminder" from The Sewergrooves on October 20. They'll also be putting out The Wonderfools' new album "Future Classic" the very same day. As for the future, look for something new from The Doits who are currently in the studio working with Nicke Andersson (The Hellacopters) behind the board.]]> Fri, 15 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13501 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13501 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13501#comments Tons of Scandinavian stuff in the latest Aquarius Records new release list including Arboga Teenage Riot, Vladisav Delay, The Hellacopters and lots more: http://www.aquariusrecords.org/cat/newest.html]]> Mon, 27 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13542 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13542 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13542#comments The Solution, the rock n' roll/soul band featuring Nicke from The Hellacopters alongside Scott Morgan of the Sonic Redezvous Band, are finally doing a tour:

11/09 - KB, Malmö (SWE)
11/10 - Storan, Göteborg (SWE)
11/11 - Platens bar, Linköping (SWE)
11/12 - Kino, Karlskrona (SWE)
11/13 - The Tivoli, Helsingborg (SWE)
11/14 - Berns, Stockholm (SWE)
11/16 - Prisma, Västerås (SWE)
11/17 - Garage, Oslo (NOR)
11/18 - The Cod, Strömstad (SWE)
11/19 - Vega, Köpenhamn (DK)
11/20 - Train, Århus (DK)
11/24 - Lock 13, London (UK)]]> Thu, 23 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25401-streaming-playlist-old-stuff http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25401-streaming-playlist-old-stuff http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25401-streaming-playlist-old-stuff#comments DATE ADDED : 08.16.04
LAUNCH : Real / Windows

Tracklist:
01. Honey is Cool - Bolero
02. Amorphis - My kantele (acoustic reprise)
03. Broder Daniel - Dark heart
04. The Hellacopters - Soulseller
05. Nicolai Dunger - What tomorrow
06. Him Kerosene - Whatever gets you by
07. In Flames - Moonshield
08. Fireside - Let Rasputin do it
09. Madrugada - Salt
10. Nine - Getting it out
11. Motorpsycho - Blindfolded
12. Silverbullit/Citizen Bird - Magnetic city
13. Giant Robot - S M L XL
14. Starmarket - You can't come
15. The Plan - Let's leave
16. Souls - Cello (where you were)
17. At the Gates - Cold
18. Weeping Willows - Louisa
19. The Motorhomes - Love
20. Bear Quartet - What I hate

]]> Sun, 15 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0400 articles podcast http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14284 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14284 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14284#comments Liquor and Poker Music, US label to The Hellacopters and Hanoi Rocks, has enlisted yet another Scandinavian rock n' roll act for release in America called The Bones. The label will release the band's third album "Straight Flush Ghetto" this coming fall. Check out an mp3 for the song "Do you wanna": http://www.liquorandpokermusic.com/mp3/bones_doyouwanna.mp3]]> Mon, 26 Jul 2004 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14389 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14389 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14389#comments The US edition of the most recent album "By the grace of god" from mighty Swedish rockers The Hellacopters is out now via Liquor and Poker Music. The new version of the release comes packaged with two bonus tracks, two music videos, a documentary, cloth patch and more and you can listen to some preview tracks at the label's website: http://www.liquorandpokermusic.com/]]> Thu, 15 Jul 2004 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14751 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14751 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14751#comments Aftonbladet has selected The Solution as one of the 'records of the week' and posted their review and samples: http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/noje/story/0,2789,490207,00.html (in Swedish)
As mentioned before, The Solution is the soul/rock band collaboration between Nick Andersson (The Hellacopters) and Scott Morgan (Sonic Rendezvous Band).]]> Fri, 11 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14766 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14766 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14766#comments Howlin' Pelle from The Hives will be guesting with a reunited MC5 for two dates in Japan. The Hellacopters' Nicke Andersson will be guesting on some European tourdates, as he has done before.]]> Thu, 10 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14896 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14896 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14896#comments Nothing is set yet, but Liquor & Poker Music is trying to get The Hellacopters on tour in the US with Nebula in September. More details when I get 'em.]]> Wed, 02 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14963 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14963 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/14963#comments Liquor and Poker will release the US version of The Hellacopters' most recent album "By the grace of god" on July 13.]]> Thu, 27 May 2004 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15061 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15061 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15061#comments Swedish doom metal band Candlemass have called it quits yet again, seemingly for the last time. Their statement:

"We are truly sorry to inform you that Candlemass have disbanded! This is sad news for us and everybody else that love this fantastic band. There will be no more gigs, no new album, no more doom!
This is it... ..finished..........zero...........nada........out!!!
Despite the tremendous success of the reunion, everything hasn’t been perfect.
Tiny cracks in the façade could be seen during the first round in the summer of 2002 because members of the band do not share the same vision of C-mass, the gigs, an eventual new album, democracy etc, and last year it became clear that the indifferences were too large to overcome.
A demo was recorded but the internal problems overshadowed the fun of playing. The gig at Klubben (Stockholm) nov. 29 came to be the last and final for Candlemass.
The band have tried to save the situation. There have been meetings and discussions, but unfortunately it hasn’t been possible for the five members to agree on how Candlemass could work in the future. The members would have loved to continue but the chemistry is just not there anymore.
The magic is gone........................."

Of course, the music will still live on, especially since GMR Records is compiling a tribute album to the band. Some of the names set to contribute include Opeth, The Hellacopters, The Haunted, Cathedral, Grand Magus, Krux, Satyricon and maybe Timo Rautianinen & Trio Niskalaukaus. It's tentatively set for a spring 2005 release.]]> Thu, 20 May 2004 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15130 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15130 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15130#comments Check out the video for "I have to quit you", the debut single from The Solution: http://www.wildkingdom.se/videos/TheSolution-Ihavetoquityou.wmv
As mentioned before, The Solution is the new band from Nick Royale of The Hellacopters with Scott Morgan from Sonic Rendezvous Band.]]> Mon, 17 May 2004 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15133 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15133 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/15133#comments Tuba Records will release the new album "Communicate" from The Solution in Norway on June 28. In case you were unaware, The Solution is the new band from Scott Morgan (The Rationals, Sonic's Rendezvous Band, The Hydromatics, Powertrane) & Nick Royale (The Hellacopters) who I guess decided to change their name from Soulmover, as originally planned. Read more what Nick had to say about the project formation and subsequent recording session: http://www.tubarec.com/
Sounds awesome, can't wait to hear it.]]> Fri, 14 May 2004 00:00:00 -0400 news