Here's the updated tour schedule for the Ricochets:

07/03 - Quart Festival, Kristiandsand (NOR)
07/11 - Arvika Festival, Avrika (SWE)
07/25 - Måne Festival, Fredrikstad (NOR)
07/26 - 71 Graders Nord Festival, Laksekv (NOR)
08/02 - Slottsfjellet, Tønsberg (NOR)
08/05 - Ordlands Musikkfest Uke, Bodø (NOR)
08/06 - Øya Festival Kick Off / Rockefeller, Oslo (NOR)
08/09 - Malakoff Festival, Nordfjordeid (NOR)
08/13 - tba, Hamburg (GER) w/X.Lover, Silver
08/14 - Underground, Cologne (GER) w/X.Lover, Silver
08/15 - tba, Berlin (GER) w/X.Lover, Silver
08/16 - Debaser, Stockholm (SWE) w/X.Lover, Silver
08/21 - Kroa , Bø (NOR)
08/22 - Bjørnegilde, Oslo (NOR)
08/29 - Ørsta Festival, Ørsta (NOR)

Some of the bands set to play the Slottsfjell Festival in Tønsberg, Norway on August 1-2: Madrugada, Bjørn Rosenstrøm, Nils Petter Molvær, Saybia, Equicez, Surferosa, Mohammed, Don Juan Dracula, Baby Woodrose, Ricochets, Amulet, Johndoe, JR Ewing. More info: www.slottsfjellfestival.no

Some of the bands confirmed for the Rock for Moc festival in Bergslagen, Sweden on September 5-7: Mimikry, Different Kinds, Dog Almighty, System Breakdown, Willowtree, Eskju Divine, LEASH, Splicer, Outbreak, Seventribe, Coastline. More info: www.rockformoc.com

I coulda sworn that I posted something about it ages ago, but I guess I missed it. Anyhow, The Virtues pass along the news that they will be recording two tracks for an upcoming Shawn Smith (Brad, Satchel, Pigeonhead) tribute compilation. "The Day Brings" and "I Don't Know" are the songs they're doing.

Arch Enemy will on radio station WNYU's program "Hellhole" in NYC on June 17 at 9pm and will reportedly be premiering new material from their upcoming album "Anthems of Rebellion". WNYU broadcasts at 89.1 FM and can be streamed online from www.wnyu.org.

Nicolai Dunger is currently finishing up recording of his new album with Mercury Rev in Stockholm and it should be out sometime in early 2004. His fan site also reports that there are rumors concerning a "simulated restaurant gig" called "Dunger at the Diner", whatever that means. There's also word that Nicolai will be providing backing music for an album of Edith Södergrans poems. I'll let you know when I find out more. And lastly, it looks like he'll be heading back over to the States for a couple gigs in August:

08/06 - New York, Mercury Lounge
08/07 - Chicago, Schuba's

Trewetha Records reports that they have signed the new bands Midnight Monkeys and Sister Lightyear. Midnight Monkeys is currently recording a two-song single for an August release and Sister Lightyear will have a 4-song EP coming out this fall.

Coming to Club Debaser in Stockholm on June 21-22 is the 2003 Gearfest/Cearclub 2003, presented by Gearhead Records, featuring The Ricochets, Flaming Sideburns, Sahara Hotnights, The Mutants and more. Go here for the full details.

Unioncarbideproductions.com reports that the new UCP single will be released commercially on June 23. Chances are your favorite online retailer is already taking pre-orders. Also, the box set has now been set for release in November. Read the press release. And lastly, head on over to the UCP site for a full roundup of reviews for the Hultsfred reunion show.

The latest from Darkthrone, as posted by Nocturno Culto:

"Darkthrone had some successful rehearsals a week ago. Three new songs were in our focus, and Fenriz is finished with four lyrics for the album, so we are well prepared. Currently we are working on even more material, so more rehearsals are on the way."

MIC Norway has put up a profile on up-and-coming singer/songwriter St. Thomas.

For more info about the various Kalas demoscene bands reported on yesterday, check this out. (in Swedish)

Seems that planned live Kent DVD from their stadium concert is a no-go.

Per Gessle is indeed hitting the road this summer in support of his new solo album "Mazarin". I haven't seen the full itinerary yet, but the first show will be at Brottet in Halmstad on July 29. His backing band will include Clarence Öfverman, Anders Herrlin, Jonas Isacsson, Helena Josefsson along with Christoffer Lundqvist and Jens Jansson from Brainpool. Read more. (in Swedish)

Using the American Warped Tour as a template, Burning Heart, Luger and Eventum are bringing the "Playstation 2 - Heart Attack Tour 2003" to Sweden. Along with the various extreme sports and video gaming events, you'll also get a chance to see Moneybrother, Looptroop, Fireside, Raised Fist, Mike Vallely & The Rats and Randy all together in concert. More bands are expected to be announced for the individual dates, too. Dates now confirmed:

08/08 - Göteborg, Göteborgskalaset
08/15 - Örebro, Örebromässan
08/29 - Malmö, Kockums
08/31 - Stockholm, Riddarholmen

New bands for Avrika: Liberator, Södra Åkeriet, Sven Andersson, DJ Montagu & Golkonda, Alpine Those Myriads, Flying Edward, Don Juan Dracula, Garbage Angels and The Belacqua Project feat. KOEFF.

"Sweden's finest deathrockers" Helltrain have signed with Nuclear Blast and is already at Dugout Studio in Uppsala, Sweden with producer Daniel Bergstrand working on their forthcoming album. The band's pedigree is quite strong with members coming from other groups such as The Everdawn, Gates of Ishtar, Defleshed, Raised Fist and more. To listen to a couple demos from the band, go here.

In case you missed the reference yesterday, Reverend Moore was the dance-hating preacher in the movie "Footloose" and was played by John Lithgow.

CD Maxi
01. You're The Storm
02. Hold Me
03. You're The Storm (Sandkvie Session)
04. You're The Storm (El Cortijo Session)

Outbreak will be having a record release show at Etrea in Eskilstuna, Sweden on May 22. The new album "Information Overload" comes out May 26 on Rockstar Records and you can download a couple preview tracks here. Crystal Committee and The Sound OE will also play.

The complete program for Norway's Norwegian Wood festival has been released. Check it:

07/12 - Number Seven Deli, Dandy Warhols, Counting Crows
07/13 - The Rasmus, The Sounds, Linkin Park
07/14 - Dadafon, Jim Stärk, Tom McRae, Ricochets, Dum Dum Boys
07/15 - Fireside, Skin, Gåte, Hellacopters, Audioslave

Read this for more information, band links, the Underwood schedule and tickets.

Göteborg rock band The Mugshots recently put up a new website along with a bunch of mp3s for you to download.

In honor of the French holiday Fete de la Musique comes the Stockholm Musikfest this weekend. Scheduled to appear are Charlie's Magazine, Kajsa Grytt, David Lindh & Hail Marys, Evolver, Jamie Meyer, Paragon, Ison & Fille, Parker, The Sonnets and much more. Admission is free.

Some of the new bands added to the Augustibuller lineup: Fireside, Gusto, Surferosa, Paris, Stabb, Sweet Addiction, Kingston Airforce and Outbreak.

There's going to be a new, small rock fest on July 5 in Kalmar, Sweden called the Slammerfestival featuring 69-Hard headlining along with The Nifters, The Stuckups, The Ghoulies and more.

Wolf has booked time at Abyss Studios with producer/engineer Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy) beginning on June 18 to record their third album. They expect to have it out around October on No Fashion Records.

Trapdoor Fucking Exit's updated tour itinerary:

06/04 - 1000 Fryd, Aalborg (DK)
06/05 - Volxbad, Flensburg (DE)
06/06 - Störtebeker, Hamburg (DE)
06/07 - tba, Cologne (DE)
06/08 - Le Marignan, Athus/Aubagne (BE)
06/09 - tba - Netherlands
06/10 - Alhambra, Oldenburg (DE)
06/11 - Occii, Amsterdam (NL)
06/12 - tba, Caen (F)
06/13 - tba, Rouen (F)
06/14 - P-Werk, Blieskastel (DE)
06/15 - tba - Germany
06/16 - Juz Degerloch, Stuttgart (DE)
06/17 - tba, Germany
06/18 - tba, Austria
06/19 - The Red Hole, Budapest (HU)
06/20 - K4, Nürnberg (DE)
06/21 - Kafé Kult, München (DE)
06/22 - tba, Germany
06/23 - tba, Germany
06/24 - Az Conni, Dresden (DE)
06/25 - Chekov, Cottbus (DE)
06/26 - tba - Berlin (DE)
06/27 - tba
06/28 - tba
06/29 - Baracke, Münster (DE)
06/30 - Frontline, Gent (DE)
07/01 - tba
07/02 - tba
07/03 - tba

They also posted a bunch of new pictures over at their website for those that may be interested.

Pitchforkmedia.com reviews JR Ewing's latest today and actually like it. Will wonders ever cease?

MTV Germany will air a one-hour special on Turbonegro this coming Monday, May 19 at midnight. It will feature interviews, clips, and live footage from the Hamburg performance.

Dub Sweden will release a new single for the track "Ice My Fire" on May 26 featuring a previously unreleased track as the b-side.

The Venue have finished posting their tour diary from their recent trip to the US. Sorry I missed the Oakland show guys, but I was dead tired that night.

Ariel Kill Him has posted three mp3s from their latest album "In the Pyramid" over at mp3.com.

Thearkworld.com has posted a live video of The Ark performing "Echo Chamber" in Stockholm from April 30.

Another episode in the ongoing US media of The Sounds: here's a feature on the band from Teen Vogue Magazine. Really now, how many times do we need to hear a Swedish band compared to Abba or gummi fish?

NME reports that Røyksopp are set to play two shows at Somerset House in London on July 10-11, just one in a series of special summer shows at the venue. The group's new single "Sparks" drops on June 16.

P6's Sounds Nordic (SONO) has announced that the next program will feature "hits from the Swedish singles chart, tap into your spiritual side at a spooky art exhibition , and meet our guest Dilba." Go here to listen after it airs.

Stockholm Records artists Kwan and The Klerks have been confirmed for OKEJ-dagen in Göteborg on May 23.

Miss Universum is going on tour in support of the new album "Selfelected":

05/15 - Linköping, Herrgårn
05/29 - Stockholm, Popaganda
06/6-7 - Skärholmen, Satelit
06/12-14 - Hultsfred, Festivalen
07/18 - Norberg
07/31 - Östersund, Storsjöyran

Swedish death-metal acts Merciless and Dismember will play a special gig on May 27 at Klubben in Fryshuset, Stockholm that will be recorded for a DVD to come out in the future.

Surferosa, Madrugada, El Caco, Thulsa Doom, Ricochets, Ralph Myerz and the Jack Herren Band and DumDum Boys have been confirmed to play the Ekstremsportveko (extreme sport week) in Voss, Norway from June 22-29. Read more.

The Norweigan Wood 'Underwood' fest winners have been announced. Check out the list of acts that will be playing. (in Norweigan)

P3 Musikjournalen reports that User is getting ready to release their debut album in September. The new single "Do You" comes out in June and they expect to tour this summer.

Moneybrother is the band of the week over at MTVE.com. Head on over for an interview and video. He also has a couple dates coming up in the near future:

05/14 - Göteborg, Bengans
05/15 - Örebro, Najz Prajz
05/16 - Stockholm, Mega

Though not really of much note, Backyard Babies have checked in via their maillist to say that they are still hard at work writing songs for the new record. They hope to put pictures up from the session on their website and will be making an announcement concerning a producer very soon.
UPDATE: They have reportedly selected Joe Barresi for the job. His previous credits include bands such as Pennywise, Buckcherry, QOTSA and Kyuss.

Bad Taste Records has put up the video for "The Contractor and the Assassin" from Logh. Check it: high / mid / low (Real Player)
The label also has a bunch of new stuff in their webshop like new Logh and Last Days of April shirts for those that may be interested.

C.Aarmé report that they will begin recording their full length debut for Car Crash Records in July. In the meantime, check 'em out on the road:

05/17 - Viva dLTD, Restaurang Minus, GBG w/The New Mess, Cut City
05/21 - Café MIC, Vänersborg w/Alarma man
05/23 - Ungdomens kulturhus, Gislaved w/Alarma man
05/24 - Le Club Suburbia, STHLM w/Alarma man
05/25 - Distro GBG, Meeths unga salonger, GBG

In case you missed it, I had a guest review published on Dagensskiva on Saturday.

The Rasmus have now been confirmed for both the June Rock im Park and the June Rock am Ring fests in Germany on the 6th and 8th respectively.

Puffball has a new 7" coming out on Stereodrive! Records, the label of record store Green Hell Records in Münster. "Outlaw" is the a-side title track and "Hornet Rider" is the b-side along with a cover of Merle Haggard's "Momma Tried". And from Southspace webzine, here's a short interview with the band.

Via the band's webiste, here's a review of Logh from NME written by James Jam:

..."Every time..." is a record so fucking dull, so fucking uninspired, that nme finds itself looking for a chainsaw and pricing up cheap flights to Sweden. In the words of the high priest of rock'n'roll fun, Iggy Pop, seek out and destroy.

Logh's response? "James has been bought a planeticket to Sweden. we´re waiting anxiously." Brilliant. In other Logh news, the band reports they are finishing up work on the new video and should have it done next week.

The Norweigan paper VG recently published a long interview with Morten from A-ha. Here's a nice English synopsis plus a link to the article itself.

St. Thomas will be putting out a limited vinyl edition of "Hey Harmony" in mid-May. 300 copies, 180 gram vinyl. He'll have it for sale at the May 10 Rockefeller show in Oslo. He'll also be playing quite a few shows around Europe coming up soon, with more to be announced for June:

April 30 Ålesund - TBC
05/01 - TBA
05/02 - Trondheim Blæst
05/03 - TBA
05/07 - Molde, TBC
05/08 - Sogndal, Meieriet
05/09 - Hønefoss, Alfreds
05/10 - Oslo, Rockefeller
05/14 - Stavanger, Checkpoint Charlie
05/15 - Kristiansand, TBC
05/16 - TBA
05/17 - Skien, Brekkeparken
05/21-23 Sweden, TBA
05/24 - Hamburg, Echochamber im Phonodrom
05/25 - Berlin, Roter Salon
05/26 - Muchen, Club Zwei festival in Atomic
05/28 - TBA (Frankfurt or Koln)
05/29 - Roskilde Gimle Cafe
05/30 - Copenhagen, Loppen
05/31 - Århus, Spot festival
07/18 - Feierwerk Festival, Munich August 8 or 9 Øyafestivalen

Here's some pictures from Randy's show at Groez Rock in Belgium on April 26.

Johan Bergqvist along with Crying Bob Records is putting together a new festival tour called Bobbyfest. The established goal of the tour is to "give you the best independent music there is, for a good price." Sounds good to me. The line-up is Leftlane, The Virtues, Johan Bergqvist, Moody Alan, and Moll Flanders and so far there's just two dates set for May with more set to come in the fall. Details as of now:

05/03 - Mondo, Stockholm
05/17 - Diezel, Halmstad

A day in the life with The Ark: https://www.thearkworld.com/day.htm

It's about friggin' time. Startracks in association with Simba Records has put out a Kristofer Åström & Hidden Truck compilation in America called "Plastered Confessions". Five songs from the previous albums, plus a Steve Earle cover. Better than nothing, I guess. More info here or here.

Green Carnation's upcoming album will be called "A Blessing In Disguise" and it comes out June 16 in the UK, June 17 in the US from Seasons of Mist. In case you were wondering, Green Carnation features various members of In the Woods along with Tchort who did time in Emperor.

Burnitblue.com reviews Jaga Jazzist - "The Stix". It's been out for awhile in the band's home country of Norway, but comes out May 6 in the UK.

DigitalMetal.com reviews Opeth's new album "Damnation".

Sweden's Centinex has announced they will enlist the help of Per Gustafson from Cult of Luna to do the artwork on their new CD "Decadence - Prophecies Of Cosmic Chaos". Timo "The Eyeless" Ketola will handle the layout. Recording begins June 23 at Black Lounge Studios and they expect to have it sometime in October on Candlelight Records.

NRK has finally made Immortal's performance from the Inferno festival available for viewing: https://nrk.no/magasin/upunkt/musikk/inferno_2003/2713354.html

Sweden's buzz-band of the moment Radio Dept. release their debut 7" for "Liebling" b/w "We Would Fall Against The Tide" in the UK today on Rex Records. They'll also be playing their first shows over in London this weekend:

05/02 - The Spitz, 109 Commercial Street, Old Spitalfields Market, E1. w/Apples In Stereo and The Loves
05/03 - The Arts Cafe, 28 Commercial Street, E1., w/Kicker and Sportique

Norway's Sondre Lerche got himself a short feature interview on CNN: 'Sondre Lerche: Sunny sounds from Norway'

Mattias Alkberg of Bear Quartet is working on a solo project called "Begravning" and you can download a sample here.

Here's the winners of this year's Swedish Hip-Hop awards:

Best Album: Looptroop - The Struggle Contuines
Best Song: The Narcissists - Fanatik R.I.P.
Best MC: Timbuktu
Best Producer: Embee
Best Vinyl Release: Highwon - Beats, Rim & Gendish
Best DJ: Confuze
Best Download: Snook - Mognare Än Oss
Best Newcomer/Demo/Self-Released: Frotté - Den Stora Daldansen
Hip-Hop Culture Award: Aerosol/Graffiti: Unik
Hip-Hop Culture Award: B-boy: Hammer Hill B Boys
Crossfade Video Award: Ison and Fille - Fakka Ur
Lifetime Achievement Award: Ken

And speaking of Swedish hip-hop, the latest edition of Sounds Norway (SoNo) is a special on the subject: "everything you need to know about it; and meet a couple of old-timers who think hiphop is the perfect way to air all their grumbles." Check it out.

Some of the new bands confirmed for Avrika fest: Gåte, Kaizers Orchestra, Ralph Myerz & the Jack Herren Band, Shout Out Louds, Paris, JmyHaze Beatbox, Homy, Ricochets, Sparks of Seven, Peter Dolving Band, Thulsa Doom, JR Ewing, Alice in Videoland, Totalt Jävla Mörker and Slagsmålsklubben.

Sunride has confirmed their upcoming tourdates in support of their new album "Through the Red", out May 19 on People Like You Records:

05/01 - 45 Special, Oulu, Finland
05/03 - Pub Bastun, Mariehamn, Åland w/Endstand
05/08 - Klubi, Tampere, Finland w/Dozer
05/09 - Stella Star, Helsinki, Finland w/Dozer
05/10 - Lutakko, Jyväskylä, Finland w/Dozer
05/14 - Kino, Pori, Finland
05/16 - Bar 15, Seinäjoki, Finland
05/17 - Torvi, Lahti, Finland
05/24 - Mikrokosmos, Magdeburg, Germany
05/25 - Knaack, Berlin, Germany
05/26 - Rosenkeller, Jena, Germany
05/27 - Paradox, Ingolstadt, Germany
05/28 - 013, Tilburg, The Netherland

Cult of Luna reports that they have a new drummer - Thomas from The Perishers. I can't confirm it for sure, but my assumption is that Marco Hildén has accepted a permanent position with Logh and moved on. In case you didn't know, Marco has been filling in for them since their drummer Kristofer left recently mid-tour. As reported earlier, Cult of Luna just recently completed work on a new video and is now putting together plans for a full European tour this fall. Details when I get 'em.

It's not exactly new, but here's some pictures and captions from the Avanto '02 fest with Pan Sonic, Erkki Kurenniemi and more.

Burning Heart won't release the new Lost Patrol album until June 2, but you can download a preview mp3 now: Lost Patrol - "Going Going Gone"

Whyte Seeds will be on MTV Morning Glory playing live and being interviewed. It'll be aired Saturday 5/4 @ 10:00, Sunday 6/4 @ 10:00, and Tuesday 8/4 @ 19:00.

Magnus from The Cardigans on the new video:

Amir Chamdin who did "FWIW" will do "The storm" video. He has requested a lot bare chests and wet looks ! :-) We will shoot it around the 8:th of April in a secret but familiar place!

Scapesonik just put out a new demo. Email them if you're interested. The price is 30 SEK/$3/£2 plus postage.

Lullacry's new single out on April 28 will be for the song "Alright Tonight". A re-recording of the track "Sweet Desire" will be included as the b-side.

Gluecifer reports that they are indeed heading back to the US to tour in support a domestic release of "Basement Apes". No dates yet, but I'll be sure to let you know. As for their next album, they're still doing preproduction and writing and expect to have it done around August or September for a January 2004 release.

Askil Holm reports that the opening date on his tour went really, really well and he's getting great reviews. He's also got some more dates lined up for the future:

04/4 - Ålesund, Scena
04/5 - Kristiansund, No Name Bar
04/23 - Rørvik, Bryggas Fire Stuer
04/24 - Trondheim, Nidaros Bluesfestival
05/2 - Bergen, Ole Blues Festival
05/3 - Oslo, John Dee Rockefeller
05/5-17 - Norway, tba

Nicolai Dunger has got a couple gigs lined up for April and May:

04/01 - Köln, Gebäude 9
04/02 - München, Orange house
04/03 - Berlin, Knaack
04/17 - Vicar Street, Dublin w/The Frames
05/29 - Union Chapel, London w/The Frames

Dead Frog Records has signed Mary Celeste. Zero magazine describes them as dark pop music like older stuff from The Cardigans.

The Cardigans have been confirmed for this year's Quart Festival in July along with the Norweigan acts Ephemera, Surferosa, Ricochets, Exploding Plastix, Alpine Those Myriads!, Ralph Myers & The Jack Herren Band and Datarock.

This week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. The Rasmus - In The Shadows
02. Kashmir - Surfing The Warm Industry
03. Mew - Comforting Sounds
04. Kwan - Shine
05. Roxette - Opportunity Nox
06. Bertine Zetlitz - Girl Like You
07. C21 - You Are The One
08. Winta - Emotions
09. The Cardigans - For What It´s Worth
10. Sparkler - Tiger

Challengers:
01. Waldo - Face The Fact
02. Millencolin - E20 Norr
03. A-ha - The Sun Always Shines On TV
04. Randi Laubek - In Port
05. Jonna - Tyytyväinen

Go to the MTVE.com site to watch and vote for your favorite.

ExMS has posted the "Swedish Music Update #2/2003" for viewing. Nothing really new if you follow this site, but maybe worth a look anyway.

Monastir's new album "The Modern Sound for a Loser Generation" comes out today, but you can also download the new single "Teenage Years" from their mp3.com page.

Now confirmed for Emmaboda fest: Dorotea, Hell on Wheels, Parker, Sparks of Seven and Surounded. Oh, and some other non-Scandinavian bands like Sleater Kinney and Mates of State are playing, too.

Franke's debut album "Optimismens Hån" comes out April 28. Look for 'em on the festival circuit this summer.

The new album from the Lars Vegas Trio "Viva Lars Vegas - Sverige Blev För Litet" comes out on April 22. The first single will be for the track "Låt Det Vara Kul" which will also contain a version of "Kom Hem" by Barbados.

Legendary prog-folk or whatever-you-wanna-call-em band Träd, Gräs & Stenar have lined up a couple of shows in Stockholm:

4/5 - Gustav Vasa Church, Odenplan w/Stefan Sundström, Sofia Jannok, + more. Read more.
4/8 - Lava, Kulturhuset w/Cul de Sac, Damo Suzuki (the singer from Can). Read more.

Sunride has posted mp3 samples of every song from their new album over at their website. "Through the Red" comes out May 19 and the band is also going out on the road to promote it. The dates:

05/07 - Säätämö, Turku, Finland w/Dozer
05/08 - Klubi, Tampere, Finland w/Dozer
05/09 - Stella Star, Helsinki, Finland w/Dozer
05/10 - Lutakko, Jyväskylä, Finland w/Dozer & Ass Cobra
05/14 - Kino, Pori, Finland
05/15 - tba, Finland
05/16 - Bar 15, Seinäjoki, Finland
05/17 - Torvi, Lahti, Finland
05/23 - Burgerweeshuis, Deventer, The Netherlands w/Hermano
05/24 - Mikrokosmos, Magdeburg, Germany
05/25 - Knaack, Berlin, Germany
05/26 - Rosenkeller, Jena, Germany
05/27 - Paradox, Ingolstadt, Germany
05/28 - 013, Tilburg, The Netherlands