To celebrate the release of their new album "Na na ni", Fredrik has unveiled a new website: http://www.sagomusik.com/

Live report: Randy + Johndoe @ IAT! Clubnight #4, Debaser, Malmö 12/14/07

Jezebel Recordings has announced that they will release the new album "Na na ni" from Malmö-based prog/pop orchestra Fredrik on January 15. As with all Jezebel releases, it's interesting stuff and well worth checking out - hear samples: http://www.myspace.com/fredriktheband

Interview: Petter Seander (Sleeping Beauty)

Satanic Surfers are calling it a day after 17 years: http://www.satanic-surfers.com/news.asp
Ex-members Rodrigo, Fredrik and Daniel will continue on in the new band Enemy Alliance, Andy has a band called Sista Sekunden and Robert plays in Trenches.

New European dates for Swedish hardcore act Traktor:

04/18 - Beteigeuze, Ulm (GER)
04/19 - Sunny Red, München (GER)
04/20 - United Club, Torino (ITA)
04/21 - Papperlapp, Bolzano (ITA)
04/22 - The Cage Club, Livorno (ITA)
04/23 - Csa Capolinea, Faenza (ITA)
04/24 - Keller 264, Freiburg (GER)
04/25 - Hirscheneck, Basel (CH)
04/26 - ISC, Bern (CH) w/ Alarma Man
04/27 - Espace B, Paris (FRA)
04/28 - WBC, La Rochelle (FRA)

Bassist Fredrik will be forced to sit this one out as his girlfriend will soon give birth to their child. Robert Lindblom will fill in. In other news, the video for "Vultures" is now online: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2013558241

Top 10s for 2006: Jonas Skybakmoen (Johndoe)

Don Agbai
Cats and travel EP
Vapen & Godis

This is a nice, fizzy electropop CD that goes down smoothly. The Swedish trio serves up five tracks, including the peppy and melodic "Barcelona 2002 (All I wanted was a postcard)" in a radio-friendly pop version as well as an extended dance remix. It's a great song, as is the opener "A trip to Venice". Although there's certainly an '80s influence here in the thumping beats and rhythmic synth work, this disc doesn't really sound retro. The pleasingly casual vocals and impeccable sound give the recording a zesty, fresh vibe. Band members Johan, Tobias and Fredrik perform with an enthusiasm that leaps from the grooves and I can't imagine anyone not liking this disc unless they're just indifferent to dance pop in general.
- Kevin Renick

Profile: Franky Lee

Interview: Jonas Skybakmoen (Johndoe)

I'm pretty sure it's old news that Norwegian hardcore act The Spectacle is breaking up, but member Fredrik has posted a new epitaph for the band: http://www.the-spectacle.com/
I'm bummed that their plans to do a final US tour never came to fruition, but what can ya' do?

Lots of great posts over at Finnish music blog Lupatarkastaja recently. Not only is it now being published more regularly in English, but there's tons of good new music from bands such as Ghost Brigade (a new project featuring members of Sunride and Revolt with guest appearances from Munter of Swallow The Sun and Fredrik from Swedish stoner-rock band Dozer) and a new post-rock mix featuring tracks from Circle Six (very highly recommended), Icos, From Now On and more. Oh, and don't forget Teemu's take on my own latest netrelease from Sonores.

Top 10s for 2005: Erik Welén (Tiger Lou/Torpedo)

I figure I might as well keep with the theme of the most recent podcast and post another fine track from Starmarket. I was considering trying to track down some Shredhead mp3s, but I get the feeling that those dudes probably don't want that stuff distributed online so prominently. Anyhow- Starmarket, as you can probably infer, are another fine band from Umeå in Northern Sweden. Their sound is part mid-90s noisepop mixed with a bit of post-hardcore, kinda like Fireside who I featured on a Friday classic post two weeks ago. This track happens to be one of the more tender numbers from the band's early period. It's incredibly melodic, but rhythm section keeps things heavy and powerful. The band is still kicking around nowadays, but they've gone through quite a few member changes over the years. Magnus and Johan went on to form KVLR (one of my absolute favorite bands), Patrik plays with Family Music and Fredrik also does The Crystal Committee. There's probably tons more too, but really - who needs to read through their entire incestous musical family tree? Not gonna happen. Just download the track whydoncha?

Interview: Peter Ahlqvist (Burning Heart Records)