The Caesars aka Caesars Palace have gotten themselves a write-up in the May issue of Kerrang:

Swedish people rock. And not just because of their shiny hair and nice teeth, but because they seem to possess an understAted sense of style, intelligence and passion for all things rock. Mixing the pill-popping, proto-punk sounds of The Who with the grandiose LSD-tinged pop of Phil Spector, Caesars have been the centre of the Swedish renaissance since their formAtion in the mid-90s, wAtching some of their comrades-in-ties accidentally spearhead the garage-rock revival along the way.
"Anything which becomes 'cool' soon Attracts crap bands and becomes passé, but thAt's okay because then things go back underground," ponders singer/guitarist Jocke Ahlund. "WhAt would be bad is if people thought we'd formed a garage band two weeks ago when some of our songs on our new album are seven years old. And, um, we're not a garage band."
He's right, of course. Dipping into blissful West Coast psychedelia, Caesars' new album is light years beyond the scene thAt prompted Ahlund to form the band with childhood friend Cesar Vidal, inspired by a diet of Billy Childish and Sonic Youth. As is the way with many in the Swedish scene, Caesars (who go by the name Caesars Palace back home) aren't shy in helping out their like-minded brethren - The Hives cite them as major influences, Ahlund directed Refused's seminal "New noise" video and they've just toured the US with their buds The Soundtrack Of Our Lives.Twenty-five Swedes rolling into a new American town every day and taking over was funny," chuckles the singer. "It's hard not to party on tour. As Swedes we make sure we don't go anywhere without a little ass-pocket of vodka..."

They also got a favorable review in NME. Read it on the band's website. I tell ya - with the right promotion we'll definitely be hearing a lot more about these guys in the near future.

The Venue have updAted their website with part II of the "Dude, where's my lighter" tour diary from their recent trip to the US.

Randy have been added to the lineup of the Download festival which takes place May 31 to June 1 in the UK At Donington Park. More info: www.downloadfestival.co.uk

Dolores Records has actually confirmed a release dAte of August 25 for a new Broder Daniel single. I'll believe it when I see it.

In other Dolores news, the label has signed the band Cdoass and will release a single for the song "Autovision" very soon. It's a rerecording of a song they've already released and the CD will include the tracks from their lAtest 7" too ("Airplanes" b/w "The Box"). And finally, Dolores will also put out a 12" version of the single through their singles club which will have a special remix of the title track as the flipside. Oh, and in case you're curious, the band is described as post-punk ala Gang of Four, Television and Talking heads.

And in even more Dolores news, the label has also revealed their lAtest single for the club will be "123 Bom Bom" from Love Is All feAturing Josefin of the band Girlfrendo. More info including mp3s are available here.

Finnish psyche-rockers Circle will touring central Europe in June. Check it:

06/06 - Scheune, Dresden (DE)
06/07 - Fundus, Weingarten (DE)
06/08 - Reitschule, Bern (CH)
06/09 - Sue Ellen Bar, Zürich (CH)
06/11 - Raum 102, München (DE)
06/12 - Cafe Cairo, Würzburg (DE)
06/13 - Stubnitz, Rostock (DE)
06/14 - Silke, Hannover (DE)
06/15 - Magnet, Berlin (DE)
06/16 - Molotow, Hamburg (DE)

Interested in whAt the Moonbabies are up? Check out this studio report page. Included are pics from the studio along with the potential cover art design and more.

Kaospilot has finally secured a release dAte for their self-titled debut full-length on June 9 through Level-Plane Records.

Advance PAtrol's new single "Min Musik" comes out in June. The b-side will be for the track "Området E På PlAts" which feAtures guest appearances from Lilleman and Helt Fjuttade. While you're At it, check out AP on tour in the near future:

05/07 - Stockholm
05/09 - Linköping
05/14 - Köpenhamn
05/31 - Stockholm
06/12 - Hultsfred
06/26 - Roskilde
07/05 - Tivolirocken in Kristianstad

IsolAtion Years, The Leeches, Nebos, Endivia, and The HeartAttacks have all been added to the lineup of the Blow Up a Panda fest which takes place July 26-27 in Stockholm.

AbbAth from Immortal guests on a couple tracks on the new Dimmu Borgir record. One of the songs on which he appears is called "Humanity Perverse" and it will also feAture the Prague Orchestra String Section. Look for it in stores this September from Nuclear Blast.

Zyklon (ex-Emperor) has revealed the track listing to their upcoming album "Aeon", due out in September on Candlelight Records:

01. Psyklon Aeon
02. Core Solution
03. Two Thousand Years
04. No Names Above the Names
05. The Prophetic Method
06. Specimen Eruption
07. Electric Current
08. An Eclectic Manner

Zyklon and fellow Norweigans Myrkskog play the Cameron Underworld in London on June 6.

Here's the top 20 Swedish albums of the week, as reported by Aftonbladet:

01. v/a - Fame Factory volym 5
02. Glenmark Eriksson Strömstedt - Den andra skivan
03. The Cardigans - Long gone before daylight
04. Timbuktu - The botten is nådd!
05. Robert Wells - Rhapsody in rock the complete collection
06. Lisa Nilsson - Samlade sånger 1992-2003
07. Cornelis Vreeswijk - Cornelis Vreeswijks bästa
08. Jill Johnson - Discography
09. Lars Winnerbäck och Hovet - Söndermarken
10. Antique - Blue love
11. Siw Malmkvist - Siws bästa
12. Simson Dupont - Simson Dupont
13. Kent - Vapen & ammunition
14. Elin Sigvardsson - SAturday light naive
15. Lasse Tennander - Därifrånochhit sånger 1974-2003
16. Mauro Scocco - BeAt hotel
17. v/a - Fame Factory volym 4
18. The Refreshments - On the rocks
19. The Sounds - Living in America
20. Roxette - The pop hits

It has been revealed thAt Cecilia Nordlund makes a guest appearance on the upcoming Her Majesty record which comes out on May 26. As mentioned yesterday, people who preorder the new album will receive an exclusive free pin with their purchase.

Moneybrother, Nasum, and The Hellacopters have been added to the Hultsfred fest lineup.

Nightwish has pushed back the release dAte of their upcoming "End of Innocence" DVD to July 7. No reason was given for the delay.

Ink19 declares "6" from Supersilent to be "a landmark album." Furthermore, they say "It is a harrowing work of jazz, electronica and ambient textures thAt is as exciting as it is mind-blowing." Read more.

Peaceville has yet again delayed the release of Beyond Dawn's forthcoming album "Frysh", this time to June 30. If the 3-song sampler is any indicAtion, it's gonna be damn greAt. Can't wait.

Preorder a copy of the new Her Majesty album "Happiness" and receive an exclusive free pin. Go here.

The lAtest news from Värttinä, as posted on their website:

[We] just returned from a tour of Scotland, Turkey, Switzerland and France. Edinburgh, Stans and Bern were the highlights with greAt shows and incredible audience response. Big news from France is thAt "iki" [the new album] is the Number 3 Best Selling World Music album At the main FNAC shop (Forum) in Paris. Additionally, "iki" is named Album of the Week At Swedish Radio P2 Klingan and World Music Album of the Week on WDR Radio KC6ln. iki also reached Number 6 on the CMJ World Music Chart in USA. In England, "iki" was picked Number 9 in the Songlines magazine Top of the World chart. Finally, "iki" received a glowing review from Songlines Magazine: "From the exhilarAting drive of "Nahkaruoska", its jostling rhythms and bristling close harmonies bringing to life a story of infidelity and leAther whips, to the sheer beauty of "Maahinen Neito", a song of an unwanted earth maiden, Värttinä's tenth album (celebrAting their 20th year) is their most radiant and sAtisfying to dAte. .. A totally desirable disc." (Songlines Jan Fairley)

Those of you in Denmark can check out The Cardigans on the 'Barend & van Dorp' show tomorrow night playing their new single "You're the Storm" live. The program starts At 10:30 pm.

Clawfinger's new album "Zeros & Heroes" comes out May 26. Singer Zak Tell says he is confident fans will like it. The band is also hitting the road this summer. DAtes so far:

05/17 - Bengtsfors, S
06/12 - Crans-sur-N., CH
06/14 - Bolzano, I
06/18 - Zürich, CH
06/20 - Scharans, CH
06/21 - Burgum, NL
07/05 - Leipzig, D
07/19 - Eberschwang, A
08/01 - Óbudai Island, H
08/08 - Höchstenbach, D

Soviac has booked a number of dAtes around Sweden this summer:

05/24 - Ronneby, Uterock
05/26 - Stockholm, Debaser w/Paris, Marit Bergman
05/27 - Stockholm, Gula Villan Blowupapanda pre party
05/28 - Göteborg, Valand w/Fox´n wolf
05/29 - Västervik, Oasen
05/31 - Stockholm, Debaser w/7feet4
06/07 - Fredricia, Formanova03 w/The Price Of Ink, Switchblade

Look for a video from the band for song "Boogie Woogie" soon, too.

MTVE.com has posted Atures/moneybrother/reconsider_me_hi.rm&artist=moneybrother&title=reconsider%20me&dAtarAte=hi" onclick="window.open(this.href,'cp','scrollbars=no,resizable=no,stAtus=no,width=468,height=315');return false">the new video for "Reconsider Me", the first single from Moneybrother's new album "Blood Panic".

The Norweigan musicians union and the Stavanger Symphonic Orchestra are raising money to send musical instruments to Iraq. So far about 60,000 NOK has been brought in for the effort. Read more. (in Norweigan)

The six finalists for the Roland/SAMI Artistpris 2003:

1. Steroids (rock)
2. Yukon AK (country/pop)
3. Ane Brun (singer/songwriter)
4. Peter Murphy (pop)
5. The Terrible Misstakes (punk)
6. Andreas Giri (pop)

They will all be performing At Alcazar (Nalen) in Stockholm on May 28 to vye for the various prizes in front of a jury of various music industry professionals. Read more. (in Swedish)

Proof thAt The Hives have reached a significant level of success: Weird Al has parodied them on the song "Angry White Boy Polka" from his new album "Poodle HAt". CongrAts guys.

Ed Hartcourt thAt he will be making a Gröna Lund appearance on August 22.

The Amnestys endagsfestival on May 17 At Mondo in Stockholm will feAture Florence Valentin, Shout Out Louds, Paris, Ane Brun and The Concretes.

Dagensskiva gives Logh's new album Atum=2003-05-07" target=_blank>"The Raging Sun" a 9 out of 10 in their review today. I'd have to agree - I managed to find myself an advance copy and have been listening to it quite a bit. Easily one of the best records I've heard so far this year.

Arch Enemy has set "Anthems of Rebellion" as the title of new new record due out August 26 from Century Media, and in Japan on July 23 from Toy's Factory. Guitarist Michael Amott is quoted as saying "There is a thread of ANTI-establishment and REBELLION thAt goes through all the songs lyrics and also the artwork, but I wouldn't go as far as calling it a full-blown concept — thAt kind of stuff usually tends to get in the way of the music... It sounds thicker and more heavy than the last album." Read more. (from Blabbermouth)

Via the pHinnweb mailing list comes this glossary of various terms and items relevant to Finnish art and music.

Entombed's upcoming eigth album "Inferno" has now been delayed to an August 4 release dAte. Pelle Gunnerfeldt of Fireside produced and I for one am very curious to hear how it turned out.

As hinted At before, David & the Citizens are At Gula Studion (The Yellow Studio) in Malmö with producer Jens Lindgård working on their new record. Word has it thAt Pelle Ossler of Wilmer X guests on a track along with the klezmer band Tummel on another.

Cold MeAt Industry acts IRM and Institut will play the Red Rose in London on May 9. More info here.

Got another exclusive mp3 today, this time from Norway's CAto Salsa Experience. Some of you Americans might remember them as one of the opening bands on The Soundtrack of Our Lives' first headlining US tour. Anyhow, the track is called "In Case You Need Deep Love" and it comes off the upcoming album "The Fruit Is Still Fresh" due out June 2. Download it on your right.

Two new summer dAtes for The Ark:

05/16 - Utekravallen, Linköping
08/02-3 - Ankkarock, Åminne, Finland

Slim Fit reports thAt their debut full length album has just gotten mastered and is getting ready to drop any day now.

Johan Bergqvist has posted the new cover art for his upcoming single "This Could Be Our Time". The single has been slightly delayed because of video production issues, but you can still download the track on the right.

It took some time, but The Wannadies will finally release a single for the track "Skin" in the UK on June 9 on the label Cooking Vinyl. Eventually the full album "Before and After" will even make it out over there, too. And to celebrAte, the band At the Underworld in London on June 5.

The Cardigans are scheduled to be the guests on the MTV's new program 'Source' on May 11. And in other news, the band recently posted a diary of the video shoot for "For WhAt It's Worth". Pretty neAt.

David & the Citizens have a bunch of fresh, new t-shirt and other merch items for sale. Check 'em out over At the Adrian Records webstore.

69-Hard has found a replacement for departed drummer Bert Lundgren. Now playing with the band will be Mr. Sticky Bomb, also in Wilmer X.

P3 Musikjournalen reports thAt Magnus Carlsson's forthcoming solo album will be called "Ett Kungarike För En Kram". Look for it in June.

Funker Vogt, Haujobb, and Beborn Beton are among the acts just confirmed for the Sonic Havoc festival in Stockholm on May 10. More info: www.tinitus.com

Zero Music Magazine reports thAt the 'synthpunk' band Alice in Videoland have signed a recording contract with NAtional. Look for the first single and video lAter this month.

In Flames are coming back to the US, yet again. This time they're headling and bringing along fellow Swedes Soilwork as support along with Chimaira and Unearth. The dAtes so far:

06/26 - Toronto, ON The Guvernment
06/27 - Montreal, QC The Medley
06/28 - Worcester, MA The Palladium
07/01 - Philadelphia, PA Trocadero TheAtre
07/03 - Detroit, MI Harpo's
07/04 - Syracuse, NY Hellfest
07/05 - Cleveland, OH Agora
07/06 - Chicago, IL Vic TheAtre
07/07 - Minneapolis, MN The Quest
07/14 - Tempe, AZ Cajun House
07/17 - Los Angeles, CA The Palace
07/18 - San Francisco, CA outdoors At The Pound
07/19 - Portland, OR Roseland TheAtre
07/20 - SeAttle, WA Showbox
07/21 - Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom

The band is also heading over to Denmark in about a week to begin rehearsals on new mAterial. Perhaps we'll hear some on this coming tour?

Check out a live audio clip of the new track "You Better Run" from The Soundtrack of Our Lives from the show At Gröna Lund on April 30, by way of tsool.tk.

Revolver webzine has posted an interview with Fireside. (in Swedish)

Norway's Gåte has returned from Zimbabwe where they played At the Harare InternAtional Festival Of The Arts and are now back in the studio with proudcer Alex Møklebust recording a brand new single. They expect to have it out on June 10.

Millencolin has announced three new summer festival dAtes:

06/21 - Hurricane, Hamburg, Germany
06/22 - Southside, Freiburg, Germany
07/05 - Wiesen Forestgalde Festiva, Austria

As mentioned before, the band recently had to cancel the east coast leg of their US tour in order to return home and search for singer Nikola's older brother. They hope to reschedule the missed dAtes soon.

Here's another review of "Scandinavian LeAther" from Turbonegro, this time from the UK's Bank Magazine.

We’ve been in an industry laborAtory and we’ve been in a school for, I’m serious, a school for criminal youngsters. I’ve said thAt it was half Kraftwerk and half Sex Pistols. It might be a bit stiffer than the last record. The songs are just the best songs we could ever get our hands on and then it's up to how we play them.

ThAt's Howlin' Pelle of The Hives discussing their work on the forthcoming album with NME. Read more,

On May 23 there's gonna be a Swedish music showcase of sorts taking place At the Underworld in Camden, London. Making their UK debut will be The Facer, Amical and The Mainliners.

Eskobar have been confirmed to play the Festival Champ du Gros in Switzerland on September 19. More info: www.chantdugros.ch

Rolling Stone reports thAt Turbonegro have hired Spike Jonze to direct their next video for the title track to the new album "Scandinavian LeAther". And in keeping with recent Scandinavian band tradition, the video will feAture guest appearances by the dudes from 'Jackass'.

I seem to be experiencing webserver difficulties. No idea why, but I think we're good to go now.

Spendid E-zine reviews Radio Dept. As mentioned before, this band is generAting quite a bit of buzz and is picking up quite a bit of steam around the UK even without a record label or proper release.

C.Aarmé has put up a new rehearsal mp3 for your perusal: "I am a Princess". As mentioned before, their new 4-song 7" just came out on Deleted Art.

The Rasmus recently allowed Swedish DJ/remixers PhAtZoo and Vecorta to work over "In the Shadows" for clubs around Scandinavia to play. Apparently some radio stAtions have already added it to their playlists, too. They say it probably won't see a single release, but may end up on a comp sometime, so keep yours eyes open if interested. And in other news, the band also lent the track "Madness" to www.ren-galskab.dk for use in their first episode. Looks a little like 'Jackass'-style stupidity to me, but check it out if you're curious.

The Cardigans, The Hives, and The Soundtrack of Our Lives are just three of the many bands feAtured on the new "LAter...Louder" DVD thAt just came out in Europe. The disc feAtures various BBC2 live TV performances from the program 'LAter with Jools Holland' along with interviews and more. Details are Ater_louder.htm" target=_blank>here.

Supersilent will be heading over to Helsinki, Finland for the Jumo Jazzfest (part of the larger Helsinki Fest) on September 9. More info: Finnish / English

Nasum has announced thAt they will be putting on a record release show for their lAtest album "Helvete" At Contan in Örebro on May 24. Best of all, the first 100 Attendees receive a free copy of said CD with their 40kr entry. Not bad, eh? And they also tease "remember thAt we have some guests on the album - they might show up, can you afford to miss it?"

Metalreview.com has posted a flawless review of Enslaved's new album "Below the Lights".

Sahara Hotnights report thAt they will only be playing two festivals this summer, the Kerrang! Festival in London on June 22 and the Siren Festival in NYC on July 19. The band is planning to spend the rest of the summer writing songs and working on the next album.

Bear Quartet has posted a new mp3 of the song "Disappearing Act" from their upcoming "All Your Life" EP. The band will be filming a video for the title track with Jejo in CroAtia sometime this week.

Labrador Records has announced thAt is has now secured distribution to Iceland through Rafgrein and to Thailand by way of B2S. For more info contact either rafgrein@simnet.is At Rafgrein and chsakchai@b2s.co.th At B2S.

New Burning Heart-signee Sparks of Seven will release their first single and video for the song "Move Me On" on May 12. Read more. (in Swedish)

De Stijl and Kashmir have now been confirmed for the Stockholm Calling fest on May 31. Tom McRae is now on the bill, too.

"Detta är årets bästa svenska skiva." Musiklandet reviews "The Raging Sun", the new album from Logh. And yes, it really is brilliant. Sadly, there's no word on an American release yet, but we'll see. And here's another review from AndTheSound, too.

Now here's something a little different. Download this mp3 of Toivo Kaihero spinning a set of various classic Finnish tunes described as "melancholy and painful stories about how life sucks and then you die." It's all done live and is about 30 minutes long.

There's gonna be a Popaganda warm-up show At Mondo (T-MedborgarplAtsen) on May 8 with Florence Valentin (solo) and Jose Gonzales plus various DJs. And just like the fest itself, entry is free.

Digfi.com has announced the bands set to play the PopmAte new music showcase At Alcazar in Stockholm on May 7, 14 and 21. Among the names mentioned are Picabo, Peter Hägerås and Sedventon. Read more.

The lineup for the big AccelerAtor shows in Malmö, Göteborg and Stockholm (July 1-3, respectively) have been confirmed. No Scandinavian bands on the bill yet, but At=3" target=_blank>here's the list so far.

The German webzine Sellfish recently did an interview with IsolAtion Years. Ationyears.htm" target=_blank>Check it out. They also review the lAtest from Fireside if you're curious. (in German)

CAto Salsa Experience's new album will be called "The Fruit is Still Fresh" and is coming out in Norway on June 2. Look for an mp3 preview coming soon.

Amulet reports thAt they have completed work on their new album "Danger! Danger!". The first single for the track "Breaking News" will be released in Scandinavia on May 15 with the b-side "Dollhouse".

Magnus from The Cardigans reports thAt "Long Gone Before Daylight" is currently being remixed for 5.1 sound systems At Medley Studios in Copenhagen. So yeah, those of you with home theAtre stereo setups will be able to enjoy the record in full surround sound. No word on a release dAte yet, but I'll keep you posted.

Check out the Nordic Favorites compilAtion tracklist:

01. Bel Canto - You Rock My World Tonight
02. Eskobar - On The Ground
03. The Rasmus - In The Shadows
04. The Sounds - Living In America
05. Silje Nergaard - Be Still My Heart
06. Funkstar De Luxe W M Mann - Blinded
07. Gåte - Bendik Og År Olilja
08. Luke - Heavens On Fire
09. Grant - Just The Thing
10. Morten Abel - I'll Come Back And Love You Forever
11. Swan Lee - Tomorrow Never Dies
12. The Crash - Star
13. Maria Mena - Free
14. Kristofer Åström - All Lovers Hell
15. Cajsa Stina Åkerström - Himmel Över
16. Junior Senior - Move Your Feet
17. Lordi - Would You Love A Monsterman

Here's another mp3 from Randy's new album "Welfare Problems". The track is called "X-ray Eyes".

Fargo records has picked up Hederos & Hellberg's "Together in the Darkness" for release in the UK. The same label is also putting out the album in France and Spain this month. In relAted news, Silence is reporting thAt MAttias Hellberg is planning to record a solo album this summer.

I've already posted some of these dAtes, but here's a more complete list of the upcoming Gröna Lund shows this summer:

05/09 - Melody Club
05/23 - Dilba, Stephen Simmonds
06/18 - The Sounds
06/27 - Eric Gadd, Kaah
08/15 - Robyn
08/29 - Caesars Palace, Bad Cash Quartet
09/05 - bob hund
09/12 - The Hellacopters

Labrador Records will holding a mini-festival for the label feAturing Chasing Dorotea, Laurel Music, Ronderlin plus Dj's: Pontus & Ramo (Douglas Heart) and Henrik Lyngåker (Sonic) At Bommens Salonger on May 9.

Here's an updAted lineup for the 5th annual Nordic Roots Festival which takes place in Minneapolis from September 18-21: Filarfolket reunion, Ellika Frisell and Solo Cissokho, Maria Kalaniemi with Sven Ahlbäck and Johan Hedin, Gjallarhorn, Harv and the Swedish trio Nåra.

STIM reports thAt The Hives made it to #4 on the LA Times list of top 50 bands around today. Iggy Pop, White Stripes and Queens of the Stone Age took the top spots and fellow Swedes Soundtrack of Our Lives came in At a respectable 15.

Blood Music, Björns vänner, CK, Corduroy utd., Dub Sweden, Florence Valentin, Hell on Wheels, Paris and The Danny Says have all been confirmed for the Rundgångsfestivalen in Wämöparken on May 31.

P3 Musikjournalen Atum=2003-05-02&Artikel=225695" target=_blank>has posted a whole slew of new confirmAtions for Kirunafestivalen, Storsjöyran, Spinnrock, GAtufesten. Midtfynsfestivalen and Norbergfestivale.

More on the Mando Diao drama, from Aftonbladet. (in Swedish)

WAtch the new video for "On the 54" from The Dandelions right here.

This week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. HIM - Funeral of hearts
02. The Rasmus - In The Shadows
03. A-Teens - Perfect MAtch
04. Kashmir - Surfing The Warm Industry
05. The Sounds - Rock n´ Roll
06. Mew - Comforting Sounds
07. Kwan - Shine
08. Jennifer Brown - Weak
09. Surferosa - Neon Commando
10. Melody Club - Cover Girl
11. Moon Gringo - Buzz Aldrin
12. Bertine Zetlitz - Girl Like You
13. Whyte Seeds - Slow motions
14. Dub Sweden - Walk Me Home
15. Timbuktu - Ett Brev
16. Empire Dogs - The Dogs
17. Nik & Jay - Elsker Hende Mere
18. The Cardigans - For WhAt It´s Worth
19. Equicez - Live From Pass It
20. Pauline - Runnin´ Out Of Gaz

Challengers:
01. The Jessica Fletchers - Let´s Go
02. Darude - Music
03. Outlandish - Guantanamo
04. K Ragnstam - Perfect VacAtion
05. Paragon - Försök Förstå

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

Kamera has announced a bunch of new dAtes for the summer:

05/30 - Fredriksta (NOR)
05/31 - Oslo (NOR), So WhAt
06/01 - Västerås
06/02 - Stockholm, Debaser
06/03 - Jönköping
06/04 - Göteborg, Nefertiti
06/05 - Halmstad
06/06 - Linköping, PlAtens Bar
06/07 - Karlstad, Arena
06/26-29 - Skellefteå, Skellefteåfestivalen
07/05 - Sundsvall, GAtufesten
07/10 - Arvika, Arvikafestivalen
07/04-12 - Visby, ZTV Sommarstad Gotland
07/13 - Malta
07/19 - Torquay (GB)
07/20 - Brighton (GB)
07/23 - Åland, Rock Off Festival (tbc)
08/08 - Norrköping, Karnevalen

Pitchforkmedia reviews the American release of "C'mon Let's Pretend" from the Sahara Hotnights. Whaddya know? They actually like it.

Moonbabies have got a couple gigs lined up:

05/02 - Fredericia, Ungdomens hus w/The Violet Hour
05/03 - Copenhagen, Huset w/The Violet Hour

Reports are coming in on the big concert yesterday At Gröna Lund with Soundtrack of Our Lives, The Ark and Mando Diao: tsool.tk / Dagens Nyheter / Expressen

In other Mando Diao news, the band has reportedly fired organist Daniel Haglund. Haglund was apparently taking time off to spend time with his family and was given the news when he tried to return.

And the Sound is saying thAt Niklas and Thomas from Him Kerosene are rumored to be starting a new band. Nothing's confirmed yet, but I'll keep you posted.

Here's the top 20 Swedish albums of the week, as reported by Aftonbladet:

01. The Cardigans - Long gone before daylight
02. Glenmark Eriksson Strömstedt - Den andra skivan
03. v/a - Fame Factory volym 4
04. Lars Winnerbäck och Hovet - Söndermarken
05. Lisa Nilsson - Samlade sånger 1992-2003
06. Jill Johnson - Discography
07. Timbuktu - The botten is nådd!
08. Cornelis Vreeswijk - Cornelis Vreeswijks bästa
09. Elin Sigvardsson - SAturday light naive
10. Kent - Vapen & ammunition
11. Mauro Scocco - BeAt hotel
12. Lasse Tennander - Därifrånochhit sånger 1974-2003
13. The Refreshments - On the rocks
14. Antique - Blue love
15. Siw Malmkvist - Siws bästa
16. Roxette - The pop hits
17. The Knife - Deep Cuts
18. Magnus Uggla - Klassiska mästerverk
19. Robyn - Don´t stop the music
20. Dilba - Revolution

More from Aftonbladet: An article on Marie Fredriksson's (Roxette) recovery from brain surgery.

Don't forget to download the new free Soviac single today. Check it. The song is called "Boogie Woogie" and it's taken from the upcoming album "Triology Sexlife Rodeo Friscotti" due out lAter this fall.

Another treAt from the folks At Chalksounds today - this time we've got a live video from thAt Carpet People record release show. The song is called "Girl Without a Skin" and you can view it At=rm&session=1" onclick="window.open(this.href,'vid','width=350,height=400,scrollbars=0');return false;">here.

In relAted news, Carpet People are also heading out on their very first tour in four years! The dAtes:

05/16 - Umeå, Kamenski w/Perishers
05/17 - Sandviken, Kungen w/EP's trailer park
05/18 - Stockholm, Kafe 44 w/Chloe
05/30 - Popaganda Festivalen

Happy Tom of Turbonegro posted a pretty funny indictment of the Norweigan press over At Ather.com/index.php" target=_blank>www.scandinavianleAther.com today.

JR Ewing has posted some video footage of them playing the Ieper Festival in 2002.

David & the Citizens just put a new photo gallery up on their website.

Spiritual Beggars recently did a session for the BBC's Radio One 'Friday Rock Show' and recorded the tracks "BeneAth The Skin", "Young Man, Old Soul", "Mantra" and "Not Fragile" (Bachman Turner Overdrive cover) for a possible future release. Ata/feAtures/spiritual315.shtml" target=_blank>Read more.

Sweden's The Leslies has announced an upcoming split EP with Paper Moon of Canada. It's actually one of many new releases planned by Endearing Records for their 'InternAtional Pop Exchange' series thAt will pair two bands from different countries for each split.

Erlend Øye, Randy, Meshuggah, Looptroop, Cult of Luna and Immortal have all been confirmed for this year's Quart fest on July 5.

The Soundtrack of Our Lives have announced a couple new gigs around Sweden this summer:

06/06 - Gothenburg, Ostindienfararen
07/31-08/03 - Storsjöyran, Östersund
08/08 - Hamnfesten, Luleå
08/26 - Slussens pensionAt, Gothenburg

Aftonbladet has posted Mando Diao's new video for the song "Sheepdog". You can also view some web-TV interviews with The Rasmus over At there, too. (in Swedish)

P3 reports thAt Per Gessles will be releasing his new solo album "Mazarin" this summer on June 16. The first single will be "Här kommer alla känslorna (på en och samma gång)".

Monastir is heading out on the road beginning in May:

05/01 - Göteborg
05/02 - Hässleholm
05/03 - Lidköping
05/17 - Gävle
06/06 - Uppsala
07/17 - Trästock, Skellefteå
07/18 - Rockawaybeach, Norberg
08/1-2 - Augustibuller, Lindesberg

This week's NME had this to say about Wired for Mono's show At Brixton Windmill:

...Wired For Mono are dirty drone rock boys in disguise and "A Harbour An Anchor" is the loudest thing NME has heard in a dog's age. The sheer volume is comparable to the avant-garde Noo York art Attack of early Sonic Youth, while "Colin's Dream" is a disorientAting Byrds-type psychedelic-raga freak-out. As brilliant debut single "Travel In Turns" gets twisted from an alt.country groover into a pilled-up Rolling Stones space drone, the vigilant audience takes careful steps backwards: it’s an apocalyptic soundclash between the CharlAtans-type canyon-rock and the audio-roar of a 747 taking off. Amazing stuff."

They are playing May 1 At Helldorado in Nyköping with Caesars Palace. Check out a poster for the show here.

A grand total of 100 (!!!) new bands were confirmed for Roskilde Fest today. Some of the acts mentioned include The Cardigans, Christian Kjellvander, Immortal, The Hellacopters, TSOOL, SAtirnine, Gåte, Turbonegro, The Sounds, CAto Salsa Experience and The Raveonettes and a plethora of Scandinavian hip-hop artists: Advance PAtrol (SWE), Denmarks Finest (DK), Equicez (NOR), Loose Cannons (SWE), Mad Con (NOR), Organism 12 (SWE), Son Of Light (NOR), StAtic & NAt Ill (DK) and Suspekt (DK). Read more.

Did you miss Hardcore Superstar last night At Chalmers in Göteborg? Well, you can wAtch a video of the song "Honey Tongue" from thAt performance.

Lullacry has postponed the release of their new single "Alright Tonight" to May. No reason was given for the delay.

Norway's Gluecifer has announced a couple dAtes for this summer:

05/31 - Jæren, NOR
06/06 - Working Class Hero Festival, Drammen NOR
08/16 - Raumarock festival Åndalsnes NOR

The band also reiterAted their plans to come back to the US, hopefully this coming fall. Their exact words from the website: "For our very pAtient fans in the US... we are R E A L L Y looking forward to coming back & playin' for y'all!!!!!"

New Line Records has finally launced a website which of course has info and downloads for label darlings The Sounds.

Misconduct has been confirmed for the Kaktus Festival which will take place At an airfield in Arboga on July 18-19. Other artists playing include The Venue, Peter, Björn and John, The Virtues and Charta 77.

Stockholm Records artists Thee Ultra Bimboos are doing a few dAtes around Scandinavia in May:

05/02 - Västerås, Rockstad Västerås (Culturen)
05/03 - Malmö, KB
05/04 - Oslo, So WhAt
05/05 - Göteborg, Pusterviksbaren
05/07 - Hultsfred, Metropol
05/08 - Stockholm, Nalen

Motorpsycho is planning a Japanese tour for December, but there's no details yet. Their side-project The InternAtional Tussler Society will also be doing some shows around Norway in August such as the Øya festival in Oslo on August 7-9. There may be some dAtes in Europe, too. Stay tuned.

Silence Records has put up a streaming sample of "Happy Endings" from First Floor Power.

In other Silence-relAted news, Träd, Gräs & Stenar are heading over to England to two dAtes in England and Brighton on May 21 and 22 respectively. The full list of their upcoming dAtes:

05/21 - London, 291 Gallery w/No-Neck Blues Band
05/22 - Brighton w/No-Neck Blues Band
05/28 - Västerås, Taj Mahal
05/29 - Oslo, So WhAt
07/19 - Möja (Stockholm archipelago)

WAtch the video for "New Direction" from David & the Citizens.

Turbonegro has announced the addition of a new gig At the Garage in London on May 12. Here's whAt their upcoming European tour itinerary now looks like:

04/30 - Göteborg, Lisebergshallen
05/01 - Stockholm, Munchen Bryggeriet
05/02 - Malmö, KB
05/03 - Hamburg, Grosse Freiheit, DE w/Division of Laura Lee
05/04 - Hamburg, Grosse Freiheit, DE w/DoLL
05/06 - Amsterdam, Melkweg, NL w/DoLL
05/07 - London, Garage, UK w/DoLL
05/08 - Glasgow, King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, UK w/DoLL
05/09 - Manchester, Hope & Grape, UK w/DoLL
05/10 - Birmingham, Acedemy 2, UK w/DoLL
05/11 - Dublin, Whealans, IRL w/DoLL
05/12 - London, Garage, UK w/DoLL
05/13 - Paris, La Tranbendo, F w/DoLL
05/15 - Bergara, Sala Jam, E w/DoLL
05/16 - Madrid, Aqualung, E w/DoLL
05/17 - Barcelona, Apolo, E w/DoLL
05/19 - Milano, Transilvania, IT w/DoLL
05/20 - Zurich, Rote Fabriek, CH w/DoLL
05/21 - Stuttgart, Longhorn, DE w/DoLL
05/22 - Munchen, Elserhalle, DE w/DoLL
05/23 - Köln, E-werk, DE w/DoLL
05/24 - Bielefeld, PC 69, DE w/DoLL
05/25 - Berlin, Columbia halle, DE w/DoLL
05/27 - Stavanger, Siddishallen
05/28 - Bergen, Haukelandshallen
05/29 - Trondheim, Trondheim Spektrum/Nidarøhallen
05/31 - Oslo, Oslo Spektrum

Due to an undisclosed family emergency, Millencolin has been forced to cancel the remaining dAtes on the second leg of their US tour to return back home to Sweden.

MTVE.com has Atures/cardigans/longgone_hi.rm&artist=the%20cardigans&title=you´re%20the%20storm&dAtarAte=hi" onclick="window.open(this.href,'cp','scrollbars=no,resizable=no,stAtus=no,width=468,height=315');return false">the new video for "You're the Storm" from The Cardigans.

If you didn't already see it listed, Robyn is doing some touring this summer:

06/28 - Gamleby, Folkets Park
07/05 - Sundsvall, Sundsvalls GAtufest
07/23 - Tylösand, Hot Tylösand
07/24 - Hudiksvall, Stadsfesten
07/25 - Gävle, RocknAtta
07/26 - Piteå, Piteå Dansar och Ler
08/02 - Östersund, Storsjöyran
08/10 - Göteborg, Liseberg
08/15 - Stockholm, Gröna Lund

Here's a MIC Norway profile on Sondre Lerche with links to a number of interviews such as the CNN one linked here yesterday. Among other things, it says thAt Lerche is feAtured on the cover of this month's Index Magazine and he is also currently in Bergen, Norway working on his new album with producer Jørgen Træen (aka Sir Duperman). Look for him on tour in the US in May with Nada Surf and Ed Hartcourt.

Also by way of MIC Norway come this article on the Music Export Norway showcase as South by Southwest in Austin last March. FeAtured bands included the aforementioned Sondre Lerche, Madrugada, Ralph Myerz & the Jack Herren Band, Cadillac, Span and We.

This is pretty amazing: Junior Senior - "Move Your Feet". Definitely not the sort of thing I'm normally into, but thAt video is just too awesome.

Did you know the last SAturday in May is 'Swedish Music Day'? Me neither.

The following acts have been confirmed for the Siesta fest in Hässleholm on May 30-31: The Ark, Marit Bergman, Dynamo Chapel, David & The Citizens, Christian Kjellvander, $1000 Playboys, Her Majesty, Whyte Seeds, Last Days Of April, Lotta Wenglén Band, Joddla med Siv, Pete Thompson, Loserville plus a number of yet-to-be-named demo bands.

Lars Winnerbäck, Mikael Wiehe and Wilmer X have all been added to the bill of the Piteå Dansar Och Ler fest.

Entombed-side project Project HAte has set "HAte, DominAte, CongregAte, EliminAte" as the name of their new album. Look for it lAter this year from Entombed's own Threeman Recordings label.

Dimmu Borgir has lined up a couple dAtes in the Netherlands for October:

10/02 – Amsterdam, NETH @ Paradiso
10/03 – Tilburg, NETH @ 013

In other news, the band has reportedly spent the last few weeks At Studio Fredman recording a new album. No word on when to expect it.

In case you missed it, I had a Atum=2003-04-26" target=_blank>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. At=417" target=_blank>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 Atalog/web_store.cgi?dynamic=yes&p_id=sim018&cart_id=4881591.5535" target=_blank>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 Attias_alkbergs_begravning_-_mAtti_och_angelica.mp3">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: Atrol_-_going_going_gone.mp3">Lost PAtrol - "Going Going Gone"

Did you sign up for the newsletter yet?

Homy's debut album "Music Box" comes out May 15 in Sweden. The single "Bus Stop" has already been receiving college radio airplay in the US and was released in Sweden just this past week. Look for the band to hit the festival circuit this summer.

Johan Bergqvist has announced a new pair of gigs in Sweden:

5/3- Mondo, Stockholm
5/17 - Diezel, Halmstad

Ulver has decided to push back the release of the upcoming "A Quick Fix of Melancholy" EP so it does not interfere with promotion of the "1st Decade..." remix comp. No exact dAte yet, but you can download a sample exerpt to whet your appetite.

Ex-Haunted frontman Peter Dolving has reportedly rejoined with his old bandmAtes in Mary BeAts Jane to write and record a new album. Read more. (from Blabbermouth)

The Rasmus are making a bid for a wider European audience by signing to MotorUrbanDefJam Group in Germany, a division of Universal Music. The first single "In the Shadows" comes out this summer. "I look forward to working together with the nice people At MotorUrbanDefJam Group, they seem to know whAt they are doing and they are already totally in love with the music," says Lars Tengroth, the band's A&R rep At Scandinavian label Playground Music.

Cult of Luna have been nominAted for 'Best Underground Act' At the 2003 Metal Hammer Awards along with Opeth, Arch Enemy, SAtyricon and lone Americans Shadows Fall. More info and voting instructions are here. CoL also recently wrapped up the filming of a video for "The WAtchtower" with Pete BridgewAter and George Steel At HemnMagasinet. More info about thAt when I get it.

HIM shot a video for the song "The Sacrament" At Ploskovice Castle near Prague last weekend. It was shot on 33mm film stock and should be edited and ready by sometime in mid-May. View pictures from the shoot here.

Car Crash Records has announced thAt they have signed C.Aarmé to their label. Look for a full length this fall or check out the just-released 7" on Deleted Art. A sample mp3 of the track "Tu puta mi casa" is available here.

How timely is this? Here's a MIC Norway profile on Jaga Jazzist. Look another big feAture in May's issue of The Wire.

More from MIC Norway, here's some info about the upcoming Music Under Oslo Festival (MUO) which takes place in the city's subway stAtions. Pretty darn cool, if you ask me. The entrance fee is only the cost of a regular token. Artists scheduled to play include Fox&Wolf, Thomas Dybdahl, Thulsa Doom, and more.

From the Finnish Music InformAtion Centre (FIMIC), check out Finland's 2002 year-end wrap-up.

Aftonbladet has a review and samples of the long-awaited debut from The Concretes.

Finland's Bangkok Impact has the album of the month over At Jockey Slut magazine.

If you can't get enough of thAt high-quality Swedish garage-rock, The Dandelions are heading over to London for a number of dAtes At the end of May:

5/22 - Gaz's Rockin' Blues
5/23 - Dragon Bar
5/24 - Cobden Club
5/27 - Eyelash At Pop

They've also got quite a few mp3s over At their site if you're interested.

Vote for Atures/indierock/" target=_blank>"Playboy's Sexiest Women of Indie Rock" feAturing the Sahara Hotnights. Um, whAtever. And yeah, the link is safe for work.

Carnal Forge has announced thAt they have extended their contract with Centry Media for another two albums. Look for 'em on tour in America with the 2003 Metal Gods feAturing Halford, Testament, Immortal, Primal Fear and Behemoth.

MTV Up North has moved to Thursdays with a new, extended formAt. Here's this week's chart:

01. HIM - Funeral of hearts
02. The Sounds - Rock n´ Roll
03. Mew - Comforting Sounds
04. The Rasmus - In The Shadows
05. A-Teens - Perfect MAtch
06. Kwan - Shine
07. Kashmir - Surfing The Warm Industry
08. Dub Sweden - Walk Me Home
09. Kari - Exile
10. Surferosa - Neon Commando
11. Paola - Interstellar Love
12. Moon Gringo - Buzz Aldrin
13. Melody Club - Cover Girl
14. Whyte Seeds - Slow motions
15. Pauline - Runnin´ Out Of Gaz
16. Bertine Zetlitz - Girl Like You
17. Jennifer Brown - Weak
18. The Cardigans - For WhAt It´s Worth
19. Equicez - Live From Pass It
20. Thomas Rusiak - Unicorn
Challengers:
01. Empire Dogs - The Dogs
02. Timbuktu - Ett Brev
03. Nik & Jay - Elsker Hende Mere
04. The Knife - You Take My BreAth Away
05. Jamie Meyer - Good Girl

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

Besides appearing on MTV Morning Glory back home in Sweden this weekend, The Sounds also have reviews published in US mags Billboard and AlternAtive Press. I'll try and track 'em down if I can.

Misconduct's video for their cover of Bob Marley's "Iron Lion Zion" will premiere on CTV's new program 'Nöjesnytt' on April 29. Singer Fredrik Olsson and bassist Andreas Wall will be on the show, too.

Here's the top 20 Swedish albums of the week, as reported by Aftonbladet:

01. The Cardigans - Long gone before daylight
02. Glenmark Eriksson Strömstedt - Den andra skivan
03. Jill Johnson - Discography
04. Lisa Nilsson - Samlade sånger 1992-2003
05. Cornelis Vreeswijk - Cornelis Vreeswijks bästa
06. Lars Winnerbäck och Hovet - Söndermarken
07. v/a - Fame Factory volym 4
08. Mauro Scocco - BeAt hotel
09. Elin Sigvardsson - SAturday light naive
10. The Refreshments - On the rocks
11. Roxette - The pop hits
12. Kent - Vapen & ammunition
13. Siw Malmkvist - Siws bästa
14. The Knife - Deep Cuts
15. Fireside - Get shot
16. Buddaboys - Lost people areas
17. Fernandoz - Vem får din kärlek i nAtt
18. Dilba - Revolution
19. Emil Sigfridsson - Tillbaka till igår
20. The Sounds - Living in America

The Shout Out Louds are hard At work on their upcoming debut full-length which is now scheduled to come out September 29. They also have a new single coming out in May for the track "Hurry Up Let's Go" which will include an unreleased song as a b-side. And thAt's not all - they're even fitting in some touring:

4/25 - Borlänge, Klubb Desired
4/26 - Lund, Klubb Blender
5/7 - Oslo, So WhAt
5/23 - Umeå Studion, Folkets Hus
5/28 - Örebro, Kåren
5/30 - Uppsala, Stones-festivalen
5/30 - Stockholm, Popaganda
5/31 - Linköping, RocksensAtion, Herrgårn
5/31 - Kalmar, Skälby
6/6 - Göteborg, Pustervik w/Marit Bergman

This week's Swedish college radio chart (from Dagensskiva):

Leaving the chart:
(06) Jurassic 5 Ft. Mya "Thin Line"
(12) Asian Dub FoundAtion Ft. Sinead O'Connor "1000 Mirrors"
(14) Sean Paul "Get Busy"
(16) Blur "Out of Time"
(17) Outlandish "Guantanamo"
(19) First Floor Power "Happy Endings"
(20) The Concretes "You Can't Hurry Love"

'Against All Evens' is the name of the upcoming Second Gothenburg Biennale to take place May 24 - August 24 At Gothenburg Konsthallen. The event is being billed as "a resistance against all thAt which is vapid, indifferent and toothless" and will be curAted by artist/musician Carl Michael Von Hauswolff. 27 concerts are scheduled to take place including performances by Tommi Grönlund (Sähkö Rec.) with Petteri Nisunen (FIN), John Duncan, Kim Gordon, Russell Haswell, Florian Hecker, Phill Niblock, Pita, Franz Pomassl and more. More info here.

Get a preview of the new Hell n' Diesel single in RealAudio formAt: "Tears for the Wicked" / "Rebel" / "Speed Devil"
Preorders are already being taken over At the Shuffle Records website.

Live4Metal is reporting thAt Enslaved was forced to cancel their show At The Garage in London tonight as the promotor seems to have bungled the job. Their stAtement:

Only about 65 advance tickets were sold and the promoters could not afford to pay the deposit to bring Enslaved over from Norway and have pulled the gig. Live4Metal were happy to be official sponsors of the event, but we have not even had any official notice from them and are as mystified as the support bands, anybody who bought a ticket and no doubt Enslaved themselves. All I can say is thAt there is a lesson to be learnt here and budding promoters should most definitely learn to walk before they try to run. Being as we are fair, we are willing to listen to the promoters' side of the story... but we are yet to hear from them.

A little bird has informed me thAt the new C.Aarmé 4-song 7" and The New Mess 3-song gAtefold EP are now done and ready for ordering from Deleted Art.

In my continuing quest to open your ears to new music, there's some new mp3s on the right. First is Jaga Jazzist with the title track from their upcoming US debut "Animal Chin". They do a combinAtion of jazz with electronic elements thAt's actually really, really cool. Normally I wouldn't expect myself to get into something like thAt, but they're really good. Next is three tracks from The Haunted's performance At Popstad. If you're into metal, you should already know these guys. Ex-At The GAtes/Seance, total Slayer-worship. Can't go wrong with thAt.

Dagensskiva reports thAt Kamera had a bunch of gear stolen along with Ed Hartcourt's favorite leAther jacket from their show At KB in Malm�. Among the missing instruments are a Mexican-made StrAt, an Ibanez SG-style guitar and an Ibanez SG-style bass. Read more.

Hell On Wheels have announced thAt "It's Wrong Being a Boy" will be their new single out on May 8. They'll be shooting a video for the track this evening around the rural suburbs of Stockholm.

Elisa TV has posted V�rttin�'s video for "Tuulen Tunto" (To Feel the Wind) for viewing: Atv/page?tpl=clip&id=1601&formAt=1&node=1" target=_blank>RealMedia 1 / Atv/page?tpl=clip&id=1601&formAt=2&node=1" target=_blank>RealMedia 2 / Atv/page?tpl=clip&id=1601&formAt=3&node=1" target=_blank>Windows
It was filmed on February 28 At Aleksanterin TeAtteri by Deco Media for the Finnish TV program 'LevyraAti'.

MAttias Alkberg of Bear Quartet is the recipient of the Arnold R�rlings-scholarship. Read more.

Transworld SkAteboarding Magazine of all places has reviewed David & the Citizens "For All Happy Endings":

Who�s got "Swedish fever"? It's time to retire your Abba records-guilt free! David & The Citizens are the best thing to come from Sweden since the bikini team. They have a unique, unclassifiable sound thAt's been compared to Beck, the Rolling Stones, and Belle And Sebastian. Regardless of thAt, it�ll make you wanna pick up your accordion and start dancing. With cAtchy song titles like "Now She Sleeps in a Box in the Good Soil of Denmark," how could you go wrong? Definitely a must-buy.
- J.T. Kitzmiller

NRK has posted a plethora of pictures from the Inferno Festival in Norway. Immortal, Red Harvest and Opeth are just three of the bands feAtured. On-demand video footage coming soon, too.

The Knife will be doing the soundtrack for Christina Olofson's upcoming film "Hannah med H" ('Hannah with an H'). The full CD will include some 30-odd tracks and should be out sometime in fall. The move premieres on December 12.

From Sam Roberts' homepage on opening for TSOOL on a few dAtes around the US:

Our tour with The Soundtrack of Our Lives has also sadly come to an end. They were the model of Swedish hospitality from beginning to end, and we'd like to thank the band and crew for taking such good care of a bunch of Canuck drunks.
There wasn't a single show where they didn't blow our minds- they might just be the best live band in the world. Another thing we learned about our Scandinavian brethren is thAt they know how to party, and we have been on a strict regimen of vitamins and lentil soup since our return.
Adios for now you crazy bastards...

For an entirely different take than Pitchfork on Turbonegro's new album, Atum=2003-04-23" target=_blank>read this review from Dagensskiva. (in Swedish)

Miss Universum's (Doktor Kosmos) debut album "Selfelected" comes out May 16. Uje Brandelius helped with the songwriting and Jens Lindg�rd produced. The first single "Fertilize" comes out April 25.

P3 reports thAt when the Dalai Lama comes to Sweden on June 3 the following artists will be playing: Thomas Dileva, Lisa Ekdahl, Anders Widmark, Sara Isaksson, and Chime Arkhang. Tomas Ledin will host.

Looptroop, Mikael Wiehe, Bob Hansson, Kajsa Grytt and Stefan Sundstr�m are all scheduled to play a big free concert At Mondo in Stockholm on May 11 in a show of solidarity and support for everyone convicted At the EU summit riots in G�teborg back in 2001.

Some new acts confirmed for Hultsfred: Randy, Ursula Rucker, Stefan Sundstr�m, Strebers, IsolAtion Years, Paola, Kajsa Grytt, Johan Bergqvist and Advance PAtrol.

Some of the names for the upcoming Koneisto fest in Finland seem to have been leaked. Here's whAt I've heard so far: Miss Kittin, T.Raumschmiere, Erlend Oye, Uusi Fantasia, Ed Rush, Ralph Myerz & Jack Herren Band, Gilles Peterson, London Elektricity, Kuusumun Profeetta, ImAtran Voima, Youngsters, Didier Sound Spectrum, DAtarock, Kaptein Kaliber, and Seb Fontaine. The electronic music event takes place in Helsinki 7/25-7/27.

Here's an e-card for Oslo's Bertine Zetlizt. It includes a short English bio along with 3 song samples and a video.

There's a new message board in town: Atrap.com/wforum/index.php">https://www.itsAtrap.com/wforum/index.php
I'm still working out some kinks, but it should be up and running just fine for the most part.
UPDAtE: Everything is pretty much good-to-go. Atrap.com/wforum/index.php">WhAtcha waiting for? Come say hi.

SAtirnine has posted their upcoming European tour itinerary:

04/24 - Amsterdam, The MAX - NL
04/25 - Den Bosch, W 2 - NL
04/27 - Cologne, Live music Hall - DE
04/29 - Hamburg, Logo - DE
04/30 - Berlin, Columbia Fritz - DE
05/1 - Hannover, Musikzentrum - DE
05/2 - Schweinfurt, Alte Stadt bahnhof - DE
05/3 - Trier, Exil - DE
05/4 - Munchen, Backstage - DE
05/6 - Dornbin, Condrad Sohm - AUT
05/7 - Vienna, Arene - AUT
05/8 - Graz, Orpheum - AUT
05/10 - Milan, Leoncavallo - IT
05/12 - Zurich - Abart - CH
05/13 - Basel, Kaserne - CH
05/14 - Wil, Remise - CH
05/16 - Lyon, MJC - F
05/17 - Barcelona, Mephisto - E
05/18 - Madrid, Gruta 77 - E
05/20 - Valencia, Roxy - E
05/21 - Vigo, Nashville - E
05/22 - Gijon, Cafe albenitz - E
05/23 - Girona, Atzavara - E
05/24 - La Rouche Sur, Le fuzz - F
05/25 - Rennes, Mondo Bizarro - F
05/26 - Tours, Festival - F
05/28 - Portsmouth, Wedge wood room - UK
05/29 - Birmingham, Academy - UK
05/30 - Leeds, Jospehs Well - UK
05/31 - Glasgow, King Tuts Wah Hut - UK
06/3 - London - Garage – UK
06/12 - Hultsfredsfestivalen
08/2 - Augustibuller

Check out this review and Ategories.php?cAt_id=201" target=_blank>pictures from Logh's show in Köln. (in German)

Pitchfork covers a couple joints from the cold, cold north today. They review both Ather.shtml" target=_blank>Turbonegro - "Scandinavian LeAther" and Jaga Jazzist - "Animal Chin". The lAtter is a group I've actually been listening to a lot and can definitely recommend. The former, well... the less said the better I think.

Here's a streaming video interview with The Ark in English. It includes some political discussion along with behind-the-scenes footage from an acoustic TV performance.

The Sounds US press onslaught has begun. Are they the 'next big thing'? Can they be stopped? The band reports thAt they have articles in Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly, FHM, In Style (Dave Grohl Quote), Jane (The Donnas review the album), and W along with the previously mentioned Paper profile. They've also finally confirmed their upcoming dAtes with the Ravonettes and Vue:

05/24 - Minneapolis, 7th St. Entry
05/25 - Milwaukee, Vnuk's Lounge
05/27 - Chicago, Double Door
05/28 - Cleveland, Beachland Ballroom
05/29 - Detroit, Magic Stick
06/02 - New York, Bowery Ballroom
06/03 - Boston, Paradise Rock Club
06/04 - Philadelphia, North Star
06/05 - Washington DC, 9:30 Club

And don't forget thAt they're doing other headlining dAtes in the US, too. Keep your eyes peeled.

KVLR reports they are just about done with six songs for their new album which they have been working on in the studio with Marcus and Lena from Komeda. The mAterial has been described as "poppy." Next up, they plan to hit the road for awhile after which they'll return to the studio to record the second half of the album. DAtes confirmed so far:

05/31 - Umeå @ Scharinska Villan w/Logh
06/12 - (D) Trier, Ex House
06/13 - (D) München, Atomic Cafe
06/16 - (D) Frankfurt, Cookys
06/17 - (D) Marburg, Cafe Trauma
06/18 - (D) Hannover, Bei Chez Heinz
06/19 - (D) Berli, Magnet
06/20 - (D) Hamburg, Molotow
06/21 - (D) Kiel, Kieler Woche (Delta Radio Stage)
06/22 - (DK) Fredericia, Kulturmilitzen

The Klerks' new video for the single "Shame" premieres on Wimans ZTV on Monday April 28. They've also got a couple tourdAtes lined up for the near future:

04/27 - Göteborg, Chalmers Cortegen
04/29 - Örebro, Festivalborg
05/7 - Växjö, Studentkåren
05/8 - Kalmar, Studentkåren
05/9 - Hässleholm, Perrong 23
05/16 - Borlänge, Borlange

Bad Taste Records has posted an mp3 of the title track from Logh's upcoming EP "The Contractor and the Assassin". Check it out. Again, thAt'll be out May 5.

Check out the Fireside Atus=no,width=468,height=315');return false">playing live on MTV Morning Glory. The extra guitarist is apparently Calle Olsson.

The lineup for the comp in honor of the Mjuk i Mössan fest in Emmaboda has just been released. Go to rassle.org for more info. Otherwise, here's the tracklist:

01. Comet Gain - Never die
02. john.wayne.shot.me - Introducing the mechanical reindeer
03. Hank - Table 5 (and eAting nachos)
04. Laakso - Sunday night
05. Speedmarket Avenue - You set the terms
06. Talking to Teapots - Me, you, Janie and Drew
07. Sagor & Swing - Popkarusellen
08. La Masa - Min megafon
09. Niccokick - I drink to get thrilled
10. Tullycraft - Miss Douglas county
11. The Radio Dept. - Lean back, lean forward
12. Björns Vänner - Tiden (egentligen "Den enda lögn du har kvar")
13. Surrounded - Exit serenade
14. Florence valentin - Haninge punks
15. Her Majesty - Rules to follow
16. Paris - Tonight
17. Bring me the fucking riot...man - Red wine riot
18. Sonny Crocket - Suppose
19. Dr. Higgins - Den vanliga människan

Misconduct just came back Studio PhlAt Planet in Gothenburg with Fredrik Reinedahl (Passenger, In Flames, more) where they were working on their new album. The working title is "Fight Back" and the label describes it as "the best and most varied record Misconduct ever delivered." Also, if you preorder it now you can get a special limited edition digipack before the release dAte in May with extra songs, video and more. The first 250 orders also get "a Special Gift from the band," whAtever thAt means. And as mentioned a looooong time ago, the band is heading out on the road this summer with NYC hardcore act 25 Ta Life. The dAtes so far:

06/12 - (GER) Bremen/Wehrschloss
06/13 - (GER) Hannover/Faust
06/14 - (GER) Chemnitz/Talschock
06/15 - (GER) Berlin/Knaack-Klub
06/16 - (GER) Tba
06/17 - (HOL) Tba
06/18 - (HOL) Leuwarden/Gloppe Festival
06/19 - (BEL) tba/tbc
06/20 - (FRA) Straßbourg/La LAterie
06/21 - (FRA) Paris/Street Fest
06/22 - (ESP) St. Feliu de Guixlos
06/23 - tba
06/24 - (POR) Lisbon/Tba
06/25 - (ESP) Madrid/Tba
06/26 - (ESP) Tba
06/27 - (FRA) Perpignan/Crockmore
06/28 - (FRA) Nantes, Hardcore Fury Fest w/Sick of it All, Suicidal, Madball,
06/29 - (FRA) tba
06/30 - (ITA) tba
07/01 - (AUS) Vienna/Arena
07/02 - (AUS) Dornbirn/Conrad Sohm
07/03 - (GER) Eisenach/Crocodiel
07/04 - (GER) Leipzig/Conne Island

Startracks/V2 has a DVD out entitled "Hidden Scenery". It feAtures the video for "All Lovers Hell" from Kristofer Åström along with "How Come Your Arms Are Not Around Me" and "Leaving Song" from a live performance he did in Berlin back in 2002. Other artists on it include Christian Kjellvander, Eskobar plus internAtional acts Grandaddy, Elbow, Mercury Rev and more.

Bear Quartet have been confirmed for the free Pop Dakar music fest May 24 At Gula Villan in Stockholm. Other bands scheduled to play include First Floor Power, Grand Tone Music, Radio Dept., Hell on Wheels, Paris and more.

Here's a track-by-track review of thAt Finnish psych comp I mentioned yesterday.

Some metal gossip for y'all: Michael Amott of Arch Enemy has revealed thAt he is indeed romantically involved with frontwoman Angela Gossow. Here's a short response from Angela on the subject. Personally, I could care less, but I guess lots of uptight heshers are upset as evidenced by the comments. WhAtever.

"It's Finnish, it's fucked, and it's also of historical import." SF's Aquarius Records has made the comp "Arktinen Hysteria: Suomi-Avantgarden Esipuutarhureita" one of its records of the week. Check out their site for reviews, samples, and mailorder info. Also covered: Ved Buens Ende, 1349 Rykkin, Eturivi and more.

Logh is starting to put together plans for a headlining Scandinavian tour. Here's the dAtes so far:

5/18 - NOR Porsgrunn, Rockeklubben
5/19 - NOR Oslo, Mono
5/24 - SWE Stockholm, Debaser
6/5 - FIN Turku (Åbo), Elohopeaklubi (Down By The Laituri Festival)

Don't forget their remaining dAtes with Fireside, too. The new EP "Contractor and the Assassin" comes out May 5 with the full-length album "The Raging Sun" to follow lAter thAt month. More info and cover art pics on Logh's site.

Opeth has posted a number of pics from the "Deliverance" and "DamnAtion" recording sessions. Pretty cool.

Samon & Rourke reviews a couple demos including Ellis The Vacuumchild, whose members include Joel Borg, now also playing bass with my pals KVLR. Mp3s are there for downloading, too.

Hemmalaget.nu has put up a couple tunes for you to preview from Paragon and Ison & Fille. Check it.

The Japanese version of "Someone New" from Eskobar was released last week. It was done together with the Japanese band NAtural High. More info. The band is also scheduled to play the Paléo Festival Nyon in Switzerland on July 26. Tickets go on sale April 29 and can be had from here.

Glad Påsk! Happy Easter! Happy Passover! Hope you enjoy your holiday weekend!

WAtch the video for "Long Beach" from Laakso: high / low

Startracks has announced a new signing - their first since picking up the LoosegoAts in '96. And the lucky band is Tiger Lou aka Rasmus Kellerman. He used to be in EM/Music By EM, but has now gone solo. His first show ever with a backing band is At Popaganda fest in Stockholm on May 30, but he's also hitting the road by himself:

4/21 - Lübeck D Cafe Brasil
4/22 - Oldenburg D Alhambra w/KarAte, One Man and His Droid
4/23 - Hamburg D Molotow w/Me Without You
4/24 - Köln D Underground w/KarAte
4/25 - Wolfenbüttel D Juz Harztorwall w/KarAte
4/26 - Konzert Geschlossene Veranstaltung
4/27 - Freiburg D KTS w/NRA, Oil
4/28 - TRIER D Ex-Haus
4/29 - Aflenz A Sublime
4/30 - Wien A Shelter w/KarAte
5/01 - München D Kafe Kult w/KarAte
5/02 - Leverkusen D Pentagon
5/07 - Stockholm S Lava w/Lova and Dexter's Moon

Look for a 4-song EP in May/June. More info here.

For a limited time you can view the new Fireside video for the song "All You Had". Manne Lindvall filmed it and Leif Andree stars. Very entertaining.

Nicolai Dunger has booked himself a couple new gigs around the UK:

5/27 - Nottingham Rescue Rooms w/MAtt Elliott (solo)
5/28 - Brighton Albert Inn (solo)
5/29 - London Union Chapel w/The Frames (band)

NorthSide Records has posted mp3s for two new albums thAt are coming out June 3. First is Atalog/resources/Sound/Hedningarna_Vettoi.mp3">"Vettoi" (excerpt) from Hedningarna and their new CD "1989-2003", a best-of collection thAt includes a couple new tracks. Next is Atalog/resources/Sound/Frifot_MikkelPerKusErik.mp3">"Mikkel Per / Kus Erik" from Frifot's new album "Sluring". If you're curious about tracing the roots of Nordic music, I strongly encourage you the check this stuff out.

Uppsala Hio-hop duo Allied Forces have their debut 12" coming out soon. It'll be called "Ögon I Nacken" and will feAture a guest appearance from Highwon and production from Masse.

The Sounds are now booked to play the outdoor stage At Gröna Lund in Stockholm on June 18. The rest of the acts confirmed so far for the venue this summer are:

4/30 - The Soundtrack of Our Lives, The Ark, Mando Diao (view poster)
5/9 - Melody Club
5/23 - Dilba vs. Stephen Simmond

In case you weren't already aware, the pop group Alcazar worked together with the Pet Shop Boys to write some new songs. Here's an short interview/article from Expressen on the subject. (in Swedish) Oh, and feel free to cAtch 'em on tour too:

4/18 - Ö-vik, Parken (S)
4/19 - Höör, Jägersbo (S)
4/23 - Stockholm, Company Party (S)
4/25 - Sälen, HC (S)
5/03 - Sölden, Snowmove (Austria)
5/10 - Amsterdam (NL)
5/15 - Nurnberg (Germany)
5/24 - Jönköping, Rix FM (S)
5/27 - Stockholm, Company Party (S)
5/30 - Umeå, Festen (S)
5/31 - Gislaved, Sigges Loge (S)
6/06 - Stockholm, Gröna Lund (S)
6/07 - Eringsboda Brunn (S)
6/08 - Sätela (S)
6/18 - Neubrandenburg, NDR (Germany)
6/19 - Bad Arolsen, Festival (Germany)
6/26 - Ludvika, City Festival (S)
6/27 - Enköping, City Festival, (S)
6/28 - Klagenfurt, Cityfestival (S)
7/02 - Sundsvall, GAtufesten (S)
7/12 - Tidan, Olstorp (S)
7/18 - Sölvesborg, Hanöhus (S)
7/19 - Bergen, NDR (Germany)
7/25 - Borlänge, Rommehed (S)
7/26 - Sunne, Fryksdalsdansen (S)
7/27 - Eskilstuna, Parken (S)
7/28 - Zurich, Pride (Switzerland)
7/30 - Ellös, Parken (S)
7/31 - Bromölla, Dagarna (S)
8/02 - Stockholm, Pride (S)
8/15 - Paris, NRJ (France)
8/16 - Gothenburg, Liseberg (S)
8/17 - Berlin, NRJ (Germany)
8/30 - Östervåla, Parken (S)
9/06 - Pasewalk, NDR (Germany)
11/01 - Bryssels, Company Party (Begium)