Interview
(Progressive Newsletter Nr.47 01/04)
excerpts from an interview with Stefan Fredin (Bass)
Dag, Chris and me started to rehearse already in 1995 to see if could still play up to our previous standards. And also of course because we love to play. We started jamming and later working on some new material. "Lång historia" on the new album was made during this period. Then it felt natural to do these concerts to coincide with the CD-releases. But after these concerts the energy somehow ran out which meant we once again split up.
What lead to the decision for the next reunion?
In the autumn of 2001 again me, Chris and Dag started to rehearse, to work on some new material. On the new album "Ljuset" is from this period. In January 2003 we went into the studio to record one or two songs for a new album of old unreleased material. But when we were a bit into the recording i think it was Dag who said: "Why don't we make a whole new album?" And we all thought this sounded like a very good idea. Later in this process we of course also involved Robert and Mats.
How difficult or easy was it to play and compose together again after all theses years?
Surprisingly easy. It felt just like we had a break for few months. Not 20 years!
Can you tell a little bit more about the contents of the songs of the "Elden av år", for that the lyrics are completely in swedish?
On the CD there is a note about the lyrics that indicates much what it's all about. The contents of the suite are mainly located to the latter part of the seventies. With many personal references to girls,parties, asylums and our own music band. "Lång historia" should perhaps started the CD as it is about meeting and playing again in the middle of the nineties. "Ljuset" is partly about the hectic, commercial and meaningless life in Stockholm today. Partly about a longing for something more than that."Nightflight" and "Gnistor" are both looking back from today, "Nightflight" in a wholly personal way, "Gnistor" with lots of references to the Trettioåriga Kriget story. The main theme of the CD is that time is running mercilessly, that you only got one life, and what a trip it has been up til now! Details are hard to give as the lyrics are quite poetic and every line means something in its own right.
Besides the 70s material used for "Elden av år" is there some more material left of the 70s and if yes, any plans to release it in the future?
Yes there is some material. But it's mostly live recordings and jams. We have talked about a live album spanning our whole history from 1970 until now. But nothing is decided at this point. The only release planned right now is a rerelease and remastring for CD of our second album "Krigssång". Maybe with some new bonus material. It should be out after summer 2004.
On the 29th of November last year you played your first gig for more than 8 years. How did the concert went and any plans for more concerts or touring?
It was a total success really!! I think both we ourselves and the audience were very happy! It felt sooo good to play live again after all these years! We are at the moment planning to do more concerts and also some festivals during 2004.
How difficult was in back in the 70's to get the record deal with CBS?
It was not easy then either to get a deal with a major company. But...still i think that the atmosphere in the musicbusiness in the 70s was not so commercialized and tough like it is today. I think people were driven more by music and less by money back then. I mean...you had groups like Led Zeppelin, Genesis, Pink Floyd who sold a lot of albums and didn't even care about making singles.
When looking back to the band's history, which were the most memorable moments and where there also some decisions that you regret?
One thing i really regret is our fourth album "Mot all odds". After our third album "Hej på er", we toured a lot. And then we booked studiotime for our fourth album without having enough strong material. We had run out of energy and should have waited doing that album. The most memorable moments that comes to my mind is of course our English tour in autumn 1976. It was a great joy! Also of course our first tours here in Sweden, which were magical! But also to be honest, recording our new album "Elden av år"! It was such a great feeling to be able to create music again!
Kristian Selm © Progressive Newsletter 2004