It's all Part of My Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy

Merry Christmas!!!

2011-12-24T03:55:00.000+01:00

Well it's Christmas over here in Sweden so a Merry Christmas to you all out there in the world!!!

ダウト (D=OUT)

2011-12-12T22:03:00.000+01:00

This is a wonderful song by the awesome band D=OUT or ダウト as they are known as in Japan. Enjoy!

Versailles London

2011-09-27T13:28:00.000+02:00

So the day is almost here, this Sunday October 2nd I will be one of 800 fans standing in front of this wonderful band from Japan.
It truly is with excitement I write these words, I am so looking forward to see them live, I have only seen their live dvd's and some videos on youtube, but I like to see something with my own eyes as well before I make my decision if they truly are a great live band.

So I'll have to make an update about this after the show of course...so for now I leave you with this video. Enjoy!

Versailles Holy Grail Deluxe Box Limited Edit.

2011-08-28T14:23:00.000+02:00

Well I couldn't help myself so this beauty is on its way home to me from Japan as we speak.
It contains the album (duh!), a bonus DVD with five versions of the Masquerade music video (one version from each member). It also includes a poster and a 100-page photo book.
So Christmas comes early this year for me can't wait to hold it in my hands.

(Holy Grail Deluxe Box Limited Edition )

Orup at Gröna Lund

2011-08-13T22:46:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I had the pleasure to see one of Swedens most beloved popstars Orup perform at Gröna Lund in Stockholm in front of a very excited audience.
I had only had the pleasure to see him live once before so I was really looking forward to this and I was not disappointed.
The band he had with him was truly great and they seemed to have a great time on stage.
And the audience were huge! I don't know yet how many but if I had to guess somewhere around 10-15000.
But I'll have to wait until Monday when hopefully some newspaper will have the more precise figure.

The setlist was awesome, both new and old mixed together, and the audience danced and singed along and it all became a huge party in front of the stage, much thanks to Orups huge personality that could reach even the person standing farthest in the back.
Me well I was standing in the front row and so I had a great view and also it was quite spectacular looking back at the crowd behind me.
You could truly feel the love in the air.

He also gave a promise to us all that it would not take 11 years until next solo tour. Which I truly hope he will keep. This was an evening to remember, for me this was a perfect end to a perfect summers night.

Setlist

1. Sibyllan
2. Sjung Hallelujah och prisa gud
3. Huddinge
4. Född I november
5. Regn hos mig
6. Linda sa
7. Tiden bara gick
8. Vid min faders grav
9. Stockholm
10. Baby
11. Min mor sa till mig
12. Magaluf
13. Jag blir hellre jagad av vargar
14. Pojkarna på rad

Encore 1

1. Cigarettminut
2. upp över mina öron
3. Från Djursholm till Danvikstull

Encore 2

1. Det gör ont (acoustic w/t only Orup)

Lin and Megaromania

2011-07-29T00:06:00.002+02:00

Do you like visual kei like I do?

This is two of the bands I've recently started to listen to that I'd really like to recommend to any of you that might have missed these awesome bands, enjoy!

LIN - Metamorphose PV

Megaromania - Aurora - Destinies of World

Gackt Episode.0

2011-07-28T23:54:00.000+02:00

The new single released July 13th by the ever handsome and talented Gackt. Enjoy!

Versailles in London

2011-07-11T15:26:00.005+02:00

Well I'm off to London in October that's for sure.
And why you ask, well because of the fabulous band Versailles from Japan who plays there of course.
This band is far from what I usually listen too, but they have captured this Swedes heart.
What genre is it then, well the ones popping up in my mind and when you google them is mostly symphonic power metal, visual kei, speed metal, progressive metal and so on. All I know is that I love their music and style. They have very gothic lyrics and yes a lot of vampire related as well.
But I truly find it refreshing to listen to them, both when I need an adrenaline rush but also when I want to relax, Versailles suites every occasion.
(And I like the way they are confusing my brother in law hehehe, is it women, is it men....moahahaha who cares! They rock!)

They formed in 2007 and have released three albums; Noble 2008, Jubilee 2010 and Holy Grail 2011.
There's also an EP called Lyrical Sympathy released in 2007 that is truly amazing.
Sadly their bassplayer Jasmine You passed away in 2009 and the band made him an eternal member which is truly beautiful.
Now they have a new bassist called Masashi.
Versailles is going out on a world tour now in 2011 and will visit a few countries in Europe to their fans delight.

Anyway I really like this band and hope that they will stay in business for many years to come.

(Versailles with Jasmine You)

RIP Clarence Clemons

2011-06-19T18:38:00.003+02:00

At age 69 "The Big man", Clarence Clemons passed away, the rocking sax player from the E-Street Band will be greatly missed by both his band and his fans.
I'm just sad that I never got the chance to see him live.

Anyway rest in peace big man I know you'll keep on rocking in heaven!

Me a rock star?

2011-06-08T16:09:00.003+02:00

This is going to be an interesting summer for me, when I started this blog I never in a million years thought I would be in a band, but now I have not one but two bands who wants to do something. How weird is that.
They're both coverbands but I don't care, I sing because I love it not because I want to be the next Bruce Springsteen, well ok that would be awesome but that's not my main goal here.

So next week I'm "auditioning" for one of them. I hope it will work out just fine because I haven't been near a mic for over 8 years now...if you don't count singstar and the occasional karaoke.
This feels exciting at the same time frightening as hell, what if I fuck this up? What if I'm not good enough for them?

GAH I'm going bananas over here, only one week left to practise the songs, I just hope I'll nail this sucker.

Anyway, time to do some practising and I'm just hoping my retarded neighbours shut the hell up. They always seem to complain when someone else is making noises but they can't understand why others get pissed off when they're playing loud russian techno at 4 in the morning (on a workday!)

Frak I'm nervous!

Oh Gods of Rock n' roll please grant me just this one wish and I'll forever be your slave!

Sayonara!

Gackt to Stockholm!

2011-05-26T01:17:00.005+02:00

Gosh I almost choked when I saw that J-Rock legend Gackt is coming to Stockholm in August.

At first I thought I had seen wrong but no, he plays at the Arena / Fryshuset on August 9th. Totally fucking awesome, I who have hoped for some time now that one of the Japanese bands / artists I love would come here, and it happens. Feels very absurd, but so fantastically cool so I hardly know which leg I should stand on.

I will go, although by myself but who the hell cares, how many times will such a chance present itself!
In August, it is I who dresses up nicely and will be singing, dancing and screaming headlong among a bunch of other j-pop fans ... 素晴らしい！

Domo arigato Japan!

2011-05-05T18:20:00.006+02:00

The new love of my life...

<3 Buck-Tick <3

Strangelove

2011-03-11T12:50:00.003+01:00

I realize I haven't been particularly active in this blog, but ah well I mostly write for my own sake any way.
But now I'm writing, right!?
I have once again submerged myself in the music of Depeche Mode, they are always in my life but sometimes I listen less to them and explore other artists new and old.
So I thought I'd share some of my favourites with DM.

and can not help myself but here's a live version from 2006 of the same great song

and this will end this little list of great songs by a great band .... this is of course just a few of my favourites, but maybe there will be more to come in the future =)

Reach out and touch faith!

Update on various events

2010-02-18T19:19:00.005+01:00

Oh christ,a lot is going on in the music world but I'm slower than slow to update ... but for a special reason I now got to writing and that was this event ...

Alan Wilder played the piano on Somebody when Depeche Mode played at Royal Albert Hall on 17 / 2. How cool is that. The man who meant so much to the band was finally back on stage with them, or well with Martin anyway. It is incredibly beautiful. Fans cheer around the planet and expect a tearful reunion, but I, well I'm not sure. I think maybe it was more some kind of fun thing they just felt like doing. But I would not say no to a reunion, of course;)

What more, well, the Pet Shop Boys new tour DVD was released this week, I'm still staring at the mailbox to no avail. Pandemonium Live did not take many months to drop from when it was recorded. Which is really nice for a change. (should the men of Bon Jovi learn from)

During my two weeks stay in New York, I had the honour to see Patti Smith performing two great songs on a reading of her new book "Just Kids" at Barnes & Nobles. Thus awakened my enormous love for this woman and her music. I've finally found my way home.
My Blakean Year

Because the Night

Of course more things has happened in the wonderful world of music but this is it for now...

Rammstein - Pussy

2009-09-17T13:47:00.006+02:00

Yes I must admit that I am weak for Rammstein, I can not explain why I just do. Their latest video is directed by none other than Jonas Åkerlund, the video is a nice allusion to all videos available ... during the videoyou get to see both male and female genitalia and even sexual acts with band members involved.

Aftonhoran ... uh sorry Aftonbladet has naturally blown this up into a scandal in an article. What they forget to mention, however, is that it is not the band members themselves actually having sex in the video. They used real porn stars and then put Rammstein members' faces on theirs.

But of course, Aftonho ... ehh bladet will do anything to find so-called news.

Naturally I do not think this is Rammstein's best song, but the video is clearly entertaining.

The video can be seen here: http://visit-x.net/rammstein/

Musical geniuses!

2009-08-07T17:29:00.005+02:00

Pet Shop Boys are musical geniuses. They have not a single lousy album, I have gone through all their studio albums many many times now, not a single one that sucks. Sure there are remix albums that I don't warm up to that much but it's not because I think they are bad, it's just that I am not a big fan of remixes. Mean if a song already is superb from the beginning, why tinker with it?

Only thing I wonder about is why 2009 was the year I saw them live for the first time? it feels rather idiotic. But there are surely some explanation, I guess ...

Well time to continue to enjoy their masterpieces now!

Pet Shop Boys at Cirkus part 2

2009-07-03T19:46:00.005+02:00

Well a few days have past since the gig so I've had plenty of time to digest the ecstasy of this wonderful concert.

My first impression was just surreal, Cirkus is such an intimate arena here in Stockholm, you could not quite understand that it was actually Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe that was standing so close to you on that stage.
The second impression was a huge WOW! I have never seen such a good show ever. It was both a delight to the ear and eye.
They began the gig very cocky indeed with the wonderful song Heart, during the whole song both Neil and Chris had cubes on their heads, odd yes, but really neat.

The cover of Coldplays "Viva la Vida" was filthy good, Neil Tennant came out in a cape and crown (which to me felt like a Depeche Mode tribute). Have to say that their version of kicked Coldplays' ass pretty bad.

The audience was sweating in the hot room (in the middle of summer and outside it was over 30C), but everyone were full of love for the two men and four brilliant dancers who really gave their everything this evening.
Setlist:

Heart
Did you see me coming?
Pandemonium/Can you forgive her?
Love comes quickly
Love etc.
Integral/Building a wall
Go west
Two divided by zero
Why dont we live together?
Always on my mind
Closer to heaven/Left to my own devices
Do I have to?
Kings Cross
The way it used to be
Jealousy
Suburbia
All over the world
Se a vida e
Domino dancing/ Viva la vida
It’s a sin

Extras:

Being boring
West end girls

I have never ever in my life wished so hard that I was a gay man. Neil Tennant was adorable in every way.

Chris Lowe is so cool with his discoball jacket and the little dance that he managed to do with the dancers dressed in cardboard buildings was simply awesome.

To get something as simple as white cardboard boxes to act as a backdrop I would never have though anyone would have pulled that of. It was just wonderful!

A video I managed to film during the show:

Conclusion: I will see them live again, this was entertainment on a high level

Pet Shop Boys at Cirkus part 1

2009-06-29T00:52:00.002+02:00

Just returned from the Pet Shop Boys gig at Cirkus in Stockholm. I'm tired as hell so I'll have to write a bit more detailed review of the gig tomorrow.

But this is a video that I filmed during the show ... enjoy!
'Being Boring'

Michael Jackson 1958-2009

2009-06-26T13:06:00.003+02:00

"the King of Pop", Michael Jackson became 50years old. Not an age to die if you ask me.

In spite of all the allegations this man was a big part of one's childhood, he was a great artist.

Rest in Peace!

Peace- Depeche Mode

2009-06-22T23:39:00.004+02:00

Yes I am slightly late but here is the official video for Peace, the second single from the Sounds of the Universe

EDIT: apparently this video has been removed from youtube .... BIG SIGH!! So I'll give you this fan video instead ...

James

2009-06-18T14:59:00.001+02:00

A band that truly deserves more attention around the world

A powerful sight!

2009-06-18T14:55:00.004+02:00

The view of the waving hands to Never let me down again is a beautiful one.
Just wanted to share this with you

Depeche Mode Berlin

2009-06-11T01:20:00.004+02:00

Finally home from the concert at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, I am sweaty and happy at the hostel after chewing down a pizza. I have not quite landed yet but will try to sum up the evening.

The gig started a little slow and not until they played "It's no good" the show took off. It was obvious that this was only the second gig after Dave came back from his illness. They were not quite that tight in the songs and Dave forgot both text and where he would start singing in some songs but there was a big smile that quickly made the fans forgive his sins.

The highlight was no doubt when Martin Gore sings "A Question of Lust", I almost burst into crying throughout the song. His voice is pure magic.

Worst is the tired "I feel you", then I do not know how smart it was to open with "In Chains", the oompf never really came even though the song itself is good.

Dave's voice feels strained in some areas here and there, but there is never anything that interferes directly.

My coolest moment was to see 80,000 people (myself included) have their arms in the air and wave to "Never Let Me Down Again". It was impressive as hell.

The audience was fantastic, when Dave first appears on stage everyone was cheering and applauding, many fans have been worried about his health and it was great fun to see that he felt fine and was up and about again.

You could really feel the love in the arena.

The last thing Dave said before he left the stage was "See you next time!" Which in fact is as soon as in January when they will return for the winter part of the Tour of The Universe. This time however at the O2 World in Arena Berlin. Who knows, maybe I'll get to see them there as well.

Setlist:

In Chains
Wrong
Hole to Feed
Walking in my Shoes
It's No Good
Question of Time
Precious
Fly on the Windscreen
Jezebel
A Question of Lust
Come Back
Peace
In Your Room
I feel You
Policy of Truth
Enjoy the Silence
Never let me Down again

Encores:

Stripped
Master and Servant
Strangelove

Encore 2:

Personal Jesus
Waiting for the Night

Martin L. Gore

2009-06-09T18:56:00.003+02:00

Found this jewel today on youtube.

enjoy...

Dave Gahan Underwent Surgery!

2009-05-28T13:40:00.003+02:00

It all started with a stomach flu, but at the hospital they discovered that he had a tumour in the bladder. So according to depechemode.com he's underwent a successful operation and the tour will continue from June 8 in Germany.

Poor guy, this is the man who survived overdoses and has been declared death not once but twice. Cancer is a scary word, rumours had already started to appear last week that it was something much worse than a stomach flu Dave was suffering from, indeed, the rumours were true to some extent.

Me and millions of other fans are hoping that he will be OK and that the cancer will not return or affect his health otherwise.

The hope is to see them in Berlin June 10th, Hamburg got postponed to July 1, which does not really work for me so I can't attend. Sad yes, but as long as Dave are doing well, I am happy.

So only positive thoughts to Dave and hopes for a speedy recovery!

Johnny Cash

2009-05-22T15:14:00.002+02:00

I have been watching a few videos on youtube with this wonderful man, this is one of my favourites:

Caroline af Ugglas

2009-05-14T14:58:00.003+02:00

Many people seem to hate her, but I belong to the people who actually think she's a cool woman. Love her voice and movements on stage, she doesn't put on an act, she just is herself. I love people in the music industry that can do that, people who dare to show who the hell they really are. Nothing fake here no!

I love this song and video, so watch, listen and enjoy!

Depeche Mode Show in Athens cancelled!

2009-05-12T23:15:00.005+02:00

Depeche Mode would have played in Athens this evening but in the last minute the concert was cacelled, Dave Gahan had been rushed to the hospital. Stomach bugs seem to be the culprit. But representatives of Depeche Mode who acted as messengers to the thousands of fans in the audience said that if Dave is healthy enough the gig will take place tomorrow night.

Keeping my fingers crossed for all Depeche fans in Athens that Dave will feel better tomorrow.

But considering how one feels after having had an upset stomach I believe that Mr. Gahan won't feel so damn good for the next couple of days.

I'm starting to realize that the days is quickly counting down until I'm going to see them in Germany. So I truly hope it is "only" a stomach bug and nothing serious.

I'm starting to feel a bit nervous.

Get well Dave!

Sounds of the Universe

2009-05-01T14:31:00.004+02:00

Well it finally came, I have been waiting patiently on it's arrival. At first I was worried but the album grows on me each time I listen to it. The first time I played it I was far from impressed, a bit disappointed actually , but you could at once hear that it held a higher quality than "Exciter", which was a relief. I found a few favourite tracks immediately, Peace, Hole to Feed, In Sympathy and Corrupt was some of them.

I went crazy of course and ordered the deluxe box set that cost a bit more than the regular album, but it's definitely worth every penny.

The contained two books, the album of course a DVD, one CD with demos, and an album with remixes and bonus tracks, two pins, a poster, five art cards and well a lot of things. It was a really nice box set and I had no idea that it would contain so much but it is quite big and heavy and full of goodies!

I have read some different reviews of the album, people seem to be a bit torn what to think about it, many talk down on it and think it is a step backwards and that it is not "pop" enough, which I believe may well be true to some extent, I can agree that Playing the Angel was better. But I say this, turn on the SOTU, and just enjoy the fucking thing. The album has some tracks that will be so incredibly good live (if they play those tracks that is), I so look forward hearing what they will make of their new creations on stage.

I think this album will slowly find itself into the hearts of many sceptics ... and mp3 player for that matter.
I know I was won over, though it's far from their best it still makes my heart smile!

Depeche Mode - Come Back

2009-03-14T00:30:00.004+01:00

Enjoy!

Thåström - Kärlek är för dom

2009-03-12T15:29:00.004+01:00

Thåström new album "Kärlek är för Dom" was released recently, the reviews it got are really good, but it was nothing unexpected, Joakim Thåström is a fucking genius, it's just a fact.
The first single which is also the title track featured Anna Ternheim, a really nice combination of his hoarse whiskey voice and her little fragile voice meshed together.

Tracklist:

1. Kort biografi med litet testamente

2. Långtbort

3. Tillbaks till Trehörnsgatan

4. Som tåg av längtan

5. Den druckne matrosens sång

6. Axel Landquist Park

7. Kärlek är för dom

8. Över sundet

9. Linnéa

10. Men bara om min älskade väntar

don't have much to say about it but this BUY IT!

Depeche Mode - Wrong

2009-02-28T13:36:00.006+01:00

Their new single Wrong was released on April 6 in Europe, now the video is finally out on youtube to enjoy. The video is really good actually, it feels good to see a video that seems well thought out after the disaster with the video to the single Martyr (from best-of album) where it looked like it was cut together by an 8-year-old or something like that.

Aftonbladet reviewed the new single, the always rigid Håkan Steen gave it a mere + + , in my eyes he has a lot of points but I think it at least deserves + + +.
http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/musik/recensioner/article4516223.ab

Record suggestion: Sahara Hotnights - Sparks

2009-02-27T13:15:00.005+01:00

The cover album Sparks with Sahara Hotnights was released on February 25th and it is really really good.

With songs by Foo Fighters "Big Me" and Dusty Springfield's 'In Private' singer Maria Andersson shines with her unique voice.

Who thought that they would dig up the old one hit wonder Anekas 'Japanese Boy', this cover album does not contain the usual worn out songs that all other bands choose to cover, it contains everything from Dusty Springfield songs to Janet Jackson.

I am deeply impressed.

So should you buy a cover album make it Sparks!

Tracklist:

1. Wide river (Steve Miller Band)

2. In private (Dusty Springfield)

3. Big me (Foo Fighters)

4. Mess around (Redd Kross)

5. Japanese boy (Aneka)

6. City of brotherly love (Cass Mcombs)

7. Calm down (Birdy)

8. Love will never do without you (Janet Jackson)

9. If you can't give me (Suzi Quatro)

10. Be forewarned (Pentagram)

Depeche Mode at Echo Awards Berlin 2009

2009-02-22T18:27:00.011+01:00

Depeche Mode was to perform their new single Wrong for the first time on the Echo Awards in Berlin. Myself and many other Depeche Mode fans sat patiently waiting for 3 hours for them to enter the stage. When they finally arrived, it was perhaps no surprise that they did it playback. Big disappointment, although I know that has an album not yet been released artists tend not to play it live, but I think it's still one hell of a stupid reason.

But one had hopes that because it is a band like Depeche Mode we're talking about here it would be live. It was them plus asome weirdo singer from Germany who performed playback, everyone else did their performances live more or less. Totally fucked up if you ask me.

The new single Wrong seems to be a really good live tune,it will be exciting this summer to hear the song echo through the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. The song itself is really typical Depeche Mode, some fans have complained about the lack of melody and that Dave is only repeating the word Wrong all the time, yes it may be true to some extent. But for me the song got stuck after the 2nd listening anyway, which is pretty good,
I remember that Playing the Angel took a few plays before it even grew on me as a whole. It's pretty nice with a first single that sticks that fast. I am not among those easy won over fans who love everything by them, I'm pretty critical, at least I want to believe that's true.

The album Sounds of the Universe will feature 13 according to DM's official site. The titles does not exactly give you huge hints about what the songs might sound like, but DM usually doesn't choose the most logical titles. So now I wait with huge excitement for the new album in April.

Enjoy!

//Walk Hard//

Fucking talent show contestans are taking over

2009-02-22T16:16:00.004+01:00

Where the hell is the Swedish music industry going. These incredibly untalented idol participants are taking over completely. Everything from slimy Darin to incredibly embarrassing EMD takes over on every single music event, which Swedish people of course is watching.
Not to mention the Eurovision Song Contest, which at some point during the 90's just became one big joke. Nowadays, anyone with any kind of song is fine to be a contestant.
There are shivers of discomfort throughout the body when you accidentally turn on the TV and see those creepy teen idols stand there on stage embarrassing themselves by humping, grinding and shaking their asses.
The songs themselves usually only contains 2-3 chords, the same phrases over and over again, about love with the only purpose of making little teen girls all wet in their my little pony panties, plus they have the classic pitch rise and horrible wails.
But what is it that makes them so freaking popular then? One thing and one thing only: teenage girls, there's lots of them and when it comes to telephone voting, web voting, or similar, then they vote on what they consider to be talent. Or well 99% of these kids are voting solely on their idols because they like their "stylish" look. So if "snygg Erik", or that disgusting Darin, etc. is in that contest., well sure enough one of those damn bastards will win a prize.
Worst of all was Rockbjörnen now in 2009, Best song went to Ola Svensson, what the hell, the whole elite of Sweden musicians sat in the room and just looked inquiringly at each other. Teen girls in the hall were screaming with love. I thought it was pure horror.
Swedish music industry can not fucking blame poor record sales due to people downloading, for it is the quality of music that play a major role as well. Releasing only records with the likes of EMD, Ola, etc. well then they will lose buyers of the older generations.
We who are 20 + may not like kiddie music. We buy music made by those bands that have been around for a while, people like Thåström, Sahara Hotnights, Orup, Staffan Hellstrand ... Well all of those who actually that knows how to make real music. Unfortunately, no record industry will survive with just the "oldies" new stars is needed to keep it fresh ... but would it hurt to create something of quality, something that I think is worth spending 200SEK on.
Just cancel all those crap programs like idol, no good can come out of it in the end.
For fuck sake!
Me for one is now going to turn up the volume and listen to some real arena rock!

New Releases this spring

2009-02-21T13:31:00.007+01:00

New record releases to look forward to this year:

25 February Sahara Hotnights - Sparks
13 March Thåström - Kärlek är för dom
23 March Pet shop boys - Yes
22 April Depeche Mode - Sounds of the Universe

To be a fanatic fan

2009-02-10T13:38:00.013+01:00

During high school I had a very intense period when I just listened to the Beatles. I ate, slept and thought about the Beatles. I saw movies, documentaries, read books, made my own t-shirts and so on. I even wrote a huge essay about them in 9th grade!
I was so caught up with my beloved Beatles that all other music was rejected and considered shit. I was obsessed to put it simply. Almost bordering on fanatical.
When I got to high school it was as if the bubble burst, the dream was over. I started coming to life again and realized there was so much good music out there that I had missed out on. So they ended up in the background, almost forgotten for a while.
A few weeks ago I download their entire discography, from Please, Please Me to Let It Be. It was like rediscovering how to ride a bike. I had simply forgotten how good they were. Of course it is not the same love like 9-10 years ago, but the flame still burns.
But this time I can keep a non-fanatical relationship to the group, this time I know that there are other great music out there. And you know what, this time it feels so much better. To look at them with eyes that are critical rather than to love everything they've done, to say that nah, this and this song is actually not so darn good after all.
It is a relief, fanaticism is dangerous in music.
There are fans and there are fans .... there are those who think that everything their idol does is truly wonderful, then there are those who can actually think critically about their idols and actually believe that certain works are worse than others or that a song is simply crap.
In my view, the latter is a true fan, they are the ones that allow the bands to actually develop and change direction or continue as they do, but with a twist. There are those who can give constructive criticism instead of just kissing the bands asses. That's the kind of fan who often loves his/her band for a long period of their life (perhaps even their whole life).
They are the ones you can discuss music with, without hearing that you are an idiot just because you do not like an album or a track from their last album.
Nah, you should really stop and think for a second if you meet such a fan who likes everything. The border is very fine between being a fan and a fanatic.

The Concert year of 2008

2009-02-07T17:16:00.065+01:00

In 2008 I managed to see some wonderful shows, I also discovered bands that I had never heard so much of before.
This year's performances started small but wonderful with "Huddinge dagarna" where Staffan Hellstrand played a few songs. Simply wonderful to inaugurate the spring with Sweden's own Neil Young.

The biggest experience for me was what happened almost exactly a month later, it was Bon Jovi at HSH Arena in Hamburg, what an experience, every song was sung along to, one jumped, danced and screamed. It was there I discovered the world's best concert audiences, the Germans, they are fantastic, polite as hell and they just radiated pure love to the guys on stage. Totally amazing! This was my very first Bon Jovi concert, and I was taken, I was totally won over to "Johnny's Church of Rock 'n' Roll" I must say, I have never been in such ecstasy as when I walked out of the arena hoarse and with the sweat flowing. Completely bloody wonderful! (Since I had met the drummer Tico Torres a few hours before the live gig didn't hurt either)

The setlist was also incredibly perfect:

Lost Highway
Born to be my baby
You Give Love a Bad Name
Summertime
Sleep When I’m Dead w/ Mercy & Glory Days
I’d Die for You
In These Arms
Joey
Whole lot of Leaving
I Got the Girl w/ American Girl
Captain Crash & the Beauty queen from Mars
We got it Going on
It’s my life
Keep the Faith
I’ll be there for You
Hey God
Who Says You can’t go Home
Have a Nice Day
Bad Medicine w/ Shout
Livin on a Prayer

Extras:

Living in Sin
Someday I’ll be Saturday night
Hallelujah
Wanted Dead or Alive

Two rarities appeared on that setlist as well, Hey Good and Living in Sin, it felt really nice to hear something unexpected like that. So far this is the best concert I've ever been on.

After Hamburg, it was not long until we hurried away to another Bon Jovi concert, this time in Finland, Helsinki to be more precise, where Bon Jovi played at the Olympic Stadium in front of an excited audience. The Finns really know how to rock! I was a bit under the weather so I couldn't get in the same spirit as in Hamburg but enough to have a wonderful evening under a very clear blue sky, which slowly descended into darkness across the stadium and Finland. The setlist was changed from the Hamburg gig so we did not have to worry about having a deja vu.

Setlist

Lost Highway Born to be my Baby You Give Love a Bad Name Summertime Runaway Sleep When I'm Dead w/ Mercy & Start Me Up Blaze of Glory Whole lot of Leaving Any other Day In These Arms Someday I'll be Saturday Night Captain Crash & the Beauty Queen from Mars It's my Life Keep the Faith I’ll Be there for You Raise Your Hands Have a Nice Day Who says you can't go Home Livin' on a Prayer Extras: Always Wanted Dead or Alive Bad Medicine w/ Shout

It was nice that they changed the songs slightly from Hamburg, so that not all where the same, Always was amazing to hear. Jon Bon Jovi's voice was in top shape, better than it has been for some time. No, Helsinki was not disappointed after this gig. I went home tender and stiff after a trip with the Finland Ferry, but with a cheerful soul, and still with Bon Jovi in my ears.
Next stop during the summer was a gig in Stockholm in Zinkensdamm, Kent and Thåström reunited once again (KalasTurnén 2002) and shared the stage. Thåström was brilliant and just so, the word I'm looking for is probably magnificent. The audience roared with delight when he sang one masterpiece after another. Kent had, after an opening Depeche Mode would have been proud of, huge cloths of fabric covered the stage, which fell dramatically to the floor to the tune of Jocke's voice. Of course, Kent was good as usual, but Zinkensdamm is probably not a particularly good place to play music in, the sound was bouncing off the walls so you had pain in your ears if you stood too far back. To stand in line for the bathroom was certainly not the best ( my ears rang for 30min after wards). They played a brand new song called Håll Ditt huvud högt, a really good track actually, Jocke really knows what to do to create a good song. But I say this ..... stop holding concerts at Zinkensdamm, it was hell on earth with that disgusting sound.
Later during the summer I was lucky enough to come along with a friend to a festival here in Stockholm called Popaganda, for some reason I had never of, so I was a bit baffled but happy. The state of the festival was very nice, centrally located and still green grass under your feets. I was honoured to see several bands, some known and some relatively unknown, but it was one band that won my heart, Swedish Florence Valentine, they felt like a Swedish E-Street band (or perhaps a bit like James) with a horn section, the sound they made got ones body to to move in sync (and out of sync for that matter), the band was full of energy that seemed to rub of on the people watching. Absolutely wonderful, the singer's voice made me think of Håkan Hellström, but if he had had an extra singing lesson or so. The lyrics were thought out and damn sharp, the melodies got into my head at once. I can proudly say that I bought their records the following week.

Saw Swedish band Laakso and yes ... I really do not know why they keep it up really, they're terribly boring and seems more or less suffer from Kent complexes. Nah, not really my taste of music. A band that also played was Brazilian Bonde Do Role, damn what energy they had, one singer was had hurt her foot and sat on a sofa with crutches leaned against the wall. But she still rocked like crazy with her band members. I had seen a video with them on ZTV before and was already stuck on their fabulous beats and absurd love for the 80's worst fashion. But I liked it, they were really really good.
The evening ended with the Swedish band Bob Hund, a band I first heard in high school at the home of my friend who was fanatical Bob Hund fan. Back then I didn't quite get them but it is a band that has grown on me the older I get. Live they are fantastic, the singer Thomas has such awesome power so you get easily infected. He yells out to the audience (consisting mostly of teens) that it is their world and that it is they who must save it from destruction . Well something like that, the message was something about the young people who would do anything to change the world. The audience screamed and agreed, but laterthey stumbled home with too much alcohol in them and too small clothes on their bodies.
Well that aside, I must have hope that they do manage to save the world in one way or another. Popaganda was a cozy little three-day festival in the big city, so it is absolutely a festival I would like to visit again.

The next man in line please.... yes that would be REM, who played for a half-full Globe. It was this gig that made me realize that the Swedish audience is really so ungrateful. Many people there just seemed to "accidentally" get a ticket and decided to go there in the last minute and just sat quietly and watched. Sure you do not need to yell and jump around, but it's reassuring anyway if you show a bit of life signs. Even the band made remarks about the very quiet audience and seemed to be a bit irritated with the lack response they got. Which anyone can understand that that can't be fun. Crappy audience (exept for me and my friends who jumped up and down and danced the night away) aside the REM gave 110%, they played both old and new goodies.

Setlist

Living Well Is The Best Revenge
So Fast, So Numb
What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?
Drive
Animal
Man-Sized Wreath
Ignoreland
Driver 8
The Great Beyond
Electrolite
Disturbance At The Heron House
I’m Gonna DJ
(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville
7 Chinese Bros.
The One I Love
Sweetness Follows
Let Me In
These Days
Imitation Of Life
Horse To Water
Bad Day
Orange Crush

Extras:

Supernatural Superserious
Losing My Religion
At My Most Beautiful
It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
Man On The Moon

Me well I sat there with tears running down my cheeks when At My Most Beautiful was played, the song is and will forever (in my opinion) be the most beautiful REM song ever. Cheers rose from the previously lifeless crowd when Peter, Michael and Mike came up against the edge of the stage to take their bows. Thus the evening was over.

Next stop Hamburg again. This time to see the giants Queen + Paul Rodgers. For me Paul Rodgers is a great role model when it comes to singing, so I looked enormously forward to this gig. As usual, the German audience was phenomenal, there is nothing better than a full stadium with Germans who sings along to every song. Queen + PR rocked like never before, because they had released their new album Cosmos Rocks just a few weeks earlier they played both old and new songs. The audience paused for a moment when Freddie Mercury appeared on the giant HD screens behind the band, his enormous charisma filled the arena and I noticed a tear falling here and there amongst the audience. Bohemian Rhapsody is made to a great duet between Paul and Freddie by the wonders of technology, Freddie voice makes your heart hurt a bit when you realise that he is no more. But then the hurt is replaced by a huge feeling of euphoria when Paul comes out and tears off the nearest hard rock-like portion of the song. Fantastically well done and everything with respect and love for Freddie and his music. However, I have to whine about the people who got up and took the opportunity to go to the bathroom while Paul sang the song Seagull by Bad Company . It felt incredibly disrespectful, but I was so caught up in this beautiful song to react somewhat more than that, it was their loss. Naturally I took the opportunity to pee in the middle of Roger Taylor's drum solo that lasted probably more than 5-8min. I do not understand at all why he and Brian May insists on these incredibly boring and long solos in the middle of the gig. Perhaps it is really great for people who likes that sort of thing, but, nah, for me that means pee break.

Setlist:

Surfs Up…Schools Out
Tie Your Mother Down
Fat Bottomed Girls
Another One Bites The Dust
I Want It All
I Want To Break Free
C-lebrity
Seagull
Love Of My Life
’39
I’m In Love With My Car
A Kind Of Magic
Say It’s Not True
Bad Company
We Believe
Guitar Solo
Bijou
Last Horizon
Radio GAGA
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
The Show Must Go On
Bohemian Rhapsody

Extras:

Cosmos Rockin’
All Right Now
We Will Rock You
We Are The Champions

A wonderful mixture of old and new songs. The new album Cosmos Rocks is really good and many were probably not expecting it to be such a success this cooperation between Queen and Paul Rodgers. But hey look at that, it of course was a big hit!

The concert year of 2008 ended with an absolutely magnificent gig in London, specifically at Brixton Academy. There played the truly wonderful James, almost unknown in Sweden and unfortunately not nearly as famous as they deserve to be in the rest of the world either. Their songs are fantastic, the lyrics are both critical and provokes thought, but they are also relevant to such mundane things as sex, love and life's difficulties.
The singer Tim Booth and guitarist Larry Goth started the whole concert by coming in from the back doors and go through the entire audience on the lower floor. It was a bit like seeing Jesus entering the building with all hands that gently stroked Tim's cheek or head. Then the concert started and it did not take many minutes before everyone was on their feet and dancing throughout the balcony so we felt like it was flying.
Setlist:

Lose Control
She’s A Star
Waltzing Along
Oh My Heart
I Know What I’m Here For
Whiteboy
Bubbles
Stutter
Tomorrow
Porcupine
I Wanna Go Home
Out To Get You
Dream Thrum
Upside
Ring The Bells
Sit Down
Sound

Extras:

Born Of Frustration
Sometimes
Laid

Thus, the wonderful concert year of 2008 ended for me. Can not be more happy than this, now I wait anxiously to see what 2009 has in store. Will be sure to update...

* All images are shakingly taken by me except for the one on REM, which I borrowed from Rockfoto.nu

It's All Part of my Rock 'n' Roll Dream...

2009-02-06T19:14:00.003+01:00

Well I'm not a Rock Star, I probably never will be, I have come to terms with that some time ago now. But hey a girl have to be able to dream right. The love for music will never be put on the shelf, it's there and lurking in the bushes.
I had intended to dedicate this blog to the music I listen to and concerts I have attended or will be.

Tips on good records and artists will be presented, I mean I love it myself when I get suggestions about an artist that actually turns out to be something for me, then I've even more to love in this world.
Then if not all people agree with the music I like that's fine, it would be a boring world if everyone liked the same things, damn boring!

2008 was a a great concert year for meI must say said, it was a concert every few months. (Will try to put together a post with brief reviews of the gigs I was at in later posts.)
I hope that 2009 will be an equally good year, I'm really looking forward to my (so far) 2 gigs in Germany with my personal gods, Depeche Mode. DM releases their new album this spring so just keep your eyes and ears wide open.

So do you like music and like all of those lovely "unnecessary" facts about various artists, well then this is the blog for you then =)

have a nice day!