How did the band get started? We have known each other like forever, since we're related (most of us), so we figured it would be cool to have a band. We started playing some rock covers, and it was pretty fun. This was about two and a half years ago and I didn't play guitar or trumpet back then, I did only the vocals. I started writing some songs after a while (some of the first are REALLY horrible) and we had a couple of gigs. We sucked pretty bad at the time. Johan and I started getting more and more into punk rock and after a while we kinda decided to play music with a more punk rock ring to it. So my songwriting started to develop in that direction, and we kept playing, and that's pretty much where we are today. We have a few ska songs as well, but that's not really our sound. That's where the trumpet comes into the picture by the way. Last fall i bought a guitar, so now we have two, and it made our sound bigger and we were able to make the songs more interesting.
What is your goal as a band? Basically just to glorify God with our music, and present Him to the world. And of course, have a good time and get free food.
What style do you play? I would say that we sound like your average pop-punk band in the same genre as MxPx and NoFX. Not very innovative I guess. I listen to all kinds of music, and of course that will influence me in my writing, but I haven't really written a song in a long time so I don't know where we are going musically. We're not really afraid of slowing down the tempo as other punkbands might be, and I think that's a good thing cause it makes the music less repetitive and boring. As I said before we have a few ska songs as well, but those are few.
Where are you guys from? We are based in northern Sweden, which sucks cause we have to drive way too far to play a show in southern sweden, where all the good opportunities are.
What is the music scene like in your area? We live in a really small town, and there aren't any big bands from here. There are quite a few bands actually but they're mostly hard rock and metal. I think the hip hop scene is growing too. But, you know, it's pretty much the same people that play in the bands and go to the shows. There isn't really a big interest for music here, and the crowds could be bigger. When we play 'christian' shows though, it seems to be a little more people. But I dunno, I'm not all that much involved in it as well. To sum it up I would say that there is a scene here, but it's small and quite unknown. And there aren't many places to play at as well.
What bands influence your band? Well we've definetly been influenced by bands like MxPx and NoFX, and a little Foo Fighters perhaps. I dunno, I listen to way too many bands to list here, but lately I've been listening more to stuff like weezer, the promise ring, Pedro the Lion, but that's just me and not the others. We like different music, but we all listen to punk rock and that's basically what unites us in musical taste.
What kind of a ministry does the band have? We try to share something at every show, and we let people know that we are christians and what we stand for. It's not something we want to hide. If you had the choice, which band would you tour with? I'd say MxPx. That would be the bomb. I would like to tour with Pedro the Lion too, cause I think he's a remarkable artist, but I don't know what the other guys would say about that.
Any interesting concert experiances or funny/weird stories? Well you know, stuff always go wrong at our concerts, usually something breaks or we ruin something in the room. I once broke through the floor in a leap. That was probably the most embarrassing thing I've done in concert, cuz it was in a church and everything. Fortunately I had known the reverand for a long time so it was ok. I was told later that it was an error in the construction. Some glue missing or whatever. I hope I won't live to experiance that again. At another show outside someone pulled the plug in the middle of a song so the sound and lights just died and all that was left was the drums pounding. I guess the guy who did that didn't like us all that much.
What's the wackiest thing you've ever done in concert? I dunno, I don't do wacky things very often. Once I spilled water on the floor during a show, and then i went into the moshpit and slipped really bad. But that's not really wacky is it?
What would you say the best part of the show is? When the crowd is really getting into the music and you can really feel the energy flowing from it. That's cool. And hanging out with other bands is fun too.
Do you ever play cover songs? Yes sometimes. When we feel like playing something different, you know, if the crowd's the same as last week haha. We play 'stand by me' quite often, cuz it's really a crowd pleaser. We play it quite different from the original.
Best and worst things about being in a band? Best thing: you get lotsa chicks. haha no just kidding best thing is probably that it's fun to go to new places and meet new people, and you know, to play music. That's the basic thing you know, we like to play music. Worst thing: When we're outta town for like 3-4 weekends in a row we don't get to be with our friends as much as we would like.
Anything people should know about the band? Not that I can think of no... Please sign us if you own a record company!!
Do you have any cds,demos, etc., out? Yes, we recorded our third demo last fall, called "Oh my Gosh it's freaking fresh!" It's on CD and features three songs, two of which are ska. We have mp3-files on our site from it. It will be featured on a compilation disc that Day-Glo Records are putting our this fall. They are Blindside's swedish label if you didn't know.
How can people contact you for merch and stuff? By email and through our homepage. Email: [email protected] URL: http://home.webcom.se/bigboutjah
Any final comments? Thanks for letting us do this interview. Please visit our page, it's made by our guitarplayer who is a real webdesigner!! GEEE!!
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