Scandinavian Indie Digest Vol.3 Issue #23
![[The Scandinavian Indie]](/~chief/pics/sid.gif)
Digest
Vol.3 #23
May 16th, 1996
There are 26 messages totalling 1176 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. Salt (2)
2. swedish indie labels (4)
3. indie labels (what?)
4. Cloudberry Jam @ Dublin Castle story (2)
5. Trastocksfestivalen opening party (2)
6. indie vs. major debate
7. Fidget (2)
8. Salt Free Surprise
9. Sin's Selected News [07-May-96]
10. The brilliance of Bob Hund...
11. some news (2)
12. Fridge EP out!
13. BQ
14. Swed industrial (Was Re: BQ)
15. gigs in Stockholm
16. active indiepop (was indie-major) (2)
17. Salt & fun surprise
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Date: Tue, 7 May 1996 00:08:44 -0400 (EDT)
From: Chris Forsberg
Subject: re: Salt
On Sun, 5 May 1996 chief@lysator.liu.se wrote:
> On Thu, 2 May 1996, Chris Forsberg wrote:
>
> > BTW, there lots of free Salt "tour sampler" cassettes lying around the
> > club....it has a cardboard cover and the songs are: Honour Me, Witty
> > (remix), and one called "Occasion"......does anyone know if those 2 last
> > are on any other Salt releases, like a single or something? Just wondering.
>
> Well, I have been working on _that_ Web-page for ages now... oh well, here's
> a short version of the (still not ready.. I don't have the info for all UK
> releases, and could you send me the info from that cassette? Thanks!)
OK, here it is, Chief! :-)
"Honour Me" Tour Sampler, cassingle - PRCS 7229-4 - Island - 1996
1) Honour Me (3.53)
2) Witty (remix) (5.04)
3) Occasion (3.06)
Same program on both sides of cassette
-Chris
-------------------------------
Date: Tue, 7 May 1996 13:01:05 +0300 (EET DST)
From: Sami Rouhento
Subject: Re: swedish indie labels
Robert wrote, in reply to Toby's incisive post:
> Well speak for yourself. As I see it the point is making good
> challenging music, and well, if Blur and Oasis and so on make good
> challenging music (sometimes they do, I think) then that's fine by me.=
> The thrill is in the _music_ for heaven's sake, not helping your
> friends release singles.
Well, while I'm sure that's the case with many people, it's certainly
not the case with me. The thrill is *not* just in the music, like it's
not just in helping your friends release singles - it's in all the
things that makes your life worthwhile: the music, the friends, the
fanzines, the letters, the gigs, the overwhelming sense of community
and the feeling that you are doing something yourself, not just passively
taking in what you're offered. I'm not saying major labels don't
release any good music. Of course they do; but when you buy major
label stuff, music is all you get. If you're happy with that,
fine. I expect something more.
I don't see how this could be difficult to understand for anyone, but
then sometimes I feel trying to explain things like this to people who
are reluctant to understand in the first place tends to be futile,
like two people speaking in different languages. Maybe I should just
return to my indie pipedream world where I can be safeguarded form the
harsh 90's reality...
Sami
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 8 May 1996 13:16:05 +0200
From: tobbe@ccn.se (toby)
Subject: indie labels (what?)
maybe i should clear things up a bit here 'cause there seems to be some
huge kind of misunderstanding going around...
i don't mind major labels and the bands on them, all i wanted was more
indie labels, as i said... music for everyone, by everyone. it's got
nothing to do with bands being popular or selling millions of records, if
thats their game then good luck to them. it's about creating a scene where
you participate and get active and produce instead of consuming.
maybe it all boils down to the politics of everyday life.
for me the ethic (or idea) of "indie"-pop has always been one of simple
socialism. for me, hearing this perfect day and happydeadmen for the first
time made me want to form a band and be just like them. and for the first
time i realised that i didn't have too be as good a guitarplayer as johnny
marr or as eloquent a lyricist as grant maclennan to form a band, i could
just be someone like mats or magnus or janne or whoever. and realising that
they were releasing singles (in happydeadmens case all on their own and tpd
thanks to skellefte=E5 scensters developing what we now know as west side)
made me feel even more empowered, if they could do it so could i.
and i think many of us did, thinking back, i realise that almost all the
bands that are swedish indies on major labels started out on small
indies...
eggstone released two 7" on their own, popsicle, this perfect day and the
wannadies all started out on west side, brainpool, the cardigans and naked
started out on ceilidh, happydeadmen on their own, bear quartet are still
on west side, cloudberry jam on north of no south. the list could go on...
i want to be part of an expanding "indiepop" community, sharing ideas,
sharing bands, chords, guitar-strings at gigs, favorite icecreamflavors,
whatever, smiling at unknown popkids at gigs and saying hi even though you
don't know their names, just the feeling that they share the world with
you. thats what i feel "indie" is about. a feeling of empowerment.
and maybe thats whats lacking, the empowerment of the indiekid.
all i wanted to say was that more indie labels are a good thing, they're a
tool in order to empower yourself, just like forming a band and playing you
own songs filled with your own emotions. or publishing a zine or organising
a show. thats what the bands that were the spark that started this mailing
list were doing.
i just thought maybe we should be doing it too...
toby
-------------------------------
Date: Tue, 7 May 1996 13:27:11 +0200
From: Robert Cumming
Subject: Re: swedish indie labels
Sami Rouhento wrote:
> Robert wrote, in reply to Toby's incisive post:
> > Well speak for yourself. As I see it the point is making good
> > challenging music, and well, if Blur and Oasis and so on make good
> > challenging music (sometimes they do, I think) then that's fine by me.
> > The thrill is in the _music_ for heaven's sake, not helping your
> > friends release singles.
[...]
> it's in all the things that makes your life worthwhile: the music,
> the friends, the fanzines, the letters, the gigs, the overwhelming
> sense of community and the feeling that you are doing something
> yourself, not just passively taking in what you're offered.
[...]
> I don't see how this could be difficult to understand for anyone,
> but then sometimes I feel trying to explain things like this to
> people who are reluctant to understand in the first place tends to
> be futile, like two people speaking in different languages. Maybe I
> should just return to my indie pipedream world where I can be
> safeguarded form the harsh 90's reality...
OK, well we're coming at this from quite different angles here, and
maybe neither I nor Toby realised that. You _make_ music, and really
good music at that, and I don't. Not so much because I didn't want
to, it just never happened, and I don't play guitar. So I just
listen, and I suppose I was a bit angry that Toby took it for granted
that everyone here is involved in more than that. Some of us just
aren't.
For me, so far, being into indie music has been something I've done
almost entirely on my own. I was the only person at my school who was
into Aztec Camera and the Associates and Prefab Sprout, the only one
who listened to night-time radio. So I made friends in other ways,
and it's still the case that most of my friends have quite different
music tastes from me. It is beginning to change now, but
slowly...
Robert, who also (for the obvious reason) spends a lot of time with
gay people, who seem to be entirely uninterested in indie-type
music :(
-----------------------------
Date: Tue, 7 May 1996 12:59:44 +0100 (BST)
From: Sean Kyle-Price
Subject: Re: Cloudberry Jam @ Dublin Castle story
On Tue, 7 May 1996 chief@lysator.liu.se wrote:
> Great story Sean! Thanks for posting it to the list!
Why thank you. It was nice to be able to contribute for a change arther
than just lurk.
> I talked to Jennie Medin the other day, and mentioned your funny story to
> her and she said that she had already heard it!?
Wow!
> Anyway, she said that
> you were extremely nice, and I am supposed to send a big "hi" from her
> to you as well. So there you go! :-)
Aw, shucks! I'm blushing. Please say hi back.
> By the way, did you go to the Honeymoons gig at Dublin Castle?
Uh huh. I thought they were really good but then that kind of melodic,
foot tapping pop is right up my street at the moment. It was a shame that
the masses who were there for "Sun" didn't stay to see them.
Notable incidents from the night:
Telling some guy that Pippi and the Butcher Birds* were a lot, lot better
eighteen months ago (he asked me what I thought) only for him to mention
that he was their manager and he had started managing them eighteen months
ago. Oops!
Being given a bunch of North of No South CDs. Excellent.
Bumping into Liam Gallagher which, personally, I thought was no big deal
but a lot of other folk seem to disagree.
Getting drunk and ripping my jacket so bad that I can't wear it anymore.
What is is with going to see Swedish bands and my jackets? At least I
managed to get into my house without being arrested this time.
Sean
* Are these guys known at all in Sweden? They feature two Swedish girls
and the ex drummer from Flowered Up. But, then you probably know that
already.
-------------------------------
Date: Tue, 7 May 1996 15:13:14 +0200 (MET DST)
From: Per L}ngstr|m
Subject: Re: swedish indie labels
toby is right on target here. the "indie-rock" scene in this country is
indeed close to dead and the sprit of "doing-it-yourself" (diy) is nowhere
to be found. i don't think it's anybody specific to blame, but it's simply
sad that young bands are concentrating more to suck-up to the majors than
making a difference in creating an environment they, as an "unsigned"
band, would want to be a part of.
and to hopefully broaden a few people's minds..
On Mon, 6 May 1996, Martin Eksten wrote:
> Let me just ask this. Why do you listen to a certain kind of music?
> Is it simply because it's good or because it is released in a
> morally - to you anyway - correct way?
why do you drive a volvo instead of a mazda, bmw or chevrolet? probably
because you a) think volvo is simply a better car and/or b) volvo is a
swedish car, supporting swedish-built products feels important to you
and/or c) you can better relate to the ethics that goes behind the making
of the volvo (ie. the focus on safety, simpleness and durability).
the same goes for any product, records included. so, there's more to a
record than just the music on it. there's the artwork, format, the
people in the band and the people releasing it. and with all these
people involved in making the record come *their* ethics and morals too.
so, whether you choose to buy oranges from kenya or germany you also
choose to buy your music from sony or the kid next door own micro label.
and that's what so fucked up about all this, because, 99 out of a hundred
stores carry the german oranges, not neccessarily because they are of
better quality, but because germany is a richer country and can afford to
promote their oranges in a completely different way (and in being able to
do so, sell more oranges, ie. *make more money*).
it's the lack of being able to present an alternative and make the
alternative available to more people that's the core of this. why do you
think ahlens can keep their prices pretty low in comparison to smaller
records stores with a bigger selection? maybe because the labels give
ahlens discount for not carrying a lot of other labels' records and by
doing so increase the possibility that every record ahlens sells is one of
the labels' own..?!
it's all about money and that's what more people should react against, by
starting their own labels, by supporting smaller bands and by buying more
independent released records.
or do you feel that comfortable with being fed right off the spoon?
> Well, you are unfortunately not the only one. A friend of mine used
> to LOVE Green Day (he listened to them before "Dookie"), but as soon as
> Basket Case became a number 1 hit and MTV began their endless playing of
> it, he suddenly hated them. I asked him why their music all of a sudden
> was so bad, but all he had to say was that "it's so boring when
> everybody likes them".
>
> I listen and enjoy music because of the way it sounds. Bands like U2,
> R.E.M., Oasis and Suede will always be among my favourites no matter
> how big they are or get.
it shouldn't matter how "big" a band get, but have you ever thought of the
fact that there might be bands out there that you would just *love* if you
ever got the chance to hear them, but you never will because they were
never signed by a major label?
> There is now way I would like to listen to Michael Bolton or Ace of Base
> even if they were on an extremely small label and handled the distribution
> all by themselves. I simply dislike their music because of the way it sounds.
true. but, why would ever stick with eating german oranges if you didn't
like the way they taste to start with? even if they were the easiest to
find? or would you maybe go on to find oranges from somewhere else even if
you had to spend some time looking?
-----------------------------
Date: Tue, 7 May 1996 17:31:47 +0200 (MET DST)
From: Petter Tiilikainen
Subject: Trastocksfestivalen opening party
According to chief@lysator.liu.se:
> > Yeah, but surely with your good connections you will find a way for
> > all the scan-indie listers to get in?! :)
> Heh Heh, well, I did get invited to it myself, but I don't think there
> will be a problem bringing the rest of the scan-indies. I'll call Jocke
> tomorrow anyway, so I might as well ask him about that too.
Yay! Go Erik, Go!
;-)
Petter
----------------------------
Date: Wed, 8 May 1996 00:21:20 +0300 (EET DST)
From: trkisa@uta.fi (Kimmo Saaskilahti)
Subject: indie vs. major debate
It's late and I'm quite tired, so I won't make an attempt at coming up
with any profound opinions, but I'll throw in a couple of comments
anyway...
According to Robert Cumming in response to Sami's posting:
* OK, well we're coming at this from quite different angles here, and
* maybe neither I nor Toby realised that. You _make_ music, and really
* good music at that, and I don't. Not so much because I didn't want
* to, it just never happened, and I don't play guitar. So I just
* listen, and I suppose I was a bit angry that Toby took it for granted
* that everyone here is involved in more than that. Some of us just
* aren't.
Robert, I don't think that the 'indiepop community' is at all
exclusive to those who happen to play music themselves - often it is
quite the contrary! I know a number of people who are in bands that
could be described at 'indie(pop)' and they have no interest in
finding out about what is happening elsewhere, or if they have it is
only to 'check out the competition' so to speak. It's rather the
_fans_ who make the whole indie/diy scene so fascinating. At least
the most excited and passionate discussions (both on-line and off-line
:) have not been guys and girls who play in bands, but with other
people like me who have a passion for the indiepop music. Even though
I happen to be in a band myself, I write to this list (and a couple of
others) not as a musician, but as a _fan_, hoping that others might
share at least some of the excitement I have while listening to all
the great records I stumble upon.
* For me, so far, being into indie music has been something I've done
* almost entirely on my own.
Well, it's time you find friends who share your interest :)
Why don't you start writing a fanzine where you could rave about Bob
Hund and Aknestik as much as you like! :) You can write good
analytical articles, we all know that. It's not such a big deal to
write a couple of dozen pages of text, take them to be duplicated...
* Robert, who also (for the obvious reason) spends a lot of time with
* gay people, who seem to be entirely uninterested in indie-type
* music :(
Too bad...I think some of your friends could relate to some Magnetic
Fields or Blueboy songs... :)
Kimmo
-----------------------------
Date: Tue, 7 May 1996 22:02:11 -0400 (EDT)
From: Chris Forsberg
Subject: re: Fidget
On Tue, 7 May 1996 chief@lysator.liu.se wrote:
> On Wed, 17 Apr 96, etxsahm@cyber.ericsson.se (Marten Sahlen) wrote:
>
> > I got sort of the same feeling with Fidget, which was combined with the
> > wackyness of Sugarcubes. Plus that Nina's voice reminds very much of
> > Bjork, in the way she "whisper-sings" and breathes in the mic (though
> > of course she lacks Bjork's range of voice).
>
> Heh heh, well, and they _hate_ that comparison... I'm not sure, but
> I don't feel that Fidget are as .. umm, crazy as the Sugarcubes were -
> though Nina does breathe in the mic, has got highs and lows in her
> voice and a funny ... hmm, jumping stage act, but I feel that's where
> all the comparisons end.
So the Sugarcubes comparison ain't really a good one? Oh well......well,
I *still* want to hear 'em!
Would you say they might be more like the more subdued and lush Sugarcubes
songs like "Pump", "Planet", "Deus", "Birthday", etc.....? Those are
actually favorites anyway, and could hardly be called crazy!
-Chris
----------------------------
Date: Tue, 7 May 1996 21:58:33 -0400 (EDT)
From: Chris Forsberg
Subject: re: Salt Free Surprise
On Tue, 7 May 1996 chief@lysator.liu.se wrote:
> On Thu, 18 Apr 1996, Chris Forsberg wrote:
>
> > Daniel said he didn't know anything about this "free surprise" us US
> > scan-indie subscribers were supposed to recieve via email. I told him
> > that his management had set it up through the scan-indie list......he
> > said he'd have to check with her,
>
> wait just a second there.. check with _her_ ? I have actually _met_
> their manager, Jeff, and he is definitely not a woman.
I'm nearly positive he said "her".....don't they have 2 managers, a US
(Island) one and also a Swedish one? I thought Jeff was their US manager
and figured Daniel was referring to their Swedish one. Maybe I'm wrong....?
> according to Jeff (didn't I post this before?) Island Independent (US)
> wanted everyone's _postal address_ in order to send out some goodies
> to us scan-indies. Though that was during their last US tour, and I
> don't know if they're still up to it? Maybe I ought to ask Jeff about it?
Well, I didn't know that wanted our postal address, I dont think you
posted that. I mean I am positive I didn't get any instructions to send
my postal address to anyone; I would have remembered that, and done it
immediately. Is this why I never got anything? :-(
-Chris
----------------------------
Date: Wed, 8 May 1996 06:24:45 +0200 (MET DST)
From: chief@lysator.liu.se
Subject: Sin's Selected News [07-May-96]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scandinavian Indie SELECTED NEWS Scandinavian Indie
May 7th, 1996
by Erik S|derstr|m (chief@lysator.liu.se)
"Remember where you heard it first"
Contents:
"A Chance To Shine" Compilation, A Shrine, A West Side Fabrication, Aquadays,
Cloudberry Jam, Dalarock 96, Eggstone, Fly, HappyDeadMen, Honeymoons, Komeda,
Rottingdean, Shallow Soundwave, Super, Trastocksfestivalen 96.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"A Chance To Shine" - the CD compilation on Dorian Records, that we all
know a lot about by now, has been delayed. The
previous release date of May 6th has been abandoned
and moved two weeks to sometime around May 20th.
The length of the CD is 79 minutes, which means
that the space between each track will be very
short, and this is believed to be the reason behind
the delay. (Source: Scandinavian Indie)
A Shrine - (West Side) will release their previously labeled "DJ Only" single
"Didn't It Feel Good" (WeCD 124) as a normal release. The single
contains two versions of the song with the same name as the single,
one "original version" (4.48) and one "modular mix" (8.45). Both
versions can best be described as GOA Trance.
(Source: Scandinavian Indie)
A West Side Fabrication - will release this year's Compilation CD in time
for the summer holidays. Everything is recorded,
and ready, except for a DAT from Puffin. Even the
cover is ready to go, even though the compilation is
yet un-named! What can one expect to hear then?
Well, it contains 18 new recordings, all previously
un-released tracks from the whole West Side stable,
except Blue. "- Watch out for the Backfisch and Carpe
Wade tracks especially", says Jocke at West Side.
"- They will blow you away!" A video will also be
shot for the Carpe Wade song "- Because it is so
damn good!", Jocke continues. Other upcoming West
Side releases includes Mufflon 5 (in August) and
Blissful (in September). (Source: Scandinavian Indie)
Aquadays - are planning to release their debut album on Dorian Records
on June 14th, which means that the band will spend most of the
month of May in the studio. (Source: Scandinavian Indie)
Cloudberry Jam - (NONS) plays yet again in Linkoping. This time together
with Flakes at Skylten on saturday. This is a members
only party by the way, but you can buy your member card
at local record store Get Back Records, or possibly at
the doors on saturday. (Source: Scandinavian Indie)
Dalarock 96 - July 11 - 13 in Hedemora adds a couple of new names: Shane
MacGowan and the Popes, Mazarine Street, Visions.
(Source: Scandinavian Indie)
Fly - the new band formed by the members of the now dead and gone Easy
are right now in the process of deciding what label they want to
be signed to. A bunch of labels were represented at their gig in
Stockholm, Studion together with Fidget on May 3rd, and several
expressed their interest in signing the band. "- It was pretty
hard to continue with Easy. We've completely given up that thought
and are putting all our strength behind Fly now. It is great to
start over again with something new like this!", answers Johan
Holmlund on the question to why Easy is no more. They have only
played a few gigs so far; Together with Lousy at Chalmers in
Gothenburg, with Fidget in Stockholm and at Underground in
Gothenburg which, according to Johan, was the best one. "- The
reason for not playing more is that we want to record as many
songs as possible for a forthcoming album. Actually, the reason
why we have played at all is mostly that we want to try out our
songs." He describes their sound as "fuzzy british indie". Demo
tapes exist, but they are in the process of recording a promo
at the moment which will better represent their sound. Festivals
they will play at this summer is so far only Emmaboda, but Lollipop
Stockholm is also very probable. (Source: Scandinavian Indie)
HappyDeadMen - (Trampolene) are back in business. It has been three years
since their last album, "Game, Set, Match", and now they
are in the studio recording a new album that will contain
13 songs. Two of them, "Snowfall" and "Heavy Metal Rules"
has previously been available on the Japan-only compilation
CD "Winter Gift". Last autumn, the band went on a 10-day
promotion tour (including gigs) of Japan, which went very
well. The new album will be released sometime this autumn.
(Source: Scandinavian Indie)
Honeymoons - (NONS) who played at Dublin Caste in London, UK April 30th
played for a full house, though little has been said about
it in the press. "- Probably because they are not that known
yet." says Robert at NONS. (Source: Scandinavian Indie)
Komeda - (NONS) and Eggstone (Soap) were supposed to play at the opening
of the new club "Wonderwall" in London, UK tonight as you may
remember from a previous note in this column. Well, the whole
thing has been delayed, and no new date for the opening has yet
been announced. Supposedly, the two bands were to play at the
Dublin Castle club in London, UK, but according to Robert at
NONS, that deal went down the drain. (Source: Scandinavian Indie)
Rottingdean - have planned to start recording a new demo tape sometime
in the beginning of June. (Source: Scandinavian Indie)
Shallow Soundwave - from Gothenburg will receive yet another rave review
for their demo tape! This time it is in the next issue
of the swedish music magazine "Release" (out May 20th),
where they get 9 points out of 10!
(Source: Scandinavian Indie)
Super - (Odor) have spent time in the studio lately to finish the recordings
on their new single. Their contract with Odor is for two albums and
two singles, reportedly. (Source: Scandinavian Indie)
Trastocksfestivalen - in Skelleftea this summer adds yet another name to
their excellent line up: The Wannadies. This is the
band's only appearence (yet) this summer in Sweden
if you do not count the Brannbollsyran in Umea in May.
(Source: Scandinavian Indie)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All news always at: http://www.lysator.liu.se/~chief/selnews.html
Quote the source, _and the link_, if Scandinavian Indie is the source!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 8 May 1996 06:24:22 +0200 (MET DST)
From: chief@lysator.liu.se
Subject: The brilliance of Bob Hund...
I just got to say that I have been "converted"... the new Bob Hund,
"I st{llet f|r musik: f|rvirring" is *Fantastic* !
Strange these things. I never listened to Nirvana when they were hyped, but
when In Utero came, I was sold. I hated Kent when they were hyped, but the
third time I saw them live last summer, it just clicked. The same thing
happened with Suede (where are they today by the way?) when I saw them in
Roskilde last year. And now it is time for Bob Hund, though this time I
guess it's when they're just on the verge to be hyped, or am I wrong?
Like I said... strange that.
//Erik (chief@lysator.liu.se)
-----------------------------
Date: Wed, 8 May 1996 13:26:32 +0300 (EET DST)
From: trkisa@uta.fi (Kimmo Saaskilahti)
Subject: some news
Here are a couple of things that may be of interest to somebody...
Our Finnish readers surely remember the big train accident that took
place here a couple of weeks ago. The unfortunate fact is that among
the unlucky passengers on that fast train to Helsinki were two members
of Larry and the Lefthanded. The other (the bass player/vocalist, if
memory serves?) came out of the wreck unharmed, albeit a bit shaken;
however their drummer suffered leg and arm injuries. This could not
have happened at a worse time, as their debut full-lenght is about to
be released any day now; now the band has been forced to cancel a
batch of gigs.
Then some Super news...they have been asked to record a track for a
forthcoming compilation album on the Japanese Escalator label who
were impressed by their debut single "Spark" (especially the track
"People's Democratic Movement"). It's going to be a brand new song
(one that they haven't even played live yet, I think).
Can't remember if it has been reported here already, but they
will quite likely appear also on "Instant Coffee", a tribute album to
El Records, released by a new US label Le Grand Magistery. No definite
release date has been given yet, neither has the final band line-up
been revealed. In addition to a huge number of top US indiepopsters,
the CD will feature a bunch of Swedish bands as well. I'll tell more
when/if I hear something.
As far as recordings of the second Super single are concerned,
it's nothing but bad news, I'm afraid. The mixing desk/recording
equipment of the studio they are using has not been fixed yet, so they
(and us) can do nothing but wait for a couple weeks more to put the
finishing touches on those songs. This means, contrary to their plans,
that the single will not come out before June.
That's all from this side of the Gulf of Bothnia.
Kimmo
--------------------------------
Date: Wed, 8 May 1996 13:09:00 +0300 (EET DST)
From: trkisa@uta.fi (Kimmo Saaskilahti)
Subject: Fridge EP out!
Hi there,
I thought I'd pop in to tell you about a cool new record I bought a
couple of days ago. It is a 7" EP called "It's Hard to Piss in a Full
Toilet" by the band Fridge from Jyvaskyla in Finland. Some of you have
already heard their track on the Finnish chain tape that is travelling
across the globe lately. This is their debut release (as far as I
know; there should be a full-lenght CD coming out at some point
according to my 'sources').
Four tracks of quick and short powerpop (each less than 2:30 minutes)
delivered with a breathtaking pace, bursting with energy and songwriting
talent! Sometimes a bit reminiscent of the melodic edge of Pixies,
but with a buzzing new wave-ish drive. They sort of pick up where the
late great Dog Eat Dog finished a couple of years ago (way too
soon). The band plays tight and right here, and the production is just
the way it should be: natural, organic and rough in the right manner.
I can't decide which of the songs I like most; they are all
great. This morning it was "Yellow Police" taking the cake but the
next time it may be some of the three other winner tracks.
The packaging is also great, as with any Trash Can Records release,
there's even a fun cartoon inside the sleeve and the record itself is
on yellow vinyl.
Hmmm, that's about it I guess. If anyone out there is willing to get a
copy, let me know and we'll arrange something. Or I can post the label
address in case somebody wants to get their copy directly from there.
Kimmo
-------------------------------
Date: Wed, 8 May 1996 16:49:53 +0200
From: d-sunjan@jmk.su.se (Jan Sundstrom)
Subject: Re: BQ
>XXX Atomic Toejam,
They were called something else before. Was it them who were Njurm{nnen?
What happened to the seminal Sepulchre Inc. ?
Jan Sundstrom
---------------------------
Date: Wed, 8 May 1996 17:58:55 +0300 (EET DST)
From: Albert Svan Sigurdsson
Subject: Re: some news
Kimmo wrote:
>That's all from this side of the Gulf of Bothnia.
That is not true, Texas Jesus will be playing here in Helsinki next
Wednesday and on Sat. 18th in Tampere either at the Laderna club on 34d
floor or at Honky Tonk cafe.
I just received their brand new CD, WOW they are blowing my mind. 22
great songs. I will meet the guys on Sunday when they come here and if
anyone wants to get this CD (its called "Jaeja vinur", which means some-
thing like "OK my friend") you can place your orders to me by email. The
price should be something like 80 FIM plus postage.
By the way, how is the Icelandic tape chain progressing ?
----------------------------
Date: Wed, 8 May 96 17:32:57 +0200
From: etxsahm@cyber.ericsson.se (Marten Sahlen)
Subject: Swed industrial (Was Re: BQ)
d-sunjan@jmk.su.se (Jan Sundstrom) wrote:
> >XXX Atomic Toejam,
>
> They were called something else before. Was it them who were Njurm{nnen?
Nope, they've always been called XXX Atomic Toejam. They consist of one
guy from the great great Memorandum, and one guy from death metallers
Meshuggah. Btw, I really dig the title of XXX's MCD: "A Gathering of the
Tribes for the First/Last Human Be-In". And the tentative name of their
planned full length album is "mindPULSE; phantasy-phase #1; Marilyn Chambers
Eating Helena Russel Behind the Green Door in Space 1999". Funky or what :)
Lina der Babydoll who used to be in Njurm{nnen is in the band Deutsch Nepal
these days.
> What happened to the seminal Sepulchre Inc. ?
Beats me...
--------------------------------
Date: Wed, 8 May 1996 17:58:42 +0200
From: d-sunjan@jmk.su.se (Jan Sundstrom)
Subject: gigs in Stockholm
Is anybody joining me at Gr|na Lund tonight for the Popsicle concert (20:00)?
Or are the masses gathering at Studion to watch Olle Ljungstr|m unplugged???
Jan Sundstrom
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 9 May 1996 18:01:56 +0200
From: tobbe@ccn.se (toby)
Subject: active indiepop (was indie-major)
the theory of the active participating indiepop fans.
though this might be very theorised i think it might be food for thought in
the indie-major debate.
i feel there is a big difference between an audience and a public where as
an audience is passive, a public is participatory. so what i long for is
indiepop to be public in it's orientation as opposed to the audience
oriented major labels.
i long for the interaction, there's nothing wrong with the mainstream media
as a source of information but as this forum is proof of, participatory (or
public) mediaspaces are often more critical to the hypes created by the
mediamachine that surrounds the music business.
the musicbiz depends on magazines to cover their releases thus increasing
their sales and the magazines depend on the labels providing hyped bands
which will help sell the mag to the audience. since we act outside of this
mediasphere we are immune to the pressure of the capitalism, that no matter
which way you look at it govern the media. we don't have to like the stuff
the labels release in order to pay our bills, unfortunatly the media does.
this, of course, has nothing to do with the music, but the fact is that the
major labels want us as their audience not as their public, they want us to
buy their stuff, good or bad, and be complacent. they don't want us to
interact, they want us to want what they got and if this can't be done in
any other manner than shutting off our channels of alternative distribution
then thats what they're going to do. and they have.
the public orientation of indiepop invites us to participate, to interact,
to get in touch with the labels and the bands, and in order to voice our
approval or dislike we have to tell others what we feel. we have to create
an alternative media enviroment in which we can make our voices heard.
this mailing list is one such enviroment, fanzines are another, so are
independent record labels, so are shows and clubs and small recordstores.
an alternative mediaspace where we are in charge and participating instead
of acting as an audience.
think of this as a call to arms, spread the virus, voice your opinions and
feelings, there's so much knowledge and enthusiasm and so many views and so
many ways to express them.
toby,
...listening to the wonderful jimmy sommerville compilation which actually
has nothing to do with indiepop at all it's just one of the most awsome
pop-albums i've ever heard.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 8 May 1996 19:58:09 +0200
From: Robert Cumming
Subject: Re: active indiepop (was indie-major)
tobbe@ccn.se (toby) wrote:
> this, of course, has nothing to do with the music, but the fact is
> that the major labels want us as their audience not as their public,
> they want us to buy their stuff, good or bad, and be
> complacent. they don't want us to interact, they want us to want
> what they got and if this can't be done in any other manner than
> shutting off our channels of alternative distribution then thats
> what they're going to do. and they have.
I really find it hard to believe that the major labels care what 'we'
do. They get most of their money from people who buy Phil Collins and
Whitney Houston, after all, so why should they be concerned about
cutting the indie public off?
> the public orientation of indiepop invites us to participate, to
> interact, to get in touch with the labels and the bands, and in
> order to voice our approval or dislike we have to tell others what
> we feel. we have to create an alternative media enviroment in which
> we can make our voices heard.
OK, fine, but I don't think this is by any means limited to indiepop
(whatever that is!). For any style of music you like there are the
big earners at one end, and the friendly amateurs at the other. At
one end, it's big stars who you'll never get to meet (Jon Bon Jovi,
Michael Stipe, Luciano Pavarotti, Herbert von Karajan) and the other
end there's Kimmo and Sami and Oskar that I sometimes meet on the
train to town.
It's also my impression that things are _much_ more
public-rather-than-audience orientated here in the Nordic countries
than in the UK, at all levels of music. But that may just be because
the countries are smaller, or just that I'm a different person from
who I was when I was living in the UK. Either way, I think the
density of good indie music per head of population here in Sweden is
pretty astonishing.
> this mailing list is one such enviroment, fanzines are another, so
> are independent record labels, so are shows and clubs and small
> recordstores. an alternative mediaspace where we are in charge and
> participating instead of acting as an audience.
Eh, I always _mean_ to support small record stores, but I end up
buying in Ahlens anyway... *grovel*
> ...listening to the wonderful jimmy sommerville compilation which
> actually has nothing to do with indiepop at all it's just one of the
> most awsome pop-albums i've ever heard.
Well Bronski Beat were one hell of an indie when they started. Hell,
the first time I heard about them was a radio interview with the
Bluebells (_loooong_ before the rerelease of 'Young at Heart'!), who
were asked which new Scottish bands they thought were the most
exciting...
Robert, who suspects the reason Kent got all the major-label hype is
because they're _good_
--------------------------------
Date: Wed, 8 May 1996 23:35:45 +0200 (CED)
From: Martin Eksten
Subject: Re: swedish indie labels
On Tue, 7 May 1996, Per L}ngstr|m wrote:
> > Let me just ask this. Why do you listen to a certain kind of music?
> > Is it simply because it's good or because it is released in a
> > morally - to you anyway - correct way?
>
> why do you drive a volvo instead of a mazda, bmw or chevrolet? probably
> because you a) think volvo is simply a better car and/or b) volvo is a
> swedish car, supporting swedish-built products feels important to you
> and/or c) you can better relate to the ethics that goes behind the making
> of the volvo (ie. the focus on safety, simpleness and durability).
Well, I honestly think it is a bit hard to compare music to cars...
But, when it comes to the reasons I agree with you! :)
> the same goes for any product, records included. so, there's more to a
> record than just the music on it. there's the artwork, format, the
> people in the band and the people releasing it. and with all these
> people involved in making the record come *their* ethics and morals too.
No! For me the record is about music! I listen to a lot of punk
music where parts of the so called culture around it supports both
drugs and anarchy. I'm totally against both these things, but that
doesn't keep me from listening to these bands and even going to their
concerts. I enjoy their _music_!
> so, whether you choose to buy oranges from kenya or germany you also
> choose to buy your music from sony or the kid next door own micro label.
> and that's what so fucked up about all this, because, 99 out of a hundred
> stores carry the german oranges, not neccessarily because they are of
> better quality, but because germany is a richer country and can afford to
> promote their oranges in a completely different way (and in being able to
> do so, sell more oranges, ie. *make more money*).
The problem is that U2 is on Island and not on West Side! Get my point?
I don't say I like the big companies, all I say is that it shouldn't
matter what label a band is on!
> it's the lack of being able to present an alternative and make the
> alternative available to more people that's the core of this. why do you
So, you think it's good if more people get to know the alternative/indie
bands? Well, so do I! If I "discover" a band I do everything I possible
can to convince my friends to buy this album and I get happy when I
hear their songs on the "mainstream" radio for the first time.
> think ahlens can keep their prices pretty low in comparison to smaller
> records stores with a bigger selection? maybe because the labels give
> ahlens discount for not carrying a lot of other labels' records and by
> doing so increase the possibility that every record ahlens sells is one of
> the labels' own..?!
I never buy records at Ahlens. Simply because I find no fun in supporting
them! I'm with you there. I buy most of my stuff from the small,
alternative if you wish, stores. That is because I want them to support
them, I want to get to know the guy behind the counter, I want these
stores to stay in business!
> it's all about money and that's what more people should react against, by
> starting their own labels, by supporting smaller bands and by buying more
> independent released records.
>
> or do you feel that comfortable with being fed right off the spoon?
Come on! You speak like you knew all about my record collection! Let me
tell you, my taste is extremely varied and I actually happen to like
alternative music a lot! BUT, the fact that it is alternative isn't
the most important thing, it is still the music that counts. Of course
it's great when you find this small band and you think it's the best
music you've ever heard and you get really impressed and saddened at
the same time because they are so small and unknowm
> > I listen and enjoy music because of the way it sounds. Bands like U2,
> > R.E.M., Oasis and Suede will always be among my favourites no matter
> > how big they are or get.
>
> it shouldn't matter how "big" a band get, but have you ever thought of the
> fact that there might be bands out there that you would just *love* if you
> ever got the chance to hear them, but you never will because they were
> never signed by a major label?
I'm looking for new bands all the time! Some of my friends find my taste
in music very extreme just because I let them listen to some of the not
so mainstream stuff I come across.
Please tell me where I wrote that I only buy stuff from major labels!
I'm saying that I'm not interested in what label the band is on! At least
not primarily.
> > There is now way I would like to listen to Michael Bolton or Ace of Base
> > even if they were on an extremely small label and handled the distribution
> > all by themselves. I simply dislike their music because of the way it sounds.
>
> true. but, why would ever stick with eating german oranges if you didn't
> like the way they taste to start with? even if they were the easiest to
> find? or would you maybe go on to find oranges from somewhere else even if
> you had to spend some time looking?
As I said, I'm very interested in finding new oranges. AND apples. AND
lemons.
Martin
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 9 May 1996 07:47:01 +0200 (MET DST)
From: chief@lysator.liu.se
Subject: Re: Salt
On Tue, 7 May 1996, Chris Forsberg wrote:
>> Well, I have been working on _that_ Web-page for ages now... oh well, here's
>> a short version of the (still not ready.. I don't have the info for all UK
>> releases, and could you send me the info from that cassette? Thanks!)
>
> OK, here it is, Chief! :-)
[snip]
Thank you! I'll add it to the rest, and hopefully get some information
on the US 10" of Bluster that I also managed to miss, and some other
information about US releases that I didn't even know existed! And I
was _there_ and went berzerk in every record store that came in my
way in Boston and New York. Oh well..
//Erik (chief@lysator.liu.se)
... not listening to anything - it's 7 am for pete's sake! :-)
----------------------------
Date: Thu, 9 May 1996 07:47:25 +0200 (MET DST)
From: chief@lysator.liu.se
Subject: Re: Cloudberry Jam @ Dublin Castle
On Tue, 7 May 1996, Sean Kyle-Price wrote:
>> Great story Sean! Thanks for posting it to the list!
>
> Why thank you. It was nice to be able to contribute for a change arther
> than just lurk.
And that's the way to do it too! You're very welcome to continue, as
I understand it, Unimedia Productions will continue to bring Swedish
bands to the UK (see more in an upcoming Selected News :-)).
>> I talked to Jennie Medin the other day, and mentioned your funny story to
>> her and she said that she had already heard it!?
>
> Wow!
That's what I said too! How did she know?
>> Anyway, she said that you were extremely nice, and I am supposed to send
>> a big "hi" from her to you as well. So there you go! :-)
>
> Aw, shucks! I'm blushing. Please say hi back.
:-) I promise to do that tonight.
> Being given a bunch of North of No South CDs. Excellent.
That is _never_ wrong! Which ones did you get?
> Bumping into Liam Gallagher which, personally, I thought was no big deal
> but a lot of other folk seem to disagree.
At the Dublin Castle?
> Getting drunk and ripping my jacket so bad that I can't wear it anymore.
> What is is with going to see Swedish bands and my jackets? At least I
> managed to get into my house without being arrested this time.
Ha ha ha! My jacket was stolen once when I was in Stockholm at a
Cloudberry Jam & Suredo gig (at Pet Sounds) a couple of years ago.
A nice black leather jacket that I bought in France. So there's
definitely something mysterious about Swedish bands and jackets!
> Are these guys known at all in Sweden? They feature two Swedish girls
> and the ex drummer from Flowered Up. But, then you probably know that
> already.
Umm, who are we talking about here? You lost me.
//Erik (chief@lysator.liu.se)
----------------------------
Date: Thu, 9 May 1996 07:47:44 +0200 (MET DST)
From: chief@lysator.liu.se
Subject: Re: Trastocksfestivalen opening party
On Tue, 7 May 1996, Petter Tiilikainen wrote:
>>> Yeah, but surely with your good connections you will find a way for
>>> all the scan-indie listers to get in?! :)
>>
>> Heh Heh, well, I did get invited to it myself, but I don't think there
>> will be a problem bringing the rest of the scan-indies. I'll call Jocke
>> tomorrow anyway, so I might as well ask him about that too.
>
> Yay! Go Erik, Go!
Well, I did talk to the West Side management (oh doesn't _that_ sound
mysterious.. instead of just Jocke? :-)) (yes, it's late, umm, early,
and I have to go to bed _soon_) (excuse me), and they said that it
wouldn't be a problem, so we scan-indiers are all welcome to the opening
party. And that will be _f u n_. :-)
//Erik (chief@lysator.liu.se)
----------------------------
Date: Thu, 9 May 1996 07:48:17 +0200 (MET DST)
From: chief@lysator.liu.se
Subject: Re: Salt & fun surprise
On Tue, 7 May 1996, Chris Forsberg wrote:
>> wait just a second there.. check with _her_ ? I have actually _met_
>> their manager, Jeff, and he is definitely not a woman.
>
> I'm nearly positive he said "her".....don't they have 2 managers, a US
> (Island) one and also a Swedish one? I thought Jeff was their US manager
> and figured Daniel was referring to their Swedish one. Maybe I'm wrong....?
Oh, he must have thought that you were talking about MVG! Right, Nina
Beckmann at MVG handles Salt if I am not mistaken, and she's a she. :-)
But it was the people at Island US who would send out the "fun things"
to us...
>> according to Jeff (didn't I post this before?) Island Independent (US)
>> wanted everyone's _postal address_ in order to send out some goodies
>> to us scan-indies. Though that was during their last US tour, and I
>> don't know if they're still up to it? Maybe I ought to ask Jeff about it?
>
> Well, I didn't know that wanted our postal address, I dont think you
> posted that. I mean I am positive I didn't get any instructions to send
> my postal address to anyone; I would have remembered that, and done it
> immediately. Is this why I never got anything? :-(
I probably forgot to post it then. :-( Sorry about that. I'll talk to Jeff
again and see if we can't work something out for their (soon starting)
third US tour. (Salt is back in Sweden at the moment by the way).
//Erik (chief@lysator.liu.se)
-----------------------------
Date: Thu, 9 May 1996 07:48:02 +0200 (MET DST)
From: chief@lysator.liu.se
Subject: Re: Fidget
On Tue, 7 May 1996, Chris Forsberg wrote:
>> Heh heh, well, and they _hate_ that comparison... I'm not sure, but
>> I don't feel that Fidget are as .. umm, crazy as the Sugarcubes were -
>> though Nina does breathe in the mic, has got highs and lows in her
>> voice and a funny ... hmm, jumping stage act, but I feel that's where
>> all the comparisons end.
>
> So the Sugarcubes comparison ain't really a good one? Oh well......well,
> I *still* want to hear 'em!
You definitely _have to_, that's for sure. And you will too, if only MCA
could decide if they will let us use a song or not on the tape!
> Would you say they might be more like the more subdued and lush Sugarcubes
> songs like "Pump", "Planet", "Deus", "Birthday", etc.....? Those are
> actually favorites anyway, and could hardly be called crazy!
Umm, sorry, but I am not that a good Sugarcubes knower. Maybe there _is_
a great similarity between the bands, but Fidget just won't admit it?
//Erik (chief@lysator.liu.se)
-----------------------------
End of SI Digest #3.23
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