Bastardes was formed a few years ago by
Stefan from City Saints and Arild from
Troublekers. Now they will soon release their
new album No Glory and until it comes out in
August 2025 you will have to make up with this
interview with the group that Stefan has
responded to.
Photos: Therese Rasmusson
Please tell me the story of why you started
the group and who has been involved through the
ages? Now you are a "real band" I understand?
-In
short, the band was started as a studio project
by me (Stefan) and Arild Hanssen. Mostly because
we wanted to do something together and get an
outlet for the music that didn't fit in our
regular bands, City Saints and Troublemakers
From the beginning we had Tommy Olsson
(ex-Psychotic Youth) on drums and Niklas Hobro
from Gatans Lag on guitar. In the studio, during
the recording of the debut we also had Thomas
Karlsson (Professional Againsters), Crippa
(Troublemakers), Gabriel, Carl & Robbin (City
Saints), Charlie (Anti Cimex), Hans Gäfvert (Sator),
Per Stålberg (Division of Laura Lee, Pablo
Matisse) and Jenny Woo.
Tell us a little about each member, other
bands on the side and bands before and above all
tell us something about each member that is
secret and would be fun for us to know?
-If it's a secret, I
can't tell you. But can in any case tell you
what other bands we play in
🙂
Stefan - vocals (City Saints, Outsiders)
Arild - guitar (Troublemakers)
Mårten - bass (The Liptones)
Daniel Ekström - drums (Bombfors)
Bastardes, why this spelling....sounds almost
French?
-Lemmy
originally wanted Motörhead to be called
Bastards, but that didn't happen. I have always
thought this was a cool band name. However, we
added a little touch of our own to the name.
In City Saints you sing in both Swedish and
English but here it will only be in English or?
-Probably. We do so much in Swedish in our
regular bands that it can be fun to only play in
English here.
Your music is really good to party to, is
that the point?
-Maybe it wasn't the original idea, but if it
works we are just grateful
What kind of people do you draw when you play
live?
-We have actually only done a handful of gigs
so far. But I can imagine that we draw the same
audience as our other bands, where the average
age is 30-50 years, boys and girls. Punks and
other loose people ;)
You have played a lot abroad or how is it?
Where is best?
-Germany is always fun, especially Essen
where we have our record label. We´re going down
there this fall and play with Gimp Fist, folks
we've known for a long time.
But Sweden is also fantastic
You sound a lot like Cocksparrer as someone
said, which other bands are you compared to, is
it annoying to be compared to other bands?
-If you are a new band I think it is good to
be compared a little bit with other bands, so
people know what to expect.
What is the strangest thing someone has
written about your group in a review or similar?
-Nothing strange so far.
Having Chips as a producer, is it difficult
or is it really the right person produced?
-I've known Chips for over 20 years, and he
was involved already in City Saints first album
from 2013. But I think Chips is superb, just the
right person for our sound. Responsive and
positive.
Tell us a little about the following texts
-Boys in blue
Arild who wrote the text, so doesn't really
dare to answer what was his idea
-Like a drug
Simple answer, the music is like a drug. Or
in any case, our drug
-Pay the price
Mostly about people not having to question
anyone's style or taste.
Your lyrics, is the most important thing to
have a good chorus that people can sing along to
or rather, what is most important to you, is it
the music or the lyrics?
-Both. The music must swing, and there must
be melodies. I think it's the melodies that are
most important for Bastardes.
Your songs have all the speed and I can
imagine that a gig with you is a sweaty
experience, what is your strength live?
-Our strength is that we love what we do. And
you can see that too. A band that stands and
stares down at their instruments and looks like
they would rather be somewhere else is quickly
forgotten
Do you play any covers live or how is it? Or
songs from your other groups to fill in?
-A couple of covers it has been. Bodies-Sex
Pistols, Riot Squad-Cock Sparrer and Guinness
Boys-The Business
I haven ́t heard the first record yet but is
it about the same style on it?
-You can find it quickly and easily on
Spotify ;) But yes, it's the same style.
However, this one is more elaborate (and better)
Which is the song that the audience always
wants to hear, what is your own favorite song to
play live?
-We are a relatively new band, but from what
I have noticed so always the song This is My
Life, from the first album, goes home in the
cottages.
The record No Glory will be released in
August, will there be a lot of gigs then to
promote it or how is it?
-There will be just enough gigs. As I said,
we have our other bands. But we expect 4-5 gigs
this autumn. Keep your eyes and ears open.
Do you think it's important to release
records physically or can you imagine releasing
music only digitally?
-For me, a physical release is extremely
important. You want to hold that piece of
plastic and feel all the hours of hard work. But
of course, in order to be able to reach out,
digital is also important.
How do you listen to music yourself, is it
vinyl, CD, Spotify that applies or how is it?
-To and from work (and at work) it will be
digital. At home it is actually mostly CD,
easiest that way. But there is also a lot of
vinyl.
Is there any really good bands that you can
recommend from Gothenburg?
-There is a lot of good
music from Gothenburg. Just google Gothenburg
and Punk and you'll probably get 500 bands
🙂
What does punk mean to you, is it just a
word, a lifestyle or is it just music? When did
you come into the wonderful world of punk?
-I discovered punk through a good friend who
gave me a cassette tape of Toy Dolls. This was
sometime in the early 90s. Got hooked
immediately, and then they moved on to the
Pistols, Clash and Ramones. Bands that are still
among my favorites (besides the old Status Quo,
Motörhead and AC/DC). Punk is both lifestyle and
music. Do what you want and don't give a damn
what others say. However, people have become
more and more selfish and are extremely easily
offended, so you have to be careful what you say
and do.
Your five absolute favorite albums right now?
-Right now Rancids latest, Tomorrow never
Comes is going quite often. I didn't like it at
first, but it has grown.
Then, Status Quo - Hello, The Drowns -
Blacked Out, Cock Sparrer - Shock Troops, The
Interrupters - Say It Out Loud, Beach Boys - Pet
Sounds, Offentliga Chaufförerna - Jobbet
måste göras
I've got the idea that you like beer... What
is your favourite brewery and beer style?
-Stigbergets and O/O are
among the absolute favorites. And a good stout
or IPA is not something you say no to.
You are not going to release your own beer
with the Bastardes or City Saints?
-It would have been damn fun. So if there is
any brewery that wants to do a collaboration,
just get in touch. (Come on now Stigbergets ;.)
The futureplans for the band?
-We're going to record a
couple of videos and then try to promote the
record as best we can.
For yourself?
-Maybe take a little better care of myself
and try to unwind a bit.
Words of wisdom?
-Hang up! You don't understand anything!
Something to add?
-Thank you for listening!