Gratitudes is a really good Norwegian punkrockband and here have an interview done with Akke. Please take notice about this and listen to their brilliant powerpunk. Oktober 2024

Please tell me a little history of The Gratitudes, how you met and why you did start to play together and when?

− It started out as a one-off studio project, just me who brought some of my favourite musicians along to record the “Wake Me Up On The Underground” single back in 2022. After that we just didn’t know how to quit.

Has it been the same members all the time, or have it been many lineup changes? Earlier bands

− The same people all along. Except that I did lead vocals on the first single, luckily that changed.

The Gratitudes is the name, where did it come from and you wasn´t afraid that some other group would be named so?  

− The Gratitudes was the only plausible name to use for the original studio project. The reason is that some people made me a very happy and grateful man back in 2022, so the first single was a big salute to those people. Here’s the full story: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/MmamqQKHDFmDXbQ3/?mibextid=K35XfP

You have a sound which is a little bit hard to say which type you play…I think it’s powerful punkrock with old influences of rock…how would you describe it yourself?

− Oh yeah, there are a few crossovers going on. I just prefer calling it good melodies played extremely loud.

Is it important to give out the record as physical releases do you think? Would it feel like you have released a record if you only release it digital?

− Vinyl is the deal. We all know how it feels to make an effort to finally get hold of the album, to purchase it with money earned, to smell it, love it and read all the liner notes. That’s how you feel you have an ownership to it.

Do you play any covers when you play live? If you do, which then? Or do you have material which is enough for an own concert with only own songs?

− We do a couple of covers, like “Rockin’ Mick” by The Professionals and “You Close Your Eyes” by Dwight Twilley. We also did “Too Drunk To Fuck” by Dead Kennedys a few times live.

Please tell me a little about what your songs are about?

a) Degenerates are back

− True story. This guy full of psychedelics is testing his car on the highway to Oslo. The car goes faster and faster, the road gets narrower and narrower, and he’s experiencing G-force like fighter jet pilot. Suddenly a police car pulls up beside him and forces him to stop.

Cop: Are you aware of how fast you were driving, sir?

Smashed driver: I’m sure I wasn’t doing any faster than 75 mph, officer.

Cop: Sir, your average speed’s been 20 mph for the last 15 minutes. Get out of the car!

b) Datin’ The Donnas

− An ode to one of the cool bands of the 90s, The Donnas. They had the songs, the insolence and the attitude. They trafficked in kicks, not catharsis, fun rather than rage. And me, I had the misinterpretation I could have them all. Long live The Donnas.

c) My Toto Rosanna

− New recording of The Gratitudes’ debut single B-side (2022). Whenever I’m at my regular dental check-ups and the dentist starts working my mouth, Rosanna by Toto comes spouting out of the radio. I’m totally defenceless to that recurring horror, it’s a curse.

Is it important to get out your opinions in your music, or do you only sing about “trivial things”? Which is your most political song or shouldn´t you put politics into music?

− Mostly trivial fun. Leave poetry to the poets and politics to the revolutionaries.

Do you think that your lyrics can have effect on other people who listens to them…any example on it? Have you changed anyones mind?

− It truly can, when it’s done with great poetry and brains. There are tons of good examples, but a few of my favourite lyricists are John Darnielle (The Mountain Goats), Craig Finn (The Hold Steady) and Patti Smith.

How is it to play this sort of music in Norway and which type of bands are you having concerts with? Which is the most peculiar band you have been playing together with?

− The scene is quite good in Norway, there are always great bands to explore, at festivals as well. The most peculiar band we’ve played with is us.

Do you have any footballteam that you support? (I support Arsenal and a Swedish team which is called GAIS)….have you ever done a song as a tributesong to any team or something similar? Or doesn´t you music fit into that sort of thing?

− I’m not into football. But one of my best mates is a Swede who supports Hammarby (Bajen), so I’ve seen some matches on the couch with loads of beers with him.

What does punk mean to you, is it only a word, or only music or is it some fort of lifestyle??

− To me punk is a lifestyle. Musically there’s a big difference between let’s say, The Stranglers and The Exploited, so punk will never be limited to a recognizable music genre.

I like beer and also make beer.. If Gratitudes would do a beer , what would it be named and which sort of beer would it be? Or maybe you´re straightedge?;-)

− Ah really, you make your own beer? That’s great, I’m a beer lover myself. The Gratitudes beer would absolutely be a strong porter or stout, and it’d be called “Degenerated Gratitude” 😊

And how is it to live in Norway now? Racists, the cost of living, and is people going to Sweden nowadays to buy things or isn´t it so much cheaper here anymore?

− Racism in Norway is unfortunately as present as always, but it’s different than in the 90s. The Nazi skinheads are long gone, now they’re trying to be well dressed and intellectual, which fails big time. Guess it’s kind of like the same as in Sweden? Nowadays I think it’s scary to see how old pals back here hate each other due to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Are we moving back to the 30s? And if you wonder where we stand: Viva La Palestine!

Which is your own favourite song among your own songs? And which song is the people choice?

− I believe the song I’m most proud of, is either “Mother” or “Anxiety”. Live, the audience seem to go mostly nuts when we play “Extinction Bash (Where’s The Beer?)” which is also a personal favourite.

What´s the biggest difference when you play live nowadays if you compare when you first started to play in a band?

− I can’t stand touring anymore, which I loved doing back in the days.

What is the most odd thing which have happened during a live gig with the group?

− I’m a diabetic, and my blood sugar dropped rapidly 5 minutes before a gig in Trondheim. So I drank 6 bottles of coke instead of 6 cans of beer before the gig, which is pretty odd.

Is Westergaard Records a good label?

− They’re fantastic! Excellent people and a superb catalogue. I urge you to check out all of their bands.

Did you ever talk about that you only would release the records only digital or wasn´t that an option?

− Singles are ok to release on digital formats only – if necessary, but full lengths have to be on vinyl. Period.

What´s your biggest live gig you have done this far? The biggest band you have played with? And which is the best gig you ever have done? Are you only playing in Norway?

− We mostly do club gigs, which is always great. But the biggest one is yet to come, as we’re already booked to a big festival next summer. It’s not official just yet, but I love that particular festival, so I know it’ll be a blast.

What do you know about Sweden? What is typical Swedish?

− Sweden is great. My stepdaughter studies psychology in Växjö, and I love that town – especially a place called Kafé de luxe. My other band, Cockroach Clan, used to tour in Sweden back in the 90s with acts like Charta 77 and Dia Psalma, the memories are few – but great. The most typical Swedish thing for me, is all the hilarious band names, like “Coca Carola”, “Åka Bil” and “40 Kilo Ris Rakt Upp i Fittan”. How can you guys make that shit up? Genius, haha.

Any good bands from Sweden that you like?

− My favourite Swedish acts are, honestly, ABBA, Ebba Grön, Eldkvarn, Ulf Lundell and The Soundtrack of Our Lives.

Your audience when you play live, which type of people comes, age?

− All sorts actually, except nazis and other deaf people.

What´s the best of playing live?

− The experience of the moment on stage, time kind of stands still and all concerns disappear for a while.

What is typical Norwegian behaviour and typical Swedish behaviour??

− I can’t be as bold to describe typical Swedish behaviour, but the Norwegian meekness is obviously stuck in our genes forever.

Is there any good bands in Norway today? New and young bands which is good?

− There are so many of them. Some of my favourites are Quarter Wolf, Death By Unga Bunga, Caddy, Göttemia and NSB, but there are so many great acts.

Which is the record that you always must have in the tour bus?

− We don’t have a tour bus, but I guess “The Most Lamentable Tragedy” by Titus Andronicus, and tons of Cheap Trick, Redd Kross, The Thermals and The Wildhearts would be mandatory for me.

Do you buy much records, or is it only Spotify and those type of things to listen to music? Is there any good record shop in your hometown?

− There are a few great record stores here in Oslo, like Big Dipper, Råkk&Rålls and Tiger. Yes, I have to admit I use affordable Spotify too much. I love my vinyls, but a speed freak stole my record collection a few years ago, and I gave up trying to complete it again.                           

Which was your first record, the latest you bought and the most expensive you have bought?

− I think my first record bought was “Arrival” by ABBA, the latest one “Wham! Bang! Pow! Let’s Rock Out!” by Art Brut. The most expensive one could be a special edition of a Titus Andronicus album.

Do you care about reviews? Which is the most peculiar you ever had, with this band or any other band you have been to?

− Yes, I enjoy reading reviews. It’s always interesting to see how other people interpret the songs. Can’t actually point out any peculiar ones.

If you could choose five bands from the past and the history and nowadays and both dead and living bands to have a concert together with your band. Which five have you been chosen?

− The Who, Cheap Trick, Pixies, Sex Pistols and Joan Jett would be great fun.

And if you been paid for do a cover-record with four songs, which four songs have you done then?

− That’s a tough one … I think at least “Twelve Thirty” (The Mamas and The Papas), “Speedy Marie” (Frank Black), “Baba O’Riley” (The Who) and “Give The Girl A Gun” (The Wildhearts) would be considered. 

Future plans for the band? And for yourself?

− We live for the moment.

Wisdom word?

− Do unto others as you would have them do unto you – do rock’n’roll!

Anything more to add to the interview?

− Brilliant site, Peter Hope you guys like our record and will invite us over to play some time. Ultimate Rock For Degenerates To The People!