Barbaras Grannar have been away for a while for
various reasons, but here they are back again.
Roger has been so kind and answered a whole lot
of questions. Aug-2018
A little story about the group?
-Started to play together around 1990. I, the
guitarist and Thomas had been playing together
in another band (Von Bööm). There were many
bands in Karlskoga and formed little anyhow. Not
so carefully how it sounded and how often you
rehearsed, the main thing for many was to belong
to a band and let people know that you exist.
There were many metalbands in town then,
according to their own, sold records like hell
then. But in Japan. Only in Japan ..
Studieförbundet with studios we had in this
city. But occupied by hardrockers and coverbands
with members who had unemploymentwork there or
any form of employment. Hard to get recording
times there and be very much black money that
was around. We rehearsed in a basement with a
lot of bands under legendary Rockhouse. Had a
direct rise from inside up to Rockhouse but an
elevator eventually stopped that. But we did not
quit parties in the rehearsalroom. Full speed at
a wonderful time. Attached to Äggtapes around
1994-95. Played around Sweden in the 90's and
released some discs and was featured on a bunch
of compilationdiscs. Released a 4 song single
2012 "2012" and a 5 song 2016 "Amelia". Been
resting for over 2.5 years due to illness.
Tell us a little about each member, age, job,
family, band before and band on the side? Have
you been playing all the time or did it stopped
when you were ill?
-After our break at 13-14 years, so was it I and
Thomas from the original set-up that started in
2011. We had some different people in the
restart but are sleepingthe right now, I and
Thomas. May see who will play bass eventually,
but maybe I will play the bass on those songs
that are a bit under scheduled recording now.
Members Now:
Roger Palmén: Guitar / vocals. very Old. 18
years as a Special Vehicle Driver. Girlfriend
and cat (Sigge). Sideproject Pts Palmén trouble
songs
Thomas Herou: Drummer. A little less not so old
than me. 19 years as a customer receiver, we
work in the same company. Single.
I was ill when the single "Amelia" was made by
the end of 2015. Did the guitars at my home
studio. I just got worse. On August 3, 2016, I
was operated for malignant cancer that had
spread soo ..
So when the "Amelia" single was released in
February 2016, Barbaras Grannar were resting.
And so we have been since then. Received a lot
of requests for gigs after the "Amelia" release,
but unfortunately we have been forced to say no.
I've been in too bad condition to reharse in a
but I'm starting to get up to a meeting in the
rehearsal to see how it works. I'm in the
rehearsalroom sometime sometimes and there are
still right vibes there and you're comfortable.
I can hear a lot of old punk and then both
Swedish and English, I hear right?
Was it better back in time?
-Absolutely, I think, it was better before when
it came to punk. Then it was young, angry and
honest. In a way, you could take it seriously.
Today, when people around the age of fifty years
wrap up drunk on a scene with 77 punk gear and
have lyrics about Facebook and dumb police like
that, no, it's nothing that appeals to me
anyway. Each thing has its time. But older punk,
and especially Swedish punk, you listen at some
times sometimes. Use to make fun memories.
Barbaras Grannar are you satisfied with the
name? If the best band name had not been taken,
if you could chosen that name, what would you
have chosen?
I mean which is the best band name?
-The name of Barbaras Grannar just became when
we needed a name on the box to the mixertapes(forgot
if the big tapes were called so ..) Bad name,
but we were guaranteed to be alone in the world.
Difficult with band names, usually it becomes
ridiculous, much like ours. Best Band Name?
Somehow I have always thought Dag Vag is a good
name. Not a
fan of them directly but some good songs
they did.
What's the best thing about playing live?
-We had a reuniongig 2012 after 15 years of
absence on stage became just as good a live gig
should be. We were the only band, got to shoot
at the start 45 minutes and climb on stage at
23.45 instead of 23.00 because people came in
all the time. Great scene outdoors on a large
hotel garden and a good mixer (a friend to us).
People sang along and it was danced to rock
well. Really good feeling. Despite competition
from the free festival "Putte i Parken" (eg
Lundell, I have for me) in Karlstad 6 miles away
and another around, there came over 250 people
on a rainy Borgård in Karlskoga. I heard from
many afterwards that they would have come if
there was another date and better weather. A
little crazy maybe we did our reunion gig during
holiday times like this afterwards.
Where is the best to play, where is the worst?
-Would go on old memories then. Gothenburg is
always good and our hometown Karlskoga has
always worked. A little strange with Karlskoga,
never become prophets in your own hometown. Most
often it has been fun and been fun in other
cities as well. Since I am, and probably always
been politically unobtrusive, there are several
gigs for the Left, I could have been without.
But it's forgotten history for me today.
How is it to play this kind of punk in Sweden
today?
- Do not know if it's punk we play, or ever been
punk in the way many want it today. To me, punk
was Ebba Grön, KSMB, Sex Pistols and more. Heard
clearly the message in both the music and the
lyrics. As I wrote before, young, angry and
honest. Met many and received mail, etc. of all
possible, not least the old 77 punks (eg, the
bassist of Old Skäms) about the song "Kalla ögon".
They think it's old honest good punk in it. A
song about relationships. Then people in all
social classes and positions have praised the
song "Amelia", also a song about relationships.
Punk?? Have understood that we have an even
wider range of listeners after the latest single
"Amelia". It will be fun to see live, if it
become so, how it looks.
How would you describe your music in three
words?
-Punkrockrollnroll from Karlskoga
What does punk mean to you, is it just a word or
is it a lifestyle?
-Punk was more for both me and Thomas in younger
days. But we have, of course, the old punk
heart.
How do you look at downloading, mp3 and the
like?
-Think it's good. In itself, few people download
mp3 today. Spotify is good but sad with so much
quality loss on the sound, but it gets better
and better. You get an enormous opportunity to
explore other people's music. A little fun and
see how many listeners and streamed songs band /
artists have. It's not so great with that as
many bands have said, now when you can see their
streamings and listeners.
How do you think it's to live in Sweden today,
politically?
SD?
-I'm enjoying where I live. Sweden works but
goes a
little bit slow now. Trying to learn more
about politics now before elections and so, but
it is the most bouncing and backward effort I
think. Important, I think that you vote for how
you want to live and live and work. Take care of
your own situation and do not fall for any group
pressure, to vote because your friends do it and
that belongs to our "style". Then it's only dumb
when you disturb SD on their meetings. Freedom
of opinion must be available and everyone must
be allowed to speak. Whether it's idiots or not.
It is among other things punk for me Never
thought I would like to have more policemen but
unfortunately, it has become so when too many
innocent people suffer from many things. When
there is no security for a regular citizen, then
there is something that is so bad. After over 2
years of hospitalization with wonderful staff, I
understood, and have heard it many times from
the staff, only money does not fix the health
problems. Clearly, it's a hierarchy that's
terrible but surely you've seen that the worst
divas are not the operadivas
thaty ou thought, no then, they are among
the "little more learned" in the hospitals and
its politicians.
Something is damn wrong there!
And LO has played out their role if they ever
had any .. Now I could write on but then it
never ends. And about SD? No, nothing for me.
Are there any bands in Sweden today? In your
hometown?
-In Karlskoga there is no one directly. Plays a
lot in rehearsalrooms and they had a livescene
but are now closed. High middle ages on the band
and Barbaras Neighbors will help that up.
In the rest of Sweden there are interesting
bands/artists. I think it's fun with Stilett and
that style. Only they try to struggle with their
own style that I think several bands have. These
copies of Asta Kask etc who dived into masses in
the early 90's and still do today is nothing
that appeals to me. Have never been a fan of
Asta Kask for that matter. Alonzo and his
constellations have I listened to a lot, and
that's good. But after all, KSMB and accusations
all around, it's not that much often and and
it´s not fun anymore. The fact that the reunion
of KSMB at Brålanda showed the face of the face
who likes money and may not have avoided many.
Thank you, I like Thåström and Ebba's reunion
that would make them millions of millions. How
stupid it is, how about to say no to all that
money?
But with this in hand, was Thåström so clever
that he knew that his time as a soloartist would
surely die at a reunion? No brandy with his
name, purchased interviewer he chose himself,
big market industry, multi millionaire several
times m.m. etc. Therefore, yes,I say his Brandy
because his former hatred against sponsorship
and so on, among other things, things on the
gigs. He picks up 3-4 workingclasswages(on a
year) on a gig today. He'll probably must chose
much if he's going to do old Ebba songs today
and be trustworthy. But it's often the way it
can be. Punk?
Do you play anything outside Sweden?
- Do not play gigs today but surely we would do
it if everything felt right.
Other good bands from abroad?
-I think thatToy Dolls still is going strong and
loves to see Olga. Thomas is listening a lot to
foreign music. Venom is well and has been
something he is warm about the heart. Has among
other things a picture of Kronus (Venom) when he
holds the single "Amelia". It´s most music with
old guys from abroad, I don´t think that
it comes so many new bands.
Your lyrics, what are you influenced by? Never
in a language other than Swedish?
-I make the music and the lyrics. Only Swedish
texts. You are well laughing at what you have
written over the years. Very much alcohol has
been contained. And that was a big part of one's
life for many years. Most of my texts are
self-perceived. Changes some text sometimes
because it will not be so obvious who or what it
is about. The influences come from everything
possible. After my cancer, there will be a lot
of texts about life and things you have missed
and missing. A little darker I think.
Is there anything you will never write about?
-Animalsex and such shit I would never write
about. We played together with
Vrävarna in the 90's and we was on the
same record label. Never stuck and listened to
their texts directly. Fucking fun guys who were
pretty crazy and it could happen anything.
Following Ruben's gang and looking at what they
are doing today. Directed to some special
person, killing people and the like are nothing
I'm writing about.
Politics and music, does it always belong? Is it
even more important to sing about political
things now when the election is taking place?
- Do not absolutely think that music and
politics always belong together. It was more the
70's. Rather the opposite. There are few
political bands today. On the other hand,
unpolitical bands singing about problems,
dissatisfaction and such. By the way I saw Wiehe
in town today when he checked into the hotel.
The driver carried his packing and the old
progman looked good.
Best political band / artist?
-Björn Afzelius. A gentleman who could confess
his mistakes and regret what he believed and
wrote songs about.
Listen a lot to Afzelius occasionally.
Do you think music can change someone's life,
then I mean lyrics etc?
-Absolutely. As I mentioned, we have received an
email about the song "Kalla Ögon" that helped
people get to the surface a little faster when
life was too bad. Even the song "Amelia" seems
to make people become happy and remember a lost
friend. Made a song about never give up "Ärrad
sårad men inte slagen(Scarred Wounded But Not
Beaten)" (only available on youtube) with my
one-man project Pts.
Received a good response, including a guy with
the same cancer I had. When everything was as
bad as possible, he put on the song and raised
his fist and struggled. And I myself have songs
I fly away with. Sure, music can do a lot ..
Your cover is really nice on your CD, who has
done it. Is it important to have a cover so you
understand what kind of music you play?
Which is your favorite cover all
time? ...
-Thank you, it's me who made the cover and the
logo on the latest discs. Do not think the
covers are so important today. On Spotify,
nobody looks at the cover. My favorite cover:The
Clash "London Calling"
Is it important to get out physical discs? Vinyl
or CD or both ?
Is there any good record store in your hometown?
-I would like to answer yes. But, unfortunately,
I do not think so. No one is going around with
CDs today. When you can reach as many millions
of songs via a cellphone, the CD's days are
probably counted. The compressed sound is
getting better and better and the song libraries
endless. What I think comes more and more is
probably some kind of radioapp. Less
programleader but more category focused music.
Unfortunately, there are no recordstores left in
town.
Please tell me something really fun that
happened during your career on stage or behind
stage etc?
-When we recorded the full length of 1995 into
the KM studio, they put in another of KM's
studios on the other side the voice/sounds of
"The Little Mermaid". When, among other things,
"Kvinnaböske Hasse" (hunden till himlen) and his
wife and dog! appeared in the studio, we kept on
doing the song "Lev å lär" and they got stuck to
something there. We continued to take booze and
continued to put some choirs and so, but most
alcohol, was almost done with what was to be
recorded. In the evening, the person in charge
of the "Little Mermaid" voice calls to our
producer to hear if we were there yet. Yes we
said, but really drunk. It was the case that in
the movie there are seamen on a boat that sings.
Maybe we could fix their voices? Apparently, "KvinnaböskeHasse"
with company had told about us and
thought the choir of the song of the song "Lev å
lär" was just the way it would fit. But it was a
little time and would need to be done
immeditaley. But today's alcohol intake had
taken on us and as our producer said, they are
too drunk. A little pity, but had surely do not
go through Walt Disney's demands, but still ..
Happened a lot of fun and fun over the years.
With ÄggTapes as a record label, a lot of things
can happen there too ..
Something which is a pity is a gig along with
Stockholm Negrer in Malmö in the 90's. They were
on top and delivered cruel livegigs then. But
Alonzo and Alexandra Pascalido were threatened
and Alonzo was not allowed to do the gig because
for some security reasons I have heard . Sadly
it would have been a fun memory.
How is your audience looking like? Which people
comes? Do you miss any kind of people?
-Superhard to know today. 2012-2013 it was
mixed. The song "Längst bak i bussen(The Lost
Behind The Bus)", was released on the "Raggen
går" collection, 2014 (I think it was) is
apparently played in cruise cars and on their
meetings. After the last single, it's a big mix
that listens. Will be exciting next time, if it
becomes, and see who's in front and around the
scene.
Please rank five favorite discs, five favorite
concerts?
-I'm much and alleater in music and hard to list
just five so Thomas can take his five as
follows:
Sex Pistols "Nmtb"
Venom "Black metal"
Motörhead "No sleep til Hammersmith" (I maybe
agree)
Stiff Little Fingers "Nobodys heroes"
Anti nowhere League “Road to rampton"
Concerts are more Thomas stuff so he may take it
too .. I prefer smaller events. But sure to see
Thåström's concerts around 2000 was fun. Then he
was well pissed off. Otherwise, Afzelius, Json
Lindh and Hannes Rådstam's gig in the 90's has
become one of the best.
Not so damn hip ..
Thomas Five Best Concerts:
Metallica 86 Roskilde
Venom 2012 Bang your head festival
Motörhead 93 Karlskoga
Iron Maiden Ullevi 08
Arch Enemy Göteborg 2012
Is it boring with interviews ??
-No, only one has time to answer.
If you could choose five bands from history,
dead and alive to have a concert with your band,
what are the dreambands then?
-We might have a chance what Thomas might think
here as well. But these maybe:
Motorhead, Venom, Ebba Grön we would probably
agree. Then was/is he weak for Lena Philipsson,
so he would probably like to be in the same
lodge as her. I would probably think of Elvis
Presley. All the crowd we would get, and see
everything around him. Much sad there. Barbaras
Grannar would playthat concert with the gage on
the door then.
Is music a great way to get frustration and
become a nicer person? Are you angrier today
than you were as young punks?
-I think so. Give everything in a rehearsal room
when sweat and endorphins flow out giving a nice
calmness afterwards. You can not be angry then.
Listening to music and flying away may provide a
good harmony. You are probably as angry with
every injustice today as when you were young. If
not even more today ..
Which is the strangest question you received in
an interview?
-Not coming up something right now, but many
fanzines and journalists could have fun
questions during the 90's.
Which is the question you never get, ask it and
answer it?
-How can you be so awesome fucking handsome? We
are just ourselves ..
Future plans for the band?
-New songs are there and will probably be a bit
reharsal on them, hopefully soon. Record them
and out with a some new stuff. Then get started
and repeat old songs of course. Livegigs
eventually would probably be fun.
For yourself?
-The medicines I received, 3 different, and
another I had to take has done a lot of crap for
me. Has permanent and chronic damages. The
cancer is calm and will be checked 2 times /
year ten years ahead. Takes one day at a time
and am glad I live. Have now realized that the
odds of survival to me were not so great .. But
I still have a good life and hopefully, I hope
to live after the conditions that exist. Have
begun to do and record more music at home, some
songs go to Barbaras and some to Pts.
Words of wisdom?
-Never give up!
Something to add?
-Wonderful with old Fanzines who live or appear
again. There were many in the 90's. Then, of
course, you want to say hello to all the old
bands and fans we've had to do with all the
years. And the hopefully new ones who think
Barbaras Grannar's music works.
And thank you for your shown interest of course
Would be fun if you could link my fight cancer
song "Ärrad sårad men inte slagen"
Only on youtube yet: