Contorture is a band that sounds angry but seems really nice. They have just released their new album and now it's my turn to interview them....September 2026

You started to play in 2009 or how is it?

-Yes exactly. Malin and Maria started to work on music a little bit before that.  

 Have it been the same members all the time?

-Yes! We get on so well together!

It's a long time between your LP releases, 6 years between the first and second LP and now 7 years later you have made your third full-length. Is it hard to be productive?

-We rehearse every week but often the rehearsals need to go to prepare for a gig or tour. It's not always we're in a creative headspace to make new music. The one who waits for something good always waits too long? We don't feel any pressure to release records. The main thing is that we have fun together.

Are you in any other bands?

-Yep!

Maria plays in Vicious Irene.

Malin plays in Vicious Irene and Skrot.

Kay plays in Retch.

Christina plays in Agrimonia and Pale.

I understand if you hate the expression girl band because when you talk about boy bands it is only young guys that girls love in the group... but when you say girl bands it is not about something that only boys like but more that it is only girls in the band, what do you think this is due to?

-The simple answer is a completely classic power order. That the norm even within our scene is that it is men who are the musicians. During the 17 years that we have played so much has changed but we think that it is mainly we who deviate from the norm who are invited to discuss the problem.

Has it been a pro or a disadvantage for you to only be girls in the band?

-We see it as a big advantage as that is probably why the four of us started this band and still stick together today. We felt that it was a safe environment to develop in and an important part of our band is that we take care of each other when it storms in life. That is not to say that it is different in male separatist bands. We don't think it has been a disadvantage in a gig context - on the contrary. We have always felt supported and appreciated within the scene. Hope that it primarily does not have to do with the fact that we are not men, even if we understand how important it is with representation on stage. Worth mentioning is that one of our band is non-binary.

I think back when I was young and my parents got to know that I liked punk....they thought it was crap of course. What do your parents say about your choice to play brutal hardcore?

-We have always felt appreciated for our musicianship and to belong to the punk scene from parents. They have been proud. It is grateful especially because we know that not everyone has been treated at home.

How would you describe your music in three words?

-Fast, rowdy, political.

What does punk mean to you; is it just a word, or a style of music or is it a lifestyle?

-All three. Really a lifestyle. DIY. Solidarity. Community. Both how to approach the rest of society and how to defend yourself from it.

On the last record you only have English lyrics, was it a coincidence that it happened because you mixed a little before?

-No, there is a simple answer to that. In the beginning there were already two Swedish lyrics written by Malin. Kay wrote another one but then it became more comfortable to write in English. It is now only Kay who writes lyrics.

Is it easier to write in English?

-Yes, absolutely. The inspiration comes a lot from English-language sources, such as literature, documentaries and English-language punx, which we meet and discuss with.

What inspires you to the lyrics?

-Life, social injustice, people's apathy, our lovely scene full of anarchists and queers.

Björn Söder is a guy you don ́t like... what else do you have for hate objects?

-Racists, fascists, sexists and cowardly bastards who go on the right's errands. People who go after the weaker in society. The list can be made long. There is not a world leader today who deserves a tribute text.

You have had some different record labels, what is it?

-It ́s fun to be released by different friends. It gives a spread on the music. Good when there is an active distro within the record company but everyone is a good guys.

Is there any record company which only releases good music and that you are sure you always get good music?

 -We may not always go for all music released by the same label to be to our liking, but the important thing is the record company's political basis.

Is it important to get politics into the lyrics?

-It's impossible not to get politics into the lyrics. So yes absolutely!

Are you actively political otherwise?

-Politics is behind all our lifestyle habits (dietary choices, consumption patterns, travel habits, choice of work, hobbies and the bull-headed boycott we have conducted against various companies since our teens) even if we don't have the same space for activism anymore.

What do you think about the election this year, isn't it even more important to vote than ever to get rid of the blue-brown?

-That's what we said last election too. As an anarchist, this is not a method of struggle that you wholeheartedly believe in, but it is also important to vote to counteract a more fascist rule.

Is it important to get your music out physically do you think?

-It is always fun to have records in the merch to sell. We listen to physical music. It is nice to sit with artwork and read lyrics.

Do you buy a lot of records yourself?

 -We mainly buy records in live context when it is a band you like and want to support and your friends' band.

Is there any really good bands in Sweden now you want to mention?

-Yes! To avoid nepotism we overlook all awesome bands from Gothenburg (Sweden's best punk city) and bring out Zyfilis, Misantropic, Dispose. Warsystem (RIP) were good to see and Gefyr is always great to see!

First, last and most expensive record you bought?

-First: Smurfhits. Carola. Kicki Danielsson's Julsånger. Abba or Ebba (the memory is obscure) Latest: System collapse. DHK - Mierda de Hardcöre. Puhelinseksi - Vieraita toisillemme. Hez - Detrimento Most expensive: The most expensive records are the ones you buy as a gift from conventional record stores? Support your local punkdistro!

Ten favorite albums?

-Hole - Live through this.

Girlschool - Hit and run

Bolt thrower - For victory.

Future - Under the ashes.

Contravene - In the name of conviniense.

Crude's self-titled album.

Patti Smith - Easter

Swordwielder - Grim visions of battle.

Sacrilege - Behind the realms of madness.

Harum scarum - Mental health.

Seven Difficult Years - Storm every heart.

What ́s the best thing about concerts?

-Noise, crowding, cheap beer, good band, lots of friends in the audience

How is a really good concert with you, what happens when it is at its best?

-When the audience clears and is almost up in your face. Then we get a lot of energy and pep. Of course conditions like good sound and listening makes it easier. But the atmosphere is everything!

Future plans for the band?

-Play all we can. Have fun together! We are planning a tour in Europe next year.

For yourself?

-Feel good, work less, hang out more. Pet animals.

Words of wisdom?

-Fast and ugly works best!

Something to add?

-Thanks for the interview and that you continue the fanzine cult, keep on Skrutting in the free world!