First in Line (F.I.L.) has been with us for many years but now they release their debut LP if you can call it that. Really good hardcore in the American way if you ask me and therefore I have to ask the group a bunch of questions and this happened in January 2025.

You started in 1996 and ended in 2000 from what I understand....how come you came back in 2008. Have you been an active band since then?

-96 is a truth with modification, we actually started -88 but then as Prehistoric Assholes, -95 we changed our name and became F.I.L. We went on until -00 when I became a father and we in all honesty were pretty tired. But shit the one who gives up, -08 the association Oljud got in touch and wanted a farewell gig with old bands and wondered if we could pull a couple of songs, that we could, is available to stare at here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REHWnZq9wv8&list=PLumZXi5CaqMrvwXT_2OGlib2_b0q4upUc&pp=gAQB

That you started the band from the beginning, how did that come about?

-We lacked bands that played what we thought was American hardcore, there were a bunch abroad but here it was more crustpunk.

Have there been many member changes since the start?

-As F.I.L there have not been many. We started with Niklas on vocals but when he went to Lund to study, the third in a line of singers who have made the same trip, we felt that we solved it by me starting to roar. When we started again in -08 Pata wanted to be involved and got to take the bass and so we have been doing it until a year ago when our virtuoso Nikola chose to step down. So now we're me on vocals, my brother Timor on drums, Sk8Jögga on guitar and Pata on bass.

How does it feel to release your debut LP almost 30 years after you started playing together?

-Well, we haven't really thought like that, we've probably always let go of what we felt ready to release, but this one we've worked extra and then of course it's extra fun. There are nineteen tracks, new ones and ten tracks from our early releases that we may have felt didn't really get the consideration they deserved before.

Are you satisfied with the result?

-We are so happy with this album, it is a privilege to work with Ulf at Hobo Rec, he understands us and what we want. We thought it would be hard to break the last album, A Fair Warning, but Connect the Dots is exactly what we want it to be.

Can you play hardcore without having political lyrics? Is there any bands that are examples of that?

-Of course you can, we weren't so hard political before we reshaped ourselves as F.I.L. There are lots of bands that can be counted as hardcore with nonsense lyrics and today it feels like quite large parts of the scene, maybe especially on the other side of the sea, don't have any particular political interest at all, more a competition about who can be the most macho and toughest in the class.

Is it important for you to get your opinions out in the music?

-It has become so over the years, I think it may have to do with age, it is no longer as obvious for me to crash windows at ugly companies or get into a fight with fascists, and then it becomes more important to do in the middle through the music. If it affects anyone or something, I don't know, but it feels like I have to speak up with the means I have.

I can also imagine that it felt important to get the vocals out as well on the new record as you got, because music with lyrics that can not be heard falls pretty flat.

-Mm, but I think maybe people still have the energy to pick up the lyrics and look, or get an indication of the direction quite often, but I like when I hear at least parts of what is sung.

Linköping has always been a good punk nest, how is it nowadays?

-Linköping is thriving, a lot of it we have Dunderjorden, Illvrål And other enthusiasts to thank for, but people who have the energy to set up gigs and engage new ones, there will be nothing with it. There are new bands and above all there is a new young audience, and not just guys, super fun!

Is there any good bands in Lkpg and in Sweden in general?

-Ujujuj, lots! In Linköping we have Viggen, Nowheres and The Second Act, Systemkolaps and Vetifan. And a bit outsid we have Moralpanik!, DSM5 and Rövsvett. A little bit mor far off we have Akimbo, Modern Guilt, Sharp Tongues and Pablo Matisse

Sure you play hardcore in the "American way" but it feels like you have other influences that shine through... What kind of music do you like besides hardcore?

-You can't live on US HC alone, no we have never been very faithful. When we started, the American hardcore was also very broad, from monkey fast like with Jerry's Kids and F.U.'s, to jazzy like M.I.A and Big Boys, cocky like Negative Approach, razor sharp like Minor Threat. Then we had Packe and Sveden from Raped Teenagers who threw at us youngsters all kinds of obscure bands and that has been a big deal. I eat everything, maybe not the worst Mix Megapol varieties but a lot.

I'm thinking about when you play live today... You are almost 30 years older than when you started, what is the big difference?

-I would like to say that we have become a little more set and tired but I don't think that's true. The big difference is that it feels further into the soul and heart, it's really, important in a different way.

Punk/hardcore was a youth revolt, now I'm over 60 years old, how is it with you, what ages have you reached and is it pathetic with us who agree with youth revolt at this age?

-We stay in the lower half of fifty, but time flies quickly. I think I thought more about how it could be pathetic before, now it feels like it can't be pathetic as long as it's honest. The day we start cheating or just do it as a recreation, I think we'll stop playing outside, try to be part of the scene, become introverts and hide in the rehearsals, but until then you'll have to put up with us knocking on the door at regular intervals and nagging me at gigs.

Is it a sweaty experience to see you live, I can imagine it anyway?

-Hihi, sweaty for whom? For us it's sweaty, it's strange how the hell we managed it for with 1000W jugs that burned in our necks. But I see it a bit like a workout, if I'm not sweaty, I've cheated. For those who see us, yes we must hope so, there is no better view from the stage than when it is moving in the audience.

Where and when did you do your best gig so far?

-I often think our latest is our best, and in that case it was at Skylten in the beginning of January with Akimbo, Second Act and Ecotage. 

A lot of gigs abroad? If so, where?

-No, we have never really been outside of Scandinavia. A gig at the old youth house in Copenhagen is quite high on the memorable list.

First in Line, F.I.L. What is the most common thing people call you?

-I think both work equally well.

Do any of the members of the band have other bands besides First in Line?

 -Yes, Jogga insists to have bands on the side, he and Pata played together in Identity in the 90's and now he plays with Systemkollaps

What kind of audience do you draw, ages, is it mostly older or how is it?

-There were quite a lot of people our own age for many years, especially here in town when Skilten collapsed and all the gigs moved out to the pub. Now it's turned around, more all-ages gigs and a new generation of kids who seem to think we're completely okay.

Were you part of the so-called SxE movement when it started or what was it like? If you don't, what is your favorite beer thing? F.I.L-beer maybe you can make one?

-No, straight we have never been, it was nothing big when we started, there were a handful of edgers in our circle of acquaintances. On the other hand, we've gotten away from the drunken times so there won't be any F.I.L beer, and if it does, I don't know what it would taste like, we're anything but in agreement on how a good beer should be.

How do you think it is to live in Sweden considering racism, sd-kd-m, increased food prices etc?

-Sweden follows the neoliberal and conservative current in Europe and the global West, individualism, hypercapitalism, fascism, hand in hand. But there are other forces as well, but they don't get a place in the big media, just look at Rojava and many grassroots movements. It is important not to go along with the idiocy, to express your contempt and at the same time inform that another world is possible.

Who writes the lyrics in the band?

-I do, it has kind of become that way and I enjoy it.

Never in Swedish or how is it? Otherwise, never any thoughts about it?

-No, we had Raped and a lot of other bands which actually did really good hardcore in Swedish but I think it sounds cheesy when I try so I quit faster than fast.

Will it be a tour now considering the LP release or how is it?

-Oh, wishful thinking. Feels like there are so many bands that want to go out and play and we are not one of the most namely. But we really want to play more, both around home and out in the big world, if you have something on the go!

What else do you have for the futureplans with the band?

-No but we go on pretty much as we always have, right now it feels a little bit like we have a roll downhill so we will continue to roll as long as the hill is there, produce new songs and play as much as we can live. There's still so much to tell and so many notes that we haven't combined.

For yourself?

-I became a grandfather almost two years ago so now the life of small children is starting all over again, but this time I can combine it with everything else exciting.

Words of wisdom?

-Hans Christian Andersen apparently wrote, "Living is not enough. Sunshine, freedom and a little flower must also be had!" And it has kind of followed me.

Something to add?

-Thank you as hell for wanting to listen to me and I'm so grateful for everyone who is part of the scene and who has the will to change, together. Hope you like the new album and please send a thumbs up so we know, it does good in the heart. Hope to see you out there on a stage somewhere. /Errol