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I
heard Fruktansvärld
for the
first
time
on
the
split
together
with
Lastkaj
14
and
I
was
thrilled
in
their
trallpunk.
Here
Thomas
answers
my
questions
about
the
group
so
nicely.
August
2021
Some
history
about
the
group?
-We
were
formed
in
the
spring of
2020
when
I
(Thomas
-
vocals
&
guitar)
started
working
in
the
same
place
as
Otto
(bass).
I
guess
it
took
a
week,
and
then
we
started
to
realize
we
should
start
a
band
together.
We
had both
been
listening
to
punk
since the
1990s
and
Otto
had
a
studio
so
we
started
recording
some
basics.
Then
it
sounded
so
good
that
we
recruited
Torbjörn
(drums)
and
Martin
(guitar).
A
couple
of
Spotify
singles
later,
Pierre
(Lastkaj
14)
got
in
touch
and
thought
we
should
drop
a
split
with
them
on
Second
Class
Kids
and
suddenly
we
got
the
best
start
to
our
careers
Tell me a little about every member, age, job,
family, band before and band On the side?
-I (Thomas) is 40 years old, works in IT, is
married and has a son, also plays in Crooked
Letter and Leiah. Has previously played hardcore
in Meleeh and Keep Rising. Otto is 38, works in
IT, has a partner plus a son, also plays in
Temple and Silverdevil. Martin is 43 years old,
works in study associations, girlfriend plus a
daughter and a son, played in Luftslott and
Gasoline Queen. Torbjörn is 26 years old, is an
alarm installer, has a partner, plays in
Infraction and Prescription Death.
I can hear a lot of old trall, do I hear
correctly? Was it better before?
-You're absolutely right! I grew up with
trallpunk through Defintivt 50 spänn and Cheap
Shots records and was also born and raised in
Hofors which had a solid trallpunk scene in the
90s with bands such as Radioaktiva Räker, Död TV
and ASF. The others also have similar
experiences from the past, even the skate punk
has meant a lot. I don't think it used to be
much better, even though I still listen to the
old stuff. There are several bands today that
both play better and make better songs.
Fruktansvärld,
are
you happy with the name? Amazing name! If the
best band name hadn't been busy, what name would
you have chosen? I mean, what's the best band
name?
-I'll
admit I had a bit
of a hard time with the name at first but it's
grown on me and now I love it! Band names are
hell to come by, but the best part is clearly "Jättearja
Saijonmaa".
What's the best thing about playing live? Have
you started planning new concerts after COVID
now?
- There's a lot of good stuff about playing
live. I love the discharge, the community, the
party, the clearing and being able to let go of
the songs that you fought so hard to get
together. Band chemistry is also fucking
important. I think it always gets better when I
get to make music with other people. It's like
four
times
as
good.
And
live,
that
strength
feels
extra
much.
We
have
a
couple
of
gigs
scheduled.
Firstly,
at
Nalen
in
October,
with,
among Lastkaj 14 and Björnarna
Where's the best to play, where's the worst?
-Bookers who get the point and have done a lot
of promotion do the best gigs. I've done a lot
of disastrous gigs where nothing's worked. The
band "Björnarna" from Uppsala sums it up so well
in the song "Two beer coupons"(Två Ölkuponger).
Listen to it!
What is it like to play this kind of punk in
Sweden today? Must be absolutely right, given
the success of the right?
-I feel like the reputation of the trallpunk has
improved significantly in recent years. And as
you say, there's a lot to write about because of
socilasts betrayal of the working class. There's
hardly any red left left. One of our upcoming
songs, "Till varje pris," is about just that.
How would you describe your music in three
words? Or can't you do that?
-Swedish - 90s - punk
What does punk mean to you, is it just a word or
is it a lifestyle?
-Don´t care about what people say and think and
to do exactly what you want.
How do you see on downloading, mp3 and the like?
-It's awesome that music is so easily accessible
today. Unfortunately, however, many people seem
to think that the music has no value.
How do you think it's like to live in Sweden
today, politically?
- We're doing very well here. But privatisations
and trust in the market to solve all the
problems are increasing and if we are going to
fix what is not working, we must help each other
together. I really don't like where Sweden is
tightening right now. And the SD will soon be
the largest party. Fuck.
Are there any bands in Sweden today? In your
hometown?
-Desertörerna are the only punk band from Gävle
right now. Uppsala, which is an hour away, has
Björnarna and Borgerlig Begravning which I like
a hell of a lot. The whole of Sweden is crawling
with punk bands that are active and are great!
Do you play anything outside Sweden?
- We haven't had gigs yet. We were formed during
the pandemic.
Other good bands from abroad?
-American skate punk is constantly present in
what I listen to. Fat Wreck bands above all.
Your lyrics, what are you influenced by? Never
in a language other than Swedish? You have
really good lyrics? Did it feel hard or just
good to share a split with one of Sweden's best
punk bands?
-I'm so grateful. These are constant reflections
on life from a working-class perspective. I
don't think there's a song that doesn't have a
personal connection. 3 out of 4 in the band
write lyrics which I think is quite unique and
it is valuable. I had never written in Swedish
before, but now I'm hooked. It feels so much
easier to write in your mother tongue. I don't
think Fruktansvärld will ever change language.
On some cover possibly. Sharing a record with
Lastkaj 14 is just fun! We listen to them on a
daily basis and I think we complement each other
well on this split.
Is there anything you'll never write about?
-We'll never write positively about the
blue-browns.
Politics and music, is it always connected?
-- It doesn't have to. That can be exactly what
you want it to be.
Best political band/artist?
-I've always liked Dead Kennedys. Jello Biafra
is sharp and entertaining at the same time.
Do you think music can change someone's life, I
mean lyrics etc?
-Yes, sir. When music and lyrics are combined,
it becomes so much stronger. The whole emotional
spectrum is affected. If you're the right age
and a song says exactly how you feel, it's
bigger than life itself.
Your albumcover is really cool on your record
together with Lastkaj 14 who did it? Is it
important to have a cover that you understand
what kind of music you are playing? What's your
favorite cover all the time?...
- Yes, it is, isn't it? There's a guy from
Budapest named Andras Bödecs (www.andrasbodecs.com)
who's done it. Pierre already knows him from
previous collaborations with both Lastkaj and
Skumdum. The cover may be important, but
personally I'm most interested in the music.
Check out the trallbands in the '90s, what lousy
covers a lot of people had! It's a good thing
the music was good. A great cover I can think of
now is MDC - Millions of dead cops (1980). It's
a cover I recognize right away when I see it in
a record back.
Is it important to get physical records out?
Vinyl or CD or both? Is there a good record
store around you left? Have you done anything
other than the record with Lastkaj 14?
-It's important because it's the only way to
build up a band cash. Merch is the only thing
that gives anything today. We have a couple of
record exchanges in Gävle that are struggling
but one of them is closing now. The album with
Lastkaj will be the first physical release we
make but we have enough songs for a new full
length so it will soon be recording again!
Please tell us something really funny that has
happened during your career on stage or
backstage etc?
-Since Fruktansvärlds career on stage hasn't
started yet, I'm taking an anecdote from Otto's
previous life as a cover band drummer," he said.
They were going to play in Finland in a tavern
and in the middle of the set the whole Iron
Maiden dives into the tavern, drunk and happy.
They were due to play at Hartwall Arena the next
day and wanted to party a little the day before.
When Otto's band then, a little nervously, runs
an entire Iron Maiden medley, the whole band
comes up in front of the stage with the rest of
the audience. A nice evening and a good story to
tell your grandchildren.
What does your audience look like? What kind of
people comes to your concerts? Are you missing
any types of people?
-According to Spotify for artists, 50% of our
listeners are men between the ages of 35 and 44.
A bit of a shame, I think, but it's not that
strange because this type of punk was the most
popular in the '90s. Of course, we want more
younger listeners, but it is difficult given the
music climate.
Please rank five favorite records, five favorite
concerts?
-Radioaktiva Räker - Labyrint, Strebers - Kallt
stål, varmt blod, Joy Division - Unknown
pleasures, Nirvana - Nevermind, Trail of dead -
Source tags & codes. Trail of dead -
Münchenbryggeriet 2002, Radioaktiva Räker -
Hofors 1996, Morrissey - Brixton Academy 2002,
Rancid - Hultsfred 1998, Radioaktiva Räker -
Augustibuller 2003
Is music a great way to get frustration out and
become a kinder person? Are you angrier today
than you were young punks?
-I'm angrier today, but much calmer. Music is
more of a way to be creative and express myself,
not to agitate politically. However, the lyrics
in Fruktansvärld automatically become quite
political because the music is very energetic
and raw.
What's the weirdest question you've been asked
in an interview?
-No one's been here yet.
Future plans for the band?
- To play live and to record a new full-length.
To yourself?
-To continue to be a better person.
Words of wisdom?
-Don't be so fucking serious all the time.
Anything to add?
-Don't wait for anything. Make sure things
happen.
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