Second Class Kids is run by Pelle Dahlström who
has come back with large class releases. Was
"forced" to interview Per about himself and what
he does! January-2019
Tell a story about the company, when did you
start, why did you stop for a while?
-If we are going to back a bit further then,
just like everyone else, I just started being a
music consumer. But at the same time I stepped
into the punk, the Internet appeared in every
man's home. The interesting thing was that the
Internet was in practice quite empty when this
took place (maybe 95-96), so I created a
website; "Pelle's website". On it I wrote about
my interests, which at that time was football
and punk rock. Over time, I expanded the punk
part by also reviewing records. And as a part of
it, I started a webzine; Fishzine. Then it came
naturally that I went further on paper, which
happened in four numbers. In parallel, I took in
some discs for my mini-distro. Then I left paper
and ran webzine for a few years. So starting a
record company in the middle of everything was
nothing special.
One gave the other as well.
The stay was due to the digitialization -
overnight the type of CD sales died. Because
Second Class Kids was so small, no one was hit,
but on the other hand there were no resources to
withstand the storm either.
Is it just like me who makes a fanzine, that you
love music and punk in particular but you can't
play any instrument and therefore wanted to do
something with the music?
-Oh well, good question, That I cannot treat an
instrument and lack tactfulness is a well-known
phenomenon. However, I am pretty good at knowing
what has hit potential or not.
Of course it was just as you write that I wanted
to do something for the music when I started the
carousel just over 20 years ago. Now I don't
really know what drives me, more than I love to
hear new, good punk.
Tell a little about yourself, I know some
things, you are the principal, have had a
company where you sold beer glasses etc, but
what is more we need to know?
- The principalthing I think is a little bit odd
to mention, especially now that I have soon been
the principal for nine years and see it as my
area of knowledge, and not directly something
temporarily I jumped on. I say: More punks
should become principals!
In parallel, my brother and I have run the beer
glass company Sejdelshoppen.se. However, we sold
it at the end of 2017 and the profit from it has
definitely benefited Second Class Kids.
Otherwise, I like to do carpentry, drink beer
and running.
Beer is close to your heart, also then or,
favorite beer and favorite brand?
-If you had asked this question two years ago,
you would have received a minor essay, but now I
have a quieter attitude. The thing is, you get
blissful in your own water swell, which my
father usually says. When I run Second Class
Kids, of course, I listen extra much to punk
(although I obviously had listened a lot
otherwise), and when I was having Sejdelshoppen
I tried to drink new and exciting beer all the
time - to keep me updated with the industry's
development . So when I laid down the boots, I
decided to just drink wine for a month (well
kept three days, but still), to really remind me
why I love beer.
If I go to Systembolaget and only want to buy a
bunch of stable beers, it will probably be Leffe,
Guinness, some American IPAS and maybe some
completely untrustworthy beer style from
Hälsinge Ångbryggeri.
Second Class Kids should not release any beer,
are there thoughts on it?
-No no no. Brewing beer is completely
non-glamorous, slushy and boring. What I think
is fun is to develop new products, manage to
enter another pub and possibly win some prize.
But the everyday job doesn't attract me at all.
If Second Class Kids were to have a beer, it
would be a beer with not so much alcohol so you
could drink a lot of it.
What was your first punk experience you had,
which year and which band were the ones that got
your eyes on you?
-I can say that my first concert was with The
Kristet Utseende on their farewell tour; Dra åt
helvete tour 99. I can think of a good start; A
fullPipeline, a peppered band and an even more
peppered audience. Unfortunately, I don't think
you heard the song directly, but it must have
happened. In any case, I think that gig
symbolizes the intensity that is often found on
punkgigs, which I think today's Spotify
listeners risk missing. Music should be
experienced live!
You released Sveriges jävla Ryggrad ( Sweden's
fucking spine) as a record against SD, why was
it important to release such a disc?
-The record is not directly against SD, but
against racism. For me, all racism is so fucking
stupid. I do not judge people based on their
main color, but on the basis of how people
behave. Categorizing people based on genetics
can only lead to errors. Unfortunately, the
social climate has hardened, so I felt compelled
to contribute at least a small part.
Releasing Sveriges jävla Ryggrad was made
by accident; On the one hand, Lastkaj14
sat and wrote songs about the elction, while
Kardinal Synd and another band (who
unfortunately jumped off) planned to do
something. So when I realized that several of my
bands were about to cook together - then I sent
in a request to the others, and so there was a
record finished with Second Class Kids band.
How was it received? Have you got any threats or
similar because you take a stand?
-Think that the album received the same
reception as all my other releases - the already
saved liked it. Otherwise, it's pretty quiet.
The thing is also that the vinyl was delayed, so
it came out just AFTER the election. You can
call it a flop.
Do you think it is important to take a position
in texts etc and is it just such bands you want
on your record company?
- You definitely don't have to take a stand,
absolutely not. But if you take a stand, it must
not be in the wrong direction. By the wrong way
I mean, of course, that one advocates racism or
stupidity in general.
What else rules do you have for a band to claim
them?
-No requirements at all - that they recorded
good punk rock far enough. However, the band
gets a deal based on what they themselves plan
to act on. For example, Lastkaj14 gets always
what they want. A small band that makes a gig
per year and releases four to five songs every
two years - gets a completely different deal.
Which is your dreamband to sign?
-I never think of those tracks, I'm very down to
earth with the record company. I try to think
more about bands that are to some extent within
reach. That's why I think Strebers was able to
make one another, and let me release it.
Otherwise, I am fond of both Trubbel and En
SvenskTiger.
How did the name come foreward on the company.
Is it that you feel like a second-class kid?
-Fuck, this was fifteen years ago ... now, but
the thing is that we who is along punk, maybe
not really been seen part of the established
society, so it boils down well in some form of
pride over the one you is; I'm a second class
kid. Point!
I think the logo is a bit ingenious, but because
some believe that the company is called so - it
will ultimately be a bad idea to have a logo
that is not the same as the record company name.
How do you musicsweden looks today?
-Do not know. Is quite uninterested in music
that is not of punkcharacter. If I did not would
have a punk company, I would never, never, never
move in the music world.
What are your future plans for the company in
2019?
-2018 was completely crazy with 14 releases,
especially considering that I had only planned
to release type six-seven records. There is a
chance that 2019 can become almost as intensive.
Many of my bands have plans for releases this
year, so we'll have to see. The thing that is
sent on pressing is in any case rerelease of
Lastkaj 14's Stormar (remixed and remastered)
and Becksvart and that Death by horse has
recorded a new really good album.
How much do you do of every release ? Can you
sell most of it? How do you sell most of what
you sell, at concerts, mail order or what?
- It varies how many items are pressed - type
between 200 and 1000. Since I am also a father
to small children, I cannot sacrifice my few
concert visits to sell records, so instead I
only invest on mail order. I still see that
Second Class Kids is in a new start - so that
not all discs go round I see as part of the
advertising costs.
Isn't it a kamikaze mission to release records
in 2019?
- Yes, maybe it. But you always have to ask
yourself: If you don't do it yourself - who will
do that?
Do you buy a lot of records yourself? What is
the latest thing you bought, the first disc you
bought and the most expensive you ever bought?
-I buy very little records. I honestly have very
little time in my life, so just being able to
sit down and listen to a newly purchased record
does not exist.
My first record I bought was More ABBA Gold.
Really want to buy a Tomas Ledin, but because
the ABBA disc is a mid-price product, I earned
70: -! Incidentally, bought a portable CD player
the same time. Good shit!
I do not buy expensive records.
Is there any SCK release that has become really
expensive and has been sold expensive on Tradera,
ebay etc?
-I usually put something fun in favor of
Musikhjälpen every year. This year I posted a
promo CD for Becksvart. The record was
distributed free of charge to everyone who was
on the release play in Stockholm. Do not know if
any items have been sold thereafter. In any
case, it brought in just over 1800: -. Now I
believe that the price was slightly increased,
given that the money went to charity. Yet. So
regardless of whether the album is worth 1800 or
not - then 1800: - went to the needy. It's nice.
How do you think it is in Sweden right now,
politically do I mean? No thoughts on working
politically?
-I am myself active in the Left Party, but at
the municipal level. Sits as a replacement for
the Municipal Board and the Management
Committee. Running a political ideology at the
municipal level is completely doomed, but it is
more about thinking about how the school
structure should look, how many elderly homes
the economy is sufficient and how to reduce the
number of home-help hours. Totally unsexy
questions, but for me who has children who,
hopefully, will grow up here, it is important
that the money is used right - so that they can
get the education they want.
Are you trying to influence your students in any
way by taking your bands for gigs at school etc
or will it be difficult if you do so?
-My students go to low and middle school, so no.
Honestly, it is kind of nobody who knows that I
am running a punk record company.
Which is your absolute favorite record on your
own company so far?
- I think everyone is good, otherwise I wouldn't
have given them out. But of course, some records
are better than others; Lastkaj 14 - Becksvart,
M.I.D - Den rike mannens börda och Sveriges
Jävla Ryggrad are well three favorites. On the
other hand, I think that the promo released this
fall is the best - because there have each band
contribute with a great song - so the record is
completely magical.
Which has sold the most?
-Lastkaj 14 - Becksvart.
What do you prefer CD, vinyl or cassette or
digital and digital?
-Vinyl is clearly the best. CDs I think
basically is a good format, but apparently
completely untrendy right now. The reason why I
sometimes release CD is that the music must get
out, but that it would cost too much to release
a vinyl, so instead of a pure digital product,
it will in any case be a CD.
Do you have anything else you would like to tell
me that I did not ask for?
-Haha, now, I've been sitting and write here. So
now that is enough.
Go to punkgigs. Or buy a record. |