Slobobans Undergång has released two records just now, one is a collection of old single songs and the other is an 8-song fantastic LP. I would like to thank Staffan for the interview that was conducted in January 2025. Just as many thanks to the eminent Roine Lundström ( www.roinefoto.se ) who has contributed with all the nice photos that he often helps me with.

Damn it, five new songs and a cover of Så är det? How does it feel now that the record is out?

-It feels great that the record is out now. I actually listened to it today for the first time since September. And I really thought it sounded great. Alert and fast. Good songs, good production, good sound. But it was also with a certain sadness. I think it's very good, but it will probably just disappear in everything else without making a big impression. And that's a shame, because it's worth more. On the other hand, we are the ones who made it together, there is a value in doing things together, and we are proud of it. It contains several songs that feel among the best we've done.

A cover of the record by Roffe Ruff/Kapten Röd---how did this come about?

-I have told you it before, but I listened a lot to Roffe Ruff this spring. I think he's a kind of genius and envy him his lyrics and melodies. I think he sings fantastically well. I had listened a lot to Så är det and liked both the lyrics and the melody. At the same time, Gert had put together a song that sounded great, but we didn't have lyrics or melody. And I tried to put the lyrics in Gert's song, and it fit perfectly. It was a bit magical. It was a little nervous to present the idea to hard rocker Gert, but he bought it right away. And I also think Roffe Ruff is awesome.

Was it harder than usual to sing such a song with so much lyrics?

-It was difficult to sing, and it took many long walks this summer to get it to sit. Which has also made me respect rap artists in a different way. Because it's not easy to get those lyrics in and make them understandable. Some, like Eminem, are out of this world.

The best album of 2024, just like yours last year with Slob 78, what happens like this in old age?

- It's great that you think so. The big catalyst for everything is Björn Holmudd. He played guitar for Sloboban, but dropped out in 1979. Around 2020 we got in touch again and at his suggestion we started making songs together. Which resulted in Slob78. He is extremely creative and songs, melodies and choruses pour out from him. Now he is the bass player in Sloboban and without him there would never have been a record. Not without Gert either, for that matter. Who is extremely good at guitar riffs and at putting songs together. And who is the one who pushed the project Maybe it would never have been a record without me for that matter. Björn has got me going. I never thought I would be able to write a lyric and he has made me think about music in a different way. Now I have it with me, I think about it all the time. But it would never have happened without Björn, for sure. He and I are already working with Slob78 again. I have a bunch of songs and plan to release a single this winter. A poppunk song called Min sista frisyr. Hopefully we have enough songs to be able to release a new MP in the fall.

At the same time you are releasing a compilation album Fy fan vad vi e bra? A few questions regarding it. You don't run chronologically on the record, why not? You don ́t have your song Motvåld on neither this record nor on the collection which came on CD many years ago, why not? Tell us about (Gastuba)?

- The reason why we have a backwards order of the songs on the collection is that we were not really comfortable with having them in chronical order because we just got better and better. Therefore, it would be a shame for those who have never heard us if the first thing they heard was the first EP. . Which admittedly has a lot of charm and not so bad songs. But that doesn't sound very good. The recording is primitive and far too careful. We probably had a little too much respect. Better then to start the album with Stål och Styrka which is the best thing we have done. And that sounds very good. So we turned the whole order of play. We agreed not to include Motvåld. For several reasons. On the one hand, the song is not ours. (Guess where from), but above all, it's fucking crap. Something we could perhaps live with, but the text is weak with a kind of romanticization of terrorism, which in retrospect is very naïve. It didn't feel like we wanted it as a representative of Sloboban. When Anders beat the last drumbeat on Maktgalen, the technician echoed. And we thought that sounded fantastically funny. That's why we started to make fun of ourselves. I gaped and sang songs and thought it sounded extremely good. For a while we even thought about releasing it as a bonus on the ep. Which was wise that we didn't. But when we by chance, and pure luck now got to the master tape from the ep, there was 7-minute ridicule left. And there was something youthful, naïve and funny about the whole shoot. (Completely unlistenable for anyone other than us, of course). But there was something cute there. Far from the tough punk and much closer to the upbringing we had together. So we cut it down to 1.20 and included it. As a kind of melancholic tribute to the teenagers.

Is there any unreleased material at all now with you? Is there any more new songs that you have done?

-There is unreleased material with us. Among other things, a P3 recording. But it will never reach the public eye. It just doesn't sound good enough. We want to be careful with Sloboban's will. Peter Kagerland has a record label that releases unreleased material and he wanted us to join us two years ago. He had some suggestions that we rejected. We listened through most of what we had, but found nothing. Peter said that he had never met such a difficult group. In the end, they succeeded. we agree on some live songs from Errols. Of course, we haven't done our last song. We're working on a new one right now that sounds promising. But it has taken some energy with the work over the past year.

Do you think you are a role model for new young bands? Or has no one heard of you among the young people?

-I don't know if we are a role model for younger bands. We only know our generational friends. Attentat, for example. And that, in turn, is probably due to the fact that we rarely play live. Which is because we are quite careful about which gigs we take. It should feel good, everyone should be able to. We want good sound and we want to know that people are coming. We rehearse a lot before gigs to make it sound as good as possible. It also has to do with our testament.

Is it your son Noah who plays in Attentat, if it is, how does it feel that he plays in a "competing band" is it as if the circle is closed?

-It is my son Noel who plays with Attentat. He's terribly good and... I think it's great fun. And of course a little strange. I don't know if it means that circles are closed, but clearly it is special. But I'm proud and have only heard good things from the Attentat Boys.

What is the big difference to play live nowadays if you compare to 43-44 years ago?

- There are no major differences between playing live now, as there were 40 years ago. Just as nervous. But the charge is the same, if not bigger really. Possible that the stakes are a little bigger. We don't want to seem pathetic or old-fashioned. Or tired, or disengaged. Which you have seen some older bands be. We have our reputation to take care of. Therefore, every gig with us is now equally important. Because we know that it could be our last gig.

This bloated Fanta child is now returning again... What is this horrible?

- Sväva i det blå is perhaps the song on the new album that I'm most satisfied with the lyrics. It's about someone who has stopped caring, who thinks the best music was made in the seventies and who would rather watch documentaries that take place in the seventies. Like the IRA or Bader Meinhof. Who prefers to avoid thinking about the slaughter in Gaza, the war in Ukraine, Trump or Åkesson.

You also sing in a song "When they introduced VAR in football, how did they think then" a wonderful lyric line, how did this come about?

- Actually, it's a lot about myself. I'm worried about my PSA and have actually stopped watching the news or reading the newspapers. The only info I get is basically Lilla Aktuellt which I watch with the kids. I like to watch football but don't feel at all the same commitment as in the 70-80s. The only thing I feel committed to is Robinson or that Status Quo will release a livebox with the same songs and from the same tour as their classic live in 1976

Has it never been a problem to play together with your brother, or is it just true sibling love?

- Per is more extroverted than me, he likes to be seen better and is better at talking than me. He's a good frontman. That's why it suits me very well to stand a little in the shadow of him. I may sing better technically, but he has more character in his voice. The times he hasn't been with me, I've felt lost and shy. It's hard to front yourself. Of course, there is a certain amount of jealousy over his obvious way of fronting, but for the most part, I feel gratitude and love for him the most.

Shouldn't Danne on Grönpeppar Records get a Grammy for the work he does for punk in Sweden?

- Of course Danne should get a Grammy for the work and commitment he puts into punk in Sweden. And we are eternally grateful to him for wanting to publish us and Slob78.

There are no thoughts of releasing Örnen har landat and the songs from that session on vinyl as well? Which songs were you recording then?

-There has never been any talk of releasing any more old material on vinyl. Who would want that? 10 maybe. Then it's more fun to put together new songs. Although I understand that the interest may not be that great for that either. Which I understand. I wouldn't be so interested in new songs either with the Sex Pistols or Ebba Grön. However, I still think that their records in the seventies were fantastic. But there were so many other things then. The enthusiasm or excitement you felt then cannot be recreated. But we reserve the right to make new songs and think it's the best thing we've done. And if we can get some people to like it, that's fantastic. But above all, it is for our own sake. And we are eternally grateful for those who still like and listen to us. Absolutely fucking incredible. After almost 50 years.