STAFFAN HELLSTRAND

STAFFAN HELLSTRAND.........

2006 years first interview is the always actual Staffan Hellstrand which was really fast answering my mailquestions. Maybe not so long answers but we get out a whole lot of the stuff he answers.

You have been into a group like Dimmornas Bro,was it progressive or symphonyrock or what was it called?

-Symphonyrock.

SH? How do you describe them?

-Musically really much the 80´s but anyway some social postpunkpathos.

Bands before or on the side of those bands?

-None

You had Nomads as your “background” band for a while, nothing more with them to get foreward a rockier sound?

-Many of the members have been into my band after that, mostly the guitarist Hasse Östlund. Some cooperation with the whole band isn´t planned right now.

The new record, when does it been released, what is it named and how does it sounds, is it like your earlier stuff?

-It is named ”Motljus” and is being released 22/2. Then you can hear how it sounds. It is Eggstone which plays behind me and its recorded in Tambourine Studios in Malmö.

What are you most satisfied with it on the new record?

-I cannot form an opionon about that myself!

Which record of your own are you most satisfied with?

-I like the most of my records, actually. But I´m really weak for Underland which I like the sound on.

You did the EuropeanChampionshipsong to the swedish footballteam with the song Explodera once. Would you like to do such thing once more? Or is it so that you can become a clown like Markoolio or Uggla if you do that again?

-No, it was a one-timer, fantastic fun but it´s too much attention on other things than me and my music.

I know that you love football(so do I) but it is Öster which is your team isn´t it?(I have my GAIS-tattoo and I´m proud of that). Why Öster and do you have any special memories with that team?

-I´m a fan of Öster. Have always been it by any cause. It was really good that they was promoted this year with the big competition it was. I must say that Pelus good shoot(?) which gave the win against GAIS on Ullevi as this years best.

You have played also, on which niveau?

-I was the winner for juniors in Södermanland. One entry in todays division three.

You will not go down to World Championship in Germany? How do you think it will go for Sweden? Have they a chance to win it as Zlatan says?

-I will go down there. I will maybe get some special invitation. No I don´t think that Sweden wins but as all 32 teams they have a theoretical chance to win.

Which similarities is it between football and rock n roll?

-It´s always a little bit strained when you shall do the parallels. I´m passionate in love in both things.

Your favouriteplayer today and through all times? What shall a really complete player have in his veins?

-Today Ronaldhino. Historically Johan Cruyff. I appreciate always a good and unselfish player.

Favouriteteam outside Sweden?

-Juventus

Now back to the music, how would you describe your music in three words?

-I cannot!

You did a coverrecord with Dan Andersson, you can´t imagine to do such a thing again and who´s songs will you do then

-No-it was a onetimer. I like to write songs all too much.

You have changed record label too? Why, tell us?

-The music business is shaky and turbelent. My old recordlabel was sold to a swindler and it wasn´t good to stay there. My record company today Playground have their advantages because they like music.

What drives you to play music?

-Many things. I have always have it in my blood. It´s a lifestyle and a constant challenge. And then I earn money to raise a big family on it.

You have never been playing punk but somewhere it feels like if the punk is there in the background. How is your relationship to punkrock?

-I was in London 78 and saw Clash & pistols(the same concert actually). It was superfresh then and much of that music is alright today too. But there´s too many which is the opposite. The Swedish punkscene today have I difficulties to take to my heart.

Is there any good bands in Sweden today?

-There´s a lot, Hellströms debutrecord was really good even if it was some years ago. Anna Ternheim is good and Mattias Alkbergs first one was good also. I also like Enbassy and Radio Dept. I think it´s a little bit boring that not more bands sings in Swedish because it´s always a little bit strained with the (sw)English.

Lilla fågel Blå was your break in Sweden but after that it have been gone down a little for, is it good and was it a little bit too hysteric on that time or how was it

-It took a long time for me to break so I have seen many different sides of the artistlife. Of course I think it´s a lot more fun to sell much records than few. Have no problems with handling attention. I know where I stand and don´t seek any celibritypoints for it´s sake

Is it many interviws? Is it boring?

-It´s much interiews when I do a new record? But there´s no problems with that.

Which is the question you never get, please ask it and answer it?

-I cannot answer that.

Please rank your five favouriterecords, five favouriteconcerts and five most important things in life?

-The two first I can answer:

Records: Stevie Wonder – Talking Book, The Sundays – Reading,Writing &

Arithmetic, Roddy Frame – Surf, Bob Dylan –Blood On the Tracks

Johnny Thunders – Hurt Me

Concerts: Bruce Springsteen –Konserthuset –75, The Sundays

Melody – 93,Daniel Lanois – Melody –90, Black Grape Gino –95

Olle Ljungström – Göta Lejon 2001

First, last and the most expensive record ever bought?

-First. A Hard Days Night (single) – Beatles

Latest – Down in Albion – Babyshambles

Most expensive- Some importdoublemaxy with Public Image Ltd in the 80´s

The most embarrasing record in your collection?

-I don´t think there´s any embarrassing music. Could be Melodifestivalen then- but it can be found in my collection.

Is it as much important with music as it was some years ago? Do you live on your music?

-Yes+yes

When you didn´t lived on your music, how does you get your food then?

-In the 80´s I was out of work and get money that way and I produced liverecordings for Swedish radio so that was to live on the music even if it wasn´t my own music.

Lurically, what are you influenced of?

-My life most of all.

Politics and music, does it belong together?

-Yeah, precisely as life and politics belong to each other.

The best political writer?

-Bob Dylan , Kjell Höglund and many more.

Future with the music?

-It´s written in the stars.

And for you as an human being?

-Really written in the stars.

Wisdomword?

-None.

Something to add?

-Thanks for the interview. It was nice!