Review - Mimikry at Debaser Slussen 29/3 12

A History lesson
To understand Mimikry to its full potential, one need to take a look at the area where they come from, or at least the people from there. And for that you need to learn a bit about Swedish medieval history. Where the province of Dalarna played an important part. It was from that province the resistance that freed Sweden from the occupying Danes in 1521-23 started. Once in a while the Dalarna came up with riots and were a political force in Swedish history back in the days. It’s an area with a great integrity and where tradition is strong. And that can be spotted all over the country, where the icehockey team Leksand* rarely play any away games because there are always a big crowd everywhere for them, especially in Stockholm. And the province is also known for its proud tradition of hard rock music. Sator, Sky high, the Hives and Mando Diao is a few of the bands from that area. And of course Mimikry.


The Crowd 

Mimikry wan´t alone from Dalarna gigging this Thursday night, The Hives also played at Kafe´44 . Possible that made the crowd a bit less populated than it could be. But there was people enough to make some noise. And these people were obvious Mimikry fans. They knew the lyrics and sung along though the concert. The crowd response, power up the band with a lot of energy, that then Mimikry pour back on the crowd.


The Sound 

As an established rock stage Debaser, Slussen have a competent sound for most band playing there. So the sound is over all good. Mia´s firm bass, Heavy´s tight drums and Åsberg and Anders guitars are tight and well sounding. It is punk but with a bit space for rock n roll as well.     

The Band and the Concert

Their decents from Dalarna is heard in Mimikrys music. They borrow some from the areas folkmusic that give them an unique sound even in the trall punk genre. But I´m not too impressed by that folksy stuff. In its worst moments they sound a bit like Nordman, when they are at their best I think they can challenge Bad Religion. But this particular thursday night there are a crowd willing to chant along in the chorus so it’s a bit of Sham 69 in it as well. The singer Hjalle is charismatic and got the crowd in a firm grip from the beginning. He never loses that grip. The singer with his stage diving, crowd surfing and the crowds rised fists is a “grand spectacle”. There is a connection and a bond between the band and the crowd that is notable. And in that, the singer introduce the new songs in a smart way to get them to pay attention to those new tunes as well. Any concertgoer know what that during those “new” songs people head off to the bathroom, hits the bar for a refill or phone mum or whatever. Not tonight. The crowd seems familiar with the new ones as well.

Finally
I can´t help myself thinking, that it would be fun to see how they should respond to a more neutral crowd. One they have to conquer. But overall it was a good concert well worth its entrance fee, 140 SKr (14 Euros). The songs ringed in my ears for a long time after, not because it was to high in decibels but that the tunes were catchy enough to stay in my head. Mimikry from the province of Dalarna is her for the throne and possible to de-throne The Hives as the Dalarnas finest.



*Lirarnas lag from the “Uppsamlingsheatet”CD is a tribute song to Leksands icehockey team.