New Swedish Punk Festival starts tomorrow

An insane line up of great Swedish bands, and a few Japanese...

This summers "it"!

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Topper at AMTY records

Topper the Swedish Clashinistas have signed with AMTY records (A Message To You) (that also have Smash it Up, Liptones, Headons and more).

The record label claims that it feel good to take on these punk veteran oddballs. Topper feels the same but leave the oddball words out of it.

According to the plan a 11 track studio album will be released in the end of summer, as well as a video in two weeks.

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Video shoot with Topper

I do direct the forthcomming Topper video, "What You Gonna Do".

Here is some stills from it.

Gig with Topper and Tequila Girls and Bitch Boys

1,2, Fuck You Punk Revue presents
a punk rock night with band selected by this blog.

Topper, Tequila Girls & Bitch Boys

80SEK cash

June 14 2014

8pm- 1am

First band on stage at 9

,,,

Topper, a Gospel, the best Swedish live band at the moment

Some weeks ago I went to a show that became impossble to write a review about. Im not that happy little girl (that hates Robbie Williams) that wen´t to see them Topper as in their song. More of a missarable son of a bitch or something. I knew that I was in it for a treat when they announced that there would be guest artists onstage like the former Sludge Nation/Dear Majesty singer Jälevik and more.
On the other hand, why did they invite guest singers when they are such a good band as they are? Questions, questions, well I might would get some answers if I went there.
Anyway they were on at the Snövits club Probation at Södermalm in Stockholm. Together with Stiffy Jones. But before I write about that I have tell the story from the beginning.


Let´s back the tape to Januari this year. To predict the future I claimed that it would be an interessting year when all the good bands would release a record. So did many of them do and there are still some more weeks left for those who didn´t. But I know that Topper are sceduled release their next full lenght album next year. But we might get a single now*.

This year started with a concert that I instantly felt this was something extra, Topper at Snövit Jan 26. Still I find it the best gig the whole year, still ten month later. Still I get shivers from looking on the footage from my hand held camcorder from that event. Its energy, the energy that Topper is all about. They are not the most wild thing you seen, not the most crazy you can run into. But there are some punk rock energy in it that is hard to explain.

So I went there this October friday without any illutions of ever feel close to any divinity that Topper have to top to top themself at the same place. A couple of new songs (is that really nessecary?) was to be expected and a couple of other guys ocationally onstage. It was with mixed feelings I did go there. Could they do anything than fail?

The other band went onstage, Stiffy Jones, and was quite OK, but sorry guys I was waiting for Topper that night. I´ll give you a real chance another day. The same night was the good band Pastoratet on a Stockholm visit at Broder Tuck as well the Swedish Fotball World Cup game against Austria on in the same City. Not only 60 000 spectators at Friends Arena but the whole nation glued at the TV sets. A bad day for a gig. But I didn´t care, I was curious for whatever Topper would come up with. Some clever guy that been helping out as a band driver as well as tour manager for Topper as well as Ligisterna, aka Alph, made up a logistic plan to manage to see Topper and the be just in time for Pastoratet.
If there was a dramatic Fotball game on I didn´t care, I was in for some Topper.

And when they finally entered the stage, not as rock stars but as bunch of old men still in they dayjob clothes, litterary changing their clothes onstage into their Topper uniform, the black Topper shirts. Then it was just some minutes left for the mayhem to break loose.

The Singer Jocke started with some ranting adressed to Swedish filmaker Lukas Moodysson that had premiere with his punk film (We Are The Best) the same night, ”You haven´t done it for real, we have”. Then the band burst into Punkrock revival. Where he pretty much waste all his voice, then it was a hissing as screaming Jocke that still tried to scream the little voice there was left out of his body. After first number it was bowling time from the old single tune from the year 2000, ”Take the Skinheads & Homeboys Bowling”, that was the moment when my embarkment start to burst. Then there was no hiding, then it was an open sore that never seamed to heal. The crowd started to move their feet ´till it went bananas. Little by little the barriere between the crowd and the band vanished. The guest artist was a part of it. If I ever was doubtful about them, I backed off. It was a stroke of genius. Mr Jälevik seems to enjoy every minute of it, while singing a Buzzcock tune with a growling voice.

The Trobbing bass guitar with its steady boom, boom boom, was the ground where their power came from. Matched with the hard drumbeating, drums that seems like taking more hard hits than any punchdrunk old boxer. The Steve Jonesy guitar licks and powercords worked out of an eager to be the best band there is, was taking the band further than mediocrazy. On top of it, the angry, ranting singing that comes from a madman singer that seems to be everywhere and nowhere at once, both in mind and in in the physical space, that was Topper, that is Topper!

It is quite alot of Clash, Stiff Little Fingers and Sex Pistols but enough of Jocke to make them a band on their own.
I´ve seen great international Punk Rock stars the last two years, very few would put them Topper behind themself in my toplist. Infact it is only Rancid and Street Dogs that can compeate. Stiff Little Fingers, Social Distortion, Iggy and The Stooges, Bad Religion,Dropkick Murphys and Turbonegro didn´t made me go bananas like I did at Snövit, for the second time this year. Even the Swedish pride of Asta Kask and Alonzo Fas 3 can´t match Topper a night like this.
Despite the rather dull cellar club sound that is standard at Stockholms cellar punk clubs, despite that there was no voice left in the singer, despite the whole country was watching football they managed to change the odds. They were fighting the fight any good band would do, fighting and winning. They didn´t seem to worry too much about it. The tapping of drumsticks 1,2,3,4 and the next tune is on and the band carries on.

I was no more a bloke with a blog that might write a review about it. I was a blob, an amoeba that lost every aspec of...whatever I lost. Dignity I lost a long time ago in a Galaxy far far away.

”Of She goes”, cries the pogoing crowd together with the guest singer Eas Tiljander. Then ”Robbie Dies” at least as everyone went on chanting that together like we never done anything else as the end of the ”Off she goes” goes. Imagine Topper and the crowd do the same at Hammersmiths Odeon!

At the end of their set the voice of the main singer was finished, so I an a few blokes grabed the microphones and gave him a hand (voice). We declare that ”we live in the Suburbs, 7 days a week”. The thin line between the band and the crowd was then diminished as it is supposed to be when punk comes true. I think I understand how religion once came into the life of the cavemen. It must been just like a night like this. So I don´t write a review, I write a gospel.


To talk about entrance fees such a night feels puny but whatever I did pay it was way too cheap.





Pastoratet

But the night didn´t ended there.

Pastoratet (the Pastorate) is a band from the towns of Tibro and Skövde in the Vastergötland province, (the real Gotaland, not like it is in that HBO fantasy fiction TV series ”Vikings). And the gig was held at Broder Tuck in the same area. We, Ligisterna and I went to see them. And we were pretty much the ones that did. I felt a bit bad about it because how could they even be a fraction of as good as Topper that night? And in that basement club Dislocated with its bad sound. However, they did. Actually they did have a rather good, thick and heavy sound. And singer of Pastoratet Goran´s clear and soft voice mixed with some screaming did cut throught the sound barrier that is the sound of the band. Their songs felt like home and often the lyrics is a bit like being in a domestic argument. Afterwards I tried to find out who the song ”Stick din lilla diva” was about. But I rather should try to prove Einstein wrong instead, because there was no answer to get.

That the band even got my attention after Topper is remarcable, that they even got me going as well is astonishing. That good was their effort to get us, the few that was in the crowd going. And we got it going. I hope that they will come back soon, another time, when there is no punk film premiere, no fotball game and no Topper mayhem at the same time. But Im very pleased I gave them a chance because they perfected an alredy perfect gig night. I went home almost stonedeaf for two days. But that it was worth.

Worth the Money? Yes.

Tonight Topper go on the Snövit stage for the third time 2013, I will see them for the forth time this year, will they still go for that magic moments or will they not.

Topper will release a single in the end of December 2013 and the album 2014.

Topper - 15 Miles (Live Clip)

Topper - 15 Miles
Live at ROQ Odenplan, Stockholm

March 2013


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Pictures from ROQ, Psykbryt, Topper and Derby STHLM

Psykbryt

Topper

Derby STHLM

Derby STHLM, Topper and Psykbryt at ROQ, (Concert review)

Pictures will be posted later. Please be patient.

Derby STHLM, Topper and Psykbryt at ROQ Odenplan, Stockholm.
March 16 2013

Weeks before I warned that you shouldn´t miss this, and still you did. A three bands night like this should count in thousands of screaming, rampaging fans. But it didn´t.

The Place

The last night concert at the Pool hall ROQ was an odd break in the usual , Snövit, Broder Tuck and Kafé 44 at the Södermalm punk scene in the Vasastan part of the City. Once in a while ROQ have rock and punk concerts in the pool hall. It isn’t as primitive as it sounds, because they both have a stage, light rig and mixer/DJ booth. And the sound is quite good, but, the pool table landscape in next to the concert area is huge and makes the narrow punk club feeling isn´t really there. On the Other side, how often can you play pool while waiting for the stage mayhem to happen. My former band Lap Dogs challenged Ligisterna in some fine game of Billiards. With a humiliating defeat for Lap Dogs. I blame it on the DJ that played so much fine punk of my favorite bands that I wasn´t too focused on the pool.

 It wasn’t optimal that such a fine band as Ligisterna played pool this night and wasn´t on stage, then the night would have been even greater.

The Crowd

I am upset! If you have some of this citys best band on stage for free and there isn´t a line of waiting people to March outside, then there is something wrong. It was a decent crowd I think, but far from what this bands deserve.  Hey you, stop sitting and feeling sorry for yourself over beer and being misunderstood. Start watching all these good bands that play all over the city right now! Visit Snövit, KGB, Kafé 44 and ROQ for some quality time.

You might know by now that I say the Stockholm crowd is a bit stiff. Yes we are. Some, however did some spontaneous dancing here and there, but this bands deserve a total wreck less mayhem in front. Shame on me, as well. I blame it on the fact I tried to film it, what is your excuse?

The Bands

The bands are in some parts similar, but in most parts not. Together they in their lyrics pretty much cover the whole situation in this country right now, with Ligisterna this picture would be perfect. And they are three main act bands. No support acts here.

Psykbryt

Psykbryt

First out was the youngsters in Psykbryt, which I think scared the shit out of the others. They are young, fast and furious and set the pace for the night. The old men in Topper and Derby STHLM then had to keep up.
Psykbryt was razor sharp! At their finest, witty and sarcastic and full of the arrogance of young bastards in a band as well as some humble doubt in it . They took no prisoners last night, it was a clean cut operation, search and destroy. Their own songs as well the KSMB covers . I think they are an important band, because of the age of the members in the Stockholm punk scene isn´t very young. Psykbryt are young and keep it very basic and simple just what I love with punk. The rhythm section plays well, tha bass lines giving the rather simple music some depth. The drumers talent doesn´t pass unnoticed. Tonight he is all over the drum set (not all over the stage). As I just wrote, I think they are an important band, for other young punks, because they show how easy it is to make good punk, even if it is an illusion because there are plenty of skills, will power and practice to master it like this.  Best song? I am a sucker for “Åk hem till Täby” but I couldn´t find any weak spots.

Topper

Topper

Topper must be shitting bricks backstage while Psykbryt shell shocked the crowd. You could tell there was no way that the 4 man group Topper would be looking old and with an “best before” date stamped into their foreheads. Their music, melodic SLF/The Clash style of punk, isn´t as fast as Psykbryts. But there is no need to it. But they really tried to be, I think. Haha. Where the Psykbryt drummer is fast and furious, Topper is heavy and hard hitting, the whole rhythm section (Bass and Drums) made the whole sound very professional, then add the intensity of the singer and the beautiful lead Steve Jones type of guitar playing you got a world class performance. Once again I was standing in a small club thinking “that this should be on a much bigger stage, in front of much more people”. This particular night they also did a Stiff Little Fingers cover, “Suspect Device” with a guest singer, really brilliant. In the end it was “Suburbs”, “Once a Punk” and “Off She goes” that was the highlights. Really well written songs, performed with a lot of heart, sweat and a good rock n roll feeling.  

In between Topper presented a two man act (I didn´t pay enough attention to hear what they were presented as) Guitar and Drums. Not bad at all, in fact quite cool.

Derby STHLM

Derby STHLM

Here I might be feeling sorry for Derby STHLM if I didn´t knew that they are not any ordinary band. I guess they are in their own little world not disturbed by the fact that the some of this years (to date) best concerts just been on the same stage. Such detail seems like just a thing in the background, even if they just as Topper cheered Psykbryt.
Derby STHLM seemed not to have any intention to let anyone down. The sound was perfect as their timing. They hurried into the next song thru the set, that was played fast so they won´t look old next to Psykbryt. The drums were both fast, hard hitting and effective.  The Bass player is all over the stage in his typical Pete Townsend manner orchestrating the crowds heartbeat. The vocals and chorus giving the band such a depth and professional sound. The only negative about the set is that it is hard to hear the keyboards.

Covers? Yes, Both Ebba Grön, Köttgrottorna and Tredje könets “Godismannen” sung by the original text writer.  When the sound of the vocals were as good as it was, then their own tunes stand out really well. Best song? Hard to say but I pick the covers “Godismannen” and “Vildjdjuret” mostly of nostalgic reasons. But all the songs are good.


Finally, it is a shame that this concert wasn´t attended by thousands. I could easily pay a couple of hundred Swedish Kronor, to see this. Now it was free of charge, Thank you ROQ!

Topper - Off She Goes (Live at Snövit 2013)

Topper at Snövit, Stockholm

jan 26 2013

Topper at Snövit jan 26 2013, Not far from Divine!

A bit of explanation of the Suburbs of Sweden, to understand the full mening of the Topper song We live in the suburbs.. After the WW2 when the European cities got their town centres bombed to peaces, the architects decided to spread out the cities in smaller towns in satelite towns. I live in what is considered as the Suburbia masterpiece, Vällingby that was built in the mid fifties, A town that stood as model for many suburbs in both Sweden and the world. During the 60ies and 70ies Sweden built 1milion new apartements which went under the name Miljonprogrammet (Now you know what the title of Ligisternas CD "Miljonprogrammet" means). Building in such speed for a country of just 8 milions was not without problems.
At the same time unemployment struck the country as well as the drugs found its way to sweden, as well as the imigration increased not always without problems. Suburbia wasn´t that paradise that was the intention, in fact Swedes tend to call them Ghettos.

It is in the suburbs swedish punk, metal and hip hop scenes got started.

Being from the Suburbs is for many middle class, inner city, people the same as being a total failure.

Some suburbia songs to check out;

Ebba Grön - Only in it for the drugs pt1
Topper - We live in the suburbs
The Dräpers - Råby
Kasta Katt - Full, Fet och Fattig
Hårda Tider - Området & Packet

Now onto the review....



The event and the crowd

The night before I and the bassplayer from Utanförskapet, Björn, was chatting about that it might be a good idea to get bands from different genres to play the same night to get more people to the concerts. Bad idea, proved by this Saturday in the cellar club of Snövit. Lets say, the punks were in minority in this punk club. Hippies ala 70ies, leftist 70ies progg* rockers as well as bikers populated the packed club. As did the bands on stage, with a horrible result. Björn, hear me, it was a bad idea! The Stockholm syndrome of stay as a statue and not stir up a mosh pit was well practiced in absurdum. I did a try with no use at all.

The Bands

The Highway Men and Pizda...Forget about them on to the good stuff...

Topper are a Stockholm band that like Rancid have the Clash as role model which is not a bad thing.
In another place or universe Topper might been a huge band touring the world like Rancid. But they don´t, which I find most peculiar. They are no youngsters and beginners and know whats make good punk within their genre. The band are tight, catchy and very well sounding, especially the carismatic singer that seems to put his whole soul in every word sung/screamed. I cant believe I see such a great performance so close to the band. They out score Dropkick Murphys great performance on the much bigger stage with a much bigger crowd earlier this week big times. There are shivers running down my spine when I realize that I am experience this. However, they didn´t played or pushed their new digital single "Dårar" where they sing in Swedish. But we got their classic tunes "Once a Punk...", "Off She Goes" and the World class tune "We live in the Suburbs". The "We live in the Suburbs" made me burst into tears that only really good concerts do. I couldn´t belive my ears and eyes how good such good performance a bunch of old men from the suburbs could put on. I wrote last summer I saw the light at the Rancids performance in Gothenburg, this was something like it.


Worth the money? Are you kidding me? I payed 80SKr (8 Euros) for three bands, which I could spend the 80SKr on not listening to the two pretentious hippie and progg/prog bands. I could pay 800Skr for seeing Topper in such shape.




*Progg spelled with gg is a Swedish leftist genre that evolved from prog rock, protests songs, Marxism, Jazz and Hippie psychadelia, often with Swedish folk music and blues influences.

Topper New Single - Free Download

Topper, the northern Stockholm surburb band have released a new single for you to download for free.

Dårar (in transl. Fools), on this new single Topper have switched from english to sing in Swedish.

http://topperonline.com.loopiadns.com/?p=229

On Your Mixed Tape 9 Topper

Topper - Suburbs
(2010)
From the album Punk Dont Death

Click the pictures for Topper on My space.