Demons (band)
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| "Demons" | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Genre(s) | Rock, garage rock, garage punk, garage rock revival, punk rock, hard rock, power pop |
| Years active | 1995–- |
| Label(s) | Alaska Productions, Gearhead Records, Steer Records, Ruff Nite Records, |
| Associated acts | The Robots, The Turpentines, New Bomb Turks, The Dragons, MC5, The Stooges, The Velvet Underground, The Hellacopters, New York Dolls, |
| Website | MySpace site |
| Members | |
| Mathias "Hep Cat Matt" Carlsson Micke Jacobsson Tristan "TJ" Jeanneau |
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"Demons" is a Swedish rock band, usually referred to as punk rock or garage punk. Their music has also been described as punk'n'roll. The band allegedly use quotation marks to differ them from any other band with similar names.
With records like Electrocute and "Demons"... Come Bursting Out!" the band established themselves on the mid nineties Swedish punk rock scene together with The Hellacopters, The Robots, and The Turpentines. Early on "Demons" found themselves more popular in the USA than in their homeland. Therefore releasing most of their records on American labels, most notably Gearhead Records out of Oakland, California. There they pioneered the Scandinavian Invasion phenomenon. It´s also on American soil that they have had their strongest following and critical acclaim with countless shows and festivals including two appearances at SXSW (South By Southwest).
Quickly "Demons" became known for their wild, loud shows which showcased their musical abilities as a group. They also brought the attention to the old Swedish guitar brand Hagstrom, by exclusively playing them and proclaiming, "Demons" play Hagstrom because they are Swedes".
Their collective look, a kind of ´50s thug - outsider rockabilly with pompadours and George Cox Brothel Creepers, was married with ´70s punk rock aesthetic. It had its roots in Californian hot rod culture as well as British punk. The look has since become regular among fans of punk rock on the rock ´n´ roll side.
"Demons" has always been regarded as outsiders due to their uncompromising attitude. Especially in their native Sweden. They seem to have been proud of going their own way, both musically and philosophically. Through that they have pointed the way for many bands. That spirit is also evident in all their production. Most, if not all, creative work is either done or approved by the band.
"Demons" music relies heavily on the energy derived from punk rock. Influences range from 60s garage like The Sonics, The Standells and Shadows Of Knight, pre - punk like The Velvet Underground, The Stooges and New York Dolls and punk rock acts like The Damned, The Heartbreakers and The Saints. The approach has also a lot to do with early hardcore bands like Black Flag, Bad Brains and Dead Kennedys and the band has also later claimed to be influenced by power pop and lyrically, blues, country and folk.
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[edit] Band history
"Demons" was formed in Stockholm in 1995 out of the ashes of Jawbation. A teenage band originally started by guitarist/vocalist Mathias Carlsson and guitarist Stefan Jonsson in the late ´80s. They were both thirteen years old at the time. Jawbation were eventually to include Mikael Jacobsson on drums and they made a buzz in Stockholm with their tight, guitar heavy ´70s Detroit style pre punk rock. The band slowly disintegrated and was morphed into "Demons" with Muffins Brink on bass.
In 1996 "Demons" appeared on the influential Swedish compilation "Another Real Cool Time - Distorted Sounds From The North" which showcased a scene in the making. After appearances on a number of compilation records they released their debut single Electrocute on Ruff Nite Records, based in Philadelphia. In 1998 the classic six track ep "Demons"... Come Bursting Out!" was released. It was recorded in the infamous Sunlight Studio together with Tomas Skogsberg, known for his work with Entombed and The Hellacopters. It led to interest in the USA and the band signed with Gearhead Records in 1999. They released the critically acclaimed debut album "Riot Salvation" in 2000.
In September 2001 "Demons" embarked on their first American tour. They were part of a package including The Fleshtones and The Nomads. After the attacks on World Trade Center, The Nomads backed out leaving "Demons] to fly over themselves to complete the tour. In March 2002 the band went on their second US tour and the first going from coast to coast. Then they started recording their follow up, "Stockholm Slump", again with together Tomas Skogsberg. Before mixing "Demons" headed out to play the Scandinavian Gearfests in Stockholm, Helsinki and Oslo. A festival put together by Gearhead Records which also included The Hellacopters, The Nomads, The Hives and Flaming Sideburns among others.
"Stockholm Slump" was released in September 2002 and the band went on another coast to coast tour together with the New Bomb Turks. During 2003 "Demons" toured extensively throughout Europe. Early 2004 they, while touring Spain, released "Demonology - If You Can´t Join Us Beat Us", a title referring to their uncompromising attitude. It was a collection of tracks from compilations and other rare recordings. It was to become the last record for Gearhead Records. Another long US tour followed. The band also released the double CD compilation, "Riot In Japan" for the Japanese market the same year. They headed for Japan in April. "Demons" played nearly 70 shows in 2004.
At the end of the year, TJ or Tristan Jeanneau took over the bass spot and the band started to work on new material. Before recording the (Her Name Was) Tragedy EP second guitarist Stefan Jonsson decided to take a break and then eventually leave for personal reasons. "Demons" continued as a trio. The EP was delayed but finally got its release at the end of 2006 and the band started touring again. They recorded a Radio Birdman medley together with Nicke Andersson of The Hellacopters for the tribute "Flattery - A Tribute To Radio Birdman Vol 3"
Shortly after sessions started for what was to become the album "Ace In The Hole". The band decided, for both practical and musical reasons, to divide the recording process into four parts. They were planned as fall, winter, spring and summer sessions, with touring in between. "Ace In The Hole" was mixed and supposed to be released in the fall 2007 on a new larger Swedish label the band had negotiated with. But being fed up with "traditional" record company flaws, "Demons" decided to drop the label even though it meant delaying the record. The band was courted by both big and small record companies during this time but true to their philosophy they decided to release the record themselves. It finally hit the stores in Sweden in September 2008 and will be released in Europe on January 30.
Meanwhile, fellow rockers The Hellacopters covered the "Demons" first record Electrocute for their farewell album Head Off. And the band was invited to join them for their last tour. "Demons" did the final 12 shows with great success.
[edit] Line up
- Mathias "Hep Cat Matt" Carlsson - Lead vocals & guitars
- Micke Jacobsson - Drums & vocals
- Tristan "TJ" Jeanneau- Bass & vocals
[edit] Discography
[edit] Full length albums
- "Riot Salvation" (Gearhead Records RPM 018) (LP/CD 10/00)
- "Stockholm Slump" (Gearhead Records RPM 032) (LP/CD 9/02)
- "Demonology-If You Can´t Join Us Beat Us" (Gearhead Records RPM 042) (CD 3/04)
- "R!ot In Japan" (Ryow-Ken Record FZCY-9001/2) (2CD 4/04)
- "Ace In The Hole" (Alaska Productions Roaar CD002) (CD/LP 09/08)
[edit] EPs and 10"
- ""Demons" ...Come Burst!ng Out!" (Steer Records 10.001) (10" 12/98) (re released by Gearhead Records on CD and 12" in September 2000)
- "(Her Name Was) Tragedy EP" (Alaska Productions/Swedish Punks RAM 001) (CD 10/06)
[edit] Singles and 7"
- "Electrocute" (Ruff Nite Records RNR 007) (7"-single 11/97)
- Electrocute is a song by the Swedish rock band "Demons" released on a 7" single in November 1997 on the Philadelphia based label Ruff Nite. B side contains "Run Me Over" and "Some Days Are Worse Than Others". All three were written by singer/guitarist Mathias "Hep Cat Matt" Carlsson. The record was exclusively printed on black and red vinyl with a black and white cover. Only a 1000 copies were made. Electrocute and "Run Me Over" were later released on cd on the "Demons" album "Demonology - If You Can't Join Us Beat Us" released by Gearhead Records in April 2004. Electrocute was covered by The Hellacopters on their final album Head Off and was performed during their final tour, The Tour Before The Fall. "Demons" performed together with The Hellacopters as early as 1997 and they have recorded a Radio Birdman medley with Nicke Andersson as guest guitarist. "Demons" also opened up on the Scandinavian leg of The Hellacopters final tour during October 2008.
- ""My Bleeding Heart"" (Tornado Ride) (7"-single 02/09)
[edit] Compilations
- "Another Real Cool Time - More Distorted Sounds From The North" (Fuzzbomb Records Fuzz 001) (CD 11/96)
- "Hell On Earth-Hail To Misfits" (Tribute Records Tr 004) (CD 2/97) (re released in USA by Cleopatra in 2000)
- "Stranded In A Dolls House-A Tribute To Johnny Thunders And Jerry Nolan" (Hurtin´ Records 005) (CD 5/97)
- "Weird, Waxed And Wired" (Radio Blast Records RBO 19) (CD 6/98)
- "Swedish Sins ´99" (White Jazz Records Jazz 014) (CD 3/99)
- "Flattery-A Tribute To Radio Birdman Vol 2" (NoMango Records Mark Ivb/fr-016b) (CD 2/00)
- "Riot On The Rocks Vol 2" (Safety Pin Records Sprotrcd 002) (CD 9/00)
- "Smash Up Derby" (Gearhead Records RPM 041) (CD 2/03)
- "The Thingmaker" (Gearhead Records RPM 051) (CD 2/04)
- "Welcome To Gearhead Country" (Gearhead Records RPM 061) (CD02/06)
- "Flattery-A Tribute To Radio Birdman Vol 3" (NoMango Records Mark Ivc/fr-016c) (CD 4/07)
- "Bootleg Series Vol 1 (Up North/Downunder)" (Bootleg Booze - Booze 024) (LP TBA 2009)
