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- You didn't have much luck with the
labels that released your stuff. Why is that? The reason why you started
Blast Records?
We've experienced something of a Murphy's Law when it comes to record
labels. Half of them are run by yuppie-wannabees and half by crooks or
idealists (easily mistaken to be the same). I started Blast Records to
be able to have Bamboozle released under license as the boss over the label,
who first released the songs on two different albums, didn't speak English
- so he refused to work for a license overseas as that meant he had to
speak English. I bought the tapes from his label and released it in Europe
through Wolverine instead. The STEREOIDS album was just a natural continuance
of our tours in Germany through 1996-1998. A number of the songs were written
in the tour-van and later rehearsed on soundcheck and played at the gig
the same evening.
I guess we've been "wrong-in-the-time-loop". When we do stuff - it's
not the most popular music to do. And when our music is at phase with the
business - we are to old to put on posters. But we never got into the business
to make millions anyway - so that's okey. I do hope thou that upcoming
bands will give us credit, and not pretend that they invented this genre
themself (as we've given credit to our idols).
- How come your catchy, radio-friendly
music never got the proper media exposure?
We don't bend over. And we're too ugly to put on TV and chewing gum.
Hard luck.
- What are some of the biggest problems
you've encountered?
Money-driven label CO's and tour managers. People over 40 trying to
dress punk as they're only in it for the money (hanging us out to dry).
We've been screwed so many times that it hurts. If you mix that with the
already mentioned Murphy's Law - like the last time we we're on our way
to Japan (for the 3rd failing time). The tickets were paid for by the Swedish
Cultural Commerce, a reason that earlier has forced us to say no to tours
in Asia. Then our contact at Crown Records in Japan is HIT BY A STROKE!
This is 2 weeks before we planned to go. He ends up in a wheelchair and
the whole Scandinavian department was closed down as he was the only one
who knew stuff... Kinda sucks.
- What are the bands that influenced
your music?
In the beginning it was more 60's punk bands (Standells, Chocolate
Watchband, Sonics). But by the time we released Some Fun in 1989 my taste
had turned to Australian bands (Eastern Dark, Celibate Rifles, Lime Spiders).
But I guess throughout the 90's it has been a revival for me to classic
Power Pop bands (Plimsouls, Paul Collins, Blondie, Knack, Cheap Trick).
- Tell us something about the solo album
you're working on.
I'm just fooling around at the moment trying to learn my new studio.
I guess "ordinary" listeners will describe it as just another PY recording.
But I believe I do develop my sound for each album. But I'm stuck in the
crossing of power pop and punk. I just love the mix of energy and melodies.
Some tunes has come out thou. I guess I have turned to a more modern sound,
like the bands of today I enjoy: The Flashing Lights, The Krispies (Finland),
Silver Suns, Barely Pink, Mayflies USA, Rosenbergs, Shazam, Redd Kross,
Wheelie, Centro-Matic, Churchills, Yum Yums, Weezer - there are many! It
strikes me every time I try write a song. But it won't be out in a year
or so.
- What are the ex-members of P.Youth
currently doing? Are they still in the music scene?
If we take the last three line ups:
Jorgen Westman - project manager within BOWNE Global Solutions.
Crippa Odin (base) - studying to be a youth leader.
Ulf Abrahamsson (guitar) - works with nursing elder people.
Dennis Staaf (drums) - studying to be a flight leader (!) and to take
his next grade in Karate.
Gunnar Frick (f. base/organ) - stying to be a "bookworm" (some social
study ...)
Kent Sjöholm (f. drums) - works at Volvo Trucks.
Magnus Nyberg (f. guitar) - project manager at Adera (IT).
- About your latest EP release from
the last ever gig you did two years ago?
A private recording that ended up pretty good. A guy in Italy (Marco
Sannino) at Gonna Puke Records hassled me over and over, asking for stuff
to release. Finally I gave him the live tracks to get him off my back :-)
The moment of the gig was very special to me. We started out in 1984-1985
in the little town of Kramfors (in northern Sweden) where the Festival
was held at mid summers eve 1999. As we had decided to quit a couple of
months before - the moment was perfect to "close the circle". We ended
"were we started" with all our friends and family - only 15 years later.
- Tell us if the Psychotic Youth are
currently having the pause or you broke up for good? Can we expect some
"reunion" gigs?
We will play again. We like each other too much to call it quits. Maybe
in 2-3 years.
- Message for the end...
Stay true to your school!