The Bukks - Rockets
Ahead - Imported from Sweden by Listening-Post.com
The Bukks started out as a Johnny Thunders cover band.
Mikael Herrström and Lars Bygdén had met each other in connection
with recording the $ 1000 playboys which Lars was leading at the time.
Johnny Thunders was new to Lars and initially met with some resistance,
soon to be broken down and turned into love by Mikael's force feeding
of the same. The first ever recorded collaboration between the two was
a stripped down version of Thunders (She's so) Untouchable, featuring
stand up bass and some smokey blue note piano.
Soon to be drummer and bass man - P-A Wikander and
Nik Barwe were approached and The Bukks first rehearsal took place some
time early 2001.
During this time Mikael had begun to record simple computer demos of speedy
rock songs which sounded strange and bizarre due to lack of technological
means. He was encouraged by this pitched up toy like sound and invited
Lars who was equally thrilled and they baptized it MangaRock, after the
Asian comic book style to which they could clearly see parallels
They started replacing the covers with their own songs and during their
first ever performance at a Christmas show at Stockholm's Finest- Debaser,
they had only five finished songs, but the crowd were ecstatic so they
knew they must have hit something right.
It was decided to record a demo to which Daniel Zqaty (ex Bob Hund) was
invited to produce and play synth. It turned out well, so well that the
next decision was to get a recording contract no matter what the record
industry might have to say about it. They soon found themselves on the
doorstep to Dust Music, who strangely understood what they heard, and
a deal was signed in blood.
Recording of Rockets Ahead started out in Dust Music's studio in Karlstad.
A no window, no slack room all digital place with the accompanying hum
of fan systems for a bedtime lullaby, as the band also lived in this environment
the studio was quickly renamed Dust Hilton.
Nevertheless, or because of, the record that came out is filled to the
brim with High Energy MangaRock! All those ones and zeroes must have crazed
at the sound of the Manga...
- We love that over earthly frenzy that can be heard on old vinyl records
from Rock n´Rolls childhood.
We just want to be in that lightning and format it into the space age.
The bukkeys one by one:
P-A Wikander - The star drummer no 1 since his days as keeping the beat
for Sweden's indie band no 1 - Popsicle. He comes from Öjebyn, Piteå
where he started his journey towards stardom as stick boy for the strikingly
named band Joy Boy.
Lars Bygdén - The man with the beard. In the public eye and ear
for heartfelt singing and songwriting with his 18-wheeler band The $ 1000
playboys.
He originates from Sundsvall, Norrland light.
Was in his youth in another strikingly named band -
Golden shower...
Nik Barwe - The bands only father. Received in the town of Norrköping.
Played guitar in the notorious band Cod Lovers in the indiedays of the
mid 90´s.
Mikael Herrström - Born and bred in Stockholm. First chords struck
with the teenage punk band Ösregn. Moved on to start and sing in
The Fire Engines in the early 90´s. Released at least one solo album
and writes and sings the bukk songs together with Lars.
Daniel Zqaty - born somewhere in deep space, probably close Stella Polaris
as he is always a light in the night. Keeps the whole band as "prospects"
meaning he will join fulltime if the band makes it big...!
This version of the Rockets Ahead CD includes the bonus video for THE
MOVE
The Bukks - Rockets Ahead - Imported from Sweden by Listening-Post.com
Price - $16.00
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