Two years ago Stereolith had the honour to open for Europe on their Nordic tour. Two bands from two different generations of hard rock. Europe sailed through the eighties mostly under the term “melodic hard rock” (strange term btw, as if other types of hard rock didn’t have melodies) and they were quite successful at that. Almost two decades separate the bands, but they fit together quite well, as Stereolith may be viewed as a 20th century counterpart in style. That is, with the hard rock and metal of today as the base, catchy melodies and a strong front figure and songwriter in Oscar Ammer. I do hope though, that they skip the modern version of “Carrie” ;-)

Be Alone:

Nickelback is close by to compare with, but I think that Stereolith feels heavier and less polished (nice). The grunge has also a significant influence, which is quite obvious in some songs.
Listen to and download a couple of tracks from Stereolith’s debut album:

Still Strong
Be Alone

Besök Stereoliths hemsida och deras Myspace-sida

The first time I heard Vindra, a couple of years ago, I dismissed them somewhat hastily. But the more songs I listened to they grew upon me and I started to hear the facets of their music. I like their style, and in fact I think they have found their own lane with a sound that feels like it’s their own.

From my point of view this feels like a mix between the FM rock of the eighties and some of the more atmospheric pop of this century, if that makes sense to you :-) I like the space in their productions, the dynamics, in the middle of the present loudness war with all compressed pop and rock releases, and it makes me rather comfortable to listen to Vindra for a while. Of course inventive and creative songwriting helps along with a high class singer and front man.

Vindra comes from Linköping, Sweden, they started as a band in 2004 and have released two EP:s sofar and this year participated on three collections. In 2009 they will release their debut full length album.

Get to know Vindra:

Will We Ever Know
Incomplete
Clouds

Besök Vindra’s site and Vindra on Myspace

Eddie Wheeler is and has been a quite busy man. He has toured extensively, not only in Sweden, but also in England, Australia and in the US. Many recognise him from the Swedish TV show Raggadish, which followed him on an international tour in 2006. Besides the concerts Eddie is also a frequent speaker in schools, conferences and other events.

Sofar he has released a couple of EP:s and is just about to release another one, which will be celebrated with a concert at Pustervik the 20th of November. The EP is a taste of the coming full length album, to be released in spring.

The 2nd of December is the opening night for the Eddie Wheeler Christmas show at Kontiki in Göteborg, Sweden. A live club where independent artists will perform every Tuesday during three weeks in December. Eddie Wheeler himself in the company of Jacques Labouchere will be the first acts.

Here you can get to know Eddie Wheeler’s music in a couple of tracks. I think acoustic rock is a good description of his music. And it is a naked form of rock, with a mellow ambience, gripping and in some kind of way honest. Listen for yourself:

How Far
The First

Visit Eddie Wheeler’s site or his Myspace page to listen some more.

Classic psychadelia music is what I first hear when I listen to Mother and Sun. The experimental rock scene that started in the end of the sixties and evolved further in the beginning of the seventies. Somewhere there I find the roots of Mother and Sun. They sound heavier than their predecessors though and they add massive sounds that make they sound very special. Organs and synths help to create the atmosphere but it’s the complex guitars that is the base of it all. From the most broken-down guitar sounds to The Edge-sounding atmospheric tones. Interesting and varying, a lot of ambience and different.

Mother and Sun started in 2004 and has become an appreciated live act, foremost in the Uppsala area. Earlier this year they participated on the Psychadelia collection “Trip In Time vol III“, they will release a split album soon together with Mugwumps and in the end of this year they start recording a full length album.

Here’s a couple of great tracks:

Lasting the Circle
Time to Vertigo

Visit Mother and Sun on Myspace

Behind this bandname hides Petter Hillström, who released his debut album “Hillström & Billy” on the 10th of November. If you are one of those that have started using your old record player again, then this release is perfect for you since the physical release of the album is on vinyl.

“American roots music and British folk with a light twist of modern pop” Petter describes his music. A good description, although in my ears the pop influence is more than a light twist in many songs. I have no problem with that since these songs are really good pop songs, and also quite varying, with nice melodies and sometimes with a retro feeling. This together with the more folk based tracks makes the album very interesting. Below you can listen to a couple of songs.

If you’re in Stockholm tonight, I can recommend a visit to the live club Bara Unplugged where Hillström & Billy will perform together with Mårten Lärka and Kinski.

If You Don’t Come Home
Hard to Grasp

Visit Hillström & Billy on Myspace