Warheads (band)

Last updated
Warheads performing in Stockholm in 2010 Warheads2010.jpg
Warheads performing in Stockholm in 2010

Warheads was a Swedish punk rock band, active from 1979 to 1981. It is often regarded as one of the more influential groups within the Swedish punk rock,[ citation needed ] although the band did not release any albums. Several of the members continued in the 1980s in internationally known groups. Warheads has been cited as a precursor to thrash metal. [1]

Punk rock is a rock music genre that emerged in the mid-1970s in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in 1960s garage rock and other forms of what is now known as "proto-punk" music, punk rock bands rejected perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock. They typically produced short, fast-paced songs with hard-edged melodies and singing styles, stripped-down instrumentation, and often political, anti-establishment lyrics. Punk embraces a DIY ethic; many bands self-produce recordings and distribute them through independent record labels.

Thrash metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and often fast tempo. The songs usually use fast percussive beats and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead guitar work. The lyrical subject matter often deals with criticisms of The Establishment, and at times shares a disdain for Christian dogma resembling that of their black metal counterparts. The language is typically quite direct and denunciatory, an approach borrowed from hardcore punk.

Contents

History

Warheads has its origins in the band Mob, sometimes known as Mob -77.[ citation needed ] The band was formed in 1976 in a school in Stockholm. The initial lineup lasted for one gig, and led to the better-known line-up consisting of, among others, Mats Cavonius on vocals, Stellan Hemringe and Janne Oldeus (Pain, Imps, Jerry Williams) on guitar, Thomas Biström bass, and Peter Öman and Mike "Bruppe" Ramnesäter on drums. The band made a name for itself by among other things that Cavonius on a show, inspired by Iggy Pop, cut himself with a knife in the stomach.[ citation needed ] The band also participated in a punk film by Stig Larsson.

Stockholm Capital city in Södermanland and Uppland, Sweden

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and the most populous urban area in the Nordic countries; 965,232 people live in the municipality, approximately 1.6 million in the urban area, and 2.4 million in the metropolitan area. The city stretches across fourteen islands where Lake Mälaren flows into the Baltic Sea. Outside the city to the east, and along the coast, is the island chain of the Stockholm archipelago. The area has been settled since the Stone Age, in the 6th millennium BC, and was founded as a city in 1252 by Swedish statesman Birger Jarl. It is also the county seat of Stockholm County.

Jerry Williams (singer) Swedish singer

Sven Erik Fernström, better known by the stage name Jerry Williams, was a Swedish singer and actor. He began his career as the lead singer of The Violents, before launching a solo career.

Iggy Pop American rock singer-songwriter, musician, and actor

James Newell Osterberg Jr., better known as Iggy Pop, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and actor. Designated the "Godfather of Punk", he was the vocalist of influential proto-punk band The Stooges, who were formed in 1967 and have disbanded and reunited multiple times since. Initially playing a raw, primitive style of rock and roll, the band sold few records in their original incarnation and gained a reputation for their confrontational performances, which often involved acts of self-mutilation by Pop. Iggy famously had a colourful and often influential friendship and collaboration with David Bowie over the course of his career, beginning with Iggy & The Stooges' influential glam punk Raw Power album in 1973. Having relocated to West Berlin to wean themselves off their respective drug addictions, Pop began a solo career with the 1977 albums The Idiot and Lust for Life, recorded in collaboration with Bowie. Throughout his career, Iggy is well known for his outrageous and unpredictable stage antics and distinctive voice.

In 1978 and Biström left and Björne Fröberg (later in The Nomads) was added on bass. The band then changed its name to Aoouh!. Further changes came when Cavonius quit and Pelle Almgren joined the band as lead singer, leaving the band with Almgren on vocals, Fröberg on bass, Hemringe on guitar and Micke Ramnesäter on drums. The band changed their name again, this time to Warheads. Soon Ramnesäter quit the band, and was replaced by Jesper Sporre. In 1979 Warheads released their first EP,Dagen är natt and they started building a reputation outside Stockholm.[ citation needed ] In 1980 they appeared on the compilation LP Let It Out. Warheads continued to play gigs around the Stockholm area for a brief period, but struggled internally. Finally, in 1981 Almgren quit and Warheads broke up.

The Nomads (Swedish band)

The Nomads are a Swedish garage punk band founded in 1981 by Hans Östlund, Nick Vahlberg, Joakim Tärnström, and Ed Johnson. Today, Östlund and Vahlberg are the only members left of the original line-up.

Pelle Almgren went on to found the glam rock band Easy Action. Björne Fröberg eventually became a member of The Nomads, and Jesper Sporre changed his name to Gyp Casino and became the drummer for Hanoi Rocks.

Glam rock is a style of rock music that developed in the United Kingdom in the early 1970s performed by musicians who wore outrageous costumes, makeup, and hairstyles, particularly platform shoes and glitter. Glam artists drew on diverse sources across music and throwaway pop culture, ranging from bubblegum pop and 1950s rock and roll to cabaret, science fiction, and complex art rock. The flamboyant clothing and visual styles of performers were often camp or androgynous, and have been described as playing with nontraditional gender roles. "Glitter rock" was another term used to refer to a more extreme version of glam.

Easy Action (band) Swedish glamrock band

Easy Action is a Swedish band from Stockholm that was first formed in 1981 by Pelle Almgren (ex-Warhead), Henrik "2 meter" Jermsten (ex-Stoodes), Bosse Belsen and Björne Fröberg. Bosse and Björne quit and were replaced by Ola "Skox" Andersson and drummer Urban "Ubbe" Sundbaum. Stranded Records became interested and released the single "Honcho Bongo". It didn't sell well and when the second single, "Om jag vore kung", also failed the band split up. Skox and 2 meter formed Psyhedelic Mongo and Pelle Almgren started writing songs instead.

Gyp Casino is a Swedish rock drummer. He played in Warheads and was the original drummer for Hanoi Rocks. He was replaced by Razzle in 1982. Although he does not appear on the cover for Self Destruction Blues, Casino does play on the record.

In 2004 musicians from bands like Maryslim, Backyard Babies, Hellacopters and The Maggots formed the one-off band Urrke T & the Midlife Crisis and recorded a 3-track single with cover versions of old Swedish punk songs, including Aoouh! / Warheads "Center of Lies".

Backyard Babies Swedish band

Backyard Babies are a rock band from Nässjö, Sweden. The band was formed in 1989 and over the years they have released seven studio albums and won two Swedish Grammy Awards. The band is now located in Stockholm.

Members

1979

1979-1981

Discography

Related Research Articles

The Hives Swedish rock band

The Hives are a Swedish rock band that rose to prominence in the early 2000s during the post-punk revival. Their mainstream success came with the release of the album Veni Vidi Vicious, containing the single "Hate to Say I Told You So". The band has been acclaimed by music critics as one of the best live rock bands in 2012.

Hanoi Rocks Finnish rock band

Hanoi Rocks was a Finnish rock band formed in 1979. They were the first Finnish band to chart in the UK and they were also popular in Japan. The band broke up in June 1985 after the drummer Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley died in a car accident during their first US tour in December 1984. Original vocalist Michael Monroe and guitarist Andy McCoy reunited in 2001 with a new lineup that lasted until 2009. Although musically closer to traditional rock n' roll and punk, the band have been cited as a major influence in the glam metal genre for bands such as Guns N' Roses, Skid Row and Poison.

The (International) Noise Conspiracy Swedish rock band

The (International) Noise Conspiracy were a Swedish rock band formed in Sweden in the late months of 1998. The line-up consists of Dennis Lyxzén (vocals), Inge Johansson (bass), Lars Strömberg (guitar), and Ludwig Dahlberg (drums). The band is known for its punk and garage rock musical influences, and its impassioned left-wing political stance. Up until 2004, guitarist/organist/keyboardist Sara Almgren was also a member of the band. Dennis formed The (I)NC almost immediately after the breakup of his former band, Refused. The (I)nc takes pride in blending the roots of at least four other bands, including Totalt Jävla Mörker (Johansson), Separation (Strömberg), Saidiwas, and Doughnuts (Almgren). In 2007, Inge Johansson also played in the band The Most.

D.A.D. (band) Danish band

D-A-D is a Danish rock band. It was originally named "Disneyland After Dark", but changed their name to avoid a lawsuit from The Walt Disney Company.

Sahara Hotnights all-female rock band from Robertsfors, Sweden

Sahara Hotnights is an all-female rock band from Robertsfors, Sweden. Their style incorporates elements of garage rock, power pop and punk.

Skids (band) rock band from Scotland

Skids are a Scottish punk rock and new wave band, formed in Dunfermline, Fife, in 1977 by Stuart Adamson, William Simpson, Thomas Kellichan (drums) and Richard Jobson. Their biggest success was the 1979 single "Into the Valley" and the 1980 album The Absolute Game. In 2016 the band announced a 40th anniversary tour of the UK with their original singer Richard Jobson.

Mob 47 is a hardcore punk band which formed in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1982, originally under the name of "Censur". In 1983 the band members changed the name to what it's now called, "Mob 47", when singer Mentis entered the band. During their early years they played with the band Anti Cimex. They were influenced by bands such as Discharge, Crucifix, D.R.I., and B.G.K.. They have been described as the fastest of the Swedish D-beat groups.

Blitzkrieg Bop were a punk rock band formed in Teesside, England in February 1977. They were named after a song by the Ramones with the same name. They released three singles. These were "Let's Go"/ "Bugger Off" / "9 Till 5" ; "Let's Go" (re-recorded) / "Life Is Just A So-So" / "Mental Case" ; and "(You're Like A) UFO" / "Viva Bobby Joe". A collection of all these tracks, plus other unreleased material, was released in 1998 entitled Top of the Bops (Overground), but it is currently out of print.

Kaipa Swedish progressive rock group

Kaipa is a Swedish progressive rock musical group.

Leather Nun

The Leather Nun are a Swedish rock group. Careening from garage rock to goth and industrial, Leather Nun became cult heroes in their native land. In the early eighties they often shocked their audiences by showing adult movies and being accompanied by strippers when on stage.

Fræbbblarnir were formed in Iceland in 1978 and released a number of records until they quit early in 1983. A punk-pop band playing short, melodic songs fast and raw, they were inspired by the Ramones, Clash, Stranglers, Jam, Sex Pistols, Damned, Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias, Stiff Little Fingers, Undertones, Buzzcocks, Crass, Elvis Costello, Ian Dury and the rest of the early punk and New Wave scene, as well as 1960s bands like the Kinks and Troggs. They appeared in the documentary Rokk í Reykjavík, and the album “Viltu nammi væna?” is regarded as a classic.

Brats were a Danish (Copenhagen) band formed in 1977 as a punk rock band. Original line-up featured Hank Shermann on guitar, vocalist Franz De Zaster, drummer Eddie Haircut and bassist Mickey Rat. After recording songs for Danish Pære Punk compilation, the band split up in 1979, not much later reforming as a heavy metal band with new members. Hank Shermann was the only original member left, and he recruited bass guitarist and vocalist Yenz Leonhardt, drummer Lars Monroe and later second guitarist Michael Denner. This line-up signed a contract with CBS.

Totalitär is a Swedish hardcore punk band formed in 1984-1985 in Hudiksvall. The band plays in the style of D-beat and hardcore punk.

Sami Yaffa Finnish musician

Sami Yaffa is a bass guitarist best known for his work in New York Dolls, Michael Monroe's bands, and Hanoi Rocks. He is currently the bassist for the Michael Monroe band and Compulsions. He also plays guitar in his own band Mad Juana.

<i>Stockholm Syndrome</i> (Backyard Babies album) 2003 studio album by Backyard Babies

Stockholm Syndrome is an album by Backyard Babies, released in 2003.

The Solution is a blue-eyed soul band that was formed by the American Scott Morgan and Swede Nick Royale after previously working together in the rock n roll band The Hydromatics.

Masshysteri were a Swedish Post-Punk band, formed in Umeå in 2008. The group consisted of Robert Pettersson, Sara Almgren, Kajsa Bergsten and Erik Viklund (drums)

Skebokvarnsv. 209 is the fourth solo album of Swedish rock musician Joakim Thåström. It was released on November 16, 2005, by Sonet and Universal.

References

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.