Here is another compilation album of interest from South America, the 1984 release “Metal Pesado”. This is the third of its kind released by CBS over there from back in the day that I have seen (got the other two in the old collection). Apparently, hard rock and metal was exploding over there at the time and the labels did their best to promote their bands. Some really good tunes on this album, like Ozzy “Bark At The Moon”, Judas Priest “Freewheel Burning”, Accept “Balls To The Wall” and 220 Volt “Firefall”. I like these weird albums and they did serve a purpose. 220 Volt, of course, came out of Sweden (Östersund, Jämtland County). They were in good company.
(Cover is from official platforms, thank you Jonas for pointing me to this)
Busy updating this blog with more tags and 2020-2024 is done (which means 2012-2019 is still work in process). New tags are “220 Volt”, “Black Sabbath”, “DVDs & Blu-rays”, “J-Pop”, “Japanese rock & metal”, “Tarja & Nightwish”, “Vikings”, “Tommy Bolin” and “Xena Warrior Princess”. A tag basically means that you have blogs within the blog. Way easier to find stuff. To follow special interests only, if that suits you. It will probably take a week or two before it is all done.
Today I have presented an interview with Mats Karlsson of 220 Volt that was made back in 2002. Seen here is the original Limited Edition 1982 single “Prisoner Of War”/”Sauron” (highly collectable) and the 2002 and onwards reunion albums that came out with the old band before the band moved on again. “Volume 1” was a self financed album that saw release in 2002 (1,000 copies). Five rerecorded tracks from the early days and an additional five (plus a medley) recorded live at the Sweden Rock Festival that year. Then you have the 2005 live album “Made In Jämtland”, recorded 2002-2004 in Jämtland County. This has some 220 Volt classics from the Joakim Lundholm era on it as well. Not sure exactly when the old band folded but they were back with another lineup and an album called “Walking In Starlight” in 2014.
Originally formed in 1979, Swedish rockers 220 Volt first emerged on the scene in 1982 with the limited edition debut single “Prisoner Of War”/”Sauron” and in 1983 they were signed to CBS and a string of highly regarded albums followed over a five year period in which they were heralded as one of the top bands coming out of Scandinavia. Guitarist Mats Karlsson was, it should be pointed out, always the motor behind the band. I saw him grow from a young Ritchie Blackmore fan into a great guitarist with fantastic ideas and a wonderful sound that was, and is, his own. The band broke up in the early 1990s but in 2002 the pre-album lineup of 1982 reunited to have another crack at it. This interview was made at my place in Östersund (Jämtland County) at that time, with me writing out questions on my computer and Mats writing out his answers right there in the same room. In that sense, it is a postcard from 2002 (and not long after this interview was made they performed at the Sweden Rock Festival). As such it has some historical interest and at this point in time (2024) this went down half way through their long and illustrious career. So here is the 2002 interview, enjoy!
…
When 220 Volt broke up in 1992, did you ever think in your wildest dreams that the band would be back in action again, and not even in that lineup but the actual original band that recorded the first single in 1982?
– ”No!! I was fed up with the business in general at that point. That is why I started to mainly work for others. Let them deal with the bullshit, I just played my guitar, got my money and left”.
When did you start to think about it?
– ”I was transferring a lot of old demos from cassette to CD. That is when I stumbled onto some stuff with 220 Volt that still excited me. I thought it was a shame that a lot of people (most people actually) never got to hear it. I talked to the other guys if we could do something about it. That is when we discovered that we also had an anniversary to celebrate. 20 years since our very first single”.
When you first started to talk about it, did the first discussions include thoughts about recording an album as well, or was the reunion originally more about lowkey concerts around your old hometown of Östersund, just to mark the 20th anniversary and to have some fun?
– ”Originally we thought about just doing a show in our hometown to celebrate it. We recorded some demos and thought, what the hell… if anyone is interested in releasing this, lets go for it. So an album is the goal, but we are not sure it is gonna happen though. But we are working on it and we are looking for a suitable label, it is on our terms this time”.
The band had a lot of material back then that was never actually recorded, what songs did you first start to think about again and was it strange to look at them again after all these years?
– ”We have lots of stuff from rehearsals saved from back then, so we have listened through most of it and found some gems. We also did a few demos so there is plenty to choose from if we would like to. “Black Angel” was always a favourite and “White Knight”. These were for several reasons never included on the first albums. It feels great to have another look at these songs and make them playable”.
What song was the first that you started to work on and why did you pick that song before the others?
– ”I think “Electric Power” (also an unreleased track ) was the first one. It sort of sums up the energy and the spirit of the band from that period in time. It is also a classic 220 Volt riff. It is a song that myself and Thomas Drevin always wanted to do before but it was too complicated and was never performed live before. This was our chance for revenge, he, he…”.
How many songs have you considered to bring back from the old days at the moment?
– ”If you mean songs you have not heard? At the moment I think we are working on four songs for inclusion in the current liveset. If there will be an album there will be more digging done in the archives”.
How much have you worked on the songs, will they remain fairly the same or does it differ from song to song?
– ”One song called “Don´t Come My Way” is based on a guitar riff from 1982, we also kept the title and the first vocal-line. The rest is completely new. That song came out great I think and on a few other songs we have changed bits and pieces but we have tried to keep the old spirit. Again, we have tried to make them playable. We wanted a lot when we were younger but we could not quite make it musically. These songs that we are working on now were written when we were 16-18 years old”.
During the rehearsal I saw the other day, you played a nine minute song that was very heavy. I noticed that you called it “Grisen” (roughly translated “The Pig”), but that was just your nickname for it. So what is the actual title of that song and is that song new or is it one of the old ones?
– ”It is called “White Knight” and it is a pig to play. In a way it is connected to the b-side of our first single “Sauron” and can be seen as sort of an extension to that song. We have a loose idea of putting together one more track to those two, to complete the trilogy. We do not mind that they are filming “The Lord Of The Rings” at the moment, but our songs were written 20 years ago so they are stealing our idea, but we are open-minded and friendly people… we will not sue first…”.
Do you have a favourite song yourself at this particular point and what attracts you to that song?
– ”From a pure guitarists point of view, I would say “White Knight”, “Electric Power” and “Firefall” at the moment. They are a challenge to play and there are lots of fun guitar parts. If you ask me next week I might have changed my mind”.
In what way do you think that the reunion album will differ from the other albums released earlier by the other versions of 220 Volt? It sounds to me like it can end up being the hardest ever, would you agree?
– ”Yes! We had more fast and furious tracks with this lineup. It is classic hard rock/HM”.
How does it feel to work with the original band again?
– ”It is great!! Big smiles all around !”.
No worries that it has been a while since you worked together?
– ”Not really. But we have worked together on other projects after we were in 220 Volt so I think we knew where we had each other. Pretty much anyway”.
How closely do you work with Thomas Drevin on the new songs? Is it fair to say that the two of you do most of the work as far as the writing is concerned?
– ”We have had a few weekends when we have worked on the old songs that Thomas and I wrote back then. Peter Hermansson on the drums usually writes some stuff as well. But we have all been a part of making new versions of the material. And we have made even more changes in rehearsals. So I think that Thomas and I have been the engine and the other guys are the sparkplugs…”.
What is his best strength as a guitarist in your opinion?
– ”He is very unpredictable. He rarely does the same thing twice. He also has an odd sense of timing which makes some of his parts very personal”.
In the old days the two of you used to play harmonies together and this was a trademark that pretty much ended when he was replaced after the recording of the “Power Games” album. Are you working in much the same way again or has anything changed since back then when you work on the songs together?
– ”Nothing has changed, but we give each other some more room to shine individually as well. So there you have it, nothing has changed”.
Have you written any new songs that will mix with the old on the reunion album?
– ”We have ideas that we have not had time to work so much on which sound promising. I think it will sound more modern but with the same twist to it. There is a certain chemistry between these five guys and it tends to end up a certain way. Later on in our career I think we listened to a lot of other people about how it should sound or look. With this line-up we could not care less, we always did things our way. And it is the same today”.
Do you have a title for the album?
– ””Electric Power” probably. We also have a great cover if that will be the title. We have to reach an agreement with the artist, but it is the perfect cover I think”.
I know that you have all said that you are doing this for the fun of it and the plans may not stretch very far into the future, but if all goes well and you still feel that you are up for more next year could we possibly look at more to come from 220 Volt?
– ”I am pretty sure of that yes…”.
The band never released a live album, is that an option this time around?
– ”If we get the chance to record a new album first, it is not impossible. I know we would like to. We have spent some time together rehearsing now and things are falling into place. So I would say that anything is possible if the circumstances are right”.
How will you deal with the classics from the back catalouge? Will Christer sing things like “Heavy Christmas” and “Power Games” and is it not just natural that the band gives the fans a little bit of everything although they will get to see the original band and not the lineups that featured Joakim Lundholm on vocals?
– ”In the beginnig, the live set will be based on older material and new material mostly. We hope that people will like the new stuff just as much, or perhaps even more??? We would like to present material that this lineup was involved in first and foremost, but there are certain things we can not leave out”.
Fans outside of Scandinavia may want to know if the band is willing to travel to other places if the offer came in, but how much have you talked about this? After all, even though you are doing this just for fun you will release an album as well so that will in itself make the reunion well documented and debated by fans all over the world.
– ”Have band, will travel!! If the circumstances are right, anything is possible!!”.
If an offer to support somebody in, say, Germany popped up, would you consider it?
-” Yes! In fact we have already been asked to support an American band, but we passed due to other commitments”.
Could 220 Volt carry on just for fun, making an album every now and then and a few concerts here and there kind of on the side, with you guys living your ordinary lives and releasing other projects, like in your case you have your own music to think about as well, but could it work for years to come and would you be open for that?
– ”I think that is a possibility. At the moment we live far apart which makes the Internet and broadband access a necessity, since we can send music back and forth. If there is an interest in the band I think that we will consider it”.
How close are you to releasing anything in your own name?
– ”Extremely! No just kidding. I have not made a serious attempt yet. It would be great though. I hope to find some more time to work on stuff soon. 220 Volt has been very time consumig for a while, but there are ideas waiting to be recorded”.
How many songs have you written for your own career and how would you describe the music that you are writing these days?
– ”I have 20-25 songs on demos. And 500 ideas. The music is “rockpopheaviersoftersingersongwriterreaggeacousticpunk”. I am trying to write anything I could not fit into any band I have played with and do not care too much about what style it is, as long as I like it. I also plan to handle the vocals myself. Labels out there, beware I might hunt you down”.
Do you have a band in mind for your own future?
– ”If my own stuff becomes an album or two in the end, I hope to get Björn Höglund (from folk rockers Hoven Droven) on drums. At least for the recordings. My older brother is a keyboard player and he is very good, so I hope he will help out. I also have a good friend called Lollopop who is an amazing bass player, so there is a few guys I would like to work more with. When it comes to live work, I would probably need someone who can help out with backing vocals and percussion. I would really like to do this, so that will be my next priority”.
I know that you revisited the old Voltergeist tapes from 1993 recently and worked on them for possible future release, can you tell us how this is progressing? Will we get to hear Voltergeist finally?
– ”I have put lots of work into it and I think it would make a decent album, even though it consists mainly of demos and live stuff. There are, however, some differences of opinion about the release. I would like to release it, it is an interesting piece of history, but I would like us all to agree on it”.
How many guitars do you own these days and when do you use them? Like, do you have a favourite guitar for live work etc?
– ”I have five electric guitars, four Stratocasters and a Flying V. I have some different combinations of pick-ups and necks. I tend to use a 70´s strat a lot. I have had it since 1979 and just had it re-fretted and renovated in general. Apart from that one I tend to use more and more of my maple neck one´s. They have a “sweeter” and cleaner tone. I still use my old 50 watt Marshalls as well. I have a couple that sound good”.
You have played rather loud music for many years, has this in any way affected your hearing?
– ”I have some problems with my left ear. I use earplugs though so I protect myself. I do not think my hearing is affected yet, but I do have an annoying tinnitus in my left ear. Be careful!”.
What favourite artists do you have these days?
– ”I listen to a lot of stuff, but one favourite is a guy called Kevin Gilbert. Unfortunately the guy died a few years ago at the mere age of 29. It is rock, it is drama, it is progressive, extremely good lyrics and the guy played everything. I think I have most of what is out on albums plus a little. It is excellent. I also listen to Sheryl Crow, Deep Purple, AC/DC, Jellyfish (especially “Spilt Milk”) and lots of 220 Volt lately, but that was forced upon me…”.
Will you use the Internet more in the future? Have you considered launching your own site and do you see the Internet as a good or bad influence on things in general these days?
– ”Yes, I consider launching my own small site. It will probably be found through the new official 220 Volt site which will be up and running shortly. I think that the Internet is great for many things. I almost respect that people download lots of music on the web, but I dislike evil persons that steal other peoples music and pretend to be a record company and sell it to make money. That is disgusting. We deal with that in our new song “Don´t Come My Way”. Lots of artists are dealing with this problem and so are we, unfortunately. But we will find you!!!”.
Do you have any favourite sites that you like to visit regularly?
– ”The Highway Star (Deep Purple Family), CARAMBA (Ian Gillan), Lots of music sites in general. I also look for old music on CD (220 Volt bootleg albums and stuff). I use the Internet a lot, but I just surf around, you know”.
Good luck with everything.
– ”Thanks, the guys in the band says hello to you all!”.
(End of interview)
By Mike Eriksson (if quoted let me know about it) – Atlantis Online 2002 / Trinkelbonker (2024)
(Historic colour shots by Michael Johansson, 2002 black & white shots by Staffan Eriksson)
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CLASSIC ROCK INTERVIEWS ON TRINKELBONKER: THEY WATCH US FROM THE MOON 2024 (March 29 2024), BERNIE MARSDEN 1981 (September 3 2023), BRIDEAR 2023 (June 13 2023), STEVE LUKATHER 1989, Part 2 (May 29 2023), LADIES OF ROCK 2008 (April 25 2023), GLENN HUGHES 1993 (February 23 2023), JON LORD 1983 (June 26 2022), BLIND GOLEM 2022 (April 29 2022), PUBLISHER HANS HATWIG 2015 (Part 2, December 24 2021), MURASAKI 2021 (December 3 2021), PUBLISHER HANS HATWIG 2015 (Part 1, November 22 2021), CARINA LIROLA 2008 (November 9 2021), TOTO 1987 (September 17 2021), HEAVEN & EARTH 2001 (July 25 2021), STUART SMITH 1998 (July 4 2021), RAINBOW 1997 (June 28 2021), MARINA AMMOURI 2021 (February 12 2021), VISIONS OF ATLANTIS 2007 (November 10 2020), RITCHIE BLACKMORE & CANDICE NIGHT 2001 (October 27 2020), JOHN NORUM 1988 (October 18 2020), ACCEPT 1986 (July 17 2020), DEEP PURPLE 1996 (June 27 2020), EUROPE 1986 (June 16 2020), DEEP PURPLE PODCAST 2020 (April 6 2020), KIMBERLY GOSS/SINERGY 2002 (March 31 2020), RAINBOW 1997 (March 9 2020), RAINBOW 1996 (March 6 2020), MICHAEL BRADFORD 2003/MAKING OF DEEP PURPLE´S “BANANAS” (March 2 2020), URIAH HEEP 1988 (February 18 2020), ANNE-LIE RYDÉ 1984 (January 21 2020), CRYSTAL VIPER 2020 (January 16 2020), JOHN NORUM 1988 (January 12 2020), ARTOMUS FRIENDSHIP 2019 (November 10 2019), NAZARETH 1989 (August 26 2019), VELVET INSANE 2018 (September 11 2018), JON LORD 1981 (December 15 2015), DAVID COVERDALE 1981 (November 13 2015), GLENN HUGHES 1996 (May 12 2015), TOTO 1988 (March 31 2015), YNGWIE MALMSTEEN 1990 (March 1 2015), MARTINA EDOFF 2009 (December 4 2014), MICHAEL MOJO NILSSON 2014 (January 21 2014), THE HUGHES TURNER PROJECT 2001 (December 29 2013), JOE LYNN TURNER 1996-1998 (October 9 2013), GLENN HUGHES & JOHN NORUM 1988 (September 21 2013), JOE LYNN TURNER 1994-1995 (September 9 2013), JOE LYNN TURNER 1993 (September 7 2013), STEVE LUKATHER 1989 (September 4 2013), BLACK SABBATH 1983 (August 22 2013), RAINBOW 1995 (July 19 2013), MICK UNDERWOOD/GILLAN 1982 (June 11 2013), DEEP PURPLE 2002 (May 2 2013), DEEP PURPLE 1998 ( February 25 2013), BLACK SABBATH 1986 (February 12 2013), BLACK SABBATH 1987-1989 (December 31 2012), JOHNNIE BOLIN 2012 (December 24 2012), MARTIN POPOFF & RICH GALBRAITH 2009 (November 12 2012), DAVID COVERDALE 2000 (October 14 2012), JON LORD 1984 (September 7 2012), JOE LYNN TURNER 1992 (August 31 2012), JUDAS PRIEST 1986 (August 22 2012), RONNIE JAMES DIO 2001 (August 20 2012), NIGHTWISH 2002 (August 14 2012).
Sad to hear that one of the true legends in these parts, Thomas Gillhover, has passed away. In Jämtland County, he was one of the go to guys of his generation. His first band of note was a group called Donnerblitz, that existed between 1980 and 1986. Former 220 Volt singer Christer Åsell (now Nääs), joined in 1983. They cut demos but the band eventually broke up and Thomas and Christer then formed a band called Empire in 1986 with another ex-member of 220 Volt, Thomas Drevin. They performed at a Cancer benefit concert in Östersund at a venue called Storsjöteatern in June that I was involved with. Thomas was very involved in that production, right down to building a huge stage set that looked awesome. Later on, he formed a band called Daylight Dealer, again with Thomas Drevin, but they never released music to the public. He then joined a popular recording outfit called Monaco Blues Band and worked with them (I do recall a live album from his period in the band). I filmed gigs with Donnerblitz, Empire and Monaco Blues Band. Published an interview in a local newspaper when he was part of Monaco Blues Band (tried to locate it today but failed). I also tried to get in touch with TNT when I heard that they had lost their drummer (when I got through I was told that they had a new guy, news did not travel as fast as now in those days). I always thought that he would have been great in Black Sabbath. There is a lot of unreleased music from his career that really ought to be released some day. Loads of rock history. He will be missed.
(My shot of newspaper clip – LT June 20 1986 – Thomas sitting on a chair with Empire, pretty sure it was shot by Lasse Thoresson)
Today I want to give a shoutout to the young rocker that operates the Nasty Metal Productions page on YouTube. His tribute videos are well researched and fun to watch. Today I saw a few of his videos, and I particularly want to highlight the tributes for the 1984 220 Volt album “Power Games” (February 5) and the 1974 Deep Purple classic “Burn” (February 19). These are 40 and 50 years old this month. For a younger rocker, even 1984 is pretty far back, so it is really nice to see the respect that his generation has for the older stuff. Seems to me that it is the music that counts, and that is just wonderful to see. Some of the 220 Volt footage was shot by me back in the day. I have so many great memories from those days. I have posted links to these tribute videos on several pages, so the traffic should pick up nicely. Well deserved too.
Swedish rockers 220 Volt released their second album “Power Games” in February 1984, so it has been 40 years. Some really great tunes on this album, like “Firefall”, “Child Or Beast” and “Mistreated Eyes” (the riff for that one was used for a Swedish radio show back in the day). John Norum once called “Firefall” “The first classic hard rock tune from Sweden” and he has performed it with the band on stage. 220 Volt drummer Peter Hermansson played on his first solo album. I knew them well back in the day, filmed a lot of concerts etc. The ad you see here I put together for Swedish publication Hammer. The positive reviews just poured in. I have a few binders of stuff from back in the day. Good times.
(My shot of said ad and the Sony Music/Columbia 2017 re-release of said CD, the live shot of Mats Karlsson and Peter Olander was taken by Bengt Arne Karlsson)
In the summer of 1989, a Japanese journalist called Yoshiko Watanabe visited Östersund (Jämtland County, Sweden), in order to document the hometown of local hard rock heroes 220 Volt. The band was getting a lot of attention in Japan for their Max Norman produced album “Eye To Eye” at the time. She stayed with me and she took pictures all over town and on Frösön (an Island in Lake Storsjön, on which some of the members had grown up). We also visited parents and they kindly offered up family photographs if that that could help. At the time, I was also involved with another local band called Pride, and Yoshiko included them in her work as well. The four page article then appeared some time later in one of the major Japanese rock publications, Viva Rock (12 1989). I thought that it might be good fun to showcase this on the blog. I also included this in Retrofuture 5 back in the day (story about that is archived on January 29 2023 on this blog). Enjoy.
(My shots of said magazine and 220 Volt story, many thanks Yoshiko for what you did for us)
This is a good memory. On June 24 1986, three bands from Jämtland County (Sweden) teamed up for a Charity event in Östersund from which the proceedings would go to Cancer research. I did a lot of press (and radio) back then and I had a hand in that it happened. But a lot of people did their bit and in the end it turned into a wonderful concert at a venue called Storsjöteatern. The three bands in question were headliners Empire (with members from 220 Volt, Donnerblitz and Suspect), Lester C. Garreth (whom had released an LP with Eddie Meduza in 1984) and Quest. I promoted the show on my Heavy Rock Paradise radio show and on June 20 I had a spread about the upcoming concert in newspaper LT that pretty much guaranteed a healthy turnout. In the end the show sold out (400+ tickets) and it really was a good night. First of all, it was the biggest splash that the newly formed band Empire ever did as a working unit, and with two ex-members of 220 Volt (Christer Åsell and Thomas Drevin) plus a very special guest guitarist for the night in the shape of 220 Volt axe hero Mats Karlsson, it was a strong draw. Empire was a great band but they never released an album, which is a shame. At this moment in time though, they were the big hope on the local scene. They put a lot into this show, and (if memory serves, drummer Thomas Carlsson) built a very cool looking stage for the night. The bands all did well and to top it off members of the then current 220 Volt (including singer Joakim Lundholm and guitarist Peter Olander) ended proceedings with some hard rock and HM classics. Everybody present knew that they had seen something rather unique and I think I saw a lot of happy faces after the end of the show. Everybody on that stage had put in their time for free and the reward came in the form of a brief moment of fame for a job well done. By the way, I do recall that I filmed it (or parts of it, certainly the Grande Finale). Shame that it was not recorded professionally. Would have made a great live album from a good night. At least some of us can say that we were there.
(My shots of June 20 1986 article, I can see that the newspaper switched the images for Quest and Lester C. Garreth, which must have felt pretty awful to see back in the day – promotional and archive images was used for this article)
Looking through old newspapers etc and having a good time finding cool stuff. Swedish rockers 220 Volt made headlines in 1986 when they had to abandon all plans for 227 days in order to to their stint in the military (this was compulsory back in the day, if you refused you went to jail). So after three albums, “220 Volt” (1983), “Power Games” (1984) and “Mind Over Muscle” (1985) and loads of concerts (some with acts like Nazareth and AC/DC) the time came when they had to do their bit. The military were kind enough to place the four members that joined up – Joakim Lundholm, Mats Karlsson, Peter Olander, and Mikael Larsson (Peter Hermansson had already done his stint) at the same place, at a base called I5 in their hometown of Östersund (Jämtland County). They did get some press out of it. The article you can see here with the guys in military garb saw print in a magazine for recruits like themselves called Värnplikts Nytt (issue 17, November 1986). Very positive article and the guys came across as not minding being there too much, but perhaps missing the band activities a bit. Swedish television took notice and filmed a short documentary (ca 15 minutes) about the band that was aired as they got out of the army, and they released the compilation album “Young And Wild” (1987) and went out on the road again. When they released the next album in 1988 (“Eye To Eye”) I remember that German publication BRAVO had a story about them with the headline “The Military Could Not Stop Them”, which was pretty catchy for a rock band. So the momentum was still there and everything was good. Also seen here is the first issue of the Japanese Fan Club magazine Pressure Wave, by Shoko Ozawa. The cover shot was taken by Ola Bergman, and was used by media during the “Young And Wild” era. Lovely fanzine by the way. So what did Peter Hermansson do during the break you wonder? Well, he was busy playing drums with John Norum for a while there and you can hear him on the album “Total Control”. Mikael Larsson also did a track on that album and it was produced by Thomas Witt whom had done the first three 220 Volt albums. John Norum would later come up and jam with 220 Volt on the song “Firefall” somewhere on the Swedish “Young And Wild” tour. Good times.
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