from left to right; Joakim Widen, Henrik Allbjer, Teo Dahnberg and Dennis Widen
The GODDAMNED are a cool Stoner Metal band from Sweden. They have a full length album out, so definetly check it out. Here is the interview with TEO
Interview by DJ
What's The Goddamned story? When did you form? Could you give us a bio?
The Goddamned formed in autumn 2001, and all of the members came from a death metal band called Moria. We have always been listening to somewhat oldschool hard/heavy bands, and felt for a change. We made a slight setup change, with me from bass to vocals, and Dennis from guitar/vocals to bass. The music that came out still have the vein and strength of death metal we feel, but the songs are now groovemonsters all of them. The band concists of me (Teo Dahnberg) on vocals and percussion, Dennis Widen on bass, his brother Joakim widen on Guitar and Henrik Allbjer on drums. The band has come out well so far, we had a lot of gigs, and a very good response, especially on the live front.
Are there many Stoner Rock bands in Sweden? How is the scene in your part of Country?
Of course there are many bands in the stoner genre though i would not quite consider us a stoner band, we are more metal than that. There are some good bands, but as in every genre there are many shitty bands as well.
So what is the new with The Goddamned?
We had some truoble with the electrical system in our rehearsal room and we have had some fire in our equipment in some occasions, but this autumn we'll be back stronger than ever.
I dig the 2002 promo sampler, i thought it was pretty cool. How many were made?
The Promo Sampler were just a taster of the full-length album wich is out now in 500 selffinanced copies. The sampler were made in approximately 300copies to companies and zines. Also before we got the full album pressed, we had it as a demo of things to come.
How you describe the sound of The Goddamned?
Loud, Hard, Filthy Rock/Metal without compromises. We have been compared to a lot of bands, but mostly a Black Sabbath mixed with Motörhead sound.
Are you guys currently working with any Labels?
We have had some discussions with labels, and some interesting to but we won't sell ourselves for anything. It is a tough business and The Goddamned will see to get their proper share. We are not to be cheated on a record deal. Some of our members have experiences with this in the past.
What releases do you have availble? Any new records in the works?
There is just our debut album but were working on new stuff all the time.
The Goddamned is a very cool name for a band, who's idea was it to use it for a band name?
Me and Dennis sat at his home and I had the name God Damn for a song as well as a bandname, then Dennis said that The Goddamned is a better bandname, here we are. I like it too, we use to count in american movies how many times they use our name in a line. A lot of times!!!
It seems over here in the States, that Stoner Rock is becoming the next big thing, what are your thoughts on that? Is it the same way in Sweden?
I don't know really, we don't care so much for trends and stuff, we run our race regardless of what happens.
What bands do you usually play shows with? Are there many places to play?
We have played together with some cool bands and friends, many together with Svarte Pan and Numbah Ten, but also at some festivals and stuff. There are some good places to play at and our music suits well both at a large stage and in a metalcrowded bar.
Do you have a favorite or most memorable show you've played?
We played the Sticky Fingers Bar in Gothenburg which was nice and also the 2000decibel festival was great. They made the arrangements in the best thinkable way and the sound was great. It depends many times on the crowd as well how they react to the music. We give a 100% anyway but it's always better to play in front of a raging mob.
What was the first concert you ever attended?
Our first gig was in our hometown Falkenberg on the west-coast of Sweden. This was my first attempt in singing instead of playing bass and it turned out quite well and the people liked it. We have developed one hell of a lot since then.
Top 5 All Time Bands?
Tricky, me and Dennis is together answering here so we have to get along! Hm, after discussion we came up with; Black Sabbath, Pentagram, Motörhead, Captain Beyond, Cathedral.
Top 5 All Time Albums?
SHIT! This is hard! Me and Dennis agree with Slayer's Reign in Blood, Black Sabbath's Heaven and Hell, some Iron Maiden record has to be in there as well. Dennis says further Rolling Stones Let it Bleed, and I would go for Sepultura's records with Max Cavalera.
Top 5 Favorite Movies?
Pulp Fiction, War and Rememberance, Braveheart, Stephen King movies and more War movies...
Best Live Band(s) in your opinion?
Motörhead, Sepultura with Max, At The Gates, Iron Maiden, Dee Snider to mention a few...
Do you Party Much?
Well OF COURSE WE DO!!!
Favorite Beer?
Staropramen, Falkenberger, Carlsberg, Kilkenny.
Favorite Liquor?
Coffe with moonshine is the real thing! All kinds of Whisky especially single malts...
What are your thoughts of the world in its current state?
Everything's fucked up and ready to burn...
Thanks for your time, Anything you'd like to Add or Close with?
Check out our webpage www.thegoddamned.com for info, and submit your mailaddress to be kept updated and come see us live and have Yourselves a blast!!!
THE GODDAMNED LINKS:
The Goddamned Web-Site
The Goddamned Promo 2002 Review on Bushmado
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