MP3: Mögel - Jag är så rädd
Until their new "1978-83" retrospective CD showed up in my inbox earlier this week, I had never heard of Mögel before, or at least I don't remember coming across them. It's an odd thing too because early all-female punk bands were always notable and also because vocalist Ulrika Malmgren was one of the hosts of Sweden's famed "Ny Våg" radio show. Nonetheless, I remain ignorant! It doesn't help that "The Encyclopedia of Swedish Punk" files them as a peripheral band and labels them "new wave". That's a genre label I associate with pop aspirations and keyboards; Mögel has neither, though I must admit that they don't fit the typical late 70s/early 80s punk sound. Can we call it postpunk and be done with it? They've got an early indiepop shamble on a few tunes, but it's the jagged, discordant tracks that appeal to me most. "Jag är så rädd" ("I am so scared") comes from the 1981 self-titled 12" on Slick Records, the group's sole proper vinyl release, and sounds quite befitting of the title -- just listen to the guitar "solo" for some serious bad-trip action and you'll get what I mean. Anyhow, the new disc on Massproduktion compiles that first record along along all of the other band's recordings and various liner note comments from scene luminaries such as Thåström, just in time for the label's 30th anniversary party. Which they happen to be playing! Should you find yourself in Sundsvall tomorrow, that's certainly the place to be.
Mögel - Jag är så rädd