NRK reports that early 90s Norwegian rock group Barbie Bones is re-forming. They'll be playing at Nattjazz in Bergen on May 29. More: http://www.nrk.no/musikk/3759993.html (in Norwegian)
Apparently César Vidal from Caesars Palace has teamed up with Johan Elmros and Mattias Holmlund for an electro project called Safari. The song "Crazy Dream Crazy Days" is already on the radio in Sweden and an album is due in the fall.
This week's top 10 Nordic video chart from YLE/Morjen:
01. Finntroll - Trollhammaren (FIN)
02. Nina Rochelle - Stockholm kommer förstöra mig (SWE)
03. The Rasmus - Funeral song (FIN)
04. Uniklubi - Rakkautta ja Piikkilankaa (FIN)
05. Steen1 - Jarden träkki (FIN)
06. SubUrban Tribe - Silent Rain (FIN)
07. Weeping Willows - Stairs (SWE)
08. Egotrippi - Matkustaja (FIN)
09. Elastinen - Syljen (FIN)
10. Eskobar - Bring the action (SWE)
Challenger: Labrador - Freeway to Mars (DK)
I guess it's now in a slightly new format with only one challenger?
Finnish doom metal act Shape of Despair is currently finishing up mixing for their new album "Illusion's Play". Look for a release date to be announced soon.
Candlelight Records will be reissuing the 1997 album "Selvmord" from Mortiis alterego Vond on May 18. Originally titled "Slipp Sorgen Los", the release sparked a bit of controversy back when it first came out because of the artwork which led it to be banned from a number of territories.
Swedish website Bomben is back online with new blogger-columnist type content: http://www.bomben.se/
The Universe are the winners of the Roland/SAMI Music Award 2004. Runners-up Puma received five days in the studio and Sandy Mouche won some TV recording time.
No doubt one of Sweden's biggest tours this summer, here's the updated dates for the Gyllene Tider jubilee concert tour:
07/14 - Örjans Vall, Halmstad
07/15 - Örjans Vall, Halmstad
07/17 - Pinneviken, Lysekil
07/18 - Sofiero Slott, Helsingborg
07/20 - Idrottsparken, Norrköping
07/21 - Rottneros Park, Sunne
07/23 - Stockholms Stadion, Stockholm
07/24 - Stockholms Stadion, Stockholm
07/25 - Lugnet, Falun
07/28 - Karstorps Fritidsområde, Skövde
07/30 - Evedal, Växjö
07/31 - Mölleplatsen, Malmö
08/04 - Eiravallen, Örebro
08/06 - Elmia, Jönköping
08/07 - Slottskogsvallen, Göteborg
08/10 - Gränsö Slott, Västervik
08/11 - Sundbyholms Slott, Eskilstuna
08/13 - Park Arena, Sundsvall
08/14 - Torget, Skellefteå
08/17 - Jogersö, Oxelösund
08/18 - Örjans Vall, Halmstad
There will be another Swedish punk fest this coming fall in Göteborg. Classic bands enlisted to play so far are Tant Strul, Pink Champagne and TT Reuter.
Norway's Griffin checks in with some good news and some bad news: First off, vocalist Pete Beck is out of the hospital and fully recovered from his recent heart attack. But the flipside of that is that he did some soul-seeking during the ordeal and has decided to part ways with the band. His message:
"Old Pete is tired.. I will not participate in any further recordings or live performances with Griffin. I'm going away for a long time, and cannot be contacted by phone or email, so dont even bother. We've had a lot of fun, and i hope there's a lot more coming for you guys. New blood is good, so get someone else in the band, and promise me you wont quit because of me."
So, as requested, the rest of the band is carrying on. They still have plans to play some summer festival dates and record a new album in the near future and will try their best to get a new frontman ASAP. Read more: http://www.griffin.no/
Download the track "Vetande" from Swedish hip-hoppers Svenska Akademien and their new album "Tändstickor för mörkrädda": http://www.betraktaren.com/svenska_akademien/laddaned.asp?song=svenska_akademien-vetande&type=mp3
Upcoming live dates for Puffball:
05/08 - Taj Mahal, Västerås (SWE)
05/20 - Semifinal, Helsinki (FIN) w/Bad Machine
05/21 - Bar 68, Jyväskylä (FIN) w/Bad Machine
05/29 - Fast Forward Festival, Vallby, Västerås (SWE) w/The Meteors, Bombshell Rocks, The GoGetters, The Rockfellas, The Colombos, Starbright Shadow, Movement, Twenty Four Hour Hell, Mustang, Brightboy, SW6 (South West Six) and 21st Century Noise
Dolores Recordings will be releasing the debut single "Arrest me 'til it hurts" from the Deportees on May 12. The music is described as country with soul or just 'grim pop'. Peep the cover art here: http://www.doloresrecordings.com/covers/deportees_arrest_stor.jpg