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Drain S.T.H.
Maria Sjöhölm: Vocals Stockholm quartet Drain S.T.H. intend to change the musical perception of their native land forever. "This country is pretty dark and cold and depressing, yet our music isn't typical for Sweden," insists singer Maria Sjöhölm. Despite the homogeny of Swedish artists that rise to international visibility, the hard rock and heavy metal scenes there are vibrant and thriving. It's not just Ace of Base and Roxette," Sjöhölm chuckles. The fifteen blistering cuts on the Drain S.T.H. debut full-length, Horror Wrestling, share as much in common with Ace of Base as Courtney Love does with Kathie Lee Gifford. Billboard magazine claims the band "...comes on with enough force to rate among the headbangers of the world and with enough melodic acumen to stick in the minds of hook-starved audiences....A promising act." Recorded at Stockholm's Decibel studio, dense tracks like "Stench," "I Don't Mind," and "Crack The Liar's Smile" boast a musical intensity that ensnares the listener with raw melodicism, then moves in for the kill with virtuoso ferocity. Sjöhölm and drummer Martina Axén take turns penning the words, although both share a penchant for darker topics, including death ("Someone") betrayal and humiliation. Hence, the album title, lifted from a bizarre Mexican videocassette. "The lyrics are about wrestling with your own agony and horrors in life," notes Axén. The band composes the music in collaboration, according to Canel. "We all write different parts, and then we try to put them together. Sometimes one of us comes with a whole song, but that's very rare." The group's tight-knit allegiance extends beyond the stage and rehearsal studio, too. "We're still the best of friends, which is great considering we spent nine months in a tour bus together last year. Of all the bands we've toured with, I've never seen anybody as tight knit as we are. Even at home, we hang out together almost every day," says bassist Kjellberg. Drain S.T.H. came together in 1993, but their foundations stretch back a few years before that when AxÈn and Canel began playing together. The name was chosen because "it just fits with the sound and lyrics," says Axén. With their lineup complete, Drain S.T.H. spent a year together, writing songs and creating their sound. They had one rule: Quit your job or quit the band. That dedication culminated in the polished sound found on Horror Wrestling and a tight live set. It also earned tours with Type O Negative, the OZZfest (featuring Ozzy Osborne, Marilyn Manson and Pantera among others), Corrosion of Conformity, Life Of Agony and Machine Head, just to name a few. The band played up and down and across the U.S., building a loyal fanbase. Drain S.T.H. also found the U.S. airwaves friendly, as rock radio embraced their first two singles, "I Don't Mind" and "Serve The Shame." Drain S.T.H. is now preparing for the Mercury release of Horror Wrestling, featuring three previously unreleased tracks, including Drain's version of the Motorhead classic, "Ace Of Spades." The band is also looking forward to more touring in the U.S. this summer. Drain S.T.H. realize their all-female line-up may still seem novel to some. "We don't waste time thinking about that anymore," says Kjellberg. "We happen to be an all-female band -- that concept will upset some, and inspire most." They also believe that gender is inconsequential to their music. "We've never related to other female bands ourselves," says Sjöhölm. You can bet some diehard metal fans who have said those exact words in the past, will be changing their tune once they've gone a few rounds with Horror Wrestling.
Maria Sjoholm
Instrument: Vocals Place of Birth: Stockholm, Sweden Favorite movies: "Pulp Fiction," "Scarface," "Seven," "The Wall," "Bladerunner," "Dudeska-Den," "Zigenarnas Tid (The Time of the Gypsy)". Hobbies: "When I have time off I usually hang out with my friends or go to the movies. I alsohave a big interest in photography, which I studied for four years. But right now I don't havemuch time for hobbies." Favorite Bands: Black Sabbath, Alice in Chains, Corrosion of Conformity. First album ever bought: "Abba" by Abba. When I was a little girl I used to love that band...Ithink I still like them. Favorite album of all time: Black Sabbath - "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath," Alice in Chains - "Dirt," Pink Floyd - "Wish you were here" First concert (Who, What & Where): I think it was a Swedish punk band called Ebba Gron inStockholm a long, long time ago... Best Concert: I really can't answer that question. I've seen a lot of great concerts. It's too hard topick one. What does playing the Ozzfest mean to you: Beer, Vodka, & Party!!! No, its great to be a part ofOzzfest. There are alot of great bands this year and to be able to play the same festival as Ozzy and Sabbath is the best!
Flavia Canel
Rig: Flavia uses Fernandez guitars with
Seymour Dundan pickups (for the
Martina Axen
Instrument: Drums Place of Birth: Stockholm, Sweden Favorite movies: "Terminator 2," "Star Wars," & "God's Army". Hobbies: "I love animals. If I ever settle down I'm going to have them all. Birds, Cats, Dogs, Horses, Everything. I also like movies & Flying. We got to go skydiving a while back. That was fun, but I really want to go hang-gliding!" Favorite Bands: AC/DC, Alice in Chains, It depends on what mood I'm in. It changes every week. I also love Jazz and classical music. First album ever bought: Beethoven's Symphony #5. I thought it was scary and I loved it! Favorite album of all time: AC/DC - "Back in Black" Alice in Chains - "Dirt," Pink Floyd - "Wish you were here" First concert (Who, What & Where): The Runaways...I was 12 at a tivoli in Stockholm. Best Concert: Probably AC/DC...I used to see every concert they did in Stockholm and they were always great! What does playing the Ozzfest mean to you: It's going to be great! I can't wait for it to start!
Anna K
Instrument: Bass, backup vocals Place of Birth: Stockholm, Sweden Favorite movies: "The Big Blue," by Luc Besson, The Star Wars Trilogy ...I never remember the films I've seen. Hobbies: When I have time off at home, I like to sit up all night and draw or make things with my hands. I also like to sail and have a boat...And I like video games! Favorite bands: Sepultura, Alice in Chains, Ozzy, Corrosion of Conformity, Type O Negative, Mad Season, RHCP....I grew up with stuff like Zeppelin, Sabbath, AC/DC, and Rush and I stilllove it! First album you ever bought: Something by Hanoi Rocks Favorite album of all time: AC/DC "Back in Black," Alice in Chains "Dirt," Sepultura "Roots" First concert you ever saw (Who, Where, & When): Bon Jovi, On their first European tour inStockholm around 1984. Best concert you ever saw: Pearl Jam, Stockholm in '91 or '92. Magic. What does playing the Ozzfest mean to you? It's an honor to play with Ozzy and a greatoppurtunity to play in front of alot of people. To be on a bill like this is something I've dreamedabout, and I've worked hard to get here. It's going to be a party! |
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