I got the possibility to ask the legendery Stefan a few quick questions about his colourful past in swedish punkmusic.
When you look up online, you'll see that you were very productive musicians in the 70-80's. Skäms (Shame), Gettots barn (ghetto child), Arabens Anus (Arabes anus), Dropptortyr (dripptorture), Avskum (Scum) and Slaskfittorna (Slushcunts). Hope I did not miss any band. Which of the bands is your personal favorite?
Answer: It's hard to have any absolute favourite. Skäms has some cult status because we were the first punk band in Värmland to record a record in the late 70's. Arabens Anus and Avskum were bands that had fun together, both in daily rehersels and on tours. We were also clearly anti-racist in a more pronounced way. No, it's hard to say a favorite, about as impossible as saying what kind you like best.
You can read a lot about the war between raggers and punks before. How did it feel like being in the middle of everything and how are you thinking about it today?
Answer: Honestly, it's a bit difficult to understand that afterwards. Was probably a bit of youth culture competition. But the raggers loved the USA-inspired culture. We were anti-imperialists and saw the United States as an aggressive state. I think the raggers did not really understand that we also liked the American culture. That was the US state we were against. Lately we have put all that behind us.
I personally got in töuch with your name first through Slaskfittorna and then I discovered the other bands you've been in. At the moment, there's a lot of Skäms here at home whö released a vinyl in 2017 with the Live Folkets Park in 1979. Can we wait for some new releases or similar with something else of the gang or maybe someone now playing?
Answer: Skäms has actually had some reunion records. They have been fun and sold out. Do not mind playing but everything is on time. It takes quite a bit of time and effort to scratch together after so long and then get used to the stage. At the moment nothing is planned but we usually talk about it when we see.
Are you still watching Sweden's punk scene and, if so, do you have any favour1tes?
Answer: A little bit, but today it's more all-round musical. Well, do not have any direct favorites.
How did you get both the band name and the lyrics of Slaskfittorna, as they differ significantly from the other bands you've been in?
Answer: Yes, there were many layers in it. A first part was about the Könsrock ((swedish phenomena, genital oriented rock)editorial remark) and that the raggers through Eddie Meduza were so big. We simply wanted to do something that could break them, and then we put the concept together. A second part, like the punk, was about to have a glimpse in the eye. It was after all also an ironic operation with the macho culture. most people with a foth in the punk wolrd understands that. As artists, we then leave the viewer to judge if we succeeded 😊
Can we expect to see you on stage again?
Answer: Maybe, if I can and get time.
A last question. Do your current colleagues know your musical history and is it something they point out / listen to?
Änswer: Of course, everyone knows about it. In today's googling society, it's not easy to be anonymous. Both colleagues in the trade union movement and counterparties on the employer side have given comments and recorded different songs and bands. They also comment when there are books about Swedish punk or rock in which I am present. However, I only received a positive hearing for what I did. Think that most people think it's fun to have such a story.
youtube links to some of Stefans music