The Bombhappies!

I’m a very big fan of alternative rock. Not heavy stuff, but the truly Alternative aspect of it. Take this band called The Bombhappies for example, who are native Swedish speakers singing rock music in English. This is a really cool band I got to know a few years ago, in fact I interviewed them back when I did a podcast called Blastcast. I transcribed the interview which we did around the time they were working on the recordings that eventually became the album “Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok”. Now the Bombhappies are back in the studio once again to work on their next album release.

Note: this interview was conducted in August 2005 when I was working on my own podcast called Blastcast. I have the actual audio posted at the bottom. The production quality isn’t that great, but none-the-less I had fun. And the truth is I wouldn’t be here writing today if I hadn’t had some of the experiences I did while working with podcasting. So enjoy!

Cody Bromley: So you guys are from Sweden, or it says so on your site.

Joel Bervquist: Yeah.

CB: So how’s Sweden? Is it nice over there?

JB: It’s bright summer right now. And we had two rainy days, but before that 28 degrees Celsius (82 Fahrenheit).

CB: It’s just hot here too. So what got you guys into music? When did you guys get started with the band? Did it just sound like a cool idea?

JB: Started when me and Johan, the drummer, were 14 years old. We went to the same French class. And we weren’t very good at French so we decided music was our thing. And from that day, which was in ’93 something, we played together; and in ’95 we formed the band Bombhappies.

So what got you into podcasting?

CB: Well one day I woke up, and I listened to Daily Source Code, and decided that’s what I’m doing with my life now.

JB: We’re thinking about starting a station [podcast] of our own, in swedish though.

CB: Hm. I don’t know swedish, but I might still listen. Just to see whats on the pod-o-sphere. So how many members are there in the band?

JB: We’re five. Together with me is Andreas the basist, and Johan the drummer. The other guys didn’t make it to this rehearsal.

CB: Too bad. So how many other podcasts have you guys been on?

JB: Well I think.. I put us up there [The band posted their music to a site where podcasters can use their music for free called the Podsafe Music Network] about 1 half week ago, and now it’s been 16. Which is totally amazing because bands from Sweden usually get big in Japan, but we’re big on the internet in the States.

CB: I’m glad you put it up there because I really enjoy it, and my listeners do to.

JB: How many listen to your show?

CB: Last time I check from my Feedburner account, it said… 32. Or, I had 32 in one day.

JB: Cause as an artist on the Podsafe Music Network you don’t see much of a statistic online.

CB: I had 27 hits today, but the show won’t be posted until tomorrow.

JB: We’re amazed that actually one person, if one person is interested we’re really happy.

CB: I was really excited when I found your stuff, but nobody had rated it. And I was shocked because I thought this stuff was amazing.

JB: You’re probably the reason we are top rated [They were top rated, they were eventually overtaken by another artist.] because maybe only one person has rated us.

CB: I rated the song “Heidi” like twenty times.

JB: Cause I logged in and suddenly we were the top rated. And i was like, “Yeah, cool.”

CB: Yeah it’s probably my fault. But it helps I guess.

JB: Now we got some coverage in Swedish media. Export Music Sweden, which is like a government thing for music industry, has us on their first page that we’re “top of the pods” sort-of. So you actually have, you’ve made an impact.

CB: You’ve made an influence on me. I play songs in my car, and people ask, “who are they?”. And I say “The Bombhappies, listen to my podcast and hear some more.”

You guys totally rock.

JB: Thank you, thanks a lot.

CB: I’m glad you guys were courageous  enough to put your stuff out there.

JB: Yeah well there’s no other way to get it out there. CD is dead, and we don’t have any money to do any payola [Payola, in the American music industry, is the illegal practice of payment or other inducement by record companies for the broadcast of recordings on music radio, in which the song is presented as being part of the normal day's broadcast. ] things. So the only way to get things out is to give things away, or find people that like what you do.

CB: Keep up the good work guys.

JB: We’re going to record some new material this autumn. When it’s done I’ll send you the new songs. We have three more songs we recorded the same session that haven’t been mixed yet. Maybe they can come out earlier if we get to them.

CB: Do you guys do music full time?

JB: Two of us are students, and two of us have daytime jobs.

CB: I start school in ten days.

JB: So you’re not gonna be…

CB: I’ll still be doing the show. It’s just.. I don’t have as much time. Well it’s been a pleasure talking to you.

JB: Yeah it’s been nice.

CB: My first interview is with a band that’s hours away. More than 6 hours away.

JB: It’s 9pm here.

CB: Oh seven hours, it’s two pm here. Well I’ll let you go.

JB: thanks alot. Thanks for calling us up. Here’s a goodbye from 3 of the Bombhappies.

(Andreas & Johan saying “Bye” softly)

JB: And this is me, very lame guys, but very good at music.

CB: Thank you guys! You guys rock.

JB: We’ll keep listening to your show.

CB: I’ll keep listening to you guys!

You can listen to the full audio of this interview by clicking the link below.
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You can find out more about the Bombhappies on their website, or at their myspace.

The Bombhappies – When I’m Asleep (removed 2/13/09)

The Bombhappis – And at Belle Bed Inn, I Told You (removed 2/13/09)

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