1. Hi, so at first can you introduce your band, members, their hobbies and how do you know each other?

Niclas: The band is Per on bass and vocals, Gustaf on drums and Niclas on guitar. Me and Per know each other from way back, we're from the same small town in the south of Sweden.
Per: Except music there is no room for so much hobbies. We all work and don't have so much time after the daily activities with families and work. I work in a warehouse in Malmö harbour, Niclas is an electrician and Gustaf is serving in the swedish army.

2. When and why came decision to start the band and have your members any previous experiences with playing? And why do you chose such an original name as Oldfashioned Ideas.

Niclas: Me and Per started the band in late 2009 because we had nothing to do basically, and we felt it was time to start a new band.

Per: All three of us have played in several bands before. And when me and Niclas went home from Rebellion in Blackpool 2009 we were talking about maybe starting a band. Gustaf jumped on directly and we thought a three piece band would suit us fine. The band name just felt right and we actually have no good answer to where it came from. One of the main things was that we had no real ambition to invent or create any particular new sound. Just play punk in a classic old fashioned way.

 

3.You released debut CD/LP We´re in this shit together and EP Fight Back, both on Switchlight Records and Hommage de Poule Records, can you introduce to us these labels? How is the cooperation with them and are you satisfied with them?

Niclas: HDP is our own label, so far we have only released our own stuff under that name, but we have plans to maybe do more in the future, release other bands. We'll see if it happens, but hopefully some day. Switchlight is the proper label, it is a small independent label in the south of Sweden, but the guy who runs it is great and we are very happy to work with them.

Per:Switchlight  is a record company with it's base in south of Sweden just like us. I think the best way to keep the scene alive is to work as local as possible. More local gigs and record companies is good for everyone. I think that Switchlight is a record company that suits us perfect.

4. You personaly prefer CD´s or vinyl?

Niclas:Vinyl for the feeling, CD for convenience I guess.

Per: I would lie if I say i don't prefer vinyl. I like that product better. But I am not one of those who dislike CD:s. The main thing is the music. And what kind of plastic it comes on is second. If I can buy it on vinyl I do it but if only a CD-version is released then i buy that. 

5. You are going to release brand new album at the beginning of 2012 called Promises means nothing again on Switchlight Records, can you tell us something about new album, what should we expect?

Niclas: The new album contains 16 songs, and you can expect maybe a bit rawer sound, but still with strong melodies. If you liked the first one you will probably enjoy this one as well I think, but I'm kind of partial in the matter so we'll have to wait and see what people think about it. We're very happy with the way it turned out, and I hope others will like it to.

6. Your music is really asskicking and straightofrawrd, what are your musical influences? Do you prefer old or new breed bands?

Niclas: Both I'd have to say, I love many of the old bands, but there is also lots of great stuff being done right now. Can't name any particular influence, it's a melting pot of all the things I like.

7. Many great bands come from Sweden nowadays (like The Negatives, Vindicate This, Double Knockout, etc...), can you recomend us some new breed bands which worth hearing?

Niclas: All of the bands you mention are great, Gustaf by the way plays the drums for Vindicate This! as well. There is also well known bands like Antipati, On the job, Gatans lag, Clichés and so on. Also worth checking out are Lowlifes and our labelmates The Vitiators, Suicide Syndicate and The Bristles.

8. How is the scene in your area and in Sweden in general? Bands, zines, pubs, clubs...

Niclas: In the Malmö area it is very good I would say when it comes to bands, lots of bands and really good bands too! There are not so many gigs unfortunately, and not a lot of zines either. That bit could improve.

Per: Like Niclas said there is a lot of bands in Malmö but not so much gigs. There are some crust/hc gigs organized  once in a while. And the Skinhead scene is represented by Klubb Pogo who organize gigs as often as possible. 

 

9. What about the viking rock genre, do you like it?

Niclas: Not really my thing I have to say.

10. What about the gigs, you have played in your country but also abroad, can you compare it? Are there any differences? And do you play in your country behind the Arctic Circle?

Niclas: Well it is hard to compare, both is great. We have mostly played in Germany, and the scene there is so very big, so it's unfair to compare. But in general the gigs in Sweden are very good, but the scene is a lot smaller so you can't play that often, you would be playing to the same people over and over again. We have never played above the arctic circle, I'm not sure there even is a punkscene beyond the arctic circle. It is very far from where we live in Sweden, it is much closer for us to go to Czech Republic than to go that far up north.

11. What should we do to organise your gig, what are your requirements?

Niclas: We don't ask for a lot. If you pay for our travel and a decent place to sleep, and some food and beer, then you got it. We would be happy to come and play in Czech Republic

12. Do you know anything about Czech Republic?

Niclas: We have never been there, but I know that it is a very beautiful country, or so I have been told. You seem to have a very good scene there, and you make great beer and play great hockey.

Per: I visited Prague about 15 years ago. And i really liked it. Hope to come back someday.

13. Plans for the future..

Niclas:First we are going to do a gig in Milan, Italy on new years eve, and then in January we release the new album. After that we don't have anything planned yet, so we'll just take it as it comes. But we will of course try to do some gigs and maybe minitours in Europe, perhaps it is time to come to Czech republic as well next year!

14. Last words...

Niclas:Thanks for the interview, all the best and I hope you will enjoy the new album. Cheers!