Interview : Dennis Lyxzén
February 16th 2011 09:59
Dennis Lyxzén is a man who just can’t keep still. Having shot to fame with the hugely popular post hardcore band Refused, he has continued to move on to different projects since the bands demise in 1999. There’s been his new wave outfit The Lost Patrol and now his new straight out hardcore band AC4, touring in April with Star Fucking Hipsters (featuring members of Leftover Crack and The Specials) When I got a call from Dennis he was currently melting in the summer heat touring the Big Day Out with The Bloody Beetroots. I got the rundown on AC4, he’s involvement in The Beetroots cover of a Refused song and why punks shouldn’t organize anything!
Hey man how have you been?
Hot! It was -27 when I left my house (in Sweden) and yesterday it was 42 so you make the math. [laughs]
Can you give us a run down AC4?
We’re a bunch of old friends who’ve known each other since the ’80’s. We all used to play in punk and hardcore and rock bands and just known each other forever. A couple of years ago we decided we should just start a proper hardcore band together. Then we put out a record on my label (Ny Våg) , we toured a bit and now we’re coming out to Australia. That’s a quick run down.
In the beginning you chose to boycott media interviews and you only answered questions from fans under 18 years of age, is that right?
Yeah thats true. I think when we started the band we wanted to keep it close to the chest, because of the history of the members and our history, we figured if we don’t do it our way.
A ton of people are going to come out and talk about it, what we’re all about and they don;t understand where we’re coming from. So we just try to give the band music and the proper channels without having to abide to some sort “ex members of blah blah blah blah” selling points. Thats why we did that whole thing and started it that way.
It seems to have a different sound with each project that you do, is that a conscience decision on your part or is it more organic on how things turn out sound wise?
it’s a little bit of both. I’m a super restless guy. I always want to try new things, try to improve, do things I haven’t necessarily done before. But it also comes organic. The flow of your influences, the flow of life, where you’re at, you go “wow! shit I didn’t think I would do this.” so it’s a little bit of both. I’ve always been a little to curious to just settle in and do the same record 20 times. When I’ve done a record, I’ve done that record.
You’re currently out here touring with The Bloody Beetroots who are covering your track “New Noise”, how did that all come about?
They did the remix and I met them to talk about a possible collaboration and we kind of hit off. We talked about music, and ideas of revolution, aesthetics and stuff and then they asked me if I wanted to come on stage and sing “New Noise” with them. I was super skeptical but then I saw them live. They have an energy and power to them that I could relate to. We’d been in touch and we had plans to work together and I’ve played with them one offs here and there, then all of the sudden they said “Do you want to come to Australia with us?” and I was like “Yeah, lets do that!” It just happened. The kind of music they do isn’t really my thing. It’s just turned out really well.
So now that you’ve been exposed to that style of music more, is that something we can see you doing down the track?
Nah I don’t think I’m going to start doing electronic music! [laughs]Me and Bob (The Bloody Beetroots) are working on music together which will be that kind of style. As for myself, I’m a little too much in love with the loud guitars. So I don’t want to venture too much off into electronic music! And I don’t have the patience to sit in front of a computer and create music. I prefer old school, being in a room with three other sweaty individuals making music.
How are you finding the BIg Day Out shows?
It’s nice, I have the easiest job on the tour! i go up on stage and I do like eight minutes on stage or seven minutes per show and we play a show every three days, it’s pretty easy for me.
It’s more like a holiday really except you work for seven minutes?
Yeah yeah sort of [laughs]
Any favourite bands on the tour that you’ve caught so far?
Yes. I watch Grinderman play a couple of times. And I think it’s some of the best music I’ve seen in years and years. I’m blown away by the power and the violence and the energy of that band. I’ve never really been a Nick Cave fan but with this, I’m converted now. I’m totally blown away by them and with two more shows I’m going to watch Grinderman both shows. I think it’s great.
That’s cool. Now last year there was a bit of a fuss over a Refused reunion, despite claims you made when you broke up that you would never get back together. Did you find the whole rumour funny, flattering or just a bit sad that people are still hanging on?
Yeah, you know it’s a bit like...it meant a lot to a lot of people. I think also the whole break up and the whole mystical aspect of the band was so big, people are just curious and they’re still interested in seeing us play. Most people didn’t get to see us play. We were, at best, existed only in Europe as a semi big hardcore band. And most people who bought the record (“The Shape Of Punk To Come) kind of missed out, I can kind of understand. There’s a bunch bands that I think “I would of wanted to see that band play”.
It’s kind of weird and flattering at the same time. There’s such a demand. You make music, you’re done, you move on to other types of music and then you’re done and move on and someone keeps reminding you of something you did twelve years ago, thats what I find it a bit crazy. It’s cool, it’s flattering.
How’s things going with the label Ny Våg (meaning New Vogue in Swedish)?
Pretty good. We’re pretty fucking super disorganized punks [laughs], the amount of time we put into the label verses the amount of records we sell is ridiculous! If we put a little more time into it, I’m sure we’d do really well. The problem is it’s run by a bunch of punks who are always on tour or doing other things, it’s a bit hap-hazardous.
We got some really good releases coming up, it’s all good. It’s a little thing we do when we get the time you know?
What are some of those releases we should look out for?
There's a new hardcore band called UX Vileheads. Kind of fast, American style hardcore. We did a record last year with a guy called Mattias Alkberg which is a singer/songwriter/poet guy from Sweden. He’s done a new record we’re going to release.
Then my other band (he says it in Swedish-no idea), I used to be in a band called The Lost Patrol and Invasionen is the Swedish incarnation of The Lost Patrol which is a dark, new wave kind of band. We just done with a new record and I think that’s going to be released on Ny Våg as well.
You’ve got a lot going on.
Yeah you know, I’m a busy man!
Well what do you do away from music?
Apart from music I play football, soccer. I play in a soccer team and I watch soccer. Thats all I do apart from music [laughs] Thats my other hobby. I think it’s on the opposite spectrum from being a musician and I like it because it’s so liberating. You get to run and sweat and not think about anything else for an hour or two. It’s very nice.
You’ve always been outspoken in your political and social views, how have those views changed as you’ve gotten older?
The views are my outspokenness [laughs]. i mean, I’m still outspoken, I still say whatever is on my mind. I don’t know how to hold back you know. I think the thing that might have changed when I grew older is that, when I get into situations that might not be that much of a use to talk about politics and get really angry, that you can pick and choose your battles a bit better as you get older.
As far as politics as you get older the changes, there are aspects of politics that are not the same as when you were a kid. But as far as the basic principles of what I believe in and what I think of them,it’s pretty much the same you know. I haven’t changed it much. When you’re young you can be a rebel and you’re revolutionary and then you get a proper job and it’s thrown out the window.
That’s right!
If you still hang on to these beliefs as you grow older, the stakes get higher. It’s life or death in another perspective. I mean when you’re 38 years old you still believe in this and you make it as a inspiring musician, the effects of the economical situation and of the social pressure makes it more tangible then when you were 19 or 18. So I think it makes you a bit more radical.
Now with the tour with Star Fucking Hipsters in April, what can Australian audiences expect from AC4?
I dunno.....a bunch of old dudes trying to pretend we are young! [laughs] Thats it. It’s pretty simple, it’s not like we’re coming over with some weird avant-garde art show. we play fast, furious hardcore rock n’ roll music. We’re a funny live band. We try to have a good time with it. The record might sound really angry, but when we play live it’s actually pretty good times.
Last question for you today Dennis, whats the first song you’d put onto a mix tape?
What I would put on? How many songs are we thinking?
No what would be the first song you’d put on?
Oh the first song on a mix tape. Well right now I would put on a song called ‘Counting The Days’ with an English band called The Sound from 1984. Genius guitar player/singer Atkin Borlin, he had a band called The Outsiders who produced the first D.I.Y punk LP, then he started a band called The Sound. They’re the missing link between Joy Division and Echo And The Bunnymen. They put out five brilliant records and they did a mini LP called “Shock Of Daylight” and the song ‘Counting The Days’ would be my first song on the mixtape.
Cool, thanks so much for taking the time to have a chat today. I appreciate it and I’ll catch up with you guys when you’re back out in April.
It’s gonna be good times. Take care man.
Dennis - one busy man
Hey man how have you been?
Hot! It was -27 when I left my house (in Sweden) and yesterday it was 42 so you make the math. [laughs]
Can you give us a run down AC4?
We’re a bunch of old friends who’ve known each other since the ’80’s. We all used to play in punk and hardcore and rock bands and just known each other forever. A couple of years ago we decided we should just start a proper hardcore band together. Then we put out a record on my label (Ny Våg) , we toured a bit and now we’re coming out to Australia. That’s a quick run down.
In the beginning you chose to boycott media interviews and you only answered questions from fans under 18 years of age, is that right?
Yeah thats true. I think when we started the band we wanted to keep it close to the chest, because of the history of the members and our history, we figured if we don’t do it our way.
A ton of people are going to come out and talk about it, what we’re all about and they don;t understand where we’re coming from. So we just try to give the band music and the proper channels without having to abide to some sort “ex members of blah blah blah blah” selling points. Thats why we did that whole thing and started it that way.
It seems to have a different sound with each project that you do, is that a conscience decision on your part or is it more organic on how things turn out sound wise?
it’s a little bit of both. I’m a super restless guy. I always want to try new things, try to improve, do things I haven’t necessarily done before. But it also comes organic. The flow of your influences, the flow of life, where you’re at, you go “wow! shit I didn’t think I would do this.” so it’s a little bit of both. I’ve always been a little to curious to just settle in and do the same record 20 times. When I’ve done a record, I’ve done that record.
You’re currently out here touring with The Bloody Beetroots who are covering your track “New Noise”, how did that all come about?
They did the remix and I met them to talk about a possible collaboration and we kind of hit off. We talked about music, and ideas of revolution, aesthetics and stuff and then they asked me if I wanted to come on stage and sing “New Noise” with them. I was super skeptical but then I saw them live. They have an energy and power to them that I could relate to. We’d been in touch and we had plans to work together and I’ve played with them one offs here and there, then all of the sudden they said “Do you want to come to Australia with us?” and I was like “Yeah, lets do that!” It just happened. The kind of music they do isn’t really my thing. It’s just turned out really well.
So now that you’ve been exposed to that style of music more, is that something we can see you doing down the track?
Nah I don’t think I’m going to start doing electronic music! [laughs]Me and Bob (The Bloody Beetroots) are working on music together which will be that kind of style. As for myself, I’m a little too much in love with the loud guitars. So I don’t want to venture too much off into electronic music! And I don’t have the patience to sit in front of a computer and create music. I prefer old school, being in a room with three other sweaty individuals making music.
How are you finding the BIg Day Out shows?
It’s nice, I have the easiest job on the tour! i go up on stage and I do like eight minutes on stage or seven minutes per show and we play a show every three days, it’s pretty easy for me.
It’s more like a holiday really except you work for seven minutes?
Yeah yeah sort of [laughs]
Any favourite bands on the tour that you’ve caught so far?
Yes. I watch Grinderman play a couple of times. And I think it’s some of the best music I’ve seen in years and years. I’m blown away by the power and the violence and the energy of that band. I’ve never really been a Nick Cave fan but with this, I’m converted now. I’m totally blown away by them and with two more shows I’m going to watch Grinderman both shows. I think it’s great.
That’s cool. Now last year there was a bit of a fuss over a Refused reunion, despite claims you made when you broke up that you would never get back together. Did you find the whole rumour funny, flattering or just a bit sad that people are still hanging on?
Yeah, you know it’s a bit like...it meant a lot to a lot of people. I think also the whole break up and the whole mystical aspect of the band was so big, people are just curious and they’re still interested in seeing us play. Most people didn’t get to see us play. We were, at best, existed only in Europe as a semi big hardcore band. And most people who bought the record (“The Shape Of Punk To Come) kind of missed out, I can kind of understand. There’s a bunch bands that I think “I would of wanted to see that band play”.
It’s kind of weird and flattering at the same time. There’s such a demand. You make music, you’re done, you move on to other types of music and then you’re done and move on and someone keeps reminding you of something you did twelve years ago, thats what I find it a bit crazy. It’s cool, it’s flattering.
How’s things going with the label Ny Våg (meaning New Vogue in Swedish)?
Pretty good. We’re pretty fucking super disorganized punks [laughs], the amount of time we put into the label verses the amount of records we sell is ridiculous! If we put a little more time into it, I’m sure we’d do really well. The problem is it’s run by a bunch of punks who are always on tour or doing other things, it’s a bit hap-hazardous.
We got some really good releases coming up, it’s all good. It’s a little thing we do when we get the time you know?
What are some of those releases we should look out for?
There's a new hardcore band called UX Vileheads. Kind of fast, American style hardcore. We did a record last year with a guy called Mattias Alkberg which is a singer/songwriter/poet guy from Sweden. He’s done a new record we’re going to release.
Then my other band (he says it in Swedish-no idea), I used to be in a band called The Lost Patrol and Invasionen is the Swedish incarnation of The Lost Patrol which is a dark, new wave kind of band. We just done with a new record and I think that’s going to be released on Ny Våg as well.
You’ve got a lot going on.
Yeah you know, I’m a busy man!
Well what do you do away from music?
Apart from music I play football, soccer. I play in a soccer team and I watch soccer. Thats all I do apart from music [laughs] Thats my other hobby. I think it’s on the opposite spectrum from being a musician and I like it because it’s so liberating. You get to run and sweat and not think about anything else for an hour or two. It’s very nice.
You’ve always been outspoken in your political and social views, how have those views changed as you’ve gotten older?
The views are my outspokenness [laughs]. i mean, I’m still outspoken, I still say whatever is on my mind. I don’t know how to hold back you know. I think the thing that might have changed when I grew older is that, when I get into situations that might not be that much of a use to talk about politics and get really angry, that you can pick and choose your battles a bit better as you get older.
As far as politics as you get older the changes, there are aspects of politics that are not the same as when you were a kid. But as far as the basic principles of what I believe in and what I think of them,it’s pretty much the same you know. I haven’t changed it much. When you’re young you can be a rebel and you’re revolutionary and then you get a proper job and it’s thrown out the window.
That’s right!
If you still hang on to these beliefs as you grow older, the stakes get higher. It’s life or death in another perspective. I mean when you’re 38 years old you still believe in this and you make it as a inspiring musician, the effects of the economical situation and of the social pressure makes it more tangible then when you were 19 or 18. So I think it makes you a bit more radical.
Now with the tour with Star Fucking Hipsters in April, what can Australian audiences expect from AC4?
I dunno.....a bunch of old dudes trying to pretend we are young! [laughs] Thats it. It’s pretty simple, it’s not like we’re coming over with some weird avant-garde art show. we play fast, furious hardcore rock n’ roll music. We’re a funny live band. We try to have a good time with it. The record might sound really angry, but when we play live it’s actually pretty good times.
Last question for you today Dennis, whats the first song you’d put onto a mix tape?
What I would put on? How many songs are we thinking?
No what would be the first song you’d put on?
Oh the first song on a mix tape. Well right now I would put on a song called ‘Counting The Days’ with an English band called The Sound from 1984. Genius guitar player/singer Atkin Borlin, he had a band called The Outsiders who produced the first D.I.Y punk LP, then he started a band called The Sound. They’re the missing link between Joy Division and Echo And The Bunnymen. They put out five brilliant records and they did a mini LP called “Shock Of Daylight” and the song ‘Counting The Days’ would be my first song on the mixtape.
Cool, thanks so much for taking the time to have a chat today. I appreciate it and I’ll catch up with you guys when you’re back out in April.
It’s gonna be good times. Take care man.
tour poster for AC4 & Star Fucking Hipsters
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