They Say," "You Can't Pick Your Family!" But what if you're in a band? What are the best and worst "family bands" in rock? This week, Lily Keith and Loudini talk about their picks for best and worst family bands. Featured Loudini Artists: Thundermother Hardcore Superstar Sons of Texas
Thundermother
These hard rock chicks will blow your head off!
The quintet have toured throughout Europe, gaining fanssuch as In Flames, Zakk Wylde, Danko Jones, Opeth, Motörhead, Airbourne and many more.
They have conquered the whole of Sweden with their AC/DC influenced sound. Next step - THE WORLD!
Previous gigs include Close-Up Boat, Metaltown, Sweden Rock Festival, support act for Danko Jones and Michael Monroe to name but a few.
See you soon in a town close to you!
Crashing in at No 2 in the hard rock charts
these girls are set for No 1 soon!
Prepare to be amazed!
http://www.youtube.com/user/thundermotherrocks
http://instagram.com/thundermother
https://twitter.com/thundermother
IT'S ROCK N ROLL AND THAT'S HOW WE LIKE IT!
"There are three great bands in the world: Bullet, Airbourne and THUNDERMOTHER.”
-Joel o´Keffe in AIRBOURNE.
"You guys are great. Love the twin guitar attack and your singer can belt it out without whisky and cigars assisting."
-Danko Jones
"When they release their debut & sell platinum, you will feel proud because you were there in the beginning."
-Johan Jacobsson, CLOSE-UP MAGAZINE.
"Good music is always good music. Pay attention to the new Rock Queens of Sweden,Thundermother. Great stuff!"
-In Flames
"I suggest you get this album. Ever since I got this record my wife of 28 years cannot keep her hands off me!!"
-Zakk Wylde
"its sounds great!! Awesome energy & good old AC/DC vibe!! yeah!!!"
- Pontus Snibb: BONAFIDE
"Cool band and a furious singer!"
-Chris Laney
"This is really good"
-Clutch
"I'm a fan"
-Fredrik Åkesson, OPETH
"Wow, the action!!"
-Turbonegro
”Fuck they really play loud!”
-Ralf Gyllenhammar, MUSTASCH
Biography
Thundermother started the summer 2010 in Växjö when the guitarist and southern swede Filippa Nässil wanted to play Rock'N'Roll. So with dreams and visions along with the song "Shoot to Kill" humming in her head she started Thundermother. She moved to Stockholm to pursue her dream.
She found her first partner in crime Giorgia Carteri in Stockholm who also followed her own dreams of playing music, coming all the way from Italy, though nowadays she's identified as one of the southern stockholm fellas.
After numerous ordeals with other musicians they have finally found the right group of people with right motives and Rock'N'Roll in their heart. Tilda Stenqvist on drums from Karlstad, Linda Ström from the Smålander woods and Clare Cunningham born and raised on Ireland, nowadays living in Stockholm.
They're having fun and it's noticeable on-stage. Pure enjoyment and Rock'N'Roll deep from their bones. Hardrock-girls from around the world now united to do one sole thing, to play together and travel on the roads.
Thundermother has been playing the Close-Up boat with Turbonegro and Candlemass, they were the opening act for Danko Jones on his Swedish Tour, they were the openers for Metaltown on the Blood Stage in the presence of thousands of people before Clutch and Graveyard, they had played with bands like Bonafide, The Scams & many many others. Thundermother did it themselves the hard way. Without a record they filled pubs and clubs to the brim and played at Sweden Rock Festival and will continue to tour! ROCK N ROLL IS ALIVE!
Personal Information
Past gigs:
2015
Nov 13 Rockklassikerbåten, SWE
Nov 7 Sandviken, SWE
Nov 6 Sticky Fingers, GBG, SWE
Oct 11 We Rock Madrid, Spain
Oct 10 Atalaya Rock, Pozal De Gallinas, Spain
Oct 09 La Ley Seca, Zaragoza, Spain
Oct 08 La Gramola, Orihuela, Spain
Oct 07 KING CREOLE, Estepona, Spain
Oct 06 Iroquai Ubeda, Spain
Oct 04 Rock the Beer, Santander, Spain
Oct 03 Sala the Cool, Vitoria Gasteiz, Spain
Oct 02 Sala Doka, San Sebastián, Spain
Sep 15 Arena Vienna 3, Wien, Austria
Sep 12 Hall Of Fame, Wetzikon, Switzerland
Sep 11 Modra Vopice, Prague, Czech Republic
Sep 10 Hydrozagadka, Warsaw, Poland
Sep 08 Logo, Hamburg, Germany
Jul 31 Skogsröjet, Rejmyre, Sweden
Jul 25 Hoforsrocken, Hofors, Sweden
Jul 04 Vicious Rock Festival, Trollhattan, Sweden
24/4 Göteborg, Rockfest, Sticky Fingers
Aug 06 Getaway Rock Festival (6-8 August), Gavle, Aug 01 Karlslundsfestivalen, Bollnas,
24/4 Göteborg, Rockfest, Sticky Fingers
13/2 Örebro, East West Sushi
14/2 Norrköping, Where's The Music?
20/2 Sundsvall, Pipeline
21/2 Stockholm, Debaser Medis
5-6/3 Stockholm - Åbo, Close-Up Boat
2014
14/11 Steph - The Club that rocks, Consett, UK
13/11 Yardbords, Grimsby, UK
12/11 Underworld, London, UK
10/11 Bannermans, Edinburgh, Scotland, AR
9/11 Pavillion, Belfast, Ireland, UK
8/11 Monroes, Galway, IRL
7/11 Spirit Store, Dundalk, IRL
1/11 Uddevallakassettfestivalen, Uddevalla, SWE
19/10 Debaser w/ Michael Monroe, Stockholm, SWE
18/10 Rockland w/ Michael Monroe, Sala, SWE
16/10 Vulcan Arena w/ Michael Monroe, Olso, NO
15/10 Sticky Fingers w/ Michael Monroe, Göteborg, SWE
14/10 The Tivoli w/ Michael Monroe, Helsingborg, SWE
4/10 Tattoo Mania, Vetlanda, SWE
3/10 Huskvarna Rock & Art Weekend, Huskvarna, SWE
27/9 Dirty Harry Rock Club, Gävle, SWE
26/9 Sunkträsket, Gislaved, SWE
29/8 Sollentuna Rock & Blues Festival, Sollentuna, SWE
16/8 Olsen På Bryn, Oslo, NO
15/8 Societen, Varberg, SWE
25/7 The Hammer Bar, Visby, SWE
16/7 Sommar i City, Umeå, SWE
6/6 Sweden Rock Festival, Sövesborg SWE
2/6 Porta d'Europa, Gorizia, ITL
1/6 Officina Agil Angeli Arbizzano, ITL
30/5 Jailbreak Live Club, Rome, ITL
24/5 Metallsvenskan, Örebro, SWE
23/5 Pub Babar, Tranås, SWE
10/5 Sala Loui Loui, Estepona (Malaga), ES
9/5 Sala Mambo, Jaen, ES
8/5 Sala Ego Live, Alcala De Henares (Madrid), ES
7/5 Sala Cadillac Solitario, Madrid, ES
6/5 Sala Twister, Leganes (Madrid) ES
4/5 Sala Serjos Rock, Monzon (Huesca), ES
3/5 Sala Doka, San Sebastian, ES
2/5 Sala Utopia, Zaragoza, ES
1/5 Sala Rocksound, Barcelona, ES
26/4 Granitrock, Grebbestad, SWE
25/4 Stopet Rockbar, Norrköping, SWE
20/4 Kafé de luxe, Växjö, SWE
12/4 Nöjesfabriken, Karlstad, SWE
11/4 Moriskan, Malmö, SWE
5/4 Bryggeriet, Motala, SWE
4/4 Backstage Rockbar, Trollhättan, SWE
2/4 Göta Källare, RELEASE PARTY, Stockholm, SWE
2013
10/11 Padova, IT
9/11 Interstate 270, Udine, IT
8/11 United, Torino, IT
7/11 Boulevard, Misano Adriatico, IT
2/11 AC/DC Machine, Stockholm, SWE
1/11 Sticky Fingers, Göteborg, SWE
3/8 Rock Out Wild Festival, Sorsele, SWE
2/8 Rockviken Festival, Frövi, SWE
28/7 Olsen bå bryn, Oslo, NO
27/7 WINO’s crew, Kleivi, NO
26/7 Skogsröjet Festival, SWE
25/7 Örebro Sommarcity, SWE
13/7 Tvoli Rock Kristianstad, SWE
4/7 METALTOWN, Göteborg, SWE
6/4 Debaser Slussen, Stockholm, SWE
28/2 Harry B James, Stockholm, SWE
2/2 Lindesberg, Bistro Bellman, SWE
1/2 Göteborg, Sticky Fingers, SWE
16/1 Stockholm, Klubben, SWE
2012
28/12 Helsingborg, Tivoli w/Bonafide, SWE
27/12 Malmö, KB w/Bonafide, SWE
14/12 Trollhättan, Backstage Rockbar, SWE
23/11 Karlstad, Glada Ankan, SWE
16/11 CLOSE-UP BÅTEN, SWE
9/11 Borlänge, Liljan w/ BULLET, SWE
2/11 Avesta, Kings Arms, SWE
27/10 Hultsfred, Rookiefestivalen, SWE
20/10 Malmö, KB w/Danko Jones, SWE
18/10 Göteborg, Pustervik w/Danko Jones, SWE
17/10 Stockholm, Debaser Medis w/ Danko Jones, SWE
13/10 Lindesberg, Bistro Bellman, SWE
8/9 Norrköping, Rockers Bakficka, SWE
25/8 Tungelsta, Flakrocken, SWE
16/8 Norberg, Risbergs Verkstad, SWE
15/8 Stockholm, Harry B James, SWE
28/7 Ystad, Repromenaden, SWE
27/7 Växjö, Harrys, SWE
26/7 Stockholm, Popkollo Botkyrka, SWE
21/7 Strömsund, Flykälen Festival, SWE
20/7 Strömsund, Flykälen Festival, SWE
11/7 Stockholm, Pub Anchor SWE
7/7 Flen, Amazon SWE
27/5 Venice, Officine Meccaniche Wig Wam Club, IT
26/5 Rovigo, Haiti Bar, IT
25/5 Bolzano, Rock'N'Roll Club, IT
24/5 Milano, Blue Rose Saloon, IT
Booking agent
wietze@codexagency.nl
Hardcore Superstar
Many bands play it safe – Hardcore Superstar doesn't.
The Swedish four-piece had the balls to marry two styles that grew up hating each other. We're talking about thrash metal and sleaze rock. The former hard, aggressive and ugly, the latter catchy, melodic and decadent.
The bastard child's name?
– We play street metal, offers drummer Magnus "Adde" Andreasson. Thrash and sleaze both come from the gutter. They wear big sneakers, they are a bit stupid and they both read pulp fiction. I can't believe that nobody brought them together before.
Hardcore Superstar did just that with the band's fourth and eponymous album, released in 2005. But the quartet didn't arrive overnight, rather paying its dues during a rocky but rewarding ride.
The roots can be traced back to the late eighties, when Adde was talked into playing the drums by older friend and neighbour Jocke Berg.
– I played the guitar and we tried our best with songs such as "Paranoid" and King Diamond's "Shrine", Jocke remembers.
The young teenagers, hailing from a small town just outside of Gothenburg, ended up in different bands, who in turn chose different routes from their Iron Maiden inspired beginnings. Adde opted for heavier stuff in Dorian Gray whereas the Jocke fronted Glamoury Foxx went in a glammier direction. Incidentally, Jocke took up singing thanks to one Thomas Silver, fellow guitar slinger in Glamoury Foxx.
Eventually, Jocke and Adde ended up together again. This time in Link, a classic rock oriented outfit with grunge leanings. They were joined by guitar player Fredrik "Fidde" Johansson and bass player Martin Sandvik, the latter having originally tried to lure Jocke away to his own band, Wanted. Link did the occasional gig and recorded a couple of demos before Adde headed west to pursue his dream.
– I kind of grew tired of Link, he confesses. I moved to Los Angeles to study at the Musicians Institute.
Link recruited drummer Mika Vainio and kept going until parting ways with Fredrik Johansson in the fall of 1997. The guitar player wanted to take the band in a psychedelic and arty direction – the other three just wanted to rock.
– I remember showing Fidde the riff to "Hello/goodbye", Martin says. He turned his back on me and started to play scales on the guitar. He obviously thought the riff sucked.
The remaining members couldn't be bothered, forging ahead and adopting the name Hardcore Superstar. Well, there was one little problem. Jocke already was quite a frontman, but being the sole guitar player? Naaah. As luck would have it, Thomas Silver had just left local rockers Green Jesus Saviours. Hardcore Superstar had a club gig lined up in Gothenburg, so Jocke asked his old bandmate to help out. Things clicked immediately and Thomas signed up as a permanent member.
His connection with Gain Productions helped Hardcore Superstar get "Hello/goodbye" and
"Someone special" onto a compilation album. The response was phenomenal and Gain duly offered the band a contract. And so in early 1998 the boys set out to record their debut album.
– We were influenced by the LA metal scene of the eighties, says Martin. You know, LA Guns and Faster Pussycat and the likes. But we also dug Oasis, as can be heard in "Someone special".
The result, "It's only rock'n'roll", was released in October 1998.
– Putting out an album was awesome, Jocke gushes. I felt like a rock star. And then we got to support Motörhead in Scandinavia. It was like "wow, we've made it!".
The initial 1000 copies of the album sold like hot cakes, and the second pressing sold out as well. Legendary UK label Music For Nations took notice, but Mika Vainio's interest was waning. The drummer jumped ship in late 1998. The band was bummed out but quickly decided that this might've been a blessing in disguise. There was this guy in LA with a bit of skill behind the drums, remember. Thomas called Adde, suggesting he'd get his ass back to Sweden to play some proper rock'n'roll.
– I said yes on the spot, Adde remembers. I felt done with LA, especially after being in a pub brawl that sent me to the hospital. I was back in Sweden in less than a month after Thomas' call.
Everything gelled as soon as the prodigal son returned. Hardcore Superstar signed to MFN but instead of having "It's only rock'n'roll" re-released – as the label was pushing for – the band insisted on re-recording its best tracks plus a few new songs.
– We wanted Adde to be on the album, Martin says. Plus we'd written "Liberation", "Have you been around" and some other great stuff.
The choice proved to be a wise one as soon as "Bad sneakers and a piña colada” was unleashed unto a wider audience in the spring of year 2000. The old songs benefitted from better playing and better production and "Liberation" and "Have you been around" both became successful singles. Together with lead-off single "Someone special", they climbed the domestic charts and made Hardcore Superstar the first Swedish rock band to make it big in the new millennium. Pretty much the rest of the year was spent on the road. Hardcore Superstar played 169 gigs, including a European tour and visits to Japan and Canada.
– Those were our first proper tours, Martin says. Being in a tour bus for six weeks straight and getting to experience Japan was incredible.
Still on an adrenaline high, the band didn't waste any time making a new album. This time, the objective was to explore the possiblities of the recording studio to the max. If "Bad sneakers..." was a case of "wham bam, thank you, ma'm", the follow up "Thank you (for letting us be ourselves)" – released in September 2001 – was a meticulous piece of work. Hardcore Superstar's American seventies' classic rock record, if you will.
– That was our Aerosmith phase, Adde offers. "Thank you..." might not have been what people were expecting or wanting, but we wanted to stick our necks out. We really enjoyed taking our time and using all those expensive, vintage instruments. We even had a string quartet on there.
The album was recorded with producer Roberto Laghi at the helm. Halfway through the project, Hardcore Superstar got the chance to open for AC/DC at a sold-out show (more than 50 000 people) at Gothenburg's Ullevi Stadium. The band shared the stage with friends and fellow local heavy hitters Lok, with whom they'd recorded the single "Staden Göteborg" earlier in the year. The reworked punk rock song – written by the Troublemakers – was the theme song for the music event Popstad Göteborg and had received lots of air play. Supporting Angus Young & Co remains a career high point.
– AC/DC is the ultimate party band, Adde gushes. The music is about pure energy. That's exactly what we're trying to achieve with Hardcore Superstar.
As a huge bonus and ditto honour, the guys were invited to open for AC/DC in Turin, Italy, again a few days later. "Thank you (for letting us be ourselves)" spawned the singles "Shame" and "Mother's love/Significant other" ( a double A-side). The album and the singles all went top 20 in Sweden and Hardcore Superstar once again toured Europe and Japan.
A familiar pattern ensued. The band went straight to work – and the record turned out to be a very different beast to its predecessor. Released in the summer of 2003, "No regrets" was a sonically raw and decidedly more Britsih sounding affair. Misfits had always been a big influence, but spurred on by Roberto Laghi the quartet discovered, or rediscovered, bands like Buzzcocks, The Ruts and The Stranglers. The album was preceded by the single "Honey tongue" and "Still I'm glad" followed. Both made an impact on the domestic charts, but the latter's title was not a good description of the mood in the Hardcore Superstar camp. Quite the opposite.
The heavy touring and heavy partying had taken its toll and spirits were low. After yet another European tour, things became ugly when the band went to the US for selected shows. Hardcore Superstar attended a party thrown at the Swedish consulate in New York City, and Thomas Silver got into a fist fight with a journalist from Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet. The short tour was completed, but the members knew they needed time apart.
– We were so tired of each other, Adde sighs. Tired of everything that had to do with Hardcore Superstar. It could've been two of us getting into a fight.
Back in Sweden, Hardcore Superstar went on a hiatus. The decision was made easier due to the demise of Music For Nations. The future was looking very uncertain, but there would be a twist of fate. Adde inherited an old house and spent the summer of 2004 refurbishing it with help from Martin. When at work, the guys blasted classic albums such as "Appetite for destruction", "Dr Feelgood" and "Among the living" and found themselves smiling again.
– It was like a revelation, Adde remembers fondly.
– We just went "this is what Hardcore Superstar should be about!". We had drifted away from our roots, in a way. It was time to write music from the heart and not listen to anyone but ourselves.
Adde and Martin had a new album mentally mapped out from the word go, and the writing process that followed was smooth and enjoyable. When all four members reconvened after more than six months apart, the chemistry was there again. Sparks were flying at rehearsals and everyone was pleased with the new and heavier direction, the self-proclaimed street metal.
Hardcore Superstar knew they had come up with their strongest material to date. In order to keep the vision pure, the band enlisted friends Johan Reivén (ex-Lok) and Christian "Rizsa" Isaksson to co-produce the record (with Adde and Martin) that was to put Hardcore Superstar back on the map. No-one outside that inner circle was allowed to listen until the album was wrapped. As a teaser, the single "Wild boys" was released in June. But even such a strong song couldn't fully prepare the media and the audience for what was to come.
When "Hardcore Superstar" finally arrived on the Gain label – yes, the band was back "home" – in November 2005, jaws dropped. The album was given excellent reviews worldwide and songs like "We don't celebrate Sundays", "My good reputation" and "Bag on your head" – all three eventually picked as singles – became anthems.
The tour was a runaway success, with not just old fans turning out to celebrate the comeback.
– At last we appealed to the old school metal fans. It was so cool to have those long-haired and bearded dudes with denim jackets playing air guitar in front of us, Martin says with a smile.
The live power of Hardcore Superstar was captured on the dvd "Live at Sticky Fingers", recorded in Gothenburg in March. The band toured Europe, made two triumphant trips to Japan (including an appearance at the prestigious Loud Park Festival) and played a number of European festivals, including a rousing performance in a jam-packed tent at the Sweden Rock Festival.
Having found a musical style and "modus operandi" that worked, the band was eager to start working on its a new album. It was decided that Adde and Martin should once again handle production duties, with old conspirator Roberto Laghi engineering.
The single "Bastards", recorded as a one-off and released in the summer of 2007, proved this was a good idea. It went gold in Sweden and showed that Hardcore Superstar were still on a creative roll. Before going into IF Studio – the Gothenburg studio previously known as Studio Fredman but now owned by In Flames – to record the album, Hardcore Superstar played some festivals. The most remarkable thing was the return to Sweden Rock Festival, this time as support act to Aerosmith on the main stage. Filled with confidence, the guys didn't have a problem immortalizing their new songs. The idea was to build on the strengts of "the black album".
– We knew exactly what we wanted to do, Adde says.
The recording process was more enjoyable than ever, and you can really hear that we were super confident. Musically, we went for diversity. You know, making the hard stuff even harder and the choruses even grander.
"Dreamin' in a casket" came out in November of 2007 and showed that "Hardcore Superstar" was no fluke. The album became another big-seller and the band went on tour to support it.
However, all was not hunky dory. Thomas Silver had lost a bit of his fire and found it hard to be on the road.
At the end of the first leg of the tour, he announced that he was quitting the band. Losing a long-standing member was a heavy blow, but Hardcore Superstar came up with a solution pretty much on the spot. The young and talanted Swede Vic Zino – whose band Crazy Lixx had been the support act on the tour – was chosen to fill the vacant spot for the Australian and Japanese dates that were just around the corner.
The Bosnia-born guitar player did a great job and was asked to join the band on a permanent basis. After some serious thinking, he accepted.
– I co-formed Crazy Lixx, so parting with my childhood friends was a tough thing to do, Vic confesses. But I just couldn't turn down an offer to join Hardcore Superstar. Since the black album, I've been a big fan of the band.
With Vic properly on board, Hardcore Superstar played several European dates as well as some high profile Swedish shows. Selling out Lisebergshallen, the second biggest indoor venue in Gothenburg, was a high point.
There have been many in the ten-year history of the band – and there are many more to come.
The story continues...
Sons of Texas
There is nothing subtle about Texas. There is a reason why we use the term “Texas-sized” to describe anything in life that’s exaggeratedly large, from posteriors, to bong hits, to jugs of beer. This boldness, naturally, extends to the Lone Star’s musical exports, loud n’ proud legendary artists like ZZ Top, Pantera, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, among many others. Now, firmly in that cocksure lineage, is a mighty bluesy metal band from McAllen, Texas aptly named, Sons Of Texas.
The young quintet’s debut, Baptized In The Rio Grande—produced by the iconic Josh Wilbur (Lamb Of God, Crowbar, Chiodos, Hatebreed)—is a Texas-sized portion of power metal grooves, dazzling guitar solos, strip joint/tailgate sing-along choruses, and soulfully charred vocal melodies. It took Wilbur 20 seconds of a YouTube clip to recognize this young band truly inherited the gonads of its Lone Star forefathers and sign on to work with the quintet.
“We’re proud of being a Texas hard rock band, that’s everything to us,” affirmsrhythm guitarist Jon Olivarez. “Texas is the biggest state, has a great history of football teams, and an astounding music legacy.”
Sons Of Texas was spawned in McAllen, Texas, a valley town without the music legacy of Austin or Arlington. The scene vibes “music for music’s sake” with metalcore bands, blues-rock bands, and straight up rock n’ roll bands swapping members and sharing bills. Sons Of Texas solidified in 2013 around a lineup of local all stars. The group is Mark Morales, vocals, Mike Villarreal, drums, Nick Villarreal, bass, Jon Olivarez, rhythm guitar, and Jes De Hoyos, lead guitar.
Despite being just in their mid 20s, never having recorded an album, and having only existed for about a year, the guys play with seasoned authenticity and fiery brilliance. The guitar duo of Jon Olivarez and Jes De Hoyos boastthat classic rhythm and lead division of labor of Metallica’s Hetfield and Hammett, Testament’s Alex Sklonick and Eric Peterson, and Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine and Marty Friedman. Sons Of Texas has that rare gift of having a rhythm section of brothers—Nick and Mike Villarreal—so the grooves are telepathic and deeply in the pocket. And vocalist Mark Morales has a blood raw expressiveness evoking Phil Anselmo, Chris Cornell, and Zakk Wylde.
Baptized In The Rio Grande is an album for raising hell and enduring hard times. The record spans good old bad boy anthems like “Texas Trim” and “Baptized In The Rio Grande,” the stately ballad territory of the haunting “September,” and the dead end job-frustration of “Pull It And Fire.” The standout “Blameshift” showcases the guys have modern rock radio potential without sacrificing heft for hooks.
The past year has been a blessing for the Sons Of Texas. Inking a record deal and working with a producer of Wilbur’s caliber doesn’t happen for bands in the Rio Grande region of McAllen, Texas. Olivarez explains: “People always told us to move to Austin, but we stuck with our hometown and made something of ourselves. We take a lot of pride in being one of the first Valley bands to get these opportunities. “
Current Location
Mcallen, Tx
General Manager
Larry Mazer
Press contact
Claire Reynolds - creynolds@razorandtie.com
Booking agent
Anthony Paolercio @ United Talent Agency
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