Dalton are back after 25 years with a new album and the will to rock on. Grande Rock contacted the band’s lead singer Bosse Lindmark and talked about the old days, their comback and their future plans among other things…
Hey Bo… welcome back to the rock scene! I guess 25 years may seem like a lifetime but they pass in a blink of an eye, right?! How do you and the other guys feel to be back?
B: Thank you... yes, years go by quickly! It feels as if time has stood still, now when we are back to rock again!!!
Do tell us… first of all, when and under which circumstances did the reunion take place?
B: It started in the fall of 2011 when a Swedish TV producer heard of us and wanted to make a documentary about our reunion. We all met began filming and even rehearsed a few times in front of the camera.
Can you say that the live show with Scorpions in 2012 was the spark to build the fire once again?
B: Yes, it was after the gig we realized there were many fans who wanted to see more of us, that’s when we started thinking about a real comeback and a new album.
During those 25 years didn’t you have any relations with the other guys or you just didn’t talk about music at all? Hadn’t a reunion crossed your mind at some point or what?
B: Of course I meet my brother every now and then, we have also played in the same band a few times over the years. But I’ve actually never thought about a reunion, it was not in my head. Ever...
Weren’t you afraid that the music industry won’t be like the one you used to remember back in the 80s? By the way, what are the basic changes between then and now?
B: I’ve been in the music industry pretty much all the time, so I’ve kept up with the trends. But of course it has changed a lot, there are others in the band that have got new experiences now when we are back in the saddle!
Did you have any demo tracks from the old days left? How many of the new songs are from the past?
B: We found a demo from 1990 with songs for the Dalton’s 3rd album that are the foundation of the album. We kept the basic structure but added and modified them in the rehearsals and in the studio. Then there are three newly written songs on top of that.
How was the feeling of writing music again and the recording sessions?
B: It’s been an exciting journey – from listening to the demo, to the rehearsal room and then to finishing the songs in the studio. We all have been involved and really motivated, amazing!!!
So that’s what the album title “Pit Stop” declares… Was it just a “quick stop” for the band and now you’re ready to cover the lost ground?
B: That’s definitely a way to see it! We have also followed the “racing theme” from the old albums, “The Race is On” and “Injection”…
Please give us a hint about each track...
B: “Ready or Not”: The chorus was originally written as an intro theme to the Swedish wrestler Frank Andersson back in 1990, the riff and verse came afterwards.
“Hey You”: We had to re-write the lyrics – it was way too dirty to fit us middle-aged rockers, otherwise it is basically same as the demo from 1990.
“Do not Tell Me Lies”: It’s also an oldie from 1990, sure brings back memories!
“Follow Your Dreams”: It’s like a cliché to live your dreams, but that’s what we’ll do now with this comeback! Also from 1990…
“Up & Down”: Initially I thought this was too weak, but it grew enormously when we added the choirs and worked on the sound. I’m really glad we did! From 1990.
“Bad Love”: This nasty riff got a real live feeling to it, like some great Mötley Crue stuff, also from 1990…
“One Voice”: I’ve had this in the trunk for probably 5 years, but when me and Erik Mårtensson worked it, it became really good. Great lyrics by Miquel too!!!
“Here We Are”: I wrote this together with Lawrence West for a project we had with, among others, and Ian Haugland from Europe. Had to adjust it pretty much to make it fit into the “Pit Stop” sound...
“Something for the Pain”: Was basically written in the studio. We brought the basics but rearranged it pretty much. The lyrics were written while singing... Erik is the king...
“50/50”: From 1990, this one also raises some good old memories the times in the rehearsal room where we all spent a lot of time back then... a nice Bon Jovi rocking thing, I think…
“TGIF”: Also a song from 1990, it was the last song I did for the album. So amazingly nice to totally give in to the scream and shout after several weeks of work in the studio!!!
How did the Cooperation with Erik Mårtensson (Eclipse, WET) occur? I think Eric is one of the top-producers of the new generation.
B: Erik is an incredibly talented musician, songwriter and producer, who have also become a close friend, he really brought life in Dalton after all these years. Together with Anders Livåg’s nice ears we have retained the 80s feeling, which we thought was very important. if we were to do something new... I really hope we get to do more albums with Erik, I could not consider working with someone else in this project...
How easy or not was it to find a music label to support you and promote the band again? As you know, nowadays things are kind of weird on this party for many bands.
B: We did a three song demo first including “Hey You”, “Bad Love” and “Ready or Not” and sent it to various companies we thought would fit our comeback. We got so many positive responses, but we’ve chosen Frontiers, which absolutely suit us the best!!!
Are there any touring plans? Are you planning to give any live shows anytime soon?
B: Of course we want to go on tour, but we do not want to do anything crappy. We want good gig that suits us, like festivals etc. There are plans and discussions ongoing, but nothing is set as of today.
Now allow me to take you back in the late 80s/early90s ... how did grunge music affect the band and the whole hard rock movement of that time and put it on ice? Did you have enough with all this movement and every manager/label that wanted to find the new grunge stars and did not give a shit about hard rock music anymore?
B: It was definitely grunge that nailed us, the interest in our kind of music was getting so low that it seemed useless to continue. But the wind has changed, which has made Dalton’s comeback possible...
It’s time for our “weird questions”!!! Which music kind can’t you bear to hear at all?
B: I listen to everything, but after a 10-minute jazz solo I give up…
Which is the record you wish you had written and why?
B: Queen – “A Night at the Opera”, amazing vocals and a mix out of this world, the best song from is of course “Bohemian Rhapsody”... wow!!!
Best 3 ballads that can help you seduce any lady?
B: Whitesnake – “Is This Love”, Queen – “Love of My Life” and Dalton – “Follow Your Dreams”…
How do you see the “free downloading issue” of our time? What can a band or a label do to change that thing?
B: I think as a listener that it’s okay, but as a songwriter is not that good. Hard telling how to do it, I have no solution, but think we will get there soon. We have to, for all the songwriters’ sake...
What do you think about this “Views, tweets & Likes” mania of our time?
B: I think it’s fun, Facebook and Youtube’s amazingly good! Especially now when we are releasing an album it’s so cool to get the immediate response from the posts. I’m more of a reader rather than a poster…
Best pick-up line that has worked for you several times in the past?
B: “Hey, I’m the lead singer of one of Sweden’s best rock bands, wanna follow me home and listen over a cup of tea”... hahaha... or something like that... do not really remember, it was so long since I picked up someone...
Which character from the “Game of Thrones” would you be – if you lived in the Seven Kingdoms?
B: Sorry, I have never seen it.
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins do you reckon is the one, that's more likely to send you straight to Hell, in the afterlife?
B: Lust maybe....
Were you obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that would represent the whole human music evolution, which album would it be and from which band/artist?
B: “A Night at the Opera” by Queen…
If Dalton’s career was a movie... which movie would it be and why?
B: I rarely watch movies, so I can’t think of any right now...
Imagine that your girlfriend/wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
B: I do not have a particularly great record collection, but certainly there are some records that would get me pissed off if someone did steal them... I would probably steal the ring and give it to some street musician!
Finally, we come to an end Bo... say what you feel before we close this interview. Thx for the music dude! Take care!
B: Come on over and “like” our Facebook page www.facebook.com/daltonSweden. After that go out and buy our new album, “Pit Stop” – you will not regret it!... And fasten your seatbelts, the race is on...
B: Thank you... yes, years go by quickly! It feels as if time has stood still, now when we are back to rock again!!!
Do tell us… first of all, when and under which circumstances did the reunion take place?
B: It started in the fall of 2011 when a Swedish TV producer heard of us and wanted to make a documentary about our reunion. We all met began filming and even rehearsed a few times in front of the camera.
Can you say that the live show with Scorpions in 2012 was the spark to build the fire once again?
B: Yes, it was after the gig we realized there were many fans who wanted to see more of us, that’s when we started thinking about a real comeback and a new album.
During those 25 years didn’t you have any relations with the other guys or you just didn’t talk about music at all? Hadn’t a reunion crossed your mind at some point or what?
B: Of course I meet my brother every now and then, we have also played in the same band a few times over the years. But I’ve actually never thought about a reunion, it was not in my head. Ever...
Weren’t you afraid that the music industry won’t be like the one you used to remember back in the 80s? By the way, what are the basic changes between then and now?
B: I’ve been in the music industry pretty much all the time, so I’ve kept up with the trends. But of course it has changed a lot, there are others in the band that have got new experiences now when we are back in the saddle!
Did you have any demo tracks from the old days left? How many of the new songs are from the past?
B: We found a demo from 1990 with songs for the Dalton’s 3rd album that are the foundation of the album. We kept the basic structure but added and modified them in the rehearsals and in the studio. Then there are three newly written songs on top of that.
How was the feeling of writing music again and the recording sessions?
B: It’s been an exciting journey – from listening to the demo, to the rehearsal room and then to finishing the songs in the studio. We all have been involved and really motivated, amazing!!!
So that’s what the album title “Pit Stop” declares… Was it just a “quick stop” for the band and now you’re ready to cover the lost ground?
B: That’s definitely a way to see it! We have also followed the “racing theme” from the old albums, “The Race is On” and “Injection”…
Please give us a hint about each track...
B: “Ready or Not”: The chorus was originally written as an intro theme to the Swedish wrestler Frank Andersson back in 1990, the riff and verse came afterwards.
“Hey You”: We had to re-write the lyrics – it was way too dirty to fit us middle-aged rockers, otherwise it is basically same as the demo from 1990.
“Do not Tell Me Lies”: It’s also an oldie from 1990, sure brings back memories!
“Follow Your Dreams”: It’s like a cliché to live your dreams, but that’s what we’ll do now with this comeback! Also from 1990…
“Up & Down”: Initially I thought this was too weak, but it grew enormously when we added the choirs and worked on the sound. I’m really glad we did! From 1990.
“Bad Love”: This nasty riff got a real live feeling to it, like some great Mötley Crue stuff, also from 1990…
“One Voice”: I’ve had this in the trunk for probably 5 years, but when me and Erik Mårtensson worked it, it became really good. Great lyrics by Miquel too!!!
“Here We Are”: I wrote this together with Lawrence West for a project we had with, among others, and Ian Haugland from Europe. Had to adjust it pretty much to make it fit into the “Pit Stop” sound...
“Something for the Pain”: Was basically written in the studio. We brought the basics but rearranged it pretty much. The lyrics were written while singing... Erik is the king...
“50/50”: From 1990, this one also raises some good old memories the times in the rehearsal room where we all spent a lot of time back then... a nice Bon Jovi rocking thing, I think…
“TGIF”: Also a song from 1990, it was the last song I did for the album. So amazingly nice to totally give in to the scream and shout after several weeks of work in the studio!!!
How did the Cooperation with Erik Mårtensson (Eclipse, WET) occur? I think Eric is one of the top-producers of the new generation.
B: Erik is an incredibly talented musician, songwriter and producer, who have also become a close friend, he really brought life in Dalton after all these years. Together with Anders Livåg’s nice ears we have retained the 80s feeling, which we thought was very important. if we were to do something new... I really hope we get to do more albums with Erik, I could not consider working with someone else in this project...
How easy or not was it to find a music label to support you and promote the band again? As you know, nowadays things are kind of weird on this party for many bands.
B: We did a three song demo first including “Hey You”, “Bad Love” and “Ready or Not” and sent it to various companies we thought would fit our comeback. We got so many positive responses, but we’ve chosen Frontiers, which absolutely suit us the best!!!
Are there any touring plans? Are you planning to give any live shows anytime soon?
B: Of course we want to go on tour, but we do not want to do anything crappy. We want good gig that suits us, like festivals etc. There are plans and discussions ongoing, but nothing is set as of today.
Now allow me to take you back in the late 80s/early90s ... how did grunge music affect the band and the whole hard rock movement of that time and put it on ice? Did you have enough with all this movement and every manager/label that wanted to find the new grunge stars and did not give a shit about hard rock music anymore?
B: It was definitely grunge that nailed us, the interest in our kind of music was getting so low that it seemed useless to continue. But the wind has changed, which has made Dalton’s comeback possible...
It’s time for our “weird questions”!!! Which music kind can’t you bear to hear at all?
B: I listen to everything, but after a 10-minute jazz solo I give up…
Which is the record you wish you had written and why?
B: Queen – “A Night at the Opera”, amazing vocals and a mix out of this world, the best song from is of course “Bohemian Rhapsody”... wow!!!
Best 3 ballads that can help you seduce any lady?
B: Whitesnake – “Is This Love”, Queen – “Love of My Life” and Dalton – “Follow Your Dreams”…
How do you see the “free downloading issue” of our time? What can a band or a label do to change that thing?
B: I think as a listener that it’s okay, but as a songwriter is not that good. Hard telling how to do it, I have no solution, but think we will get there soon. We have to, for all the songwriters’ sake...
What do you think about this “Views, tweets & Likes” mania of our time?
B: I think it’s fun, Facebook and Youtube’s amazingly good! Especially now when we are releasing an album it’s so cool to get the immediate response from the posts. I’m more of a reader rather than a poster…
Best pick-up line that has worked for you several times in the past?
B: “Hey, I’m the lead singer of one of Sweden’s best rock bands, wanna follow me home and listen over a cup of tea”... hahaha... or something like that... do not really remember, it was so long since I picked up someone...
Which character from the “Game of Thrones” would you be – if you lived in the Seven Kingdoms?
B: Sorry, I have never seen it.
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins do you reckon is the one, that's more likely to send you straight to Hell, in the afterlife?
B: Lust maybe....
Were you obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that would represent the whole human music evolution, which album would it be and from which band/artist?
B: “A Night at the Opera” by Queen…
If Dalton’s career was a movie... which movie would it be and why?
B: I rarely watch movies, so I can’t think of any right now...
Imagine that your girlfriend/wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
B: I do not have a particularly great record collection, but certainly there are some records that would get me pissed off if someone did steal them... I would probably steal the ring and give it to some street musician!
Finally, we come to an end Bo... say what you feel before we close this interview. Thx for the music dude! Take care!
B: Come on over and “like” our Facebook page www.facebook.com/daltonSweden. After that go out and buy our new album, “Pit Stop” – you will not regret it!... And fasten your seatbelts, the race is on...