It might have come out of nowhere but it took me by storm! I’m talking about the album “On the Rocks” by Dizziness, which was meant to be released 27 years (!!!) ago but it never did! I’m glad I “discovered it” now and gave it a chance for it Roxxx like hell! The least we could was to get in touch with the band’s original guitarist & songwriter Lars and learn all about the album’s background and how things were back in the 80s. Do not miss this very intriguing interview… it’ll be like a “Time travel” for the 80s hard rock lovers…
Hi Lars… Congrats on “On the Rocks”! We’ve added the album to our “Gems” category! I guess it goes “Better Late than Never” in that case… huh?!
L: To begin with, great you like it! I really appreciate that. “Better late…” that’s the least you could say…
So, after 27(!!!) years your debut album is finally out on the market! How do you feel about it? What were the first thoughts you and the rest band members had?
L: I can say from my heart, I have never doubted about its quality. I think the songs are great, it sounds good, even compared to products of today. And we play well. Sometimes you have done things in the past that were OK then, but that you disagree with later but that’s not the case here. Of course, there are details but generally it’s good. But of course the initial thought was WHAT! And the second thought was how did someone from Greece (!) find this Swedish well hidden album?!
But let’s take things right from the start… who are Dizziness, when did they begin and how long did they last and why?
L: Dizziness started in 1975 when I and drummer Dante (Daniel Gese) started to play together, we were13 years old. Lare (Lars Hultman) joined in 1978 on bass and in 1979 Walle (Stefan Wallman) joined on guitar and vocals. Even though Walle’s vocals were way better than the rest of us we felt we should find someone for the vocals. We found Tomas Naeslund in 1984 and it was then when the song writing became much better. Walle could focus on guitar and Tomas had a wider range etc. Now we were three songwriters. And Tomas was a good lyric writer as well.
In 1987 Walle quit and some months later Tomas quit. The rest of us continued as a band. There was no hesitation about that, we just had to find another singer. We found Jonas Blum and for some reason we changed name to Pole Position and made two albums.
Hence, why did “On the Rocks” stay unreleased (probably on a shelf) for 27 years? What happened and it never saw the light of day until today? Was it a rights issue or what?
L: Actually I don’t know. Since we continued with a new singer we could have released the album and continue from there. I remember I met the guy who owned the label and he said “Yeah, I’m releasing it soon…”. I guess he said that a lot of times. This guy had some kind of agreement with the guys that owned the studio where we recorded the album. His part was to release the record. I guess he just couldn’t afford it.
I read somewhere that your label back then tried to sell the album right to a major one but that thing never happened and the album stayed locked for that reason. Where’s the truth in that, if there’s any?
L: It started like that. The album was finished like in March 1986 and nothing happened the rest of the year because they wanted to sell it to a major label. We were frustrated and pissed of course. But you know, promises… Then this American guy, Chris Brown appears and wants to be our manager. He loves the album and wants to take us to LA where we were supposed to get a record deal with a major American label but he doesn’t want to work with our Swedish label. So we want to follow him and leave our label. I mean, nothing had happened, just empty promises. NOW the Swedish label wants to release it and the mess started. There were lawyers, angry phone calls etc… (i.n.: A WTF situation in general…)
We were supposed to leave for LA in end of May - 87. But Chris disappears so we decide to leave him. Well, he returns later on that summer and… well I could go on for ages! It was around here, the summer of 87, where Tomas quits and Dizziness takes a break. (i.n.: Too many crooks appeared on the band’s way… I see!)
How did the cooperation with No Remorse records occur? Did you have the thought to release the album someday in the back of your mind?
L: No Remorse found us on a blog spot, someone had uploaded the album. I don’t know who. The single ie maxi single format was released in 1985 so that was out. But the songs on internet were from the album. But the album would never have been released by some of us. You must have that network to spread it and we don’t know anything about such things.
Did you feel disappointment with all these problems of the music industry back in the day?
L: Of course we were disappointed. I mean we knew we had a killer album. And with the right hands we could have done real well. But in the same time we should have made sure the album was released later on with our new singer. I don’t know why we gave up the album. We still had the contract. Maybe we wanted a different approach for the music.
Do you think that this album deserved a better treatment back then? If it was released in 1986, would the band’s road have been different? Would you think you could have made it back then?
L: Absolutely, it had a great potential. Who knows what our lives would have looked like if we had got a decent chance.
The album was recorded almost 27 years ago but still its production is very good and endured the test of time. Where did the recordings take place and who took care of the production?
L: The studio was called BMB studio in Stockholm. The engineer was Bernt Lööf and he really knew what he was doing. It’s all thanks to him it sounds so good! When we started to mix and we heard it started to sound so huge and…. we were just blown away. We were so happy and proud of it. We played it for our friends and they just couldn’t believe what they were hearing. It was just awesome!
Tell me … is the cover artwork the original one all the way from the 80s? You see, nowadays it seems a bit “odd” & retro, but it’s cool in a way… What do you think?
L: Yes, it’s the original. We wanted to keep everything as it was supposed to be. I like it. It’s definitely different. Too bad we couldn’t find the guy who made it.
Do give us a hint about each one of the songs…
L: “Playing with Fire”: “Playing with Fire” and “Take it or Leave it” were the only songs that we had before Tomas joined. Tomas did some nice choir arrangements on the second and third chorus of “PwF”. This one and “Midnight Lover” are my favorites. “PwF” is my (Lars) song.
“Victim of Love”: This is Walle’s song. Tomas rewrote the lyrics. This song seems to appeal to many people.
“Every Little Piece of My Heart”: Tomas’s song. There are two ballads. This one and “Tell You Again”. Back then I preferred “Tell You Again”, but now I like this one better.
“Heart Beatin' Woman”: This one was based on a riff I had. It was written on a rehearsal. I wrote the verse and bridge and Tomas did the chorus.
“Take It or Leave It”: Walle’s song. I think the guitars sound better on the single version ie track 12.
“Snowblind”: My song. I named it and Tomas did the lyrics. I really like the harmony guitars after the solo.
“Power”: This is also my song but Tomas came up with the melody. I’m really happy with the solo hear.
“On the Rocks”: Tomas’s song. The intro is fantastic, sounds like the Vatican choir
But Tomas refused to tell us the lyrics!! It sounds like Latin but I think it’s made up.
“I Tell You Again”: I got the chorus in my head on my way to my work. I played it for Walle and he wrote the verse right on the spot!
“Midnight Lover”: Walle had this really heavy song. I didn’t like it first. It was a little different when he played it for us, it sounded like Judas Priest. But we gave it a new chance, Tomas changed the melody and it turned out to be the best song on the album (according to me…)
The album also contains the single versions of “Playing with Fire” & “Take It or Leave It”. Were those two tracks released at any time back then or they remained unreleased as well?
L: Yes they were released in 1984 and it was more like a test. We had already signed for the album before it was released.
Even though the album was unreleased all this time, there were a few tunes on Youtube and I think I’ve seen an MP3 version with 9 songs on some blogspots at some point. Are you aware of those things?
L: Tomas contacted Bernt Lööf like two years ago and asked for a CD taken from the master tape. Bernt helped him with that and Tomas made some homemade video for “Playing with Fire” which he uploaded to Youtube. I also think he also added “Midnight Lover”. But how the album ended up on that blogspot I don’t know. I can’t imagine anyone could have had the album. (i.n.: Yeap, it’s a mystery…)
What are your expectations from this album now? Did you just want it to release it and that’s all or there’s more than that?
L: Of course it would be great if it could lead to something. I would love to play those songs again. We are all alive and we’re still playing music. (i.n.: That’s great to hear…)
L: To begin with, great you like it! I really appreciate that. “Better late…” that’s the least you could say…
So, after 27(!!!) years your debut album is finally out on the market! How do you feel about it? What were the first thoughts you and the rest band members had?
L: I can say from my heart, I have never doubted about its quality. I think the songs are great, it sounds good, even compared to products of today. And we play well. Sometimes you have done things in the past that were OK then, but that you disagree with later but that’s not the case here. Of course, there are details but generally it’s good. But of course the initial thought was WHAT! And the second thought was how did someone from Greece (!) find this Swedish well hidden album?!
But let’s take things right from the start… who are Dizziness, when did they begin and how long did they last and why?
L: Dizziness started in 1975 when I and drummer Dante (Daniel Gese) started to play together, we were13 years old. Lare (Lars Hultman) joined in 1978 on bass and in 1979 Walle (Stefan Wallman) joined on guitar and vocals. Even though Walle’s vocals were way better than the rest of us we felt we should find someone for the vocals. We found Tomas Naeslund in 1984 and it was then when the song writing became much better. Walle could focus on guitar and Tomas had a wider range etc. Now we were three songwriters. And Tomas was a good lyric writer as well.
In 1987 Walle quit and some months later Tomas quit. The rest of us continued as a band. There was no hesitation about that, we just had to find another singer. We found Jonas Blum and for some reason we changed name to Pole Position and made two albums.
Hence, why did “On the Rocks” stay unreleased (probably on a shelf) for 27 years? What happened and it never saw the light of day until today? Was it a rights issue or what?
L: Actually I don’t know. Since we continued with a new singer we could have released the album and continue from there. I remember I met the guy who owned the label and he said “Yeah, I’m releasing it soon…”. I guess he said that a lot of times. This guy had some kind of agreement with the guys that owned the studio where we recorded the album. His part was to release the record. I guess he just couldn’t afford it.
I read somewhere that your label back then tried to sell the album right to a major one but that thing never happened and the album stayed locked for that reason. Where’s the truth in that, if there’s any?
L: It started like that. The album was finished like in March 1986 and nothing happened the rest of the year because they wanted to sell it to a major label. We were frustrated and pissed of course. But you know, promises… Then this American guy, Chris Brown appears and wants to be our manager. He loves the album and wants to take us to LA where we were supposed to get a record deal with a major American label but he doesn’t want to work with our Swedish label. So we want to follow him and leave our label. I mean, nothing had happened, just empty promises. NOW the Swedish label wants to release it and the mess started. There were lawyers, angry phone calls etc… (i.n.: A WTF situation in general…)
We were supposed to leave for LA in end of May - 87. But Chris disappears so we decide to leave him. Well, he returns later on that summer and… well I could go on for ages! It was around here, the summer of 87, where Tomas quits and Dizziness takes a break. (i.n.: Too many crooks appeared on the band’s way… I see!)
How did the cooperation with No Remorse records occur? Did you have the thought to release the album someday in the back of your mind?
L: No Remorse found us on a blog spot, someone had uploaded the album. I don’t know who. The single ie maxi single format was released in 1985 so that was out. But the songs on internet were from the album. But the album would never have been released by some of us. You must have that network to spread it and we don’t know anything about such things.
Did you feel disappointment with all these problems of the music industry back in the day?
L: Of course we were disappointed. I mean we knew we had a killer album. And with the right hands we could have done real well. But in the same time we should have made sure the album was released later on with our new singer. I don’t know why we gave up the album. We still had the contract. Maybe we wanted a different approach for the music.
Do you think that this album deserved a better treatment back then? If it was released in 1986, would the band’s road have been different? Would you think you could have made it back then?
L: Absolutely, it had a great potential. Who knows what our lives would have looked like if we had got a decent chance.
The album was recorded almost 27 years ago but still its production is very good and endured the test of time. Where did the recordings take place and who took care of the production?
L: The studio was called BMB studio in Stockholm. The engineer was Bernt Lööf and he really knew what he was doing. It’s all thanks to him it sounds so good! When we started to mix and we heard it started to sound so huge and…. we were just blown away. We were so happy and proud of it. We played it for our friends and they just couldn’t believe what they were hearing. It was just awesome!
Tell me … is the cover artwork the original one all the way from the 80s? You see, nowadays it seems a bit “odd” & retro, but it’s cool in a way… What do you think?
L: Yes, it’s the original. We wanted to keep everything as it was supposed to be. I like it. It’s definitely different. Too bad we couldn’t find the guy who made it.
Do give us a hint about each one of the songs…
L: “Playing with Fire”: “Playing with Fire” and “Take it or Leave it” were the only songs that we had before Tomas joined. Tomas did some nice choir arrangements on the second and third chorus of “PwF”. This one and “Midnight Lover” are my favorites. “PwF” is my (Lars) song.
“Victim of Love”: This is Walle’s song. Tomas rewrote the lyrics. This song seems to appeal to many people.
“Every Little Piece of My Heart”: Tomas’s song. There are two ballads. This one and “Tell You Again”. Back then I preferred “Tell You Again”, but now I like this one better.
“Heart Beatin' Woman”: This one was based on a riff I had. It was written on a rehearsal. I wrote the verse and bridge and Tomas did the chorus.
“Take It or Leave It”: Walle’s song. I think the guitars sound better on the single version ie track 12.
“Snowblind”: My song. I named it and Tomas did the lyrics. I really like the harmony guitars after the solo.
“Power”: This is also my song but Tomas came up with the melody. I’m really happy with the solo hear.
“On the Rocks”: Tomas’s song. The intro is fantastic, sounds like the Vatican choir
But Tomas refused to tell us the lyrics!! It sounds like Latin but I think it’s made up.“I Tell You Again”: I got the chorus in my head on my way to my work. I played it for Walle and he wrote the verse right on the spot!
“Midnight Lover”: Walle had this really heavy song. I didn’t like it first. It was a little different when he played it for us, it sounded like Judas Priest. But we gave it a new chance, Tomas changed the melody and it turned out to be the best song on the album (according to me…)
The album also contains the single versions of “Playing with Fire” & “Take It or Leave It”. Were those two tracks released at any time back then or they remained unreleased as well?
L: Yes they were released in 1984 and it was more like a test. We had already signed for the album before it was released.
Even though the album was unreleased all this time, there were a few tunes on Youtube and I think I’ve seen an MP3 version with 9 songs on some blogspots at some point. Are you aware of those things?
L: Tomas contacted Bernt Lööf like two years ago and asked for a CD taken from the master tape. Bernt helped him with that and Tomas made some homemade video for “Playing with Fire” which he uploaded to Youtube. I also think he also added “Midnight Lover”. But how the album ended up on that blogspot I don’t know. I can’t imagine anyone could have had the album. (i.n.: Yeap, it’s a mystery…)
What are your expectations from this album now? Did you just want it to release it and that’s all or there’s more than that?
L: Of course it would be great if it could lead to something. I would love to play those songs again. We are all alive and we’re still playing music. (i.n.: That’s great to hear…)
Is there any chance to see the band alive again and even go for a new album? Are there any demo songs from the old days?
L: If someone wants to see us live we putting the band together again. And if the interest would be there then we do another album. We had a bunch of song for another album. (i.n.: Great!)
What are those regrets that the 80s have given you? Do you feel that things are better or not for any band nowadays, comparing things to the past?
L: It was better before. You don’t sell any records nowadays. There just too much music out there. It’s almost impossible to be heard. There’s a huge wall you have to break through before anyone knows about you. You really need some that believes in you and are willing to work his ass off to make it.
What are you doing right now musically? Are there any further musical steps you intend to take?
L: I have my main band Fair of Freaks. We have made one album so far, “The More I Want”. But now were putting Pole Position together again. That’s gonna be so fun! As I said Dizziness and Pole Position are the same band for me. If you like Dizziness you should look for the first Pole Position album also. You will like that too. It can be hard to find though.
Time for our weird questions!!! How did you come up with the name Dizziness back in the day?
L: I guess we were like 14 years old. We found it in an English dictionary. It sounded cool…
Do you think there’s place for a band like Dizziness in today’s music or not? Why? How much has our music changed since the 80s?
L: The 80s is definitely back. It’s not like the 90s. The worst decade ever! We had PP then and then came Nirvana and suddenly heavy metal was no more! But now it’s more or less good songs, good music that rules. Everything seems to be allowed. So there is without doubt a place for Dizziness!
How do you see those new incidents across Europe and in Sweden concerning the immigrants and the crimes we have on both sides? What must change? Can music re-unite the population in Europe or we really need something else?
L: I don’t want to mix music with politics. For me it’s rock & roll. Forget about the troubles for a while and get carried away by the music.
Which is the record you wish you had written and why??
L: Dizziness “On the Rocks” and the first Pole Position album! I’m very proud satisfied with them and it’s just a shame it didn’t happen anything.
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?
L: Black Sabbath’s “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”. It has it all.
Why is rock/metal (any kind) music better than sex… if it is…
L: Sex is great for 1-2 minutes, haha J Rock/metal is fantastic 24/7! (i.n.: Hahahaha…)
You have the opportunity to have sex with the porn-star/movie celebrity of your choice. Who would it be & why?
L: Now that’s a question! I like Uma Thurman in the Kill Bill movies. That would be interesting I guess. If she doesn’t use the karate on me! (i.n.: Hehehe…)
Imagine that your wife/girlfriend/life partner is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
L: I sell her and buy my records back…
I think we’re done Lars. Thx for the music! Close this interview in your own way… Take care…
L: I’m 51 now but the dream is still there… (i.n.: Never give up on your dreams dude!)
L: If someone wants to see us live we putting the band together again. And if the interest would be there then we do another album. We had a bunch of song for another album. (i.n.: Great!)
What are those regrets that the 80s have given you? Do you feel that things are better or not for any band nowadays, comparing things to the past?
L: It was better before. You don’t sell any records nowadays. There just too much music out there. It’s almost impossible to be heard. There’s a huge wall you have to break through before anyone knows about you. You really need some that believes in you and are willing to work his ass off to make it.
What are you doing right now musically? Are there any further musical steps you intend to take?
L: I have my main band Fair of Freaks. We have made one album so far, “The More I Want”. But now were putting Pole Position together again. That’s gonna be so fun! As I said Dizziness and Pole Position are the same band for me. If you like Dizziness you should look for the first Pole Position album also. You will like that too. It can be hard to find though.
Time for our weird questions!!! How did you come up with the name Dizziness back in the day?
L: I guess we were like 14 years old. We found it in an English dictionary. It sounded cool…
Do you think there’s place for a band like Dizziness in today’s music or not? Why? How much has our music changed since the 80s?
L: The 80s is definitely back. It’s not like the 90s. The worst decade ever! We had PP then and then came Nirvana and suddenly heavy metal was no more! But now it’s more or less good songs, good music that rules. Everything seems to be allowed. So there is without doubt a place for Dizziness!
How do you see those new incidents across Europe and in Sweden concerning the immigrants and the crimes we have on both sides? What must change? Can music re-unite the population in Europe or we really need something else?
L: I don’t want to mix music with politics. For me it’s rock & roll. Forget about the troubles for a while and get carried away by the music.
Which is the record you wish you had written and why??
L: Dizziness “On the Rocks” and the first Pole Position album! I’m very proud satisfied with them and it’s just a shame it didn’t happen anything.
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?
L: Black Sabbath’s “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”. It has it all.
Why is rock/metal (any kind) music better than sex… if it is…
L: Sex is great for 1-2 minutes, haha J Rock/metal is fantastic 24/7! (i.n.: Hahahaha…)
You have the opportunity to have sex with the porn-star/movie celebrity of your choice. Who would it be & why?
L: Now that’s a question!
I like Uma Thurman in the Kill Bill movies. That would be interesting I guess. If she doesn’t use the karate on me! (i.n.: Hehehe…)Imagine that your wife/girlfriend/life partner is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
L: I sell her and buy my records back…
I think we’re done Lars. Thx for the music! Close this interview in your own way… Take care…
L: I’m 51 now but the dream is still there… (i.n.: Never give up on your dreams dude!)