Misery Index - Close- Up Boat 11 - February 2009

The first band to go on stage were Americans Misery Index who were coming all the way from Baltimore to play for us drunken Swedes on the Close-up boat. Unfortunately, I wasn’t one of those drunken Swedes, and in my eagerness to become one of them, I got trapped at a pre-party in a cabin, and missed most of their show. This was quite a shame, cause what I saw was really nice. But I didn’t see enough to be able to write a real review about it. So sorry. Next time I’ll make sure to take time for these guys. With ex- Dying Fetus members you’ve got a lot to live up to. Looking forward to it.

//Annika

Opeth - Close-Up Boat - 12 Feburary 2009

In my opinion, there are few bands that live up to the same musical standards as the Stockholmers pride Opeth. And there are even fewer who live up to them live. Despite annoying facts like the stage fence being the perfect height to rub against my p-stave (resulting in a lot of bruising) and the sound technicians’ inability to fix the singing volume, it’s still magic. The later of these two facts was clearly the most annoying one. In the beginning of the show the sound was way too low, and just when you thought they’d fixed it in the middle, it got lower again towards the end. Even people from the audience where shouting at them to turn it up. I refused to let it bother me too much though.

Well, as you probably understand, I might not be so objective writing this. I happen to believe that Opeth is one of the best bands. Ever. So no, even if they played a bad show I would still love it. But they didn’t.

There is a special charisma over this band. And no matter how many bands that try to copy them, or are influenced by them, none can take their place. Even the middle talk is charming. Mikael Åkerfeldt talking about how many faults he played in the past song, with all the new stuff they were performing. ‘Cause it was mostly new stuff they played. But also old classics like Leaper Affinity, and when they ended with Bleak I had Goosebumps all over my bruised arms.

//Annika

Hardcore Superstar - Close-Up Boat - 12 Feburary 2009

A few sour notes here and there from singer Jocke Berg didn’t stop the audience from rockin’ to Hardcore Superstar. But it stopped me. Or maybe it was the fact that I never really liked them in the first place. Doesn’t really matter. They were the last band playing the first evening, and the audience was wild like they should be. Singing along and responding to the band’s stage show. A good ending to a wonderful night. Or, for most of the boat, a good start to the rest of the night’s partying.

//Annika

Memfis - Pub Anchor - 20 nov 2008

The hype about the Kristinehamn band Memfis has been huge ever since their first demo release in 2004. There have been a lot of expectations for their first label release in 2006, “The Wind Up” - expectations they have lived up to in most people’s eyes. With very few shows having been played the past year, I was exited to see where the band was headed at end of 2008.

When Memfis had first gotten on stage I stood there with my mouth gaping wide open. What the fuck? Had lead singer/guitarist Mattias Engström been replaced? It took me until they had started playing the first song to realize that he must have gotten a MAJOR haircut (read: from ass-long ‘til none). With that sorted out, I could focus on the music.

Even if the dynamics, which are such an exceptional part of this band’s sound, are not as distinct on such a small stage, the band gets through to the audience with their well-produced, progressive sound.

To watch a Memfis show is a very safe experience. They have found their sound, are extremely tight and feel comfortable on stage. They are stabile, dynamic and extremely musical (and now less hairy). The comfortably-sized audience at Pub Anchor ends up leaving pleased, getting exactly what they came for. But I found myself asking why I hadn’t heard more of them, and why they play so few shows in a city as large as Stockholm. So I asked them why. The answer they had was simple:

“Cause people don’t wanna see us more often.” But I believe that if they keep up the hard work and release another album as great as “The Wind Up”, people will be convinced otherwise. I’m sure the Memfis saga has just begun.

//Annika