TOKEN
| Well I must confess that "Tomorrowland" was one of the best debut albums for this year. Token is a brand new band that comes from Sweden and believe me: Those guys can write impressive songs that will surprise everyone. Let's see what the band told us... |
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Niclas:
Thank you! And thanks to all the great feedback we have got. Right now
we’re waiting for the director to complete his post-production work on
our video for the song “Human”. We’re very exited about how thing
will turn out since this is our first video. The best way to get latest
news about Token is to check out our web site http://www.tokendirect.com Can
you tell us any remarkable or funny fact that happened during the
recordings of the album? Mikael:
Hmmm, one funny thing is that song number two on the album, “Human”
went through a total change from the demo version. That version sounded
very much different and had with other lyrics. You wouldn’t recognize
it! Besides that.. hmm, I guess all the farting.. What
do the lyrics talk about and who writes them? Is “Tomorrowland” a
concept album? And did you call the album “Tomorrowland”? H.B.:
Tomorrowland is not a concept album, and I think it’s a beautiful
word, which is similar to the future. So
what can we expect from Token in the near future? Mikael:
Now we’re having a short summer break to get new energy to prepare for
writing and the recording of our second album. We have gotten superb
feedback and critics this far, but still we feel that a first album is
like a visiting card. Therefore we look forward to deliver a second
album when people already know about us. That can hopefully bring a
broader audience and some more live performances to us. Which
bands inspired you all those years and which continue to do so? Johan:
Different bands inspired us through the years. But during the
adolescence we all went hot for bands like Bon Jovi, Kiss, Yngwie,
Europe and many more. Now when we’re older – the taste has whitened
a bit. Most of us listen to a wide range of music in different genres.
But our hearts will forever beat for the rhythm of melodic hard rock.
Who
are your favorite bassists and from whom you have been influenced most? Niclas:
I guess that that have changed a bit but some of my favorites are Geddy
Lee in Rush, Geezer Butler in Black Sabbath and Jaco Pastorius. Geddy
for his sound, his technique and his ability to always create
interesting bass lines. Geezer Butler for being so groovy and having
cool licks. Jaco for his total superior way of playing the bass. Are
there any plans for a tour? With whom would you like to be on stage
someday? H.B.:
No plans are set for a tour yet, but in meantime there’s going to be
some gigs and festival dates. I would love to support METALLICA on their
next tour ;-) and why not OZZFEST or VAN HALEN’s reunion tour with
David Lee Roth (I’m allowed to dream right? ;-) How
would you describe the sound of Token to those that haven't heard you
before? What is that makes your music so special? Johan:
The sound is a collection from the eighties mixed with a modern
approach. It’s soft and heavy at the same time. What makes the music
special is that we all have experience from different genres. What makes
the album special is that every song is separated from the others. That
means every song is unique. Still the overall sound and typical vocal
harmonies is the collecting factor. We would also say that Pontus
Norgren who mixed the album, added a lot for the sound of Tomorrowland. How
did you get your name as a band? Mikael:
Token sounded perfect for us. I was surprised that the name
weren’t taken by another band. It stands for “symbol” or
“amulet” for example good luck. Also as a “sign” for our music,
a Token so to say. In Sweden it also bring some laughter since Token in
Swedish is a word for a “Crazy guy”! What
do you wish for the future for you and your band? Maybe you want to be a
rock star?! Niclas:
Sounds nice! Well, right now we’re quite happy, but our goal is to
make another record and gain more publicity. A tour would be great and
hopefully our video will get some airtime. And
now we go on with the “Weird Questions”!!! If your wife/girlfriend
were selling your half album-collection just to buy for her a good and
expensive ring how would you react? H.B.:
I would sell all her clothes including the expensive ring to buy
back the half album-collection and even increase the collection with new
albums. Which
is the craziest album title you ever heard of and album artwork that you
ever saw? H.B.:
“Pang På Pungen I Portugal”, it’s Swedish and translates “A
Smack On The Balls In Portugal”. It’s an album some friends to me
did and the bands name is “Kristet Utseende”, translates “A
Christian Appearance”. The craziest artwork must be some of the Death
Metal albums that exists with very much blood, corpse, carcass and
stuff… If
you wanted to make someone to totally freak out and stop dealing with
rock and metal music no more, which 3 albums would you choose to give
him and why? Mikael:
Hmmm, that’s a difficult question. If I here and now had to chose,
it would be “Operation Mindcrime” by Queensryche, “Divine Wings Of
Tragedy” by Symphony X, and “Images and Words” by Dream Theater. You're
sitting in a time machine, to which time zone would you travel? And for
what reason?
Ok guys, I wish you the best for that album. The last words of this interview belong to you. Niclas: It’s been a pleasure to make the interview. We want to take this chance to say hello to all new friends and hard rocking people out there. Let’s join us in Tomorrowland! by Thanos (Mc) Aggelakis |
I
like very much your new album! Tell us all the latest news from the
band.