Stockholm Sleaze Metal!

A pocket of creative Swedish bands take Glam Rock back to the top.

Yeah, so I’ve been pretty depressed lately. Peeling myself from the couch has been a massive effort, one that I am not interested in making. A combination of world and personal events, along with genetics, diet, weather factors, and a copious amount of Devil’s Lettuce (to calm the nerves, you know) have left me in a fuzzy downward trajectory which probably looks like a fugue state to others. It’s whatever, I’m fine I guess.

Still, the light gets in through the cracks in your head, it’s always darkest before the dawn, the grass is always greener, etc etc. And my little brain meats tend to find a way to occupy themselves so I don’t slip into the murky darkness never to return.

This time, I was clicking around YouTube, bored out of my mind, and I happened to see a video by the Swedish Sleaze Metal powerhouse known as Crashdiet in my YouTube feed. I clicked on it, and realized within thirty seconds that I’d found something to light my brain up in the way that always helps. It was familiar instantly in it’s referencing (and bearing as a torch of sorts) the great work of teen faves such as Hanoi Rocks, Motley Crue, Wrathchild UK, Tigertailz, Vain, Ratt, Dokken, etc, but it also had a much more sophisticated grasp of melody and very modern production. They incorporated darker elements like black metal and post punk/goth into the mix as well. The people in the band themselves seemed interesting, and not at all like the brain dead 80s sunset strip crew (Crue?). They seemed totally dedicated to this all but forgotten genre, as well as unpretentious and funny. This was Stockholm Sleaze, and I was instantly hooked.

What is Stockholm Sleaze? I’m guessing it was started during the 80s, as this sub-cult is a very 80s-centric bunch. Swedish bands like Easy Action, Shotgun Messiah and Kingpin (all of whom shared members over the years) probably fired it up, as well as the occasional presence of Finnish legends Hanoi Rocks, with their Swedish guitarist Andy McCoy. In the 90’s, bands like Backyard Babies, H.I.M., The 69 Eyes (who were actually from Hanoi Rocks’ homeland of Finland) and Turbonegro kept it alive. A unit of glam/boogie/blooze rockers called Hardcore Superstar picked up a lot of kudos toward the end of the decade, also.

And, in the year 2000, Crashdiet came along. Formed by vocalist Dave Lepard (who sadly took his own life in 2006) and Guitarist Martin Sweet, they came out swinging in 2005 with their debut album “Rest In Sleaze”, which is still used as a genre blueprint 21 years later. It is said by some that this is the record that launched the modern version of the cult, with other bands like Crazy Lixx, Reckless Love, The Cruel Intentions, Lipz, Toxic Rose, etc following in its sleazy wake. Much heavier, darker and more tuneful than most glam metal, with sometimes great “English as second language” lyrics that nevertheless make a statement that can at times be both problematic and poignant. References to familiar songs and bands from the 80s, both in the metal and pop genres are everywhere, as in this video for the anthem “Idiots'“. Enjoy.

The other band I want to talk about here is Confess. Again almost dizzying in their willingness to bring other genres into their chugging, majestic Swede-Metal, these wildmen once recorded a cover of Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got To Do With It”, and made it ROCK. They also bring in elements of symphonic metal, black and death metal, light 80s pop, 60s jangle, and ABBA. Confess’ 2020 album “Burn ‘Em All” is a stately, sprawling dystopian metal opera of sorts that chugs along evilly until vast explosions of soaring pop melody adhere these songs to your brain like marshmallow fluff on peanut butter. Highly reccommended to get your mind out of any type of doldrums, temporarily at least.

Strangely, Confess singer John Elliot is now ALSO in Crashdiet, who recently lost their fourth singer in a never ending revolving line up of blonde screamers. Confess and Crashdiet, now both with Elliot at the helm, have released ridiculously good teaser singles for their next records, both with Elliot on vocals. Stockholm Sleaze is an incestuous thing, but also clearly one big family, and everybody wears T-shirts emblazoned with each others’ band logos, and plays in each others’ bands when needed.

I’ll leave you with the newest single from Crashdiet with Elliot on vocals. If you aren’t instantly addicted to this sticky sweet mix of Def Leppard and Van Halen, then you might be beyond all hope. Picture it: The open highway in 1987. The top is down, your top is off, the sunshine is bright, the air is fresh and fragrant, you’re chewing bubblegum and drinking Cherry Coke. You are 16 years old. This song comes on the radio. “I’m gonna make my day…” The road stretches out in front of you, infinitely. Anything can happen.

So, you know, I understand that this is not everyone’s cup of tea. But listen man, I was 13 when “Shout At The Devil” came out. 16 and 17 when “Look What The Cat Dragged In” and “Appetite For Destruction” came out, respectively. This music is in my veins, whether I like it or not. But I like it, like it, yes I do! So check out the glittering world of Stockholm Sleaze Metal. You’ll be glad you did!- CM