New Interview with The Open Up and Bleeds
Photo Credit to Anna Ledin Wirén
The Open Up and Bleeds is a band from Stockholm, Sweden formed in 2006. Your ears will be treated to a cool mix of rock and punk rock blend that may remind you of The Clash, The Cure, Iggy Pop and Echo & The Bunnymen. They have release a several Eps and one full length album over the past 12 years, before going on a bit of a hiatus for 7-8 years. While lineup has shifted over the decade, Joel Segerstedt and Markus Johansson remain the primary driving forces in the band. They have teamed up with producer, Simon Söderberg, on their upcoming new album. Joel Segerstedt and Markus Johansson have agreed to do an interview with Mayhem and tell us more about the history of the band, their past projects, distinct sound and current music being developed.
MMN: Hey guys! Thank you so much for agreeing to do this interview. At Mayhem, we like to introduce up and coming bands to potential new fans, and we like to do that by pointing the readers in the direction of the band’s music. We also want the fans to get to know the band’s members. Can you tell us how The Open Up and Bleeds came together and what you envisioned for the band’s first release? Was there a specific audience or genre you were leaning towards?
Joel: “The Open Up and Bleeds started as my solo project more or less. After playing punk rock since my teenage years I had recently discovered some country and singer/songwriter artists. This was around the time Johnny Cash released his cover records. So, I got inspired to make music that combined punk rock ideals and energy with songs written on acoustic guitar. I called up some musician friends that I thought would suit the project and started experimenting. After the first EP lead guitarist Jens left the band and Markus Johansson joined.”
“After a couple of more EP’s and an album, the band kind of lost track and took a break. By this time the music had changed a lot. A more distorted 80’s gothic sound had developed.”
“In 2017 Markus and I hooked up and started to write songs together, and after recording a couple of demos, we realized that it was The Open Up and Bleeds songs we were writing. Once again drummer Andreas Thunmarker signed up to record the drums for the new songs, but he didn’t feel he had time to be a full-time member anymore.”
“Simon Söderberg (ex-Ghost, MCC etc.) was contacted to record, mix and produce the songs, and Simon also turned out to be a great bass player.”
“For the moment we’re rehearsing with a live drummer and a keyboard player. We’ll let you know more about that when we’re ready.”
The name of the band came from a song entitled ‘Open Up and Bleed’ by Iggy Pop and the Stooges. Why choose that name for the band?
Joel: “I am a longtime fan of Iggy & The Stooges and the expression of bands like them. Iggy once talked about the difference between Apollonian and Dionysian art when he was interviewed. He claimed that his art is Dionysian. And as you probably already know, Dionysus is the god of wine and dance, of irrationality and chaos, and appeals to emotions and instincts.”
“I like to think that we also create Dionysian art. Music that is supposed to be heartfelt. We aim for the heart, not the brain. We try to open ourselves up and show our wounds, hearts and blood.”
“The band name is our manifesto, so to speak.”
What inspires the lyrics to your songs? Are there any topics in specific that you like to write about?
Markus: “Usually it starts with a feeling of hopelessness, self-hatred or anxiety that we try to transform into words. Both me and Joel are very lyric-oriented, so we put a lot of effort into them.”
You released two EPs in 2010. One Entitled ‘Stiv Bators In All of Us.’ ‘Cut Me A Live One,’ was also released. Why release two EPs at the same time, and not combine the two?
Joel: “It was actually two singles, released before the album came out. Both singles had two bonus tracks.”
I always thought the title ‘Stiv Bators In All of Us,’ was a strange name for a song. As I researched, I realized Stiv Bators (Steven John Bators), was an American punk rock vocalist and guitarist. He was a member of the bands Frankenstein, The Wanderers, and the Whores of Babylon. He was credited with the rise of the punk rock sound when he was with the band ‘Dead Boys.’ It’s quite a compliment to name a song and album after a musician. Can you tell us how he influenced you with your music?
Joel: “I love Dead Boys. I’ve seen a couple of video recordings of them playing live gigs at CBGB’s etc. They radiate raw power and a “we don’t give a fuck” attitude that appeals to me. But in the name of our song Stiv Bators is just a symbol for the destructive rock ’n’ roll animal. Something we all romanticize and look up to, but that few people have the guts to live out.”
Joel, you sing and play guitars for the band. Can you tell us about your background a bit? You also have a few side projects to The Open Up and Bleeds. You composed the soundtrack for the film, “Fight, Blood and Spirit” directed by Claudio Marino. He is incredibly intelligent and a What was that experience like?
Joel: “Not much to tell. I’ve played in so many unsuccessful bands I don’t remember half of them. I’ve played bass, drums, guitar and sung. Everything from hardcore, metal, punk, grunge, pop. And yeah, also written/recorded some film scores for a couple of documentaries. I love to do that. It’s something completely different from writing rock/pop songs with vocals and lyrics in focus.”
“When writing for film, the pictures are the vocals so to speak, that I try to emphasize with sounds.”
“Claudio is good friend of mine. We like to contribute to each other’s projects. And yes, he’s really talented and very creative. He’s working 24-7 with his art projects. I respect that deeply.”
You also released a solo album entitled, “Ett välsignat helvete,” in 2016. The album is sung in Swedish but is very heavy with an alternative/punk sound. Can you tell us more about both the composition work and the solo album? For instance, why did you choose to sing in Swedish for the album as opposed to English?
Joel: “I found lots of old demo recordings I had done over the years and felt inspired to make an album of them. That’s all. Swedish is my mother tongue so it’s a different thing for me to write in Swedish than in English, of course. And the words have a different sound. I like writing in both English and Swedish. It’s just two different expressions to me.”
Markus you have been with The Open Up and Bleeds since the start. Your skill on guitars is obvious to the ear. Amazing work. Can you tell us more about your background in music? Who or what influenced you growing up and now? Did you receive formal training or are you self-taught?
Markus: “Growing up in the 80’s I was listening to a lot of metal bands, just playing along to the albums I liked. In my early teens I discovered punk. Later on, I was completely hooked on the Seattle scene, Soundgarden especially. After that I started to approach the guitar differently, viewing it more like a songwriting tool.”
“I think of myself as self-taught, even though I’ve had lessons. I never really paid attention in class” :)
On your previous album, your production was done by Henrik Svensson. This time around, you are having the music produced by Simon Söderberg. He also provides bass when playing live shows. There have been several live shows done, as well as clips posted on social media of some of your new music. The songs Graduation Day and Funeral Song are examples of some of the recent music you guys have been working on together. What has your experience been like working with Simon both as a producer and when he jumps in on bass?
Markus: “Simon has been a great addition! First off, he’s been involved in arranging the songs, adding a different mindset than me and Joel. He’s also super skilled working with Logic Pro X so he’s been invaluable for sure.”
You have not really strayed from your original sound though which is great. Can you tell us a bit about the new album and what we can expect? What was the inspiration for the album?
Markus: “I guess the inspiration for the album was that we wanted to get the band going again. But, also that we managed to write a bunch of good songs in a short period of time. A sudden burst of creativity.”
There is always new music being released every week around the world. What are you guys listening to these days when not creating your own music?
Joel, 5 songs in my playlist today:
Cat Power - Stay
True Moon - Sugar
Algiers - Blood
Interpol - If you really love nothing
Youth Code - For I Am Cursed
Markus, 5 songs I’ve had on repeat lately:
Lars Bygdén - We’re Not About To Fall Apart
EPA - Alaska
Chris Cornell - When Bad Does Good
Phoebe Bridgers - Smoke Signals
The Baboon Show - Radio Rebelde
Give these guys a listen! And check out their social media sites for great updates on their upcoming album.
The Open Up and Bleeds Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theopenupandbleeds/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theopenupandbleeds/?hl=en
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2AbydWP
iTunes: https://apple.co/2AbTa3O
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