Many young girls and boys dream of one day becoming world-renowned rockstars and some form their own bands among friends to maybe realize their dream one day. In Örnsköldsvik there are several youth-bands who are at different stages in their development. I went out to meet one of these bands.

The educational association Sensus has seven rehearsal rooms for bands in the area around Örnköldsvik, four in the “Bunker” in Sund and three at Sliperiet in central Örnsköldsvik. I’ve met one of these aspiring bands at the “Bunker” to find out what their dreams and goals are and a little about what it’s like to be in a band in Örnsköldsvik.

After passing through a library, down a staircase and down a narrow hallway I found myself at the door leading to rehearsal room number four. When I arrived I heard heavy music and distorted guitars screaming through the door. I had to knock several times before the handle moved door opened and I met a common sight in rehearsal rooms. Different amplifiers lined against the walls, posters on the walls and an assortment of junk casually thrown on the floor. Just like it’s supposed to be! The little room is populated by three guys, 16-18 years old, one behind the drumkit and the other two with guitars in their laps. I was offered a chair and he interview could commence.

What is the bandname and who are the members?
- We call ourselves Infernal Biffmacka and I’m Johnny and I play lead guitar and I’m also the vocalist. Then there’s Olof on rythm guitar and Sebastian behind the drums. At the moment we don’t have a bassplayer but we’re looking for one. How did you come up with the name Infernal Biffmacka?

- Well, a couple of years back we had some other names that we didn’t really like and one day someone said that we should call ourselves Infernal Biffmacka for fun. Then the name stuck and that’s just the way it is, says Johnny with a grin.

For how long have you guys played together? - It’s beginning to feel like eternities ago now, says Johnny. Everything began at the local government Music School where we all were a part of a project they call After School. That was about three or four years ago. Back then we only played covers and had some ideas for songs of our own. What kind of music do you play, who are your influences and who is the songwriter? - We play heavy melodic death/black metal mostly, says Sebastian, and our influences? I’d say At the Gates, Slayer and Meshuggah among others. I’m the songwriter around here, says Johnny, although I’m open for suggestions from the others, everything to make the music more worth listening to. Have you had many gigs with the band? - We played in front of an audience about five or six times last year, Olof answers. We hope to get out and play ore as summer is approaching.

Do you have any great ambitions with your music? - Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, says Johnny with a jocular expression on his face. - To afford fast food every day, says Olov and all the bandmembers started laughing. - On a more serious note, Johnny began, it would be what Olof mentioned before to get out and play more. It’d be grat fun to record our songs and release an album and spread the Biffmacka name!

Do you think you will succeed with these goals? With hard work you can accomplish almost anything! says Johnny. I don’t think our goals are that unrealistic. Örnsköldsvik is a small city with a small audience for our kind of music. There is a non-profit music association working to arrange concerts for youths but if we are to be known around the globe we can’t stay in Ö-vik!

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Writers: Tomas Gardfors (tomas.gardfors@gmail.com)
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