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Imperiet

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Imperiet

Imperiet were a Swedish 1980s rock band from Stockholm, that existed from 1983 to 1988. They can be argued the most influental band in Sweden for a while, but definitely dominated the new wave scene, which at the time was seen as the same as the punk rock scene.

History

File:PICT0085.jpg
Imperiet, poster from the South American tour 1986

Imperiet started as Rymdimperiet (the Swedish name for the Galactic Empire in Star Wars), a side project to the most popular punk band in Sweden, Ebba Grön, and included three of its members. When Ebba Grön broke up in 1983, Rymdimperiet re-emerged as Imperiet; with Joakim Thåström (lead vocals, guitar), Anders "Stry" Sjöholm (vocals, guitar) and Gunnar "Gurra" Ljungstedt (drums), all three originally from Ebba Grön. They were joined by Christian Falk (bass) and Per Hägglund (sax, keyboards). Stry left in 1984 and Gurra left the following year, but was replaced by Fred Asp (drums). In 1987 Per Hägglund left and in 1988 Imperiet disbanded.

With some fame inherited from Ebba Grön, Imperiet got off to a flying start. Their songs were inspired by punk, rock and synthpop, and their lyrics were left-wing and anti-imperialist, with songs like "C. C. Cowboys", "Alltid rött, alltid rätt" (Always Red, Always Right), and "Var e vargen?" (Where’s the Wolf?) inspired by Russian Communist poet Mayakovsky.

Widely successful in Sweden and Scandinavia, Imperiet even toured overseas, playing in the United States and in Cuba, Central America and South America. In 1988, Imperiet released their only album in English, under the name Imperiet, containing translated versions of their old songs. But in spite of an intensive promotional tour through Europe, the album was only a success in Sweden, and this put an end to plans for an international career.

The name Rymdimperiet, (meaning The Space Empire), later Imperiet, was taken from the Star Wars movie The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Swedish title being Rymdimperiet slår tillbaka.

Line-ups

(1983-1984)
  • Joakim Thåström - lead vocals, lead guitar
  • Stry Terrarie - lead vocals, organ, guitar
  • Christian Falk - bass, backing vocals
  • Gunnar Ljungstedt - drums
  • Per Hägglund - syntheziser, saxophone
(1984-1985)
  • Joakim Thåström - lead vocals, lead guitar
  • Christian Falk - bass, backing vocals
  • Gunnar Ljungstedt - drums
  • Per Hägglund - syntheziser, saxophone
(1985-1987)
  • Joakim Thåström - lead vocals, lead guitar
  • Christian Falk - bass, backing vocals
  • Per Hägglund - syntheziser, saxophone
  • Fred Asp - drums
(1987-1988)
  • Joakim Thåström - lead vocals, lead guitar
  • Christian Falk - bass, backing vocals
  • Fred Asp - drums

Discography

Albums

Singles

  • 1981 - "Vad pojkar vill ha" (as Rymdimperiet)
  • 1982 - "Alltid attack" (as Rymdimperiet)
  • 1983 - "Felrättsnettheltfelrättsnett" (as Rymdimperiet)
  • 1983 - "Alltid rött alltid rätt"
  • 1984 - "Du ska va president"
  • 1984 - "Fred"
  • 1985 - "Märk hur vår skugga"
  • 1986 - "Var e vargen"
  • 1986 - "Peace"
  • 1986 - "Österns röda ros"
  • 1987 - "Saker som hon gör"
  • 1987 - "19hundra80sju"
  • 1988 - "Be the President"
  • 1988 - "I hennes sovrum"
  • 1988 - "...Som eld"
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