Imperiet
Encyclopedia
were a Swedish
1980s rock band from Stockholm
, that existed from 1983 to 1988. They were arguably the most influential band in Sweden of the period, but definitely dominated the new wave
scene, which at the time was seen as the same as the punk rock
scene.
(lead vocals, guitar
), Anders "Stry" Sjöholm
(vocals, guitar) and Gunnar "Gurra" Ljungstedt
(drum
s), all three originally from . 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 disbanded.
With some fame inherited from , 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", "" (Always Red, Always Right), and "" (Where’s the Wolf?) inspired by Russia
n Communist poet Mayakovsky
.
Widely successful in Sweden
and Scandinavia
, even toured overseas, playing in the United States
and in Cuba
, Central America
and South America
. In 1988, released their only album in English
, under the name , 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.
Their original name (meaning The Space Empire), was taken from the Star Wars
movie The Empire Strikes Back (1980
), Swedish title being .
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
1980s rock band from Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, that existed from 1983 to 1988. They were arguably the most influential band in Sweden of the period, but definitely dominated the new wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
scene, which at the time was seen as the same as the punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
scene.
History
started as , a side project to the most popular punk band in Sweden, , and included three of its members. When broke up in 1983, re-emerged as ; with Joakim ThåströmJoakim Thåström
Sven Joachim Eriksson Thåström , as an artist known as Thåström, is one of Sweden's best known rock musicians, he is mostly known for the bands Ebba Grön and Imperiet...
(lead vocals, guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
), Anders "Stry" Sjöholm
Anders Sjöholm
Anders Sjöholm , with the stage nameStry Terrarie, Stry Kanarie or simply Stry,is a Swedish musician from Skåne. He has been a member of many bands , usually as the lead singer.Stry was born in Ängelholm and grew up in southern Sweden...
(vocals, guitar) and Gunnar "Gurra" Ljungstedt
Gunnar Ljungstedt
Gunnar Ljungstedt, was the drummer in the Swedish punk rock band Ebba Grön and later in Imperiet. He was approx. 5 years older than the other members of the band, and a friend of Thåström’s big brother.- References :...
(drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s), all three originally from . They were joined by Christian Falk
Christian Falk
Christian Falk is a Swedish record producer and musician.Falk released the hit single, "Make It Right", in 2000. In 2008, he released a new version of "Calling You" with Jevetta Steele's vocals...
(bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
) and Per Hägglund (sax
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
). 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 disbanded.
With some fame inherited from , got off to a flying start. Their songs were inspired by punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
, rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
and synthpop
Synthpop
Synthpop is a genre of popular music that first became prominent in the 1980s, in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic art rock, disco and particularly the "Kraut rock" of...
, and their lyrics were left-wing and anti-imperialist, with songs like "C. C. Cowboys", "" (Always Red, Always Right), and "" (Where’s the Wolf?) inspired by Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n Communist poet Mayakovsky
Vladimir Mayakovsky
Vladimir Vladimirovich Mayakovsky was a Russian and Soviet poet and playwright, among the foremost representatives of early-20th century Russian Futurism.- Early life :...
.
Widely successful in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
and Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
, even toured overseas, playing in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. In 1988, released their only album in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, under the name , 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.
Their original name (meaning The Space Empire), was taken from the Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
movie The Empire Strikes Back (1980
1980 in film
- Events :* May 21 - Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is released and is the biggest grosser of the year ....
), Swedish title being .
Line-ups
| (1983–1984) |
|
|---|---|
| (1984–1985) |
|
| (1985–1987) |
|
| (1987–1988) |
|
Albums
- 1983 -
- 1984 - (Mini-LP)
- 1985 -
- 1985 - (Live album)
- 1986 -
- 1988 -
- 1988 -
- 1988 - (Live album/compilation)
- 1990 - (Compilation)
- 1995 - Greatest Hits (Compilation)
- 2002 - (Compilation)
- 2009 - (Compilation)
Singles
- 1981 - "" (as Rymdimperiet)
- 1982 - "" (as Rymdimperiet)
- 1983 - "" (as Rymdimperiet)
- 1983 - ""
- 1984 - ""
- 1984 - ""
- 1985 - ""
- 1985 - ""
- 1986 - ""
- 1986 - ""
- 1986 - ""
- 1987 - ""
- 1987 - ""
- 1988 - "Be the President"
- 1988 - ""
- 1988 - ""