Kjells Bänk are not about to fade away, even if there may be less live action for a while as the band works on completing their first full-length album. From left to right: Calle Bodin, Anton Thylin, Gustav Johansson, Vidar Burman Melin.
Actually, it was almost an accident that they ended up playing punk. Vidar is really into metal. Singer and guitarist Calle Bodin enjoys rock. Singer and bassist Anton Thylin has diverse musical tastes. Guitarist Gustav Johansson prefers hard rock. However, life consists of a succession of compromises, and when the quartet first met in a rehearsal studio, the question arose: What can we play?
– Punk! We came to the conclusion that it was our diverse common ground, says Calle, and then goes on to discuss the inherent power of punk as a refuge for the talentless and emotionally driven.
Calle Bodin.
In summary: You don't need to be particularly skilled or even musically inclined to quickly learn the basics of punk and play it competently. After 1.5 years, 1 EP on Spotify, and more than 20 well-attended performances, it can be concluded that the quartet are really good at what they do. Despite their youth - Vidar and Gustav were born in '06, Calle and Anton in '07 - the reputation of the young, sharp, energetic, and unusually stylish punk band shouting "Drink Piss Or Die" has reached far beyond the middle schools and high schools of Skellefteå. The question is whether the majority of concert-goers are men over 50 years old?
Vidar Burman Melin.
Vidar disagrees with that statement:
– We manage to attract older ladies as well, he points out without defining the audience segment any further.
– But also younger ones; I actually think there are more of those," Gustav interjects.
– On Spotify, it's mostly 50 plus, though, Anton states, having the numbers to prove it.
They continue to argue about it, but the bottom line is that everyone seems to love Kjells Bänk.
Anton Thylin.
How they initially met is actually a story in itself. Up until November 2021, they didn't know each other. Well, Calle and Anton were friends, and Vidar and Gustav were as well, but each duo was unfamiliar with the other. That changed when the respective pairs reached out to Jonathan Norén Brännström, from the cultural association Mullberget, with a question about finding like-minded people to play with. Jonathan acted as a matchmaker, and an embryo of Kjells Bänk came into existence.
Gustav Johansson.
Much has happened since then.
– At first, we weren't serious; everything was a bit spontaneous, says Gustav, who, like the others in the band, felt that a turning point occurred during the Mellandagsrocken event in Skelleftehamn last Christmas.
The group was pleasantly surprised by the audience's enthusiasm and sold out most of their merchandise.
– That's when we realized that we can actually do this!
This realization has led Kjells Bänk to take their music more seriously. They are currently finalizing a full-length album that, according to the band members, is cleaner than what the audience is used to. Some tracks from the new material will be presented during the upcoming performance on Friday. The band is evolving, but it's still Kjells Bänk we're talking about.
"The audience can expect a show! We're bringing in some new elements, lots of energy and chaos. The usual stuff, confirms Calle.
Kjells Bänk: Vidar Burman Melin, Calle Bodin, Anton Thylin, Gustav Johansson.