In my over 13 years as a music journalist, I have seen some of the worst press releases ever. I’ve seen a band’s sound described as “napalm blowing up on your front lawn first thing in the morning.” I’ve seen an album described as “the album that will make you want to throw away all of your other albums” when I literally threw said CD in the trash after two songs.
Now and then, I do get some amazing press releases, though. For example, Swedish space rockers Horrisont’s press release stated, “Horrisont is a band that is big of mustache and tight of trousers.” There was also a band called Wilson, who I thought sucked, but their press release was more epic than epic, stating, “They’re five dudes in a van with beards and big dicks- working harder than your parents. But instead of giving their all as stockbrokers or auto-mechanics or assistant branch managers, their job is to destroy your party.”
Those are pretty fucking great, but nothing tops the press release for the Swedish classic rockers Hellsingland Underground. First, let me state that I had never heard one cord of this band before a friend shared their press release. As I said before, a press release is your introduction to the writers of the world. The more cliché you get, the more likely we are to roll our eyes and sadly pass judgment a bit early (or, in some cases, not soon enough).
For others (hopefully more) like myself, if it’s funny and brutally honest while giving themselves a critical wedgie, I will definitely give your shit a listen. No doubt. I like that, and it makes me want to listen to them. That is exactly what happened after reading the release for Hellsingland Underground. The lead singer’s 16-year-old daughter wrote the following.
My dad and his gang of smelly bearded geezers release another “record.” Good for them.
And once again he’s forced me to do a job that he obviously is too lazy or incompetent to do himself. He apparently things child labour is perfectly fine in 2022.
I didn’t’ even know what a press release was. But after a lot of nagging and bribery of various kinds, I finally put forward my terms: I will write it if it presented in my version, without censorship. And he agreed with it. So, blame yourself.
First of all, I don’t understand why anyone would want to buy a piece of plastic that is just insanely difficult to play. Feels damn 20th century if you ask me. He says, that I don’t “get the point” but in truth, it’s he himself who’s old and lagging behind.
I have no idea how to get anyone interested in this. But sometimes I can feel a little sad for them for still trying.
But if I’m going to try to say something positive about the whole thing, it’s good for him that he has such good friends like the guys in the band. Because he doesn’t have any others. It’s also nice that they get to “see the world” a bit when they’re on tour. Too bad they smell like Germany when they come back. regardless of whether they’ve been to Spain, Sweden, or anywhere else. Don’t they shower?
The whole thing mostly feels like an excuse to get away and drink beer and act like idiots. But as long as he is happy, and I get to avoid his worst outbursts.
Now he forces me to write “at lease SOMETHING positive” about this record. And okay then. My little sister Nico and Jerry’s son Louie did a great job in the video for “Young & Dumb.” It’s actually great fun.
But good luck. Or something.
Juni, 16 years (Charlie’s daughter).
If that doesn’t make you want to listen to Hellsingland Underground’s Endless Optimism album, I don’t know what the hell will. Even as great as this write-up was, I kept my expectations low, but goddamn, I didn’t expect them to be exceeded by such a long shot.
Everything about Endless Optimism made me feel connected to these guys because I’m an old fart myself. I also don’t have kids, but I imagine this is the kind of shit they would say about me if I did. It only sent me right over to check out Hellsingland Underground’s music. I was met with a classic, roots rock plethora of delights to my absolute delight. It pretty much sounds like a bunch of dads making music with each other but doing it as well, if not better than the more known bands of their genre.
Musically, Hellsingland Underground scratches a lot of itches. The musical influence of the Allman Brothers Band and Dr. Hook, with a Frank Zappa-ish lead vocalist, all make for one badass goulash.
The songs are just good ol’ fashioned Rock n’ Roll, a combination of many influences. The Allman Brothers Band, Dr. Hook, some Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa, and the good ol’ British early ‘90s roots/rock revivalists like the London Quireboys and the Black Crowes combined create a sound that I can only describe as, well, Hellsingland Underground. But, instead of focusing on just one influence, they combined them all and developed their own sound, comforting like an old blanket and nostalgic without sounding or feeling dated.
I rarely discover a new-ish band of old dregs that are close in age to me. As an old dude who still loves to have fun and still loves finding magic in music, hearing songs like “Young & Dumb” and “Old White Men” hilariously struck a chord with me. It also gave me some inspiration, confidence, and happiness that I am still making music at this later point in my life.
Hellsingland Underground is a band that I needed to hear at this point in my life. It never ceases to amaze me how a band can magically connect with you, tug on your heartstrings, and inspire you. Hellsingland Underground is a reminder that you are never too old to kick some ass and have fun while making great music. Endless Optimism is one of the records we didn’t know we needed, and it’s one of the rock records we should all be listening to. It’s Rock n’ Roll; it’s sincere, honest, and sure as hell ain’t pretty.
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