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Short band biography


Roger Kjellgren - bass
Thomas Kristoffersson - drums
Jan Hedin - vocals/acoustic guitar
Magnus Karlsson - electric guitar

Happydeadmen was one of the first indie pop bands from Stockholm. In 1988, when the band was formed, the rest of Sweden's alternative bands were playing hardcore, Goth rock or garage rock. To be called a "pop" band was more or less an insult in those days.

In 1990 they released their first album, Eleven Pop Songs, and with that they spawned the Swedish indie pop boom of the mid 90's. Since then Happydeadmen has successfully released two more albums Game, Set, Match and the recently released After The Siesta.

Happydeadmen has often been compared with British pop bands like The Smiths and Lloyd Cole and The Commotions. This comparison is not all wrong, but Happydeadmen really has a distinct sound of its own which is hard to pigeonhole. Their guitar pop style is renowned for good singing melodies and lyrics, backed up with clean beautiful guitar harmonies.

On their latest album After The Siesta they take their pop style a little further and add a bit of country, a bit of bossa nova, some heartbreaking string arrangements, horns, and mix it all with catchy melodies and a lot of that pop feeling. It is without doubt the most beautiful and elaborate album they have made so far.

The album was originally released 1997 in Japan under the name Bullfights Every Sunday [Polydor], now it's available to the rest of the world. After The Siesta has one bonustrack - The Ultimate High.