Missing in Discography - You'll See / Right On Time, Demo Tape 199X - Waterloo / Just Before, CD Single 1995 [Septima Records #SEP 2951004] - Chased By Time, CD 1994 [SMC Records #SMC 101201] - Without Remose, CD 1995 [Septima Records #SEP 1951003] - Without Remorse, Cassette 1995 [Solar Entertainment Co. Ltd. #VICP 5672-4] - Without Remorse, CD 1997 [Now & Then #NTHEN 38] - Nation, CD Compilation 1997 [Shrapnel Records #SH 11142] - Fall Of An Empire, CD Compilation 1999 [Septima Records #SPMWGOLD9901] - Remaster Of The Universe, CD Compilation 2013 [A Sun Hill Production #ASHPAB1034]
Info from Janne Stark's Encyclopedia Formed in 1990. The debut contained a bunch of well-played and well-sung 80's melodic metal songs with lots of melody and impressive Yngwie:esque guitar work. Very well received in Japan. Johnny has previously done studio jobs for some pop bands. In 1995 they changed label to Septima. They actually do a stunning hard rock cover of ABBA's "Waterloo". The band split in September 2000. Johnny and Nobby were later found in Dionysus. The Nation line-up minus the keyboard player was also active as a cover band under the name King Cash. Nobby is now found in Norwegian/Swedish prog/power metal band Saint Deamon. The band reunited in 2012 and in June 2013 the first new song "Throw The Dice" was unleashed.
Info from Janne Stark's Encyclopedia Formed in 1990. The debut contained a bunch of well-played and well-sung 80's melodic metal songs with lots of melody and impressive Yngwie:esque guitar work. Very well received in Japan. Johnny has previously done studio jobs for some pop bands. In 1995 they changed label to Septima. They actually do a stunning hard rock cover of ABBA's "Waterloo". The band split in September 2000. Johnny and Nobby were later found in Dionysus. The Nation line-up minus the keyboard player was also active as a cover band under the name King Cash. Nobby is now found in Norwegian/Swedish prog/power metal band Saint Deamon. The band reunited in 2012 and in June 2013 the first new song "Throw The Dice" was unleashed.
xInterview (Translated from booklet in Chased By Time, Japanese Issue 1994)
First of all, please tell us about the process from the formation of this band to the present. Jonny (J): I had been wanting to form a band for about five years, and all the other members except Isaac had been playing in another band together. That band played a completely different type of music, but I knew they were good. So I asked Noubi if he wanted to join us, and pretty soon everyone except the guitarist from that band was working with me, and that's how Nation became. All we needed was a singer, and I was working at a bakery at the time. I knew Isaac, who was there with me, was a good singer, so it was only natural that I chose him. Then the last member joined and we formed the current lineup.
When did the band officially form? J: It was about four years ago. In 1990.
When did Isaac join the band? J: It was about three and a half years ago.
Isaac: It was the summer of 1990.
That makes it almost four years now. J: Yeah, he started working where I live now, and it was totally by chance.
In the Swedish scene, indie bands with various styles are appearing, but you guys value melody very much, even though grunge and alternative are strong. Is melody the most important element in your music? J: I think so. I don't listen to much grunge stuff that's popular now. So for me, melody is the most important thing.
Why do you think that is? J: I don't know, but I want to hear and sing good melodies in any song. Of course, the whole song is important, but for me, the melody is the most important thing. I don't really like it when people just scream.
It seems like you're the one who writes the songs, but what is the basis for your creations? J: Of course the lead melody is important. Even if the arrangement is the best in the world, if the melody is bad, it's all good. When I come up with a new idea, I walk around aimlessly for a few days. I walk around and sing and get a feel for how it feels to sing without any accompaniment. But the form of the song is important too. And of course the arrangement. But first and foremost the lead melody has to be good.
So, when you write a song, do you come up with the melody first? J: Yes, that happens. Sometimes it starts with a guitar riff or a chorus. Sometimes I try to play a melody on the guitar, but it really depends on the song.
What bands do you think each of you are influenced by? J: I'm influenced by any good music, so it can be anything. I don't only listen to hard rock. But some of my favorite artists are TNT, Dream Theater, and Michael Bolton. It might sound weird, but I love his music. As a guitarist, I honestly like Yngwie Malmsteen. I heard he's really popular in Japan, right?
Yes, he is. J: But it's not popular here anymore.
That's a shame. J: Yes indeed. I'm ashamed of my country.
It would be great if you guys become big in Sweden next. J: Yes, that's why we're working so hard.
So, please tell us about the influences that the other members had. Anders (hereafter A): For me it's old rock. Deep Purple and Black Sabbath. I was also influenced a bit by Rush. As for drummers, I like Ian Paice and Neil Peart.
Kalle: I'm a keyboard player, so my musical roots are in 70s symphonic rock. Keyboard music like Genesis and Styx. So it was these guys who introduced me to real hard rock, because before that I only listened to bands with a lot of keyboards. As a keyboard player, I like Steve Porcaro from Toto. I saw him play here in Sweden a few months ago, and he's really good. But I don't have a particular idol. I listen to good stuff, but if I had to say one idol, I'd say Steve Porcaro.
Nobby (N): I was really influenced by Rush. Geddy Lee. So my first favorite bass was a Rickenbacker. I still have it hanging on my wall. I like 70's music. I had my idols back then, but now I like anything that's good to listen to. Like Dream Theater. But I used to play in a local funk band.
I: I don't have a favorite band. I like any band with a good singer. My favorite at the moment is James LaVrie, the singer of Dream Theater. And the singer of TNT, which is no longer in the band. And, this might be weird, but I also like Mariah Carey. David Coverdell from Whitesnake is also a good singer. Anyway, my taste in music is quite wide.
This first album shows Nation's strong hard rock and lyrical ensemble. Will this direction continue in the future? J: Yes, I would like to continue doing things like that in the future. Maybe the influences I get change from time to time, and I think I have a lot of ideas as a person, as a songwriter, and as a musician. As musicians, we may change. We always want to grow and try new things. Of course, the music may change a little because of that, but basically, all of us in this band want to continue making this kind of music. And we hope that everyone likes it.
What do you think about the perception that Nordic bands lack live experience and that there are a lot of "record bands"? J: It's true that you can do more in the studio, and there are probably a lot of bands that do a lot of different things, but we want to play live more than anything, and we want to recreate the sound of the album live. People who have seen us live say that we're not a "record band." The songs on the album are all ones we've been playing for a long time, so it's easy to play them live.
After recording the album, did you play live? J: Yes, in Sweden.
What was it like? J: It was good. It was better than the album. Some people have said that to me. I've done six or seven gigs since the album came out.
You say you're recreating the sound of the album exactly, but what exactly is your live performance like? J: The backing vocals are done by the members as well as on the album, so we don't have any helpers like other bands do. Each member does what they have to do.
Do you change the song arrangements when you play live? J: I wouldn't change it. It's the same as the album.
Are there any guitar or keyboard solos? J: Yes.
So you improvise there? J: Yes, there are some parts that are set and some parts that we improvise. For example, the melody part of the solo in "Everything" is the same.
Johnny also plays the keyboard, right? J: Yeah, we don't play it live, but we did play it on the album.
For example, which song? J: I played most of the keyboards on the album. I was in charge of the arrangements, so I can't say exactly, but I played about 85% of them. When we were working in the studio, we would change the arrangements, so it was natural for me to play them. Something unexpected would come up and we would change it, so it was quicker for me to play them.
So you write songs on the keyboard? J: No no, I only use guitar when I write songs.
Did you know that Nation is already highly regarded in Japan and is selling well in import shops? J: I know, I'm happy, it's a dream come true. There's nothing more satisfying than having your music recognized, and it seems like people in Japan like it.
Have you heard anything from other musicians about the state of the Japanese market? J: Yes. When we were shooting the video for "Hang Him High," we heard that bands that do the kind of music we do would never make it to the Japanese market. Marcel Jacob said that Japanese fans have good taste in music, so I'm very happy about that.
Please tell us about your upcoming plans. J: We will do some gigs in Scandinavia in the summer. Then we will start recording a maxi-single in September or October. In between, we will rehearse 3-4 times a week, and I am always writing new songs. Also, the single "Hang Him High" will be released in Sweden soon.
Finally, what would you like to say to your Japanese fans? If you have any questions, please send us a message. J: Thank you for having the same musical taste as me. I hope to come to Japan and perform a live show someday. Until then, KEEP ON ROCKIN'!
A: Johnny said it all, but I really want to go to Japan and perform for Japanese fans. That's our dream. Let's spend time with the nation at the famous Budokan, where Deep Purple has also played! K: I want to go to Japan and play soon! It's true that it's on the other side of the earth and very far away, but I want to see you guys as soon as possible.
N: I don't know what to say because everyone has already said it, but in Japan, I hope our album sells well. In Sweden, the situation for hard rock is tough, as you can see from Yngwie Malmsteen, so I hope everyone in Japan will like good hard rock bands.
I: I definitely want to go to Japan! I want to entertain everyone in Japan with our music and my songs. And I definitely want to eat authentic sushi!
Do you like Japanese food, Isaac? J: Yes, I do. I think the other members will like it too. I don't know if they've ever eaten Japanese food though.
Can you eat sushi in Sweden? J: Yes, you can. There are Japanese restaurants in Stockholm.
Then please come to Japan someday and try some authentic sushi. Everyone: Of course!
Interviewed by Makoto-Captain-Wada
Interview (Translated from booklet in Chased By Time, Japanese Issue 1994)
First of all, please tell us about the process from the formation of this band to the present. Jonny (J): I had been wanting to form a band for about five years, and all the other members except Isaac had been playing in another band together. That band played a completely different type of music, but I knew they were good. So I asked Noubi if he wanted to join us, and pretty soon everyone except the guitarist from that band was working with me, and that's how Nation became. All we needed was a singer, and I was working at a bakery at the time. I knew Isaac, who was there with me, was a good singer, so it was only natural that I chose him. Then the last member joined and we formed the current lineup.
When did the band officially form? J: It was about four years ago. In 1990.
When did Isaac join the band? J: It was about three and a half years ago.
Isaac: It was the summer of 1990.
That makes it almost four years now. J: Yeah, he started working where I live now, and it was totally by chance.
In the Swedish scene, indie bands with various styles are appearing, but you guys value melody very much, even though grunge and alternative are strong. Is melody the most important element in your music? J: I think so. I don't listen to much grunge stuff that's popular now. So for me, melody is the most important thing.
Why do you think that is? J: I don't know, but I want to hear and sing good melodies in any song. Of course, the whole song is important, but for me, the melody is the most important thing. I don't really like it when people just scream.
It seems like you're the one who writes the songs, but what is the basis for your creations? J: Of course the lead melody is important. Even if the arrangement is the best in the world, if the melody is bad, it's all good. When I come up with a new idea, I walk around aimlessly for a few days. I walk around and sing and get a feel for how it feels to sing without any accompaniment. But the form of the song is important too. And of course the arrangement. But first and foremost the lead melody has to be good.
So, when you write a song, do you come up with the melody first? J: Yes, that happens. Sometimes it starts with a guitar riff or a chorus. Sometimes I try to play a melody on the guitar, but it really depends on the song.
What bands do you think each of you are influenced by? J: I'm influenced by any good music, so it can be anything. I don't only listen to hard rock. But some of my favorite artists are TNT, Dream Theater, and Michael Bolton. It might sound weird, but I love his music. As a guitarist, I honestly like Yngwie Malmsteen. I heard he's really popular in Japan, right?
Yes, he is. J: But it's not popular here anymore.
That's a shame. J: Yes indeed. I'm ashamed of my country.
It would be great if you guys become big in Sweden next. J: Yes, that's why we're working so hard.
So, please tell us about the influences that the other members had. Anders (hereafter A): For me it's old rock. Deep Purple and Black Sabbath. I was also influenced a bit by Rush. As for drummers, I like Ian Paice and Neil Peart.
Kalle: I'm a keyboard player, so my musical roots are in 70s symphonic rock. Keyboard music like Genesis and Styx. So it was these guys who introduced me to real hard rock, because before that I only listened to bands with a lot of keyboards. As a keyboard player, I like Steve Porcaro from Toto. I saw him play here in Sweden a few months ago, and he's really good. But I don't have a particular idol. I listen to good stuff, but if I had to say one idol, I'd say Steve Porcaro.
Nobby (N): I was really influenced by Rush. Geddy Lee. So my first favorite bass was a Rickenbacker. I still have it hanging on my wall. I like 70's music. I had my idols back then, but now I like anything that's good to listen to. Like Dream Theater. But I used to play in a local funk band.
I: I don't have a favorite band. I like any band with a good singer. My favorite at the moment is James LaVrie, the singer of Dream Theater. And the singer of TNT, which is no longer in the band. And, this might be weird, but I also like Mariah Carey. David Coverdell from Whitesnake is also a good singer. Anyway, my taste in music is quite wide.
This first album shows Nation's strong hard rock and lyrical ensemble. Will this direction continue in the future? J: Yes, I would like to continue doing things like that in the future. Maybe the influences I get change from time to time, and I think I have a lot of ideas as a person, as a songwriter, and as a musician. As musicians, we may change. We always want to grow and try new things. Of course, the music may change a little because of that, but basically, all of us in this band want to continue making this kind of music. And we hope that everyone likes it.
What do you think about the perception that Nordic bands lack live experience and that there are a lot of "record bands"? J: It's true that you can do more in the studio, and there are probably a lot of bands that do a lot of different things, but we want to play live more than anything, and we want to recreate the sound of the album live. People who have seen us live say that we're not a "record band." The songs on the album are all ones we've been playing for a long time, so it's easy to play them live.
After recording the album, did you play live? J: Yes, in Sweden.
What was it like? J: It was good. It was better than the album. Some people have said that to me. I've done six or seven gigs since the album came out.
You say you're recreating the sound of the album exactly, but what exactly is your live performance like? J: The backing vocals are done by the members as well as on the album, so we don't have any helpers like other bands do. Each member does what they have to do.
Do you change the song arrangements when you play live? J: I wouldn't change it. It's the same as the album.
Are there any guitar or keyboard solos? J: Yes.
So you improvise there? J: Yes, there are some parts that are set and some parts that we improvise. For example, the melody part of the solo in "Everything" is the same.
Johnny also plays the keyboard, right? J: Yeah, we don't play it live, but we did play it on the album.
For example, which song? J: I played most of the keyboards on the album. I was in charge of the arrangements, so I can't say exactly, but I played about 85% of them. When we were working in the studio, we would change the arrangements, so it was natural for me to play them. Something unexpected would come up and we would change it, so it was quicker for me to play them.
So you write songs on the keyboard? J: No no, I only use guitar when I write songs.
Did you know that Nation is already highly regarded in Japan and is selling well in import shops? J: I know, I'm happy, it's a dream come true. There's nothing more satisfying than having your music recognized, and it seems like people in Japan like it.
Have you heard anything from other musicians about the state of the Japanese market? J: Yes. When we were shooting the video for "Hang Him High," we heard that bands that do the kind of music we do would never make it to the Japanese market. Marcel Jacob said that Japanese fans have good taste in music, so I'm very happy about that.
Please tell us about your upcoming plans. J: We will do some gigs in Scandinavia in the summer. Then we will start recording a maxi-single in September or October. In between, we will rehearse 3-4 times a week, and I am always writing new songs. Also, the single "Hang Him High" will be released in Sweden soon.
Finally, what would you like to say to your Japanese fans? If you have any questions, please send us a message. J: Thank you for having the same musical taste as me. I hope to come to Japan and perform a live show someday. Until then, KEEP ON ROCKIN'!
A: Johnny said it all, but I really want to go to Japan and perform for Japanese fans. That's our dream. Let's spend time with the nation at the famous Budokan, where Deep Purple has also played! K: I want to go to Japan and play soon! It's true that it's on the other side of the earth and very far away, but I want to see you guys as soon as possible.
N: I don't know what to say because everyone has already said it, but in Japan, I hope our album sells well. In Sweden, the situation for hard rock is tough, as you can see from Yngwie Malmsteen, so I hope everyone in Japan will like good hard rock bands.
I: I definitely want to go to Japan! I want to entertain everyone in Japan with our music and my songs. And I definitely want to eat authentic sushi!
Do you like Japanese food, Isaac? J: Yes, I do. I think the other members will like it too. I don't know if they've ever eaten Japanese food though.
Can you eat sushi in Sweden? J: Yes, you can. There are Japanese restaurants in Stockholm.
Then please come to Japan someday and try some authentic sushi. Everyone: Of course!
