In high school these guys were all you needed in terms of heavy rock 'n roll. They broke up in late 1998 after coming out with a groundbreaking record. I was always way bummed that I never got a chance to see them live but all that changed about a week or so ago. After all these years the band from Umea, Sweden decided to get back together and finish things off right by touring one last time. I almost went to Coachella just to see them but decided against it (crowds didn't seem worth it). Then I almost booked a ticket and flew to New York in July to see them but luckily I didn't because that show was actually cancelled.
Everything came together when I just happened to be only a few hours away when they came through calgary. I was front and center, something I've haven't done at a show for a long time. It was so good. Hearing and seeing them live was just what my summer needed. If you haven't heard of these guys, thats fine. Most likely you've listened to a band that was heavily influenced by them. I think that's where their legacy lives. No joke. These guys left their mark before breaking up abruptly. Its nice they get to add to it and have decided to share it with the rest of us. I just geeked out on this but I don't care. This show meant a lot.
1.11.2012
Refused
Refused has influenced more bands than you or I even know. These Swedish musicians left a mark on music that will never totally be realized in my opinion. They broke up way too early for there to be any real system to gauge how much they left their mark on people in the decade following their dispersion. In high school, these guys were kings. Their album "The Shape of Punk to Come" was mind blowing. I would have done anything to see them play but they broke up before I even had a chance.
I'm gonna have to pull some strings to make it to Coachella to see them play live but I think I can do it. I have never really had the desire to go to that music festival but I figure this will be my first and last time so I might as well live it up. At The Drive-In is playing too so I figure I'll just write it off for history's sake. I mean, I flew to New York to see Texas is the Reason play for their reunion after being broken up for 10 years so I might as well keep with the theme. Plus me going to Coachella will make up for me living on an Island for 7 years with an overwhelming lack of good music hardly making its way there... this is how I'll justify it.
If you're not familiar with Refused, do a little research on the world wide web and listen to "The Shape of Punk to Come" in it's entirety. You'll be glad you did.
