"We've known each other for ages and simply began spending more time together. Samuel had a drum kit in his basement so we just met there out of fun and played. Fun became a new band after we were noticing how well it was working out", says singer Viktor Norén about starting Viktor and the Blood together with his Sugarplum Fairy bandmate, guitarist Jonas Karlsson and Samuel Giers, former drummer of Mando Diao
That was back in August 2011. The very first song ideas were brought by Viktor, who originally planned to start a solo project with these songs. He played those songs to the others and then playing around with these ideas started. - There was no pressure at all, it was all about fun doing something and to play some music together, Viktor says, when we realized that the three of us were working out as a band things started to develop very quickly. - It was fun right from the start, adds Samuel Giers, but we ignited when we realized how good we were sounding. At this moment nothing could've stopped us. - We found out what we're able to do best in a very natural way. Songs and ideas became real by themselves, Viktor adds.
Now the songs rock with great magic and nonchalant urgency. They refer their core from the powerful alternative from the 90s, but carry it into present time. "We grew up with the bands of the 90s , so the roots of our music definitely lay there". - Just like the courage to do things that are frowned upon like guitar solos. Isn't it too bad? Samuel says. A good guitar solo enriches every song. Trust us: We're going to make it hip again, he laughs. - In essence we're all indie musicians and as such we always aspire to do something that no one else does at the moment. This also includes the solos as well as our desire to combine catchy, very straightforward melodies with an extraordinary rock sound, Viktor says. "This combination is our passion. Pop songs on one side, powerful rock sounds on the other. You can also hear that on our previous work. With the new band we wanted to drive it to the peak and to work out the opposites even more". So they searched for someone who knows best about heavy riffs: Jacob Hellner, a compatriot of the three, who's responsible for every Rammstein album. - He was our first choice, says Viktor, we just called and expected nothing but he agreed immediately. So they went to the studio and started to work. The first EP is produced and will be released at the end of April. Then Viktor & the Blood are going to start recording their debut album that should be released in late summer or autumn. Viktor remarks that the work was also special to Hellner: "We're a trio of one guitar, drums and vocals. No bass and we're aware of that. We wanted to drive the existing instruments to extremes and to densify their interaction. It's noticeable in our songs, mostly the drums doesn't play any random rock beat that we're adding some guitar strumming. Instead we rather play guitar to accompany and the drums become more like an instrument than just a clock generator". For the three of them it's the first time to play as a trio and there's nothing that should be changed about that. - It's so much fun and it's more efficient. We're making decisions unproblematically and it feels more like a bunch where nothing should be changed, says Samuel. "We're also feeling that in the way that we make music, it's so easy. We meet, have an idea, play along and maybe try a second alternative – and then the song is ready. I haven't known that from my past”. And what about the bass? - Oh, the bass comes from the tape, laughs Viktor. And it's working out great. It's all about guitar, drums and voices, Viktor says, you don't need more for good rock music. Viktor & the Blood prove how right he is with that.