– At one point we almost ended up like a hippiecollective. Suddenly
everyone lived in the studio. Late dinners, songwriting in the middle
of the night, breakfast together, partying…yeah, constantly with each
other. That might be what shaped our sound, says Patrik Herrström,
drummer in Me and My Army.
Patriks words reminds of The Rolling Stones mythical recordings of
Exile on Main Street in the french sixteen-room mansion Villa
Nellcôte. Sure, musically Me and My Army don’t have much in common
with The Rolling Stones. But the tonality and – the fellowship – is
the same.
We are a band. A insepareable unit. We are an army that takes a bullet
or a chord for you any given day. We are an army and we will run you
over, as Andreas Kleerup sings on the track Me and My Army.
On the debut album Thank God for Sending Demons, that was recorded in
Svenska Grammofonstudion in Gothenburg, Me and My Army makes a
graceful plunge in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s most melodious rock songs.
Untroubled and seamless they move from The Eagles‘ dirt, thru glossy
and clean E.L.O to Tom Petty’s drama department via Todd Rundgren’s
most silky long sleeved T-shirts, some of Neil Youngs gold rush and then
there’s a pitstop in Phil Lynott’s supine and emergent year of 1982.
Next it’s time to breath out in the colorful, electric and eclectic
music of today – with the likes of Devendra Banhart, Band Of Horses
and Midlake taking the lead.
Bittersweet love songs as the brutally honest Chemicals and To Belong
take place with everything from strong dance to stripped, beautifully
crafted countrysoul. And of course – through the whole album Andreas
Kleerups electronic vein shines like a laser sight in the Gothenburg
night.
– When it comes down to it, I guess it’s a good thing that you can let
your friends upstairs rest while true magical music is being made by
people in your band instead. They deserve a holiday and front row
seats for this is about as good as it gets, says lead singer and
guitarist Andreas Kleerup.
So how do you pull together an army?
Joel, Niels and Patrik played alongside Timo Räisinen
for almost seven years. After five albums and constant touring, the trio
became so united that you can without getting married. Together with
Andreas Kleerup, the cellist Helena Arlock and the keyboardace
John Rönneklev – who has toured with Soundtack of Our Lives for
several years – Me and My Army was formed.
Thank God for Sending Demons was recorded during 2010 and Andreas
Kleerup was without doubt the producer. When it was time to make the
final mix, Hans Olsson was called in – Hans is widely known for his
work with José Gonzales, Hello Saferide, Looptroop, Soundtrack of Our
Lives and Silverbullit.
THIS IS ME AND MY ARMY:
Andreas Kleerup – Guitar, vocals
Niels Nankler – Guitar, vocals
Patrik Herrström – Drums
John London Rönneklev – Keyboard
Joel Igor Hammad Magnusson – bas guitar, vocals
Helena Arlock – Cello, keyboard, vocals
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