Global InformationThe Hellacopters information
The Hellacopters | |
|---|---|
 Nicke Andersson and Robert Dahlqvist in Barcelona during The Tour Before the Fall in 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | The Copters |
| Origin | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Genres | Garage rock, garage punk, glam punk, hard rock |
| Years active | 1994–2008, 2016–present |
| Labels | Psychout, Man's Ruin, Sub Pop, Universal, Gearhead, Polar, Liquor and Poker, Nuclear Blast |
| Members | Nicke Andersson Robert Eriksson Anders Lindström Dregen Dolf DeBorst |
| Past members | Kenny Håkansson Danne Andersson Mattias Hellberg Robert Dahlqvist Sami Yaffa |
| Website | hellacopters |
The Hellacopters are a Swedish garage rock band that was formed in 1994 by Nicke Andersson (vocals and guitar), Andreas Tyrone "Dregen" Svensson (guitar), Kenny Håkansson (bass) and Robert Eriksson (drums). Andersson (sometimes known as Nick Royale) had been the drummer for death metal band Entombed and Dregen was taking a break from his full-time band Backyard Babies. Dregen and Eriksson had been roadies for Entombed, while Håkansson was a childhood friend of Andersson's. The Hellacopters were initially conceived as a side project for Andersson and Dregen, but it eventually became the main songwriting and performance vehicle for Andersson. The band, together with The Hives, is considered one of the most important Swedish bands in the garage rock revival and one of the most influential rock bands in Sweden.[1]
The band released their Swedish Grammi-winning debut album Supershitty to the Max![2] in 1996. Just before a tour opening for Kiss,[3] the band recruited keyboardist and percussionist Anders Lindström (also known as Boba Fett or Boba) on a part-time basis; he would become a full-time member in 1999. After the album Payin' the Dues in 1998, Dregen left the band to return to Backyard Babies full-time, and Mattias Hellberg and Danne Andersson were recruited to complete the band touring responsibilities.[4] After the release of Grande Rock, which featured additional guitar playing from both Lindström and Hellberg, Robert Dahlqvist was hired as a full-time lead guitarist in 1999.[5][6] With the lineup now solidified, the band released three more studio albums and a cover album, with many EPs and limited edition releases as well. The Hellacopters disbanded amicably in 2008 so the members could move on to other projects. Eight years later, the band reassembled in 2016, initially for an exclusive performance at Sweden Rock Festival to celebrate the 20 year anniversary of their award-winning debut album Supershitty to the Max!.[7]
In October 2021 the band announced that they had signed with the record label Nuclear Blast to release a new album in the spring of 2022. The album, Eyes of Oblivion, was released on 1 April 2022.[8]
- ^ Ryan Sette. "An interview with Robert Eriksson of The Hellacopters". Odysseyzine. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 9 April 2009.
- ^ Brad Jones. "The Hellacopters You know 'em. You love 'em. Read about 'em…". Gametwo. Archived from the original on 15 December 2007. Retrieved 9 April 2009.
- ^ Tomsen. "Hellacopters – Interview, Roskilde 2008". Lowcut. Archived from the original on 22 December 2008. Retrieved 9 April 2009.
- ^ "P3 Live Session – The Hellacopters". Sveriges Radio P3. Retrieved 9 April 2009.
- ^ "Robert Dahlqvist spelar med i Hellacopters". Archived from the original on 4 June 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2009.
- ^ "Thunder Express We Play For Pleasure". The Cutting Edge. Archived from the original on 17 January 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2009.
- ^ "Sweden Rock Festival 2016 – Hellacopters tog hem spelet". Retrieved 7 December 2017.
- ^ Blabbermouth (22 October 2021). "THE HELLACOPTERS To Release New Album In The Spring". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 23 October 2021.