NB
Tell me short history of Ken Rock records - how, why and when did you Start...
S
Kenrock start in 1995, but the first record came out in 1996. And why it¥s easy because in the early 90's when every body here in the north listen to Grunge and indie rock and pop, and in USA lot's of great records came out on small labels. Like sympathy, estrus, bag of hammers and tons of very small DIY labels. But nothing happen here so my mission was to do it myself. Put Sweden on the map.
NB
How do you choose bands you want to release and how do you get in contact with them?
S
I have always bought lot's of zines and records. So if the band does something I like I write them. The most boring thing is that so many bands deserve to have more records out then a 7". But money is always a big problem. Also that good music sell bad. Some times it feels like nobody like to have a record that nobody else have. But I can tell you it's great fun to buy like 600-800 7" every year some is great the rest you can sell. And I have friends that tell me about good bands that they think is something for kenrock.
NB
Does label like yours bring you and bands some money or you do it just? Because you like the music?
S
Just because the music, i'm not into this for the money I always give the band 10 to 25 % of the records I press. For the payment and when the records are sold out Sometime I ask the band if it's ok to press some more. Or if they like to use the songs on another label or if they like o have the record sold out. Because the songs are the bands not kenrocks.
NB
Are you doing much to advertise your label? Do you have many possibilities to do it?
S
NO! Every mag and Zine will like to have free records and then money to. And it's expensive if you do a record in 500 copies give the band like 80 copies and send away 20 for promotion you really have to sell the rest to come back to zero, so I have some ads in zines that really like kenrock and have them for free (THANKS), but I get letter from nice boys and girls all over the glob that really like kenrock and have all the shit that ken have out. That makes me feel like.......... GOD. And they some times buy more then one copy to sell them to their friends. That is super.
NB
Most bands from Sweden I heard are Stooges/MC5 influenced high energy r'n'r. That kind of stuff seems to be very popular there. You release Different kind of bands - more trashy, more punk... You must be totally Bored with high energy r'n'r bands?!
S
I listen to that kind of music back in 83 to 86 when I was into the 80's garage. But back then the band tack it to a garage level not the hard rock shit, I really hate hard rock, I only like black metal because it's faster and they don't have grease in the hair or ponytails.
NB
Some of your records are sold out. Are you planing to repress them?
S
I have repress Henryfiats only, because the band likes it that way, but I think when a record is sold out it's sold out. Some one has asked me to do a comp cd over the sold out 7". But no way

NB
In which countries do you sell your stuff mostly and who is doing distribution?
S
In the start it was ITALY (Ciao) I don't know why but I really love Italian bands (not all of them) because they have the gut's to do it and Italians always dose it better. Switzerland and USA. Now Germany and USA is the two big ones BIG!!!! Like 100 to 200 copies to each country. Belgium and France Spain Australia to. So you see Sweden is nothing? The first Henry fiat 7" sold like 20 copies in Sweden the ask Henryfiats 7" sold 80 copies hear in Gothenburg but nearly nothing in there home town hard rock Stockholm.
NB
Tell me about yourself - the Ken Rock boss. What else are you doing? Except for Ken Rock rec.? What are things you like most and what do you Really hate?
S
About myself Hahahaha, Iam 12 years old good looking. And never forget the first time it was the best time or ok the only one to, it was my aunts mother... What I do for work? Or?
NB
Work, or free time, or whatever?
S
Ok, work i have right now 3 different works. one is teaching the kids in a school, they are 8 to 15 years old. thats my ocupation, i tech them in craft¥s and arts. then one day in every week i work with handicaped peopel very funny and one day i work in the record store trash zone ( only death metal and hardcore punkrock. One my free time hahahaha i run kenrock and go out with my friends i also like to walk in the forest and go to the beach and travel. but i almost never have the time. Fuck i love to go to concert to.... this sounds like i wrote like a contact add. Thinks I hate.... Serious people, people without humour and sarcasm. People that destroy for the rest of the people. Like politicians, police, EU, war I really hate war. I was down and work in Angola for a half year back in 91 and they have been in civil war since 1974 and it was crazy...They have nothing but they was so friendly, I was in shame to be a white man. I give away everything I have and came back to Sweden without.. that's another story. And to wake up in he morning.. and to go to sleep in the evening to. Fuck I like to be a wake. Thinks I like most is normal, friends good music good coffee see a nice movie if iam not to restless and to have fun.
NB
Do you like movies and what are your favourites?
S
I have been a movie freak..... I like so many movies, right now iam back in the mid 80's and watch Richard kern movies. Great I like black and white movies.and they are like 20 minutes long so I don't have to have a nervous breakdown. And I really like old Hitchcock, splatter and Italian horror films from the late 70's and early 80's to many to list here and Russ Meyers but I think all humans do. Shit I have to say it I like US college movies to but I like the most from the late 70's and early 80's, because of the tempo in them. Slow and great stories. I hate the today's MTV cut ones fast and fucking boring computer shit.
NB
What's your favourite drink?
S
A triple espresso. HOT and STRONG. And water but I like to be drunk and of control hahahahahah iam from Sweden. I hate refreshingdrinks.
NB
What do you think about music today - bands, labels...?
S
Do you mean the mainstream or the underground?
NB
Well, I was thinking about underground, but if you think there is something else worth mentioning, go ahead.
S
Ok i understand. I think the music scene is Ok in some part of sweden, the problem is always when the small band get popular and sign a big label some peopel start to hate them. they have been sold out. But i think it¥s great for them to do what they like to do. The most boring about today is that the kids don¥t like bands they only like songs. so they buy all this boring comps... dance shit hit vol 999999. and more... the underground scene is in so many different ways and one problem is that peopel talk so much shit abput each other. the best way is to do something togheter. but i know i hate it... but here in gotenburg is not enoch peopel to sett up a good festival with the same underground music. thats boring. and in sweden it¥s never any good ones that own the clubs only very greedy peopel that whant the money but not the crowd or evenn the band....
NB
What are, in your opinion, the best records that were released in 2000's?
S
The record I have play most is the SPIDER BABIES - undressed to kill, and the dukes of Hamburg all record with this two bands I really like, but I like garagepunk without hardrock in it and 50 stuff and bluegrass Cajun music and ok all music that give me something. and nice new music I think also that lightning beatman's album is a killer everyone reading this BUY BUY.... Like everyone I also have les sexarenoos very high. And swinging neckbreakers. And bands that I have play for ten years now, like lazy cowgirls iam into country but more old shit from the 30's and the 40's country before it went to rock. And my new think is Cajun music so great what the hell have I been playing???? This is the music,The bad thing is that nearly all new band I like don't have any album out. I also like new punkrock like the Briefs and Hives and nazi from mars have a super album out so listen to me now they have so great lyrics... And so new and superb music.
NB
Can you mention some names of great bands that have no releases yet? I'm curious - hee hee!
S
I mean that some of my favo band only have a 7" or two out... then they split up or.... but it still is some great bands out there band here in Goteborg we have right now two amazing band the Aristo man, Nilssons orkester. and from Italy i heard the Singing dogs. and some more that send me demos. but sadly the most sound the same....