The Nomads celebrated 40 years in the rock’n’roll ring during 2021. Their most recent album, “Solna” was
named after the Stockholm suburb from which they sprang in 1981. The first time I talked to Nick Vahlberg
was in 1983 for Sounds when that particular paper blazed the trail for the great garage rock scare of the time.
He was sceptical when I suggested they had staying power.
The big thing now seems to be for bands to reform in some shape or form to cash in on whatever kudos
might remain. Considering this, it requires to be noted that these guys never went away.
There was no game plan prior or during the recording of “Solna”. They just decided to see what would happen.
Nick sees it like this. “The album took a ridiculously long time to make so it was a relief that it all turned out
well in the end. Drummist, Joakim Ericson adds, “It’s been a long journey. I just played it simple and
straightforward, no gambles or frills. Heavy and steady with a degree of authority was what I was going for.”
And he adds, “Listening to the result, I’m happy that I took that approach.The production is great with so much going on that anything complicated wouldn’t have fitted.” Bass basher,
Björn Fröberg is pivotal in the songwriting process because if it weren’t for him then it’s doubtful the others
would be anywhere near as prolific.
“Chips (Kiesbye) and I were already writing songs for it and ended up demo’ing 30 of those. The idea was to
come up with something that was as good as Sonically Speaking or The Cold Hard Facts of Life in terms of
sound. The process took a long time because Chips was busy recording as that is how he makes a living.
He could only work on it when things during quiet periods. Despite the fact of how long we took, I´m very
proud of what we ended up with.”
Chips is also a member of the great Swedish rockin’ combo, Sator. He says, “The Nomads single-handedly
started the garage rock revival in Sweden. They were the proof that you could move forwards by looking
back.
“Other than the Pebbles compilations, not much was known about ‘60’s garage bands and many people first
heard such great songs when The Nomads covered them.” But one thing that sets the band apart from many
other revival acts is that they never merely copied the sound of the originals. They added additional influences
such as punk, power pop and hard rock. That special recipe is what still makes their sound unique.” Bands
like The Hellacopters and Sator are direct descendents of what The Nomads created in the post-Cramps
frenzy that has since fizzled into psychedelic oblivion. This earned them the moniker of “Solna’s Sonics”.
These guys were more true to the Australian strain of punk rock. Taking strands of every strain and weaving
it into something entirely their own. If they decided to cover something then you weren’t able to tell that it
wasn’t theirs. Another jump that they have over many of their contemporaries is their chemistry. Live they’re
a powerhouse, delivering what, in a perfect world, should have been hit after hit. Anyone that needs a crash
course on what that statement refers to should grab a copy of the compilation “Nomadic Dementia”. This will
instantly provide the proof that I’m not talking out of my hat.
Hans Östlund is a mighty guitar player of Walter Lure-mungous proportions and much more but we’ll come
back to that. His take on the recent activity goes like this, “The specific difference this time was obviously the
lack of a studio in traditional terms. Apart from the drums and some of the guitars, it was all recorded in our
rehearsal space. I must say that I actually enjoy it even more these days and even have a “hobby” punk band,
Aoousch! – so it seems like I can’t get enough of playing.”
The band even backed up Roky Erickson for a one-off festival outing and immediately after the show the one-
time 13th Floor Elevator’s ex-wife paid Hans a very high compliment. “Directly after the show, she told me –
“you’re the best guitar player Roky has had since Duane (Aslaksen)”. I guess I just said “thanks” and then I
had to find a quiet place where I could let that sink in.”
There are plans to follow up Solna but as yet, only one new song “Working For The Man” has been released
as part of a split single on Ghost Highway Recordings with Norwegian pop sensations, The Dahlmanns. A
full album may well come together in 2022 but they’re in no hurry. There’s an air of it’ll happen if it happens.
Meanwhile, there are sporadic live appearances and Finland was treated to two shows during November
2021. This combo is very much a going concern.
Lowdown shakin’ rock’n’roll chills just don’t come any better that The Nomads. Never did and never will.
They’re as good now as they ever were. Very probably better.
Lindsay Hutton, 2021
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