In 2001 lots of people kept asking me if I was out of the band (TFK). Not that I know of, was my honest answer. The reason for this was, the fact that the extremely talented Daniel Gildenlöw of Pain of Salvation joined the band for a couple of records and tours. At that time, I knew Roine wanted one more good vocalist in the band, but I thought that was just an idea he had. When that idea became reality I was mighty surprized and I was "mega" surprized when I heard it was Daniel. Before that we've actually…Read more
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TFK gets snuffed by the Yakuza! (October 7, 2009)
I've been to Japan once and o'boy what a trip. The adventure started at Arlanda airport, at 05.45 in the morning. We were supposed to take the first Air France flight in the morning to Paris and then change flight and go from Paris to Tokyo. To check in was nothing out of the ordinary, in fact the (Air France) lady behind the desk looked like she was up for the task, to count all the devices, divide it into two pieces/head and then see the weight of it all. After some counting, the lady turned her face…Read more
I'm pregnant, yes it's true. (October 1, 2009)
Yes you better believe me, since a couple of weeks I've been carrying these small babies inside of me. How they got there in the first place? I have'nt got a clue! All of a sudden they're right there. The only thing you need to do is to deliver them, give them love, respect, caring and some guidance before they grow up. About 3 or 4 weeks ago I had twins and delivered them without any major problems, quite easy and quick actually. About a week ago, it was time for my latest little "cutie" to be born. The…Read more
Drinking with Sir Chris! (September 22, 2009)
After a drive that almost feels like you're on your way to eternity, all of a sudden a couple of houses shows up. A short while after that you're at Mikes place, somewhere in beautiful Massachusettes. Once again we're invited to someone's personal home, which always is a pleasant change from the "Nightrider" or the hotel. As soon as we enter Mikes garden, a big entourage of people shows up and makes you feel at home almost instantly. One of the guys beeing Al (one of the hardest working men in show biz!) He…Read more
HF at the Lodge (September 5, 2009)
If you ask me, Roine and I have always had an open and positive relationship. It does'nt matter if it's TFK related stuff, such as recording or touring or just a private phone call. That does'nt mean we agree on everything all the time. Very often that concerns things that has no right or wrong. To start with, Roine belongs to another generation than I do. Musically, his roots and influences are mainly from the 60:ies, Beatles, Hendrix, Procol Harum etc. while mine are from the 70:ies, Thin Lizzy, Zeppelin…Read more
Welcome to the Grand Melia Hotel, Caraccas! (August 25, 2009)
Yesterday I decided to do some private investigation, I invited myself over to mr. Bodin's house on the countryside for a cup of coffe and some chatting. Tomas also played me the "mastered" version of his soon to be released "You are". I can only say, congratulations what an album you've done together with Krappemike, Kimpa and Mackan, even I play a super tiny, small, little part in it, doing some background vocals and some "wailing" and Tomas actually asked me to sing the TFK phrase "There is more to this…Read more
Life's Great at Super 8! (August 18, 2009)
In the spring of 2002, it was time for TFK to do a tour in the States again. This time around we played with the very humble guys in California Guitar Trio. Among the gigs from that tour, I remember "The Troubadour", cause it's a legendary club and because Doane Perry (drummer for Jethro Tull for many many years), came in to our dressing room after the show and stated, that TFK was a great band! Another venue that's really stucked in my mind since then, is "The Great American Music Hall" In San Fransisco…Read more
The Flower Kings/Gay Clubs?? (August 9, 2009)
Everytime we're on the road, as soon as I see the white cliffs of Dover and I've had my traditional "Full english breakfast"! At 4 o clock in the morning, it feels like I've just opened the door to my own house. Don't ask me why? I really don't have any connections to England what so ever. One of the reasons I guess, is the fact that in my early twenties, me and a couple of friends, went to England several times to buy records(vinyl, they were a lot cheaper than in Sweden back then), clothes and of course…Read more
One night in Paris! (July 30, 2009)
Even though we've done gigs later, the latest tour we did was in November 2007. Once again we had a new drummer, Pat Mastellotto. Pat is very different from all the other TFK drummers, so he brought a whole new flavour to the band. It took a while to musically get to know each other, but in the end I think we actually sounded great. Once again, don't blame the "drum intermezzo" on me, I have nothing to do with that. For you who does'nt know, Pat's been up there in Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, NHL or…Read more
Brazilian Samba! (July 19, 2009)
Next stop on our first visit to South America was Brazil. I think our arrival at the airport was 9 o clock in the evening and when we got out of the plane, you could'nt even believe how hot and humid it was. The first impression of Rio De Janeiro is on the way, while you're driving towards the famous, beautiful and almost legendary centre of Rio, you pass some not so glamourus favelas along the way. I guess they have stuff they consider more important than time over there. It was probably around 11 o clock…Read more
Pampas de Argentina! (July 9, 2009)
In the year 1998 we went to South America to do shows for the first time. We played 2 gigs in Buenos Aires (Argentina) and we also held concerts in Rio de Janeiro and Macae (Brazil). The line-up back then was Roine, me, Jaime and Michael Stolt (Roine's younger brother on bass, which now is deeply involved in Tomas Bodin's upcoming album "You are") we also had a stand in for Tomas Bodin who could'nt do that tour, his name is Robert Engstrand a really funny fellow and a true "party animal". Nowadays he lives…Read more
But its you thats him!
What were we thinking? Were we just a little bit crazy? Or were we total idiots? I'm talking about "Unfold the future", the tour (TFK, 2002). We played for 2 hours and 40 minutes + a 10 minute intermission and encores. The cornerstones of the concert was "The truth will set you free" - 30 mins. "Stardust we are" - 30 mins. "Garden of dreams" - 1 HOUR! That means approximately 3 songs in 2 hours and 10 minutes. The rest of the songs changed from gig to gig, even if we concentrated on songs from the latest…Read more
Apeheads?
I always feel sympathy when a guy is serious and does his best. It might be a coincidence, but since we started to play together in HFMC, the guys have been buying basses, cymbals, guitars and effect pedals like there was no economic depreesion at all. Actually, I think these guys alone would have stopped the ongoing financial crisis. What is good with all this, is the fact that it actually makes a difference. All the new instruments and gadgets makes a better sound and a better sound gives your self…Read more
Beer Buffet! (July 7, 2009)
If you never been to Denver, let me tell you it looks nothing like Sweden. It's a strange combination of desert and high mountains. On the way from the airport Denver almost looks like (excuse me) it's placed on Mars. I have to say it looks beautiful in a strange way. We've played there twice, and we've been very well taken care of by a bunch of guys, who really do their utmost to make a nice evening for anyone (including the audience). On the first visit, we were invited to Phil's house for a home cooked…Read more
The legend of the tiny little summer house (May 7, 2009)
The last house on the north side of Uppsala, it can no longer be seen because of road construction. That house is called Vimus. That's where I played together with TFK for the first time, that's where we in HFMC played our first notes. The house is old and it's got 3 rehearsal studios, all above the ground THANK GOD! Thomsson, a guy I played together with in different bands for over 30 years, says it's the best place he's ever rehearsed in. As you can see in the short video, it's not glamourus at all, but…Read more
Week 21! (April 16, 2009)
Today is my first day in shorts this season and it's a marvellous feeling. One thing that's even more marvellous, is the feedback I got on my last blog. It seems like everybody has a relation to Queen (73-78). I got some comments and lots of messages, about the love you guys out there have for that band. One thing that worries me though, is that all of you seems to expect a Queen sounding album. In my ears, the material does'nt sound like Queen at all. What I said, was that I was impressed by the way they…Read more
My vision, our sound! (April 6, 2009)
First of all, I want to make one thing clear. I'm first and foremost a musicfan, not a musician. That defenition means I love music, not especially metal, prog, jazz, blues, opera or whatever. I love music, period. (Even though I consider myself a bit of a "rocker"). I know I am my own worst enemy here. Today, when you really need to cathegorize the music extremely hard. The world would be a lot easier for me, if I for instance was a total metalhead. When I look at my favourite records over the years, the…Read more
Working man's prog/rock (March 24, 2009)
When it comes to music, I'm a hopeless romantic (I guess). 1976 just 12 years old, I saw my first concert. "Atlantic crossing" had just been released and Rod Stewart was on the road. It was a great show. They did lots of The Faces songs, which was the main reason for my visit. The one thing that really blew me away though, was a song in the PA system before they got on. That song was "Jailbreak". I did'nt knew what band it was but after a while I found out that it was Thin Lizzy. About 1 year after Rod's…Read more
Male bonding (March 10, 2009)
As I told you before, I've had my doubts about starting a new band again. I have already given you the reasons why I did it, but there were just as many reasons who told me not to do it. First of all, the sleep you loose at night, trying to find out new and better arrangements. All the sleep you loose at night worrying if the lyrics are good enough. At daytime you become so absent minded, that you don't hear what people say. For years i've been a member of TFK and it's been a pleasant ride. There you see…Read more
What am i doing? (Febraury 27, 2009)
Hi folks, yes indeed here we go again. Just as I told you before, I promised myself to never form a band again, but I could'nt keep that promise and now "Hasse Fröberg and the Musical Companion"(HFMC) is a fact. The reasons for this are many. First of all, I've been writing quite frequently later. Since I finished as a trainer/coach for my daughter's soccerteam, all of a sudden I got a lot of sparetime every week. During the TFK tours there's always been lots of people asking me if I will do a record of my…Read more