back

biography / portrait

With an impressive string of releases behind them and record sales over the two million mark, Sweden’s finest MILLENCOLIN is ready to once again enter the studio to record a new album. Recording is set for November-December with a March-April release. The album, still to be named, will be supported by world-wide touring for a year and a half. Millencolin is a rock/punk band with roots in the Swedish skateboard and music scene from back in 1992. Inspired by the Californian punkrock which they grew up with they formed the band. Millencolin quickly became the biggest name of the genre in Sweden with their intense touring and well received debut album "Tiny Tunes" (later renamed "Same Old Tunes") '94. Millencolin are now, 15 years and six albums later, Europe's biggest punkband with gold albums received from both Australia and Sweden. They also had a big hit in the USA with the song No Cigar featured on the videogame Tony Hawk Pro skater 2. Millencolin was also was the first band ever to get their own signature shoe model - with their Millencolin Vans shoe for sale in stores world wide '03. By holding their annual skateboarding contest Millencolin Open at their indoor skatepark in Örebro, Millencolin prove that they have not forgotten their roots! Looking at things differently has helped build Millencolin into a universal success. In their formative years as melodic punk-loving skateboard enthusiasts, the group earned its musicianship and aligned with Sweden’s infamous Burning Heart Records. “We really couldn’t play very well back then” Ohlsson concedes with a laugh. But the foursome had will and vision, perfecting their abilities by the time they linked up with one of their heroes, producer Brett Gurewitz, guitar player of Bad Religion, for 2000’s Pennybridge Pioneers. Millencolin’s keen sense of melody, positive approach to punk and several Warped Tour appearances behind Pennybridge earned the group legions of North American fans, building up the already large international profile. 2002’s mega-selling, much appreciated album Home From Home – produced by Lou Giordano (Sugar, Goo Goo Dolls, The Lemonheads etc) and housing hits like “Kemp” and “Man Or Mouse” – gave way to another enormously successful touring initiative. After sharing stages with the likes of Blink 182, the Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age at festivals in Australia, Europe and the US and while reaping nearly two million in worldwide album sales the band returned home to write the new record. Kingwood, released in 2005, was a characteristic but infectious album with Millencolin returning to their roots. The best album so far… 2007, a new chapter of the Millencolin story is being written as we speak. The band is preparing for the upcoming recording. Summer-festivals with tremendous feedback has been done. As Mathias in the band expressed himself “Probably the best shows we have ever done”. Millencolin is still one of Swedens biggest bands and will keep on growing, there’s no stop. (source: www.millencolin.com)