Alien (band)
Encyclopedia
Alien is a Swedish
rock
band formed in Gothenburg
in 1986 by guitarist Tony Borg and vocalist Jim Jidhed
. They are best known today for their single "Only One Woman
", a cover of a Marbles song, and "Brave New Love", which was featured in the 1988 movie The Blob
.
" in 1988, a cover of a song written by the Bee Gees
and first recorded by The Marbles in 1968. The Alien cover reached #1 in Sweden and remained there for six weeks.
Later in 1988, Alien released their first, eponymous album, including "Only One Woman" as well as "Brave New Love" and "Tears Don't Put Out the Fire", which was released as a single later that year. In 1989, the band released a re-worked version of it for the US/international market, again titled Alien. This album included eight out of the twelve tracks released in the 1988 album, 5 of which were remixed. Two new tracks were added, "Now Love" being one and a cover of "The Air That I Breathe
" the other, both sung by new vocalist Peter "Pete" Sandberg.
and Von Rosen. In 1990 the band also made other changes, such as replacing Wandroph and Tarrach with Bert Andersson on keyboards and Imre Duan on drums. This was the lineup for the band's release of its third album, "Shiftin' Gear". However, the album was not the success it was predicted to be and another major lineup change occurred. Andersson was replaced by Richard Andre on keyboards and Stefan Ridderstrale replaced Duan on drums. Former Madison
bassist Conny Payne also joined Alien in 1993. Finally, lead singer Peter Sandberg departed the band and later pursued a solo career. To replace him, Alien recruited Daniel Zangger Borch.
Ridderstrale officially left the band in 1995 and Staffan Scharrin became the drummer, thus completing the band's present lineup. This new formation released the band's fifth album, "Crash" in 1995. This album featured heavier metal
songs than previously recorded by Alien.
Since then, Alien released three more albums, Best and Rare (1997, compilation), Live in Stockholm 1990 (2001) and Dark Eyes (2005). Dark Eyes was the first album to feature all new recordings and marked the return of Jim Jidhed to the band now composed of him, Mats Sandborgh on keyboards, Berndt Ek on bass, Jan Lundberg on drums alongside Tony Borg.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band formed in Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
in 1986 by guitarist Tony Borg and vocalist Jim Jidhed
Jim Jidhed
Jim Jidhed is a Swedish rock singer. Jidhed's first major break was as the lead singer for the rock band Alien in the late 1980s with the ballad "Only One Woman". After that he released his first solo album called "Jim", which included the songs "Wild Young And Free", "Silence is Golden" and "Love...
. They are best known today for their single "Only One Woman
Only One Woman
"Only One Woman" is a rock ballad written by Barry ,Robin and Maurice Gibb which became a hit by The Marbles in 1968.This song was a non-album single, only buy at vinyl, but later this song was also included on their self-titled album The Marbles.-Personnel:...
", a cover of a Marbles song, and "Brave New Love", which was featured in the 1988 movie The Blob
The Blob (1988 film)
The Blob is a 1988 American monster horror film distributed by Tristar Pictures. It is a remake of the 1958 film of the same name, which starred Steve McQueen. The film was written by Chuck Russell and Frank Darabont and directed by Russell. The shooting took place in Abbeville, Louisiana.-Plot:A...
.
Early success (1986-88)
Borg and Jidhed's original lineup included Ken Sandin on bass guitar, Jimmy Wandroph on keyboards, and Toby Tarrach on drums. This group released the single "Only One WomanOnly One Woman
"Only One Woman" is a rock ballad written by Barry ,Robin and Maurice Gibb which became a hit by The Marbles in 1968.This song was a non-album single, only buy at vinyl, but later this song was also included on their self-titled album The Marbles.-Personnel:...
" in 1988, a cover of a song written by the Bee Gees
Bee Gees
The Bee Gees are a musical group that originally comprised three brothers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio was successful for most of their 40-plus years of recording music, but they had two distinct periods of exceptional success: as a pop act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and as a...
and first recorded by The Marbles in 1968. The Alien cover reached #1 in Sweden and remained there for six weeks.
Later in 1988, Alien released their first, eponymous album, including "Only One Woman" as well as "Brave New Love" and "Tears Don't Put Out the Fire", which was released as a single later that year. In 1989, the band released a re-worked version of it for the US/international market, again titled Alien. This album included eight out of the twelve tracks released in the 1988 album, 5 of which were remixed. Two new tracks were added, "Now Love" being one and a cover of "The Air That I Breathe
The Air That I Breathe
"The Air That I Breathe" is a ballad written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood, initially recorded by Albert Hammond on his 1972 album It Never Rains In Southern California.-History:...
" the other, both sung by new vocalist Peter "Pete" Sandberg.
Shiftin' Gear (1988-93)
In the fall of 1988, Jidhed left the band to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Peter Sandberg, formerly frontman for the bands MadisonMadison (band)
Madison was an American rock band from New Jersey during 2001-2006. After releasing their debut EP 'For The First Time in Years... I'm Finally Leaving You' under Fidelity Records, the band signed with Rushmore Records/Drive-Thru Records in 2005...
and Von Rosen. In 1990 the band also made other changes, such as replacing Wandroph and Tarrach with Bert Andersson on keyboards and Imre Duan on drums. This was the lineup for the band's release of its third album, "Shiftin' Gear". However, the album was not the success it was predicted to be and another major lineup change occurred. Andersson was replaced by Richard Andre on keyboards and Stefan Ridderstrale replaced Duan on drums. Former Madison
Madison (band)
Madison was an American rock band from New Jersey during 2001-2006. After releasing their debut EP 'For The First Time in Years... I'm Finally Leaving You' under Fidelity Records, the band signed with Rushmore Records/Drive-Thru Records in 2005...
bassist Conny Payne also joined Alien in 1993. Finally, lead singer Peter Sandberg departed the band and later pursued a solo career. To replace him, Alien recruited Daniel Zangger Borch.
Band Stability (1993-2005)
Alien returned to the studios to record their fourth album, again titled "Alien". Ridderstrale, although performing on tour, did not participate in the recording sessions and Michael Wilkman stood in as drummer. Production was weak and the band lost much of its following. This can also be attributed to the numerous band member changes between 1990 and 1993.Ridderstrale officially left the band in 1995 and Staffan Scharrin became the drummer, thus completing the band's present lineup. This new formation released the band's fifth album, "Crash" in 1995. This album featured heavier metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
songs than previously recorded by Alien.
Since then, Alien released three more albums, Best and Rare (1997, compilation), Live in Stockholm 1990 (2001) and Dark Eyes (2005). Dark Eyes was the first album to feature all new recordings and marked the return of Jim Jidhed to the band now composed of him, Mats Sandborgh on keyboards, Berndt Ek on bass, Jan Lundberg on drums alongside Tony Borg.
Present days (2010-)
Alien has finally reunited with the complete original lineup. They are touring during 2010 and will be releasing a new single in October this year - 'Ready To Fly'.Discography
- Alien (1988)
- Alien (Remix) (1989)
- Shiftin' Gear (1990)
- Alien (1993)
- Crash (1995)
- Best And Rare (1997)
- Live In Stockholm 1990 (2001)
- Dark Eyes (2005)