Refused
Encyclopedia
Refused was a Swedish hardcore punk
band originating from Umeå
, Sweden
, formed in 1991. In total the band released five EPs and three albums, before splitting up in 1998. Kerrang!
placed The Shape of Punk to Come
at #13 on their 50 Most Influential Albums Of All Time list.
, David Sandström
, Pär Hansson and Jonas Lidgren and released their first demo, Refused, the same year. With an already altered lineup the band released their first studio album
, This Just Might Be the Truth
, in 1994.
Refused's final line-up consisted of the members Dennis Lyxzén, David Sandström, Kristofer Steen
and Jon Brännström who released everything from Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent
to the definitive album The Shape of Punk to Come
. The band never found a permanent bass
player.
Refused broke up in late 1998. Some believe this happened as a result of a depletion of creative energy and band members wanting different things. There was also conflict between Dennis and the rest of the band http://www.buddyhead.com/interview-with-kristofer-steen-of-refused/. Band members stated that their first shows after the release of Shape of Punk to Come were emotionally devastating and that their final tour was an awful experience. The band eventually cancelled the tour and announced their splitting-up. Their last performance of their United States tour was played in a friend's basement but was shut down by police
.
's website http://www.burningheart.com/refused/refmanifest5.htm.
Lead singer Dennis Lyxzén
went on to form The (International) Noise Conspiracy
while the other members, as well as venturing into their own projects, formed the group TEXT
. As of May, 2008, Dennis Lyxzén and David Sandström have formed a new straightforward hardcore band under the name AC4
.
Kristofer Steen
is now a director and made a documentary on the band's last year in existence called Refused Are Fucking Dead
.
unofficially announced that the band would perform at European music festivals in 2010. Dennis Lyxzén has denied claims of a Refused reformation as he and David Sandström are busy with AC4
. The new band website was later announced to be a promotional site for a reissue of Refused's final album, The Shape of Punk to Come
. The reissue, to be released on June 8, 2010, will be a three-disc set with an unreleased live album recorded in 1998 and the Refused Are Fucking Dead
DVD documentary in addition to the full original album.
and anti-capitalist politics, into a sound that paid homage to The Nation of Ulysses and Born Against
. Before the Umeå hardcore
phenomenon went into full bloom, the band was seen as part of the scene centered around youth-oriented venue Galaxen, along with the punk rock scene as well as metal bands such as Meshuggah
.
Drummer David Sandström
states that before the band formed he was a "glue sniffing death metal
kid" but eventually a fan of Step Forward
, the embryo of Refused. As Step Forward called it quits and friendship between David and Dennis Lyxzen grew stronger, Dennis took him home and made him listen to Youth of Today
's We're Not in This Alone
album over and over again in a room alone.
The album This Just Might Be the Truth
was mostly influenced by popular American hardcore of the time (such as Earth Crisis
) as well as various bands from the New York hardcore
scene. By the time of its release, the band already had a strong anti-establishment profile.
On their second album, Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent
, the band had a heavier sound, largely due to Dennis adopting a screaming style rather than shouting.
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band originating from Umeå
Umeå
- Transport :The road infrastructure in Umeå is well-developed, with two European highways passing through the city. About 4 km from the city centre is the Umeå City Airport...
, Sweden
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....
, formed in 1991. In total the band released five EPs and three albums, before splitting up in 1998. Kerrang!
Kerrang!
Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music published by Bauer Media Group. It was first published on June 6, 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper...
placed The Shape of Punk to Come
The Shape of Punk to Come
The Shape of Punk to Come: A Chimerical Bombination in 12 Bursts is the third and final album released by Swedish hardcore punk band Refused, which was released in October 1998 through Burning Heart Records...
at #13 on their 50 Most Influential Albums Of All Time list.
Career trajectory (1991–1998)
Refused formed in early 1991 with Dennis LyxzénDennis Lyxzén
Dennis Lyxzén is a musician most famously known for being the lead vocalist for Swedish hardcore punk band Refused.-Career:...
, David Sandström
David Sandström
David Sandström was the drummer for hardcore punk group Refused. After Refused broke up David and the other members of Refused worked on a project entitled TEXT and released one album. Then David went on to do solo work...
, Pär Hansson and Jonas Lidgren and released their first demo, Refused, the same year. With an already altered lineup the band released their first studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
, This Just Might Be the Truth
This Just Might Be the Truth
This Just Might Be the Truth is the first full length CD released by the Swedish hardcore punk band Refused. The CD was first released in 1994 through Startrec and was reissued by Burning Heart Records in 1997.-Track listing:# "Intro" – 1:31...
, in 1994.
Refused's final line-up consisted of the members Dennis Lyxzén, David Sandström, Kristofer Steen
Kristofer Steen
Kristofer Steen was born on June 26, 1974 and is a Swedish musician, best known for his years as a guitarist with the Swedish Hardcore/Punk band Refused...
and Jon Brännström who released everything from Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent
Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent
Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent is the second full length album by Swedish hardcore punk band Refused. It was released in 1996 through Burning Heart Records. A remastered version of the album was released in 2004...
to the definitive album The Shape of Punk to Come
The Shape of Punk to Come
The Shape of Punk to Come: A Chimerical Bombination in 12 Bursts is the third and final album released by Swedish hardcore punk band Refused, which was released in October 1998 through Burning Heart Records...
. The band never found a permanent bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
player.
Refused broke up in late 1998. Some believe this happened as a result of a depletion of creative energy and band members wanting different things. There was also conflict between Dennis and the rest of the band http://www.buddyhead.com/interview-with-kristofer-steen-of-refused/. Band members stated that their first shows after the release of Shape of Punk to Come were emotionally devastating and that their final tour was an awful experience. The band eventually cancelled the tour and announced their splitting-up. Their last performance of their United States tour was played in a friend's basement but was shut down by police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
.
After breakup (1999–2009)
After Refused split up, they released one final, fiery open letter titled "Refused Are Fucking Dead". It can be read in full on their label Burning HeartBurning Heart Records
Burning Heart Records is an independent record label formed in 1993 and based in Örebro, Sweden. It has a close affiliation with Californian label Epitaph Records, who own the rights to distribute Burning Heart's output in North America...
's website http://www.burningheart.com/refused/refmanifest5.htm.
Lead singer Dennis Lyxzén
Dennis Lyxzén
Dennis Lyxzén is a musician most famously known for being the lead vocalist for Swedish hardcore punk band Refused.-Career:...
went on to form The (International) Noise Conspiracy
The (International) Noise Conspiracy
The Noise Conspiracy is a Swedish rock band formed in Sweden in the late months of 1998. The line-up consists of Dennis Lyxzén , Inge Johansson , Lars Strömberg , and Ludwig Dahlberg . The band is known for its punk and garage rock musical influences, and its impassioned left-wing political stance...
while the other members, as well as venturing into their own projects, formed the group TEXT
TEXT
TEXT is the band founded by Kristofer Steen, David Sandström, Fredrik Bäckström and Jon F Brännström. All, except Bäckström, were ex-members of hardcore band Refused. Stylistically, they have little in common with Refused. Their debut album, Text, is a mix of spoken word, music of various styles,...
. As of May, 2008, Dennis Lyxzén and David Sandström have formed a new straightforward hardcore band under the name AC4
AC4
AC4 is a hardcore band from Umeå, Sweden. Ex-Refused members Dennis Lyxzén and David Sandström had been talking about starting a new band for a long time. In the spring of 2008 Karl Backman had written songs for the new band and they started to rehearse...
.
Kristofer Steen
Kristofer Steen
Kristofer Steen was born on June 26, 1974 and is a Swedish musician, best known for his years as a guitarist with the Swedish Hardcore/Punk band Refused...
is now a director and made a documentary on the band's last year in existence called Refused Are Fucking Dead
Refused Are Fucking Dead
Refused Are Fucking Dead is a 2006 documentary about the punk band Refused and the last year of their career. The film was directed by the band's guitarist, Kristofer Steen...
.
Rumored reunion (2010)
In March 2010, Epitaph Records put up the old Refused website online with the words 'Coming Soon'. Rumors spread across the internet about what the new website could indicate, including speculation of a reunion. Citing an anonymous source "close to the situation," Punknews.orgPunknews.org
Punknews.org is a website founded by Aubin Paul which launched in 1999. The website publishes music news and album reviews relating to punk rock, hardcore punk, ska, indie rock and heavy metal...
unofficially announced that the band would perform at European music festivals in 2010. Dennis Lyxzén has denied claims of a Refused reformation as he and David Sandström are busy with AC4
AC4
AC4 is a hardcore band from Umeå, Sweden. Ex-Refused members Dennis Lyxzén and David Sandström had been talking about starting a new band for a long time. In the spring of 2008 Karl Backman had written songs for the new band and they started to rehearse...
. The new band website was later announced to be a promotional site for a reissue of Refused's final album, The Shape of Punk to Come
The Shape of Punk to Come
The Shape of Punk to Come: A Chimerical Bombination in 12 Bursts is the third and final album released by Swedish hardcore punk band Refused, which was released in October 1998 through Burning Heart Records...
. The reissue, to be released on June 8, 2010, will be a three-disc set with an unreleased live album recorded in 1998 and the Refused Are Fucking Dead
Refused Are Fucking Dead
Refused Are Fucking Dead is a 2006 documentary about the punk band Refused and the last year of their career. The film was directed by the band's guitarist, Kristofer Steen...
DVD documentary in addition to the full original album.
Influences
Refused incorporated revolutionary leftRevolutionary Left
Revolutionary Left may refer to:* Revolutionary Left * Revolutionary Left Movement * Revolutionary Left Movement * Revolutionary Left Movement * Revolutionary Left Movement...
and anti-capitalist politics, into a sound that paid homage to The Nation of Ulysses and Born Against
Born Against
Born Against was an American hardcore punk band from New York active between 1989–1993. In addition to their radical leftist politics, the group espoused a DIY punk message and challenged what they perceived as problematic within the punk subculture of their time.-History:The group was founded in...
. Before the Umeå hardcore
Umeå hardcore
Umeå hardcore is hardcore punk from Umeå, a city in northern Sweden. During the 1990s, the influence of Umeå hardcore punk bands such as Final Exit, Step Forward, Refused and Doughnuts led to the growth of Umeå's hardcore scene. Also significant were the number of straight edge groups.During this...
phenomenon went into full bloom, the band was seen as part of the scene centered around youth-oriented venue Galaxen, along with the punk rock scene as well as metal bands such as Meshuggah
Meshuggah
Meshuggah is an extreme metal band from Umeå, Sweden, formed in 1987. Meshuggah's line-up has primarily consisted of founding members vocalist Jens Kidman and lead guitarist Fredrik Thordendal, drummer Tomas Haake, who joined in 1990, and rhythm guitarist Mårten Hagström, who joined in 1992...
.
Drummer David Sandström
David Sandström
David Sandström was the drummer for hardcore punk group Refused. After Refused broke up David and the other members of Refused worked on a project entitled TEXT and released one album. Then David went on to do solo work...
states that before the band formed he was a "glue sniffing death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
kid" but eventually a fan of Step Forward
Step Forward
Step Forward was founded in 1989 in Umeå, Sweden, by Dennis Lyxzén and his friends, Toft Stade, Jens Norden and Henrik Jansson. Step Forward was one of the very first hardcore punk bands in Sweden that held on to the American straight edge lifestyle....
, the embryo of Refused. As Step Forward called it quits and friendship between David and Dennis Lyxzen grew stronger, Dennis took him home and made him listen to Youth of Today
Youth of Today
Youth of Today is an American hardcore punk straight edge band, formed in 1985 and still in activity. The band played a major role in establishing the Youth Crew subculture of hardcore, both espousing and evolving the philosophies of the straight edge and vegetarian lifestyles.-History:Youth Of...
's We're Not in This Alone
We're Not in This Alone
We're Not In This Alone is the third and final full-length studio album by New York hardcore punk band Youth of Today. It was originally released by Caroline Records in 1988....
album over and over again in a room alone.
The album This Just Might Be the Truth
This Just Might Be the Truth
This Just Might Be the Truth is the first full length CD released by the Swedish hardcore punk band Refused. The CD was first released in 1994 through Startrec and was reissued by Burning Heart Records in 1997.-Track listing:# "Intro" – 1:31...
was mostly influenced by popular American hardcore of the time (such as Earth Crisis
Earth Crisis
Earth Crisis is an American metalcore band from Syracuse, New York, active from 1989 until 2001, reuniting in 2007. Their most recent record, To the Death, was released in May 2009 through Century Media....
) as well as various bands from the New York hardcore
New York hardcore
New York hardcore refers to hardcore punk and metalcore music created in New York City and to the subculture associated with that music. New York hardcore grew out of the hardcore scene established in Washington, D.C., by bands such as Bad Brains and Minor Threat. Hardcore '81 is an album by the...
scene. By the time of its release, the band already had a strong anti-establishment profile.
On their second album, Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent
Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent
Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent is the second full length album by Swedish hardcore punk band Refused. It was released in 1996 through Burning Heart Records. A remastered version of the album was released in 2004...
, the band had a heavier sound, largely due to Dennis adopting a screaming style rather than shouting.
Final line-up
- Dennis LyxzénDennis LyxzénDennis Lyxzén is a musician most famously known for being the lead vocalist for Swedish hardcore punk band Refused.-Career:...
- lead vocals (1991–1998) - David SandströmDavid SandströmDavid Sandström was the drummer for hardcore punk group Refused. After Refused broke up David and the other members of Refused worked on a project entitled TEXT and released one album. Then David went on to do solo work...
- drums, percussion, melodica (1991–1998) - Kristofer SteenKristofer SteenKristofer Steen was born on June 26, 1974 and is a Swedish musician, best known for his years as a guitarist with the Swedish Hardcore/Punk band Refused...
- bass, guitar (1994–1998) - Jon Brännström - guitar, vocals, samples, electronics (1994–1998)
Past members
- Magnus Björklund - bass (1992–1995) (also played on The Shape of Punk to ComeThe Shape of Punk to ComeThe Shape of Punk to Come: A Chimerical Bombination in 12 Bursts is the third and final album released by Swedish hardcore punk band Refused, which was released in October 1998 through Burning Heart Records...
) - Jonas Eriksson - bass (1996–1997) (also took part in the pre-production of The Shape of Punk to ComeThe Shape of Punk to ComeThe Shape of Punk to Come: A Chimerical Bombination in 12 Bursts is the third and final album released by Swedish hardcore punk band Refused, which was released in October 1998 through Burning Heart Records...
) - Pär Hansson - guitar (1991–1994)
- Magnus Höggren - bass guitar (1995–1997)
- Henrik Jansson - guitar (1992)
- Anders Johansson - bass (whenever needed)
- Jonas Lindgren - bass (1991)
- Ulf Nyberg - bass (1997–1998)
- Jesper Sundberg - bass (1994)
Albums
- This Just Might Be the TruthThis Just Might Be the TruthThis Just Might Be the Truth is the first full length CD released by the Swedish hardcore punk band Refused. The CD was first released in 1994 through Startrec and was reissued by Burning Heart Records in 1997.-Track listing:# "Intro" – 1:31...
(1994) - Songs to Fan the Flames of DiscontentSongs to Fan the Flames of DiscontentSongs to Fan the Flames of Discontent is the second full length album by Swedish hardcore punk band Refused. It was released in 1996 through Burning Heart Records. A remastered version of the album was released in 2004...
(1996) - The Shape of Punk to Come: A Chimerical Bombination in 12 BurstsThe Shape of Punk to ComeThe Shape of Punk to Come: A Chimerical Bombination in 12 Bursts is the third and final album released by Swedish hardcore punk band Refused, which was released in October 1998 through Burning Heart Records...
(1998)
DVDs
- The Shape of Punk to ComeThe Shape of Punk to ComeThe Shape of Punk to Come: A Chimerical Bombination in 12 Bursts is the third and final album released by Swedish hardcore punk band Refused, which was released in October 1998 through Burning Heart Records...
DVD-Audio version (2004) - Refused Are Fucking DeadRefused Are Fucking DeadRefused Are Fucking Dead is a 2006 documentary about the punk band Refused and the last year of their career. The film was directed by the band's guitarist, Kristofer Steen...
(2006)
External links
- Burning Heart's Refused page - Official Refused site (biographical details obtained here)
- Refused fansite
- Refused Profile on Punknews.org with reviews, related bands, news
- http://www.rockmidgets.com/features.php?p=1&page=4&id=493&page=4 - Refused feature on Rockmidgets.com
- http://drownedinsound.com/content/view/777156 - Interview with Kristofer Steen, discussing the DVD and reasons behind the breakup.