When this highly explosive band from Umeå will, for the first time since 1998, come together on the same stage it is hard to believe that even the outdoors will be able to contain a show of such magnitude. Refused is one of the few bands to truly have made a difference and had a lasting influence on numerous contemporary music scenes. During the seven years they were active they managed to rewrite the rules of what a punk band could do. Like no band before or after, they managed to combine the explosiveness of a Molotov cocktail, harmonies reminiscent of the calm before the storm, lyrics powerful enough to kick start 90s counter cultures, and a roaring warmth that many have tried, though ultimately failed, to emulate. And, like Jesus, Refused became even more exalted after their death.
If you have somehow, against all odds, never heard Refused, we recommend you begin with the third and latest album – the critically acclaimed masterpiece The Shape of Punk to Come from 1998, a consistent favorite on lists of the most influential albums of all time and a work that has even been called ”the Sergeant Pepper of punk rock.” This is where all the pieces fall into place. Though Refused can lazily be categorized as hardcore/punk, they never allowed themselves to conform to the obvious or expected. They were – and are – ahead of every rigid standard, all the while being nothing short of fantastic. Take the song ”New Noise” for example – sharp riffs, exploding drums and a message that is as well-formed as it is unambiguous: old bandages won’t heal new wounds. Refused live is no exception – each show is a unique explosion. Once you have experienced it, every other concert will pale in comparison.
It’s 2012; anxiety, indifference and kitsch reign and our need of Refused may be greater than ever. This summer Way Out West will be the only place in Sweden where you can witness the future of punk in the best of the present. The new noise is on its way to Gothenburg. Nothing else matters. This is truly one of the few things you absolutely cannot miss.
”I came up during a great time in punk rock – my first gig was in 1980 opening for Black Flag – and I got to experience so many amazing bands, you know. I was the first kid on the block to get the Germs record, and that to me was the ultimate punk rock record…until Refused. The Shape of Punk to Come is the Seargent Pepper of punk rock.” -Duff McKagan, Guns n Roses
”I was blown away. My mouth literally dropped when I saw the ‘New Noise’ video and the next day I went out and bought the album. The pure intellect that was pouring out of this band – musical intellect, political intellect. Even when it comes to the arrangement, they were sophisticated. It still sounds fresh; it still sounds contemporary and new. There are a lot of riffs on St. Anger inspired by Refused.” -Kirk Hammett, Metallica
’New Noise’ is one of the great rock jams of all time. It’s just a heavy, unique, kick ass jam. When Zach left Rage Against the Machine, we’d actually talked to Rick Rubin about approaching Dennis to jam with him. That’s how impressed I was.” -Tom Morello, Rage Against The Machine
Refused is a Swedish hardcore punk band originating from Umeå, formed in 1991. In total the band released five EPs and three full-length albums before originally splitting up in 1998. Kerrang! magazine listed the band's 1998 album The Shape of Punk to Come at No. 13 on their 50 Most Influential Albums of All Time list in 2003. Refused is composed of vocalist Dennis Lyxzén, guitarists Jon Brännström and Kristofer Steen, drummer David Sandström and bassist Magnus Flagge. Their lyrics are often of a non-conformist and politically far-left nature.
On January 9, 2012, the band announced their long-awaited reunion (which was also highly contested considering the band's original and explicit declaration to never reunite), confirming shows at Coachella, Rock am Ring, Ruisrock, Roskilde Festival, Groezrock, Way Out West Festival, Sonisphere Festival (Cancelled), Download Festival, Rock for People, Primavera Sound, Hellfest,Fuji Rock Festival, and Pukkelpop
Here are some pictures from the festival!
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| Deportees |
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| Deportees |
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| Live Art at Linné |
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| Live Art at Linné |
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| Thurston Moore |
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| Mark Lanegan |
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| Mark Lanegan & Putte |
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| Florence + The Machine |
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| Florence + The Machine |
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| Refused |
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| Refused |
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| Refused |
Refused official music video of the song Rather be Dead, from the album "Songs to Fan the Flames of the Discontent".
Edit: To clarify some things. The bandmembers of Refused were Straight Edge under their primetime which ment, no alcohol, no tobacco products or recreational drugs. The straight edge/Hardcore community from UMEÅ, where Refused are formerly from, also were well known to be Vegans/vegetarians
More info @
Official Refused Web
Official Way Out West Web
Listen to ”Refused - Rather Be Dead" on Spotify here!Follow tuneoftheday.blogspot.com on Spotify here!
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