Kent (band)
Kent was a Swedish alternative rock band formed in Eskilstuna in 1990.[1] With members Joakim Berg, Martin Sköld, Sami Sirviö and Markus Mustonen, the band had numerous radio hits throughout Sweden and Scandinavia and consecutive number-one studio albums on the Sweden top list (Sverigetopplistan) beginning with the release of Verkligen (1996) and led by the single "Kräm (så nära får ingen gå)".[2] With origins rooted in distorted rock, they found mainstream success through their alternative rock albums of the mid-1990s, 2000s and 2010s, the latter decades during which they adopted elements of synthpop.
Kent
Eskilstuna, Sweden
1990–2016
- Joakim Berg
- Martin Sköld
- Sami Sirviö
- Markus Mustonen
- Harri Mänty
- Martin Roos
- Thomas Bergquist
With eleven number-one albums,[3] five number-one singles,[4] 23 Swedish Grammy Awards,[5] and over three million record sales, Kent is considered the most popular rock/pop group within Sweden and throughout Scandinavia. Vapen & ammunition (2002) topped the Swedish charts for eight weeks.[6] Kent is often compared to bands like U2 and Coldplay. Kent's song "VinterNoll2" is an unlockable track in career mode on the video game Guitar Hero World Tour.[7] They have their own SingStar called SingStar Kent, released on PlayStation 2 and 3.[8]
As Kent's songs are primarily performed in Swedish, they are unfamiliar to most English-speaking audiences.[9] Kent briefly attempted an international career with English versions of the albums Isola (1997) and Hagnesta Hill (1999) and an accompanying American tour for the former, but stopped after finding less success than they had in Scandinavia. Joakim Berg, the lead singer and lyricist, says "there are two kinds of lyrics I write. One kind is based in places and the other is based in feelings. You move between those two whether you want to or not."[10]
The band announced on 16 March 2016 that they would release their final album, titled Då som nu för alltid, after 26 years of performing.[11] The album was released on 20 May 2016.[12] The band's announcement noted that the dissolution of the band is voluntary and is despite their continued success. Kent's final concert was held at Tele2 Arena in Stockholm on 17 December 2016,[13] ending a months-long farewell tour that covered Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark.
History[edit]
Formation and first years (1990–1994)[edit]
The band Jones & Giftet (Jones & the Poison) was formed in 1990 with members Joakim "Jocke" Berg, Martin Sköld, Markus Mustonen, Sami Sirviö and Thomas Bergqvist (synthesizers). It all started with Berg going to London and buying two guitars, one for Sirviö and one for himself. At first it was Sami Sirviö and Joakim Berg who had the band together, later Sköld, Bergqvist and Mustonen joined. The first gig was played in Lindesberg in Västmanland, and the second at Knegoffs in Eskilstuna. In 1991, Jones & Giftet won the contest Cult 91 at the Skylight in Eskilstuna.[14]
1992 is the year that Martin Roos plays with Jones & Giftet for the first time at Cult 92. Soon thereafter Thomas Bergqvist was replaced by Martin Roos. On 30 September 1992 Jones & Giftet changed their name to Havsänglar (Angelshark, lit. Sea angels). Gigs at the "Spaghetti Companiet", Hannas Krog and the Pet Sounds Bar followed.
In 1993, Martin Roos moved up to Stockholm, and soon the rest followed. Jocke Berg's brother Adam Berg, came up with the new name Kent.[15] Kent played at Stockholm venues Tanto, Hyndans Hörna and Uppsala venue Kalmar Nation.
In March 1994 Kent recorded a 10-track demo under very simple conditions in an 8-track studio at Nytorpsskolan near Blåsut in Stockholm. The demo was given to Peter Ejheden at Pet Sounds who back then was working as a booker for a club (Pet Sounds Bar). In the same chain of events where he got the tape, Ejheden quit Pet Sounds and started working at BMG. In April Per Lindholm, A&R at RCA/BMG heard Kent for the first time and was immediately interested. On 26 June Kent's first record contract was signed. Kent went up to Silence Studios in Koppom, Värmland, to record the debut-album.
Musical style and influences[edit]
Kent have been grouped with various genres, including alternative rock, indie rock, pop rock, synth-pop, pop, and arena rock.
Kent's first and perhaps most significant influences for the band's sound were My Bloody Valentine and The Cure. Kent has been referred to as Sweden's biggest rock band,[44] but has always put pop melodies in focus. Kent's biggest change in musical style came with the band's seventh studio album Tillbaka till samtiden, which marked a clear shift from alternative rock to synthpop/rock.[45][46]
Members
Touring musicians
