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Nicke Andersson

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Nicke Andersson
Andersson performing with the Hellacopters in 2008
Andersson performing with the Hellacopters in 2008
Background information
Birth nameAnders Niklas Andersson
Also known asNick Royale, Nicke Hellacopter, David Lee Hellacopter, Punk Andersson
Born (1972-08-01) 1 August 1972 (age 52)
Sweden
GenresRock, garage rock, hard rock, punk rock, soul, heavy metal, extreme metal
Occupation(s)Musician, record producer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, drums
Years active1981–present

Anders Niklas Andersson (born 1 August 1972), also known as Nicke Andersson, is a Swedish musician best known as the singer and guitarist for the rock band The Hellacopters and drummer for the death metal band Entombed. Besides his work with the Hellacopters and Entombed, Andersson currently plays and writes songs for the soul band The Solution, the death metal band Death Breath, the hard rock band Lucifer, and rock band Imperial State Electric.[1]

Andersson has been involved in over a hundred official releases with different bands, done work as a producer, contributed instrumental and vocal parts, and created artwork for most of the bands he has been involved with.

Career

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Andersson's interest began early in life with KISS as his favorite band. He soon discovered his childhood friend and future bandmate Kenny Håkanssons's father's record collection and bands such as The Ramones and Sex Pistols. His interest soon turned towards heavier music, trading cassettes and vinyl and writing for fanzines.[2] It wasn't long before Andersson started playing music and was soon playing drums and guitars in rock and metal bands such as Brain Dead Bodies, The Breaking, Belsen Barnen, Parodi, Maximal Skandal, Sons of Satan, Blasphemy, Nihilist and a number of other bands.

Entombed

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Main article: Entombed (band)

Andersson formed Nihilist after answering an ad in Heavy Sound, a record store in Stockholm.[2] When Nihilist broke up in 1989,[3] the same musicians formed Entombed with a different bass player. Andersson was predominantly the drummer in the band but also contributed to bass, guitars and vocals. Entombed derived influence from various different genres, but mostly from death metal on the band's first two albums Left Hand Path (which was recorded when he was 18)[4] and Clandestine. With their third album the group started incorporating more traditional influences from hard rock and heavy metal and the album Wolverine Blues is widely considered to be the origin of death 'n' roll.[5]

The Hellacopters

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Main article: The Hellacopters

In late 1994, Andersson formed The Hellacopters as a side project with Dregen, Kenny Håkansson and Robert Eriksson, all of whom earlier had been roadies during Andersson's time in Entombed. In January 1995 they released their first single Killing Allan on their own label Psychout Records.[6] Their first full-length album Supershitty to the Max! was released in 1996 and was recorded in 25 hours and later awarded with a Grammies. The group recruited Anders Lindström and supported KISS on their Scandinavian shows in 1997. The album was followed up the next year with Payin' the Dues. Due to the band's success, Andersson left Entombed to focus full-time on his new band. However, the next year guitarist Dregen left The Hellacopters to focus full-time on his other band Backyard Babies.[7] With their third record The Hellacopters changed the direction of their music to a cleaner sound than the early garage/punk rock style. The band continued to tour with temporary replacements before Robert 'Strings' Dahlqvist joined the band as their full-time guitarist.[8] The band continued to release albums and tour extensively in Scandinavia, Europe and other parts of the world as well as opening for The Rolling Stones on two shows in 2002. In 2006 The Hellacopters joined forces with The Hives, Backyard Babies, The Soundtrack of Our Lives and Millencolin and embarked on a successful tour throughout Sweden. The band broke up after the release of their seventh full-length album, Head off, a collection of cover songs, which was followed in 2008 by a last tour through Europe and Scandinavia.

Scott Morgan collaborations

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Main articles: The Hydromatics and The Solution (band)

While on tour in USA with The Hellacopters, the band played several shows in the same venue as the former Sonic's Rendezvous Band singer Scott Morgan. This led to the formation of The Hydromatics which went on to release their first record Parts Unknown in 1999. Andersson and Morgan teamed up once again in 2004 this time under the name The Solution to release Communicate, which was followed by Will Not Be Televised in 2007.[9]

Death Breath

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Main article: Death Breath

In 2005 Death Breath was formed by Andersson and Robert Pehrsson. Soon Scott Carlson and Erik Wallin joined, making the band's lineup complete. The band plays metal music inspired by some of Andersson's favorite early extreme metal bands such as Venom, Autopsy and Celtic Frost. The band released Stinking Up the Night in 2006 and Let It Stink in 2007.[10]

Cold Ethyl

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After the breakup of The Hellacopters, Andersson formed Cold Ethyl along with Thomas Eriksson, Tobias Egge and Dolf De Borst from The Datsuns, who opened together with "Demons" for The Hellacopters during the later part of The Tour Before the Fall. The band states that they have no interest in recording or releasing any material at this time and that the only way to experience the band is through their live shows. The band played their first show at Debaser Slussen in Stockholm early 2009 and held a short tenure at the club Fanclub.[11]

Imperial State Electric

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Andersson playing with Lucifer in 2022

At first a Nicke Andersson solo recording project Imperial State Electric soon evolved into a touring band with the same members as Cold Ethyl. They toured Scandinavia and Europe during 2010–2011 on the back of the first self-titled record (released Jan. 2010). I.S.E played mostly headline shows and festivals but there were also support act slots to KISS and Guns N' Roses. For the recording of the second album "Pop War" (released 9 March 2012) Imperial State Electric was declared a band proper. The "Pop War" tour was unofficially started with two gigs supporting The Hives, one "by invitation only" secret gig on 28 March 2012 and one official The Hives gig three days later. The Imperial State Electric Pop War tour officially started on 4 April at Katalin in Uppsala, Sweden.

Lucifer

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Main article: Lucifer (multinational band)

In March 2017, it was announced that Andersson had joined the band Lucifer as drummer.[12] He had started writing songs with his now-wife and Lucifer vocalist Johanna Sadonis in 2016, when two of its members had left.[13][14] As he is a multi-insturmentalist, Lucifer recorded their second album in Andersson's home studio without a complete band, only the addition of guitarist Robin Tidebrink.[14] The band's third and fourth albums, Lucifer III (2021) and Lucifer IV (2022), were each nominated for Best Hard Rock/Metal at the Grammis awards.[15][16]

Other work

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"...to have Nicke in the band is the piece de resistance you know, cause he is such a solid musician to begin with, just fundamental, knows music, knows chords, knows melodies, his technique is superior and he has the connection to the music. He gets it, you know, he understands how it all works together. So he's able to work with in the context of it and bring something to it."

In 1998 Andersson, with former bandmate Dregen, Ginger (from The Wildhearts) and Thomas Skogsberg, formed Supershit 666. The band's music was very reminiscent of the early Hellacopters sound.[18] The band released a self-titled EP in 1999 but never played live. However, Dregen and Ginger have both expressed interest in playing together again, possibly as Supershit 666.[19] After releasing By the Grace of God, Andersson was invited to join Wayne Kramer and the remaining members of the MC5 for their reunion tour in 2003 and 2004.[20] In 2004 Andersson joined up with Swedish punk veteran Johan Johansson from KSMB and Strindbergs. They released the single "(Komma ut ur matchen) NU!", a Swedish version of "(Gotta get som action) NOW!" They were joined by musicians such as Anders "Boba" Lindström and Dregen from Hellacopters and Sulo from Diamond Dogs. The single also contained the song "8 pm", an English version of the KSMB song "Klockan 8". Along with fellow Hellacopter member Robert Dahlqvist, Andersson recorded drums and guitars for Swedish singer/songwriter Stefan Sundströms 2004 album Hjärtats melodi. Apart from being a producer/co-producer with his own bands, Andersson produced Swedish rock band Dollhouse's second album, The Royal Rendezevous, in Acetone Studio, Stockholm in late 2005. Also at Acetone Studio he played on Neil Leyton's The Betrayal of the Self album along with Backyard Babies's guitarist Dregen. The next year he produced the Backyard Babies's fifth studio album, People Like People Like People Like Us.[21] In 2009, it was announced that Andersson and Neil Leyton have a side project called The Point, with a 7" single titled "Give it a try" due to be released in the spring of 2010.

Musical equipment

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Guitars

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  • Greco 1977 Les Paul Standard – Chambered body Tobacco Sunburst. It has three custom fitted pickups, one DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge position and two DiMarzio Classic PAF in the middle and neck positions. This guitar was given as a birthday gift to Nicke Andersson on his 40th birthday, August 2012. All custom work and fitting done by luthier Janne Helge.
  • Berg Electric Guitars "Goblin" – Custom built for Nicke Andersson with a single Dimarzio Super Distortion humbucker in the bridge position.

High gloss black with Bent maple bindings (appearing to be cream plastic to the naked eye) on body, head and neck. Made by then-apprentice luthier Thomas Berg, as a qualifying piece of work. Mr Berg has also built The Imperial model guitar (based on the early hard radius edge body Epiphone Coronet with custom features including a Crestwood headstock) for Tobias Egge and Nicke.

  • Berg Electric Guitars "Imperial" built for Imperial State Electric guitarists Tobias Egge and Nicke Andersson by Thomas Berg of Berg Electric Guitars.

Based on the symmetrical shaped, hard radius edge body Epiphone Coronet (later Coronet models had more rounded edges on body) Custom features include a Crestwood deluxe style bound, inline headstock, J200 type inlay, single Dimarzio DP100 and a wraparound bridge.

Amplification

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Band timeline

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Selected discography

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See also: The Hellacopters discography


Year Bands Title Notes
1988 Mezzrow Frozen Soul (Demo) Bass
1989 Mezzrow The Cross of Tormention (Demo) Bass
1990 Entombed Left Hand Path Drums, bass, artwork
1991 Dismember Like an Ever Flowing Stream Lead guitar
1991 Entombed Clandestine Drums, lead vocals, artwork
1993 Entombed Hollowman Drums, arrangements
1993 Entombed Wolverine Blues Drums, guitar, artwork
1996 The Hellacopters Supershitty to the Max! Vocals, guitar, maracas
1996 Daemon Seven Deadly Sins Guitars, drums
1997 Entombed DCLXVI: To Ride Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth Drums, percussion
1997 Entombed Entombed Drums, guitar
1997 The Hellacopters Payin' the Dues Vocals, guitar, piano, percussion
1997 Entombed Wreckage Drums
1997 The Hellacopters/Gluecifer Respect the Rock Vocals, guitar
1998 The Backyard Babies Total13 Songwriting
1998 Electric Frankenstein/Hellacopters Electric Frankenstein Vs. The Hellacopters Vocals guitar
1999 The Hellacopters Grande Rock Vocals, guitar
1999 Supershit 666 Supershit 666 Drums
1999 The Hydromatics Part Unknown Drums, percussion backing vocals
1999 The Hydromatics Fluid Drive Drums, percussion
2000 The Hellacopters High Visibility Vocals, guitar, clavinet, percussion
2000 The Hellacopters Cream of the Crap Vol. 1 Vocals, guitar
2001 The Hellacopters/The Flaming Sideburns White Trash Soul Vocals, guitar
2002 Scarve Luminiferous Songwriting
2002 The Hellacopters By the Grace of God Vocals, guitar, percussion, piano
2002 Entombed Sons of Satan Praise the Lord Drums
2002 The Hellacopters Cream of the Crap Vol. 2 Vocals, guitar
2003 Mensen Oslo City Mixing, percussion
2004 Kurt-Sunes med Helveteshundarna (Komma Ut Ur Matchen) NU! Guitar, vocals
2004 The Solution Communicate! Production, drums, percussion, guitar, backing vocals
2004 MC5 Purity Accuracy Guitar, vocals
2004 Stefan Sundström Hjärtats Melodi Drums, backing vocals
2005 The Hellacopters Rock & Roll Is Dead Vocals, guitar, percussion, piano
2005 Nihilist Nihlist (1987–1989) Drums, guitar, artwork
2005 Dollhouse The Royal Rendezevouz Production
2006 Death Breath Stinking Up the Night Drums, guitar
2006 Neil Leyton The Betrayal of the Self Guitar
2006 Jeff Walker Und Die Flüffers Welcome To Carcass Cuntry Vocals
2006 The Hellacopters Air Raid Serenades Vocals, guitar, percussion
2006 Backyard Babies People Like People Like People Like Us Production
2007 Death Breath Let It Stink Drums, guitar, bass
2007 The Solution Will Not Be Televised Production, drums, percussion, guitar, backing vocals, mixing, artwork
2008 The Hellacopters Head Off Vocals, guitar, percussion
2008 Bullet Bite the Bullet Mixing
2009 The Bitter Twins Global Panic! Lead guitar, vocals
2010 Imperial State Electric Imperial State Electric Vocals, guitar, bass, drums, percussion, keyboard
2010 Stefan Sundström 5 Dagar i Augusti Piano, backing vocals, percussion
2010 Necronaut Necronaut Lead guitar
2011 Imperial State Electric In Concert! EP Vocals, guitar
2011 Stefan Sundström Jonny Dunders Elektriska Circus Live! Piano
2011 Morbus Chron Sleepers in the Rift Producer, Recording, Engineering, Mixing
2012 '77 High Decibels Production, mixing, additional vocals
2012 Imperial State Electric Pop War Vocals, guitar, production, engineering, artwork
2013 Imperial State Electric Reptile Brain Music Vocals, guitar, production, engineering, artwork
2013 Imperial State Electric Radio Electric Vocals, guitar, production, engineering, artwork
2014 Imperial State Electric Eyes EP Vocals, guitar, production, engineering, artwork
2015 Imperial State Electric Honk Machine Vocals, guitar, production, engineering, artwork
2015 Honeymoon Disease The Transcendence Co-Producer
2016 Imperial State Electric All Through the Night Vocals, guitar, production, engineering, artwork
2018 Imperial State Electric Anywhere Loud (Live) Vocals, guitar, production, engineering, artwork
2018 Lucifer Lucifer II Drums, guitar, bass
2022 The Hellacopters Eyes Of Oblivion Vocals, guitar, bass, percussion, production, engineering

References

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  1. ^ "Hellacopters efter Hellacopters – Kultur – Östergötlands största nyhetssajt". Corren.se. Archived from the original on 19 October 2008. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Nick Royale Special – Swedish Documentary Part 1". YouTube. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  3. ^ "Entombed band biography". metallian.com. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  4. ^ Mudrian, Albert (14 July 2009). Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces. Da Capo Press. p. 110.
  5. ^ Tobin, Dan (1999). Wolverine Blues (CD booklet). Entombed. Nottingham, United Kingdom: Earache Records. p. 8.
  6. ^ "Psychout Records". Grunnenrocks.nl. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  7. ^ "Urotsukidoji's Pad". Webcitation.org. Archived from the original on 20 October 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  8. ^ "Robert Dahlqvist spelar med i Hellacopters". Hem.bredband.net. Archived from the original on 4 June 2009. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  9. ^ The Barman. "The Solution". Scottmorganmusic.com. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  10. ^ "Death Breath | Interview | Lords of Metal metal E-zine – Issue 65: December 2006". Lordsofmetal.nl. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  11. ^ "Cold Ethyl | Gratis muziek, tourneedata, foto's, video's". Myspace.com. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  12. ^ "LUCIFER Joined By ENTOMBED's NICKE ANDERSSON". Blabbermouth.net. 8 March 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  13. ^ a b "JOHANNA SADONIS Says New LUCIFER Album 'Digs Even Deeper Into The Record Crates Of The '70s'". Blabbermouth.net. 20 May 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  14. ^ a b "An interview with Johanna Sadonis and Nick Andersson of Lucifer". Lots of Muzic. 3 June 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  15. ^ "DARK TRANQUILLITY Wins Swedish GRAMMIS Award For 'Moment'". Blabbermouth.net. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  16. ^ "AT THE GATES, TRIBULATION & LUCIFER Up For Swedish Grammis Awards". Metal Injection. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  17. ^ "The Hellacopter Nick Royale – Wayne Kramer talkin about him". YouTube. 6 January 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  18. ^ "Supershit 666". Grunnenrocks.nl. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  19. ^ "Ask Ginger February 2000". The Wildhearts. 21 February 2000. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  20. ^ "DKT/MC5 – Tour – dates – TheDynaminds Forum". Mysnip.de. Archived from the original on 7 July 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  21. ^ "Backyard Babies – People Like People Like People Like Us CD Album". Cduniverse.com. 2 May 2006. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  22. ^ [1] Archived 25 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  23. ^ "The Hellacopters". 24 July 2006. Archived from the original on 24 July 2006. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  24. ^ [2] Archived 8 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  25. ^ [3] Archived 5 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  26. ^ "DiPinto Artist Gallery : Nick Royale". Dipintocustomshop.com. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
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