Los Angeles, CA (Top40 Charts/ Blue Pie Records) Check out
Sebastian Zweiniger's hot review of Swedish Rock Gods BLEEK!
Tonight "punk night" at KB's, even though most of us would agree that this characterisation is quite misleading. First off is death core quintet Purified Hatred, followed by party rock from Danish Florin, and happy punchers KKPA. But most importantly of course, Malmo's finest alternative rockers Bleek, closing tonight's show. And I'm obviously not alone in this opinion. When the three preceding bands have been playing, the crowd has consisted mostly of friends and family, and have responded accordingly with gracious applause. But when
Robin Rhodin,
Martin Nobel, Gustaf Berggrensson and
Martin Nobel get ready to start their half hour long set, spontaneous cheers spread through the audience, which seems to take the group by surprise. The general knowledge of their songs is far more comprehensive than one would expect seeing as the album is only available on Spotify.
Anyway, it's obvious that the audiences cheers put the band in a higher gear than any of the others have been able to muster up. The people aren't here because they are next of kin and dragged there by their cousin, the drummer, but because they really love and wants to listen to Bleek's amazing Beatles-esque sound. The quartet's enthusiasm is almost tangible.
To be a bit more specific in my descriptions: the opening with 'Genious' is hard hitting, perfect! They then throw themselves headlong into the hard rock melodic second half of the debut albums opening track 'Open Up Your Eyes', which hooks into almost every person in the room. My favourite is 'Maps' - listen to the indescribable vocal melody of the chorus and try to resist this - is unsurprisingly the high point of the set in my view, and here
Robin gets to show off what an amazing singer he is. We also get to hear a new untitled song, that points to a more disco / poppy sound for Bleek. Apart from this, the band has put together a presentation where bass player Gustaf plays stand-up comedian to a boogie groove. It may sound a bit cheesy but believe me - a more entertaining presentation, you cannot see.
If I was to complain about anything, it might have been a good idea to leave out the presentation for another song from the album, perhaps the sweet melancholy of 'When you know'. With such a limited playing time it's probably wiser to let the music be the focus, even if I am childishly fond of the presentation.
Otherwise - Bleek is bigger, better and far more popular than anyone would have expected and should in all fairness get opportunity to be seen much more. If Bleek is planning a visit to your area there is just no (no!) excuse to stay at home. Don't ever forget that!
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www.muzic.se/show.php?typ=konserter&id=849
ABOUT BLEEK
www.bleek.se
The band comprises of Martin, Robin, Andy and Gustaf. With
Martin Nobel on guitars, (Martin's great great grandfather was the brother of famous Swede Alfred Nobel) Martins guitar sounds provides the band with a distinctive Swedish Rock Sound.
Martin started playing guitar at age 13, and he now makes his living as a freelance studio and live guitarist;
Robin Rhodin is on lead vocals and keyboards. The Rhodin family has been in the entertainment business for 150 years, over 5 generations and
Robin started playing the piano at age 5, he has since played in numerous orchestras and bands in theatres' and circuses, various cover bands, a bluegrass band, and a few pop/rock bands, often together with Martin; Andy Rhodin is on drums. Andy is Robin's little brother, and started playing drums when he was 8. He has studied drums under
Peter Wildoer, from world famous death metal band Darkane, and one of Scandinavia's top jazz and swing drummers,
Roger Berg. He has also played drums and percussion in theatres and circuses, and of course with
Martin and
Robin in their different projects; Gustaf Berggrensson is the resident BassMan. Gustaf was the last to join the group, after
Robin abandoned the bass in favour of keyboards, to broaden the sound. He's grown up in a family of musicians and is known as one of Malmo's top bassists.. The band were extremely happy to welcome Gustaf onboard. This is the band now known as "BLEEK"
Robin and
Martin have been writing and playing music together for almost 10 years, with over a hundred co-written songs and several hundreds of gigs together. Andy has been a part of that cooperation for 5 or 6 years, resulting in a couple of hundred gigs between that 3/4 of Bleek. Andy and Gustaf became friends when they worked together in the music shop.
Martin and
Robin run a small recording studio together, where they record local bands.
Martin has been in charge of the recording of the 12 tracks recorded for the Bleek album written by
Martin and Robin, arranged and co-produced by all four Bleeks during the period of
September '09 - May '10. The band are dedicated to one thing and that is all things that lead to " BLEEK " and their music being taken to the world for their army of fans to enjoy and for new ones to be converted to the ways of the " BLEEK ".
You can check out and download "BLEEK" at all iTunes stores around the world. Get " Intoxicated " now on "BLEEKS" audio drink for your ears with the first single "This Intoxication" produced by Bleek and
Damien Reilly out now on Blue Pie for the world.
