Motvind "Känn Dej Blåst!“ 1976 Swedish Prog Hard Rock
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There’s been much debate over the years as to what is progg and what is not. With the renewed interest in progressive music in the 90’s and the emergence of neo-prog acts like Änglagård, Anekdoten and Landberk, the politically inclined music and the out-and-out rock bands of the 70’s were pushed even further back in the public’s mind than before, even though they originally were as much part of the progg movement as, say Kaipa, Fläsket Brinner and Trettioåriga Kriget (all of which reformed in the 90’s and 00’s). Truth is, progg is a nebulous term for a nebulous movement, and saying that the Bob Dylan and The Band inspired Hoola Bandoola Band or the straightforward rock sound of Nationalteatern weren’t progg is just revisionist nonsense. Progg refers to the politically progressive every bit as much as the musically progressive. Of course, one can choose not to listen to the political bands but the Swedish progg music must be perceived as the broad palette of expressions it was, otherwise we end up in the wrong spot historically.
That said, there was a heated debate going on already in the 70’s, especially towards the tail end of the decade as the more politically oriented groupings of the progg movement re-positioned and moved closer to the fore. There were bizarre discussions if it was OK to even play music inspired by American rock'n'roll which by some was considered counterproductive to the socialist struggle against imperialism. A book of essays and articles was published by Oktoberförlaget in 1977, ”Folket har aldrig segrat till fiendens musik” – ”the people has never conquered to the sound of the enemy’s music”, and that title perfectly reflects the general zeitgeist.
Some bands had pejoratives like ”stone crusher rock” thrown at them, among them Gothenburg’s Motvind. Musically speaking, they were anti-progressive, much like several other Gothenburg progg bands. Then again, Motvind weren’t overt propagandists and didn’t like the progg movement at all, calling it ”a fog-minded sect with too many theories and tea drinking on the agenda”. Nevertheless, they and Nationalteatern possibly had the greatest appeal to the sometimes less fortunate youth, addressing concerns and problems of the everyday life growing up in the suburbs, acknowledging their existence in a way few others did. Motvind gained a reputation as a reliable live act, often performing in youth centres in the Gothenburg area.
Hearing debut album ”Känn dej blåst!”, it’s easy to understand why Motvind struck a chord with the under-acknowledged, marginalized youth of the day. It’s outspoken and down-to-earth lyrics set to hard edged rock for a hard edged life, well enough exemplified by the Rolling Stones infused ”Skolanlåtan”, the guitar driven ”Öppna gårdar” (very similar to fellow Gothenburg band Nynningen’s ”För full hals”) and the updated Chuck Berry rock'n'roll of ”Solidaritetslåten”. The gusto of ”Känn dej blåst!” is what makes it Motvind’s best album, but what made it great to people of a certain age in a certain time is what makes it hard to sit through today. Motvind’s brand of socially aware and simplistic rock simply hasn’t aged very well…..swedish prog blog…..~
Bio
Juris Salmins and Göran Ekstrand met in 1974 at Vårväderstorget. Göran, who was then politically involved, sold political journals. The grumpy and minor Juris cheated on Göran that he would buy a bottle of Bell’s whiskey from the system. Surely he could, but only if Juris hung on to a left-wing team to watch the World Cup and discuss politics. Now it was probably not so much football or politics but most festive and guitar-playing. The friendship lasted and after a few weeks, then it also moved home and some junk Juris into the collective. Göran was then a member of a band called Stalin organ. There also Janne Johansson was a member. Juris heard them but was moderately impressed. Juris had played in various contexts, including Clas Yngström and in a band called Vrålkapellet. Juris and Göran began to write texts and music together. The result was that Motwind was formed and that the prowess movement, possibly, to many despair, had a band with a genuine working class background and with members who might not be the most well-educated…..~
Credits
Backing Vocals – Pekka Lunde, Sam Westerberg
Bass – Krister Jacobsson
Drums – Leif Mårtensson, Mikael Gyllenstig
Guitar – Janne Brynstedt
Guitar, Vocals – Juris Salmins
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Olle Nyberg
Organ, Synthesizer – Staffan Dahl
Vocals – Göran Ekstrand
Tracklist
A1 Skolanlåten 3:27
A2 Öppna Gårdar 6:31
A3 Anna 5:57
A4 Solidaritetsrock 3:54
B1 Känn Dej Lurad 3:20
B2 Dra Åt Helvete 6:27
B3 Kalle 5:58
B4 Fem Fina 3:43