Hi! Tell me about your band and what kind of previous experience do you have as musicians?
STEELWINGS started already 1982. During the eighties we worked very hard. Playing a lot of gigs, recording demos and trying to get a record deal. In the beginning of the eighties it was not easy to get a deal if you where a band from Sweden. It all changed in the mid eighties when “Europe” mad it really big. At that time we got our record deal but to make a long story short, it took very long time before the record “Steelwings” was released 1989. At the same time there where a new kind of rock music called “grunge” that took over the whole scene. So after ten years of hard work we finally put STEELWINGS to rest in 1992. Then in 2007 the local city of Markaryd celebrated 700 year and we where asked to play at this event. That was great fun for us and we started to play now and then. Nothing seriously, until 2015 when we got the opportunity to play at the Festival “Muskelrock” in Sweden. After this we decided to give STEELWINGS another go. The good thing was that hard rock / heavy metal music was still around. Alive and kicking. Even this time, recording and getting a record deal took some time. Finally we landed a deal with Sliptrick Records and our new record “Back” was released worldwide in February 2019.
Why did you pick your band name? How did you form? Why did you decide to play the genre or genres you do?
The name of a band is the first thing you see and it’s important that the name tells you what kind of music you’re playing. So because we are in the Metal genre STEEL is a good thing to have in your band name and as a band you want to fly all over the world and for that you need WINGS.
It all started around 1981 with a vision I had to start a band dedicated to Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. It took some time to find the right people but 1982 Tommy, Michael and myself was in the band and we started to work hard, writing songs, recording demos and play live.
During time there have been some changes on drummer and bass but since 2007 Peter and Marcus takes care of this.
We decided to play Hard Rock / Heavy Metal just because that’s the music we love.
What can you tell us about your latest record?
When we started to record BACK we didn’t have a record deal so we recorded it in our own studio. As we have our roots from the 80’s we wanted to keep that vibe and sound.
The albums feel is mostly about having a good time but there are also songs with a bit deeper lyrical ideas.
What the kind of album feedbacks are you waiting for?
Honestly we didn’t know what to expect but at this time BACK has been around for some time and got many good reviews from all over the world. We didn’t plan anything but I think it was the right time to release a record with good music with roots from the 80’s
Are you gonna to make some world tour in the future? Do you think this is available for everybody option to tour around the globe? What do you think band have to do to get such opportunity?
We have been in this business for some time and we know how hard it is to get big tours for less known bands. So at this moment, I don’t think we are going to tour the world. But you never know. If the right deal turns up of course we’ll go for it.
Do you believe in heavy music scene without money?
Yes I do because when young kids start to play they don’t think about money. They do it for the love of the music. Now this kind of music has been around for many years and is still alive and kickin’ so in some way the heavy music scene will survive.
What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
I recently found a list of 100 popular albums and BACK was at number 8. Number 8 was a good thing, the bad thing, it was a list of free downloading J
The good thing with sharing is that many people will listening to you music but the bad thing is the bands don’t make any money.
No we do not give away music for free. Nobody wants to work there ass off without getting some money for it.
Who are your musical influences? Have you ever think your band could be so famous as your favorites?
We are influenced by all great bands from the 80’s. To name a few AC/DC, Judas Priest, Saxon, Accept and so on.
It’s a long way to the top and I don’t think we will bee so famous, but once again, we are doing this because we love this kind of music.
Do you have a formal music education? Do you think it’s a Kind of important thing?
No I don’t have any kind of music education. Some time it could help but I don’t think it’s important at all.
How do you balance your music with other obligations – mate, children, job?
As we can’t make a living from our music we just have to find a balance and in the end it’s the ordinary life that is most important. So finding time for music can sometimes bee hard.
How do you handle mistakes during a performance? Or you can assure there are no any mistakes during your gigs? Do you get nervous before a performance or a competition?
If you make a mistake, just smile and don’t tell anyone about it. Of course there are mistakes but this is rock’n roll and it do not have to bee perfect.
Oh yes I get nervous before a show but as soon as I’m on the stage that’s gone.
What’s next? Thank you!
We are writing songs and planning for a new record very well aware of that it can’t take another 30 years before we release it. Then we wont bee around but I’m sure the music will!!
Thank you so very much for writing about STEELWINGS !!
Best Rockin’ Regards
Gert-Inge Gustafsson