Swedish band plans to conquer the U.S.

By Kayloni Wyatt
Managing Editor

Most bands know that they’ve became known when one of their songs end up in a commercial.

The Sounds were practically unknowns in the U.S., until the song “Hurt you” was featured in a Geico Insurance Company commercial that aired in September 2008. Since then they’ve gained a decent number of fans.

The New Wave, alternative rock band hails from Helsingborg, Sweden. Forming in 1999 the band consists of lead singer Maja Ivarsson, bass guitar player Johan Bengtsson, lead guitar player Felix Rodriguez, keyboard, piano, and guitar player Jesper Anderberg and, lastly, drum player Fredrik Nilsson.

Photo by Kayloni Wyatt

The Sounds performed in Raleigh June 8. They opened up for No Doubt and Paramore. After their set they had a greet and meet with fans. Lead singer Maja Iversson and Jesper Anderberg took photos and signed autographs with enthusiastic fans like Managing Editor Kayloni Wyatt.

Debut album
When their debut album, Living in America, came out in 2003, the band played over 300 gigs promoting the album.

They even performed during the 2004 Warped Tour. Two years later they played on the main stage of the event.

Ivarsson was featured on the single “Snakes on a Plane (Bring it)” for the sleeper hit Snakes on a Plane.

They have toured with the bands like the Foo Fighters, Morningwood, The Strokes, Angels and Airwaves and Panic at the Disco.

Sophomore success
Their second album Dying to say this to you, was released March 21, 2006. It debuted at number eight on the Sweden harts and number 107 on the U.S. Billboard 200.

The album was produced by Jeff Saltzman, the genius behind another hit album called Hot Fuss by The Killers. The song “Painted with numbers” had a video made and was broadcast on major U.S. music channels.

Strangely they received a cult following of celebrity fans such as Pharrell, Quentin Tarantino, Bam Margera and even Britney Spears.

Unlike other bands The Sounds promote themselves by word of mouth and by having excellent street team members.

The band was recently on tour with No Doubt during the summer.

Latest album
They also had a few small gigs in the country while promoting their latest album, Crossing the Rubicon, which was released June 2.

The use of synthesizers is very apparent throughout the entire album. However, their Swedish accents are close to invisible on this album.

Their hometown origin doesn’t become clear unless you meet them face to face or hear Maja say “Your awesome thanks for coming to our show”

So far, the song “No one sleeps when I’m awake” has been playing on radio stations and the video capitulated them to higher level with most musicians.

2009 fall tour
The band will be touring the U.S. again this fall. They will be at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach Sept. 25. Tickets go on sale soon.