Thomas "Linge" Lindgren spurred the band to a reunion, and so it happened.
The band that made waves in Skellefteå during the 90s is set for a comeback. This evening, The Drowners will return to the live stage after 15 years, performing at Bryggarbacken's venue on the river.
Thomas "Linge" Lindgren, chairman of the non-profit association Skellefteå Musikaliska, is a key organiser of the Tuesday events held along Skellefteå's promenade throughout July. Lindgren also happens to be instrumental in this reunion.
– In connection with last year's storytelling festival, we gathered almost all band members of The Drowners, who also played acoustic music at the event. During dinner that same evening, I encouraged them to reunite for a gig, recounts Linge.
A reunion it became.
– It feels great to do this. Even with long breaks from the rehearsal room, everything we've done before just clicks right back into place, says guitarist Leif Renström, who is now based in Närke, between Stockholm and Gothenburg.
– The connection remains. We belong together, we are a puzzle that fits, says singer Magnus Vikström, also now based in Närke.
The band members Vikström, Renström, Andreas Persson, Mikael Sundqvist, and Jörgen Lindmark achieved significant success, which took them to the USA in the late 90s. The band's sound is best described as power-pop, with great big juicy melodies and harmonies riding high on chunky guitars, not unlike other 90s acts such as The Posies, Weezer, and Teenage Fanclub.
During their time in America they lived, among other places, in the well-known, rather show-bizzy, Oakwood apartment complex in north Hollywood. For a period, their album "Muted To A Whisper" was played on 129 college radio stations, and they were close to breaking into the US top 30 charts.
The band wants to pack the biggest crowd of the live series, ideally beating David Lindgren's numbers when he wraps up the summer concept next week.
From a Hollywood stage to Bryggarbacken's stage. In 20 years.
This isn't the first time The Drowners have played together since they split. While previous performances were acoustic, Tuesday's gig marks their first electric performance in 15 years. Their last album was released in 2007, and in 2010, the band ceased active work as artists. The reason?
Life intervened: a natural break for family life.
– We have more free time now that the children have grown up, which makes it easier for all of us to resume what we used to do. Of course, not quite in the same way, but we love this. We love the creative aspect, with all that it entails, says Leif.
The revived band hopes for a vibrant public celebration in the evening sun on Tuesday evening.
– We're going to beat David Lindgren, or at least give him a run for his money, says Leif.