Hardcore Superstar

Hardcore Superstar
Hardcore Superstar in 2007.
Background information
Origin	Gothenburg, Sweden
Genre(s)	Glam rock[1] Glam metal Hard rock Sleaze rock
Years active	1997–present
Label(s)	Nuclear Blast
Associated acts	Lillasyster LOK
Members
Joakim Berg Vic Zino Martin Sandvick Magnus Andreasson
Former members
Thomas Silver Mika Vainio

Hardcore Superstar is a glam rock band from Gothenburg, Sweden. The band was formed in 1997 and continue on today. Hardcore Superstar have had several #1 hit singles, and Grammy nominations in Sweden.

Characteristics

Although the band primarily play energetic sleaze rock, their musical style can vary from each release; some of their mateiral released is more mellow rock music to complement the energetic hard rocking tracks. Hardcore Superstar have also covered several bands, including; The Who, Hanoi Rocks, Alice Cooper, INXS and The Troublemakers.

History

Bad Sneakers and a Piña Colada

With Music for Nations, Hardcore Superstar released their first worldwide album, and what they consider their "official debut". It contained re-recordings of the songs from "It's Only Rock'n'Roll" along with some new tracks. The album was titled "Bad Sneakers and a Piña Colada" and spawned three #1 hits for the band on the Sweden music charts; "Someone Special", "Liberation" and "Have You Been Around", respectively.

The band toured Europe and Japan in support of the album, and a promotional video which accompanied the single "Liberation", was nominated for a Swedish Grammy.

Thank You and No Regrets

In 2001 the band followed up with "Thank You (For Letting Us Be Ourselves)", this album had a more laid back feel than its predecessor. It featured the singles "Shame" and "Mother's Love". A bonus track released in Japan, featured a guest appearance by Hanoi Rocks frontman Michael Monroe.

After touring in support of this album, they recorded a single with Gothenburg punk rock band LOK. The single was titled; "Staden Göteborg" (which translated as "The City of Gothenburg"). During the summer of this year, they opened up for Aussie hard rock legends AC/DC at a packed Ullevi Stadium. Following this, Hardcore Superstar toured in Italy with AC/DC and Motörhead.

During the summer of 2003, the band released a single which was a preview for their new album, the single was titled "Honey Tongue" and it reached #3 on the Swedish singles chart. The album itself followed in August 2003, and was titled "No Regrets". The following year Hardcore Superstar toured Europe and the United States in support of the album.

In Sweden the band were in the national news, because guitarist Thomas Silver had gotten into a fight with Aftonbladet journalist Fredrik Virtanen, at the Swedish Consulate in New York. After returning from the United States the band decided to take an indefinite break after playing non-stop for over six years.

Return: Hardcore Superstar

Hardcore Superstar re-signed with Gain Records; the company with whom they released their debut with in 1997. The band returned rejuvenated, with a hard rock sound more comparable to their earlier works. They released a self-titled album "Hardcore Superstar" in 2005, it featured the Swedish hit singles; "We Don't Celebrate Sundays", "Wild Boys", "My Good Reputation" and "Bag On Your Head".

This also saw them nominated for a Grammy in Sweden once more. They have been on all major national TV and radio shows in Sweden; and toured Japan with the Babylon Bombs. They also played a major festival date in Stockholm during December 2006.

Dreamin' in a Casket

The band's fifth album was released in November 2007. Originally, it was meant to include the single "Bastards," but due to the success it achieved in the singles charts it was shelved. The album was praised in the Swedish newspapers and was titled by many as "Album of the Year." Dreamin' in a Casket contains a more heavy guitar riff-based sound and includes more noticeable drumming. The band toured around Europe and Japan, and ended their "Mentally Damaged Tour" in their home country of Sweden.

In late January, it was announced on the band's official website that guitarist, Thomas Silver, would be leaving the band as he had "lost his fire and inspiration". Vic Zino, from Crazy Lixx, replaced him temporarily during the world tour, but it was later confirmed that Vic is a permanent member of the band.

On the German version of the Bang Your Head 2008 Festival site, the band are confirmed as one of the headliners, although their logo is not listed anywhere on the English version of the same festivals website. Because the flight of the band has been cancelled, Hardcore Superstar were not able to perform at this festival.

Beg For It

In March, the world´s biggest heavy metal-label "Nuclear Blast" announced the signing of Hardcore Superstar.

The seventh album by Hardcore Superstar was released worldwide in early June 2009. The single "Beg For It" was released in stores on 15 April and it was included in the May issue of the swedish "Close-Up Magazine". The single sold gold in Sweden.

Members

• Joakim "Jocke" Berg - vocals (1997–present)
• Martin Sandvik - bass (1997–present)
• Vic Zino - guitar (2008–present)
• Magnus "Adde" Andreasson - drums (1999–present)

Former Members

• Thomas Silver- guitar (1997–2008)
• Mika Vainio - drums (1997–1999)

Discography

Albums

• It's Only Rock'n'Roll - (1998)
• Bad Sneakers and a Piña Colada - (2000)
• Thank You (For Letting Us Be Ourselves) - (2001)
• No Regrets - (2003) Limited edition version also released in Japan.
• Hardcore Superstar - (2005)
• Dreamin' in a Casket - (2007)
• Beg For It - (2009)

Singles

• Hello/Goodbye - (1998)
• Someone Special - (1999) Re-released in 2000.
• Have You Been Around - (2000)
• Liberation - (2000)
• Shame - (2001)
• Staden Goteborg - (2001)
• Mother's Love/Significant Other - (2002)
• Honey Tongue - (2003)
• Still I'm Glad - (2003)
• Wild Boys - (2005)
• We Don't Celebrate Sundays - (2005)
• My Good Reputation - (2006)
• Bag on Your Head - (2007)
• Bastards - (2007) (Gold)
• Dreamin' in a Casket - (2007)
• Beg for It - (2009) (Gold)

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hardcore Superstar

• The Official Site of Hardcore Superstar