Land of the Loud: Australia vs. Sweden

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They share long histories of turning out tough yet catchy music, at a much better per capita rate than the US and UK. Australia hits it's stride in the Seventies, with Radio Birdman and Saints and continues into the late Eighties with Feedtime and Celibate Rifles, letting up a bit just as Sweden really gets going with Leather Nun and Hellacopters. And Sweden continues into recent times with Demons and The Hives. Is it extensive ABBA exposure which forces them to rock so hard while remaining unpretentious? And that's just garage punk. Bring in AC/DC and Death Metal and it gets very complicated. Take your sides.

― bendy (bendy), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 05:07 (twenty years ago)

who is the swedish equivalent of wolfmother?

― electric sound of jim (and why not) (electricsound), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 05:41 (twenty years ago)

Based mostly on AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, Saints and Celibate Rifles, I'd have to say Australia rocks harder, possibly because of that huge outback, where a band can retreat with their instruments and turn up the volume as loud as they want with no neighbours to complain. But Sweden also gave us the mighty Union Carbide Productions, greatest faux-Stooge/MC5 imitation EVAH! (Better than either the Celibate Rifles or Radio Birdman, both of whom I like.)

― Myonga Von Billabongtee (Myonga Von Bontee), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 06:06 (twenty years ago)

I can't choose. But since I just finished listening to the old Citadel Records comp "Take Everything Leave Nothing" and the newish comp "Do the Pop" both with lots of stooges-style damaged goodness Australia wins today.

― Ice Cream Electric (Ice Cream Electric), Wednesday, 26 April 2006 22:55 (twenty years ago)

I never understood the australian over-enthusiasm for pub rock

― chris andrews (fraew), Thursday, 27 April 2006 02:06 (twenty years ago)

I can't choose either...Dirty Three definitely is great for Austrlia. Jeniferever looks pretty promising on the Sweden side.

― Mr. Silverback (Mr. Silverback), Thursday, 27 April 2006 02:13 (twenty years ago)

australians like the pub. grass is green. the sun shines.

― electric sound of jim (and why not) (electricsound), Thursday, 27 April 2006 02:27 (twenty years ago)

is our (Aus) pub rock the same as the States' 'bar band'?

― Mowgli in Flares (Mowgli In Flares), Thursday, 27 April 2006 04:23 (twenty years ago)

sort of but not quite. the aussie versions tend to play more (shit) originals

― electric sound of jim (and why not) (electricsound), Thursday, 27 April 2006 04:28 (twenty years ago)

I'd go for Australia, though I certainly wouldn't underestimate Sweden. "Do the Pop" is a flat out killer compilation, and there are several others floating around without too much repitition of tracks. Anyone recommend equivalent Swedish samplers?

― Soukesian, Thursday, 27 April 2006 05:20 (twenty years ago)

Oz, obv. Sweden has mainly a history for cheesy music. Sure, they have their share of great music too, but that is mostly stuff that I probably hadn't heard about if I weren't from Scandinavia. ABBA are of course OK, but Ace Of Base, Rednex and Europe are hardly much to be proud of.

On the other hand, Oz, has a lot of great stuff to answer for, even though the best of all is partly thanks to two Kiwi brothers.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Thursday, 27 April 2006 13:01 (twenty years ago)

The pub is the biggest problem with Australian music. It's the only place that most bands can play - but playing in a pub causes any band to start playing unoriginal loud shit.

I've never been a huge fan of bands playing in a pub (unless they're really good, which is never the case if they're playing in a pub), so fuck 'em. Ban 'em.

― Bring Me The Head of ESTEBAN BUTTEZ (ESTEBAN BUTTEZ~!!!), Thursday, 27 April 2006 13:13 (twenty years ago)

My vote goes down under. The Swedes have turned out great[and loud] rock, but to me it's always done with more technique. Even the garage-rock has technique. Is it the cold? Bands trapped inside to work on their creation in fear of freezing to death outside? The Aussies on the other hand seem to approach the rock with the same attitude as honing your big knife; you sharpen it up a bit, then go outside.
I like more fuzz and a looser attitude in my rock.
>I will add that when you flip this to just Metal, Sweden wins hands
[or horns] down.

― Mister Surly, Sunday, 30 April 2006 15:04 (twenty years ago)

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