From time to time, the music business starts buzzing about an act that few have heard. Sometimes these bands enjoy some success but when it's time for the follow-up album - nobody is interested. Just another hype.
Lambretta is doing it the other way around. They have prepared and trained for this. Instead of being seen in the "right" places and getting to know important people, they've chosen to fine tune their music. Their debut album from 1999 didn't dominate the sales chart, but still, the interest for their new album is huge.
The last months have been intense. Early September, few even knew that the new album was coming. "When one of the evening papers listed the upcoming releases, we weren't even mentioned", says guitarist Anders Eliasson with a smile. "But now it's the talk of the town!"
Lambretta had been around for a while when the single "Blow My Fuses" was released. The track became a massive radio hit and topped the radio chart in Sweden for numerous weeks in 1999. They were also awarded a Grammy for the video. Because of this, some thought of Lambretta as a "one hit wonder". However, those who took the time to really listen to the album realised this was not the case. Today it's still a good album, but nothing compared to the new one!
Even those who had heard rumours were surprised by the new single "Bimbo". A "in-your-face"-track with genuine heavy metal guitars, great melodies and a tongue-in-cheek attitude. The song is one of four tracks written by Per Aldeheim, Alexander Kronlund and Max Martin.
So, Lambretta is one of the bands who's been standing in line to get some of Max Martins "golden touch"?
"It never crossed our minds to ask them for material", the band says. "Actually, they contacted the record company and said they had written a song for us, but they thought we might be offended.. They knew that we wrote our own material".
Lambretta listened to the song, loved it and agreed that the quality of the song was more important than the ego of the individual members.
"I wrote 80 percent of the first album and now only have two or three songs on this album", says Anders, "but that's not a problem for me, since it's for the common good of the band". And Lambretta really is a band. Those who've seen them live during the years know that they deliver pure energy on stage. After several tours in Sweden they're self confident and always put on a good show.
When discussing Lambretta the age issue often comes up. When Linda joined the band she was 15 years old - half the age of the oldest members. The general feeling was that she wasn't only good enough, she was a vitamin injection for the band and Swedish rock music. Young, street smart and talented, she was the rock'n'roll version of Swedish R'n'B singer Robyn. But, people also thought she wouldn't stay with Lambretta for long. There were some solo deal offers. But Linda refused.
"The more people told me to do my own thing and forget about the band, the more determined I became to stay with the band and show them all" she sums up. "Because I know how strong we are together - how important every member is. And all the shows we've done without a new album proves it. We rock, we have fun on stage - and people notice that".
Linda is now 20 years old and is living up to the prophecy of a new "Female Swedish rock star supreme". Just take a look at the "Bimbo"-video.
If Lambretta used to be known for pop with heavy guitars, they are now a rock band with unusually catchy hooks. Which doesn't mean they don't have intimate, low key moments. They're still taking their inspiration from the best of four decades of rock music, and bringing it into the new millenium.
During the years big stadium-rock became almost a cursing word. As if it was a genre of its own. The truth of the matter is that big arenas are nightmares for artists who aren't well suited for the task. But on the other hand, it can be great with the right band on stage. When listening to Lambretta's second album, it's easy to imagine hands in the air, lighters during the ballads, and a big crowd moving as one.
