"Our goal was to make it to the 'other side,' meaning America," says Prime sth singer guitarist Noa. "Sweden is into rap and dance music; it's never been a country for rock 'n' roll. We always felt we belonged in the states, and our music sounds more American than Swedish."
Proof positive? Prime sth's Reprise Records debut album UNDERNEATH THE SURFACE, a captivating 11-song amalgamation of uplifting, yet melancholy songs that channel the foursome's aggressive energy into timeless tunes, including the premiere single "I'm Stupid (Don't Worry 'Bout Me)." It's a potent effort from a group whose rabid following in Sweden earned them slots opening for such bands as Faith No More and Rage Against the Machine.
Prime sth pen heavy, catchy songs - a listen to the CD reveals a foursome whose melodic sensibilities are as intense and powerful as their fearless lyrical introspection. "We're song-oriented," notes bassist Jspr. "A great song is a great song, no matter what style, from the Beatles to dance music to metal."
Indeed, UNDERNEATH THE SURFACE, recorded in the band's native Stockholm with respected European producer Sanken Sandqvist, reflects diverse influences and experiences forged during a decade of togetherness. Now only in their early 20's, Prime sth formed when its members were 12 and 13 years old. Bound together by their outsider status - bohemian parents, a love for American and British pop and metal and a lack of interest in pursuing the usual sports/studies/army career - Noa, drummer Kaz, Jspr and guitarist Martin found themselves in a Stockholm basement, expressing themselves musically, even though the teens barely new how to play their instruments. "We have pictures from then, and we look like midgets with our instruments. Still everybody thought it was cute. We sucked, but they liked us anyway," the band recalls. Eventually, getting both better and taller, Prime sth realized that they needed a ticket out of Sweden to fully realize their dream.
Recordings made in 1999 with Sandqvist led to interest from many American labels, and the band found a home with early believer Giant/Reprise Records. Indeed, Prime sth (the newly-added sth pays tribute to the city of Stockholm) have moved to their new hometown of Los Angeles to begin a new chapter in their lives ("We want to move here, go to the beach, surf. And then we'll do all happy songs!" jokes Noa.) "And we want to TOUR!" he adds. "We've always been about playing live. And the United States is a bit bigger than Stockholm, so we figure it will take us a few years to get everywhere."
