interview with Pagandom
What made you call the band "Pagandom"? Initially the band was called Pagan but another local band allready had that name so we added "-dom".
How was the band formed? Me (Christian) and guitarist Martin played in a heavy metal band but wanted to play thrash metal so we left and started Pagandom.
Can you tell about your band? From Gothenburg, existed between 1987 and 1996, reunited for Gothenburg Sound Festival 2014.
Where are all band members from?/Who does what in the band? Then: Christian Jansson/bass & vocals, Martin Carlsson/guitar, Johan Zackrisson/guitar, Rikard Ligander/drums (+ Jens Florèn/bass 1993). Now: Christian Jansson/bass & vocals, Martin Carlsson/guitar, Anders Björler/guitar, Sören Fardvik/drums
What was the ambitions of the band when you started? To make great thrash metal.
Could you explain your music to someone that haven't heard you? Fast, heavy & tight.
Where was your first gig? Kortedala Fritidsgård 1988
Where was the latest gig? Gothenburg Sound Festival, Trädgårn Gothenburg january 4th 2014
Who writes your songs?/ who writes the music who writes lyrics? Everybody is involved but Martin comes up with most stuff. I write the lyrics.
Why did you pick that particular style?/What are your songs about? Because we liked it. About society.
Do you write your own material or mainly covers? We make music.
Have you made any albums?/If yes what are they? We released on Cd in 1994 called Crushtime.
Do you have any clips on YouTube? Yes.
How old are you?/What got you started in music? I´m 45. Good music made me wanna make good music.
At what age did you start playing? Twelve. First band at 14.
How old were you guys when you first stood on stage? Between 16 & 20 with Pagandom.
Best/worst gig you've played? I think all gigs have elements of both good and bad.
Where have you played from then till now? Mostly Sweden and Germany.
Witch band is the best you´ve seen? Iron Maiden in 1983, Metallica in 1986 and more recently Converge, The Bronx and Meshuggah.
What has been the best/most promising gig so far? Gothenburg Sound Festival last week was great!
Have you had any bigger tours from start to now? No, just smaller.
What are the plans for the rest of the year? We´ll meet and discuss whether to continue to play or not.
How do you get psyched up for a gig? No rituals, we just do it.
What are your goals with your music? To make great music together.
What are your sources of inspiration? Back in ´87 it was mostly Metallica, Slayer and Testament.
What's the first step when making a new song? Mostly it starts with a riff that we build the song around.
What would be your dreams for the band? To make good music, record and play live.
Besides your own music, what genres and bands do you listen to? I´m not interested in genres, just music. Right now a lot of Mogwai, Napalm Death and Gojira.
What do you hold most dear? My family.
What would be your greatest fears for the future? That racsists and other fundamentalits will get too much power.
When you are on stage, what do you fear most then? Losing my voice.
Have you been in any other bands? Yes. Eleven Pictures, Transport League, From Now On.
What do you work with outside of the band and the music? I work at a streetpaper called Faktum.
Name 2 of your own songs you like at the moment? Recipient and Spiritual Psycho.
Do you have any webpages? facebook.com/pagandomgbg
Any pearls of wisdom for all other bands out there? Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.
