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AB/CD

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki




AB/CD
OriginSweden
GenresHard rock, Heavy metal
Years active1984–present
LabelsAlpha Records
BMG/RCA Records
Brynolf Records
Websiteabcdsweden.com
Members(See members section)
Past members(See members section)

The AB/CD (often stylized as ABFile:Thunderbolt (slash).svgCD) are a Swedish hard rock band formed in Stockholm in 1984. Originally created and active mainly as an AC/DC cover band, AB/CD have distinguished themselves as an explicit parody "clone" band, composing original songs whose lyrics often include direct references and expressions typical of the legendary Australian group.

The reason why we call the songs on our albums "original" is because they are NOT AC/DC songs. But they´re not very original, they sound similar to AC/DC's songs, and that´s what they´re meant to do...But we think this is an honest thing. Just listen to how many bands there are out there claiming they´re doing their own thing. Having their own band name, logo, songs, and whatever...but it´s all so obvious where they got it all from. There are so many copycats out there calling themselves original...no one mentioned. But surely you must be aware of what I'm talking about. We are No Hypocrites! But...Never mind! We´re just a Party Band![1]

— Nalcolm, guitarist and band leader.

Over time, the band increasingly came to be regarded as a side project of several future veterans of the Swedish music scene. For example, rhythm guitarist and founder Björn “Nalle” Påhlsson (Nalcolm) is known for having played in bands such as Easy Action, Zan Clan, Treat, and Therion; while Mats Levén, one of the group’s various singers, has been part of numerous other hard rock and heavy metal bands including Swedish Erotica, Treat, At Vance, Abstrakt Algebra, Therion, and Yngwie Malmsteen.

History

1980s

Early years

File:ABCD logo.jpg
The band's logo with the squealer font style, similar to that used on their early albums, before the legal controversies.

AB/CD were conceived in Stockholm at the end of 1983, almost as a joke, from an idea by guitarist Björn “Nalle” Påhlsson and bassist Jim Gustavsson while listening to Highway to Hell by AC/DC. The lineup was assembled within the first months of 1984, featuring lead guitarist Bengt Ljungberger, vocalist Mikael “Micke” Hujanen, and drummer Patrik Brun. The name “AB/CD” was eventually suggested by the singer himself.[2][3][4]

All members adopted humorous stage names parodying the real members of AC/DC: Björn Påhlsson became “Nalcolm” (from guitarist Malcolm Young), Jim Gustavsson was “Clim” (from bassist Cliff Williams), Micke Hujanen was “Braijan” (from Brian Johnson), Bengt Ljungberger was “Bengus” (from Angus Young), and Patrik Brun took the nickname “Putte Finger”, a clear reference to the AC/DC song Put the Finger on You. It is likely that this idea originated from Bengus himself, who had already been using that nickname before AB/CD’s formation and was known in the local circuit for imitating Angus Young with his previous band.[4]

The final touch that turned them into a parody band was their costumes. During one of the first rehearsals, Braijan showed up wearing a curly wig sewn onto a flat cap, effectively caricaturing Brian Johnson. Bengus, who already mimicked Angus Young, acquired his signature schoolboy cap with red plastic devil horns and the letter “B” (instead of the “A” seen on the original). Completing the picture was Hujanen’s vocal delivery, at times a seemingly clumsy attempt to imitate Brian Johnson (and in some songs, even Bon Scott). These traits later led several AC/DC fans to believe the Swedes were mocking the band — an impression the group firmly denied.[4]

Their live debut took place that same year, 1984. The following year they gained attention performing at a well-known Stockholm rock club called Studion, a venue frequented by many famous Swedish hard & heavy acts such as Europe, Easy Action, and Treat.[2][4][5][6] That event reportedly helped the band gain recognition in the local music scene, also because at the time there were no AC/DC cover bands in Sweden — and apparently very few abroad either.[3][4][6]

Victim of Rock: debut release

Although originally formed and performing solely as an AC/DC cover band, AB/CD would stand out in all their releases for producing original songs in a parodic style. This artistic choice was first expressed in 1986 under the encouragement of their producer at the time, who, upon discovering the existence of original demo recordings, persuaded them to record their own material for what would become their debut release.[4][6][7]

That same year, drummer Patrik Brun ("Putte Finger") was replaced by Jan-Erik Perning, who adopted the stage name “Rajmon Left” – a wordplay contrasting with AC/DC’s then drummer Simon Wright.[8] Perning was simultaneously active as a session and touring musician for many Swedish pop and rock artists throughout the 1980s.[9] With the new member, the band recorded their first record, a six-track EP titled Victim of Rock, released in 1986 by Do-Re-Mi Records (a subsidiary of the Swedish label Alpha Records). The EP reportedly sold around 2,500 copies in a short time, but for unknown reasons the small label did not print additional copies, limiting the record’s distribution.[4]

In 1988, Rajmon Left was replaced by Nicolas “Nicci” Notini-Wallin, initially performing under the pseudonym “Flint”.[8] He later also appeared as “Phil Rules”, referencing Phil Rudd of AC/DC. In keeping with the band’s humorous approach, after the bald AC/DC drummer Chris Slade joined in 1990, Flint began performing with an intentionally fake bald wig to imitate him. Throughout the remainder of the 1980s, the group continued to play in Stockholm primarily as a cover band, without achieving further recording opportunities.[4]

However, the decade ended with a memorable episode. When AC/DC performed at Stockholm’s Isstadion in 1988, Bengus was selected among several Angus Young look-alikes to appear on stage during the opening song Who Made Who, replicating the scene from the music video. Backstage, Bengus gifted each AC/DC member an AB/CD T-shirt and a copy of the Victim of Rock EP. Reportedly, the Australians found the gesture amusing, and Malcolm Young was photographed wearing the shirt (as seen on Nalcolm’s website).[2][3][6] This story has often been retold by Nalcolm over the years to highlight the symbolic connection between AB/CD and their musical heroes.

Early to mid-1990s: Moderate success

Through Flint's contacts, the band finally secured a contract with a major label, BMG/RCA Records, in 1992. That same year, they released their debut full-length album, The Rock'n'Roll Devil. Interestingly, an unofficial 1988 AC/DC live album from a 1986 concert in Heidelberg, Germany, shared the same title.[10] It is likely that the Finnish band was able to use this name precisely because the AC/DC release was unauthorized.

The album was recorded at the famous Polar Studios in Stockholm, a recording studio used by ABBA and also by AC/DC for parts of Back in Black and by Led Zeppelin for In Through the Out Door.[4] It was distributed in Sweden, Japan, Switzerland, Germany, Finland, and the United States, selling around 30,000 copies in a short time, with particularly strong sales in Switzerland.[2][6][7] Although they remained a local band playing mostly in Stockholm, the album's sales figures were reportedly comparable to those of more well-known Swedish bands who were touring Europe at the time.[2][6] A single and a music video for the title track were also released.

Around 1993, singer Mats Levén replaced Hujanen.[5] Levén, previously a member of the moderately successful Swedish hair/pop metal bands Swedish Erotica and Treat, adopted the stage name "Braijan" like his predecessor (he also used "MacScott" on some tracks imitating Bon Scott). Later that year, the band began working on a new album, which satirized the music business and pop artists like Michael Bolton, Madonna, Prince, and Michael Jackson, as well as guitar hero Yngwie Malmsteen (ironically, Levén would later sing in Malmsteen's band).

The label, however, expressed concerns about potential legal repercussions, so the lyrics were revised to be more politically correct.[4] One track, "Cracked And Wacko," which implicitly referenced the 1993 child sexual abuse accusations against Michael Jackson, was scrapped. The resulting album, titled Cut the Crap!, was released in 1995 but achieved less commercial success than its predecessor.[2] A single, "Mikey's Butt" (targeting Michael Bolton), was released with a music video set in a location reminiscent of the setting used in AC/DC's Fly on the Wall videos.

Despite their modest overall success and a lack of tours—even outside Stockholm—the band surprisingly gained further international recognition when, from 1995 onwards, they were included in Colin Larkin's The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music, although the biographical information provided was somewhat inaccurate.[11]

Mid-1990s–2010s: Decline and Hiatus

The explosion of the grunge phenomenon in the early 1990s likely contributed to a general decline in classic rock and hard & heavy music, affecting AB/CD as well. Shortly after the release of Cut the Crap!, in 1995, Levén left the band[5] to join the doom metal group Abstrakt Algebra and later became a member of Yngwie Malmsteen's band. In 1996, a cover of AC/DC's "Riff Raff" featuring Levén on vocals (credited as "MacScott") was included on the tribute album A Salute To AC/DC. Throughout the 1990s, Nalcolm wrote up to 12 new songs in hopes of recording another album, but due to the general decline in interest, BMG showed no interest in releasing it.[6][7]

In 1996, another close encounter with AC/DC occurred when Nalcolm met Malcolm Young, Angus Young, and Phil Rudd after another concert at the Globe Arena (Isstadion) in Stockholm during their Ballbreaker Tour. Once again, Malcolm was approachable and had a long conversation with Påhlsson, vividly remembering the T-shirt and record he had received from Bengus eight years earlier. At the end of their chat, Malcolm signed a dedication on the concert poster: "To Nalcolm of AB/CD from Malcolm of AC/DC," which was also signed by Angus and Phil.[2][3][6]

From the late 1990s through the 2020s, AB/CD performed sporadically in Sweden,[2][6] playing at most three concerts per year.[6] No official lineup changes were announced, although most members, including Levén, remained involved with occasional variations.[8] Effectively, the band became an occasional side project for its members, who were concurrently involved in other Swedish musical projects, some with moderate success. For example, in 2008, Nalcolm (Björn Påhlsson) joined the well-known Swedish goth/symphonic metal band Therion as their bassist, and in 2012, he joined Treat (the same band Levén had been in prior to joining AB/CD).

During this period, previously unreleased tracks appeared on various compilations. In 2001, the song "Victory," dedicated to the Stockholm football team Hammarby (also known as Bajen), was included on the compilation Bajen Forever, entirely dedicated to the club. In 2002, the provocative unreleased track "Cracked And Wacko"—the critique of Michael Jackson discarded from the Cut the Crap! sessions—was included on the compilation The Encyclopedia Of Swedish Hard Rock And Heavy Metal, Volume II. In 2012, the Victim of Rock CD was reissued for the first time since 1986, albeit in an unofficial version (it was also pressed in Russia in 2021).[12]

Although AB/CD had written and recorded several demos for a future album while awaiting a record deal since the 1990s,[4][7] they released no new material for well over two decades, despite never officially disbanding.

2020s: The Revival

Around 2020–2021, the band began consolidating its lineup for future projects. New singer Martin Edin permanently took on the role of "Braijan," while new drummer Johan Kullberg adopted the pseudonym "Rude Fill" (a reference to AC/DC's Phil Rudd). Both musicians had already occasionally substituted for Levén and Wallin in recent years.[8]

Unexpectedly, near the end of 2021, they released the new song "21 Gun Salute" on YouTube, featuring the emerging Chilean singer Iván Gac, widely considered one of the world's best Brian Johnson impersonators. Nalcolm discovered Gac through his YouTube videos and invited him to provide vocals for the single. A few months before the release (though apparently after the recording), Gac had participated in a vocal impersonation competition on the Chilean television show Yo Soy, ultimately placing fourth and gaining wider recognition.[3] Coinciding with the song's release in November 2021, AB/CD also announced plans for a new album.[13]

It wasn't until 2023, nearly 40 years after their formation, that AB/CD released Back 'N' Attack on their own label, Brynolf Records (named after their former manager, Paul Brynolf[4]). The album's title is a clear nod to AC/DC's historic Back in Black. Half of its tracks consist of previously unreleased material written primarily by Nalcolm in 1998, though the lyrics were largely rewritten.[6][7] Although Edin remained the official singer for live performances as a pure cover band, the lead vocals on most album tracks were performed by Pontus Snibb of the established Swedish hard rock band Bonafide. The album also featured guest appearances by original singer Micke Hujanen on three tracks, and naturally included Iván Gac on the previously released "21 Gun Salute."

Simultaneously with the album, they released Nutbush City Limits, a famous cover originally by Ike & Tina Turner. Die-hard AC/DC fans recognize it as a song frequently covered by Brian Johnson. This track was included only on some rare editions of Back 'N' Attack. In 2024, the band celebrated their 40th anniversary, announcing a project to release one new song per month throughout the year. These tracks would eventually form the new album Light the Fuse, released exclusively in digital format in January 2025.

Legal controversies

File:Logo ACDC pwrup.svg
The characteristic Squealer font from AC/DC's most popular logo.

AB/CD have been at the center of several legal controversies related to their branding, particularly concerning their use of the iconic lightning bolt font characteristic of AC/DC. This font was first used on AC/DC's 1977 album Let There Be Rock and became a permanent fixture starting with 1979's Highway to Hell. Designed in 1977 by American graphic artist Gerard Huerta, the typeface is now commonly known as the "Squealer" font, a name evidently derived from the song of the same name featured on AC/DC's 1976 album Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.

During their first decade of activity, and consequently on the covers of their first two albums, AB/CD regularly used this font without issue. This usage did not appear to bother AC/DC themselves; when Bengus presented them with T-shirts and a copy of the Victim of Rock album—both featuring the logo—backstage at their 1988 Stockholm concert, Påhlsson recalled that they were amused by it, as demonstrated at least by Malcolm's reaction, who was photographed wearing the shirt.[4]

In the early 1990s, after discovering the existence of a British tribute band of the same name (formed in 1989[14]) that used an identical logo, Nalcolm (Påhlsson) sought to register the band's name for protection. He was informed that it was not possible to register a name that was not a word, but that he could register the logo, which he proceeded to do. However, a couple of weeks later, he was threatened by a lawyer with serious legal action if he did not withdraw the application. This incident reportedly prevented them from continuing to use the Squealer font, though it was not confirmed whether the lawyer was acting on behalf of AC/DC.[3][15] As a result of this event, the logo on the cover was altered between the original 1992 release and the 1993 reissue of The Rock N' Roll Devil,[16] and the Squealer font was completely absent from 1995's Cut the Crap!.

With the release of Back 'N' Attack in 2023, the band attempted once more to use the font, hoping that by using commonly available versions—also utilized by other tribute bands—they would avoid legal issues.[3] However, the following year, AC/DC's management (Leidseplein Press B.V.) intervened, stating that this use was illegal because AB/CD performed original material in addition to covers—a restriction that does not apply to pure tribute bands.[8][17] This forced AB/CD to temporarily revert to a generic font and alter the artwork for their older tracks on YouTube and social media, where they had been present for some time.

Consequently, AB/CD effectively split into two distinct entities: their live tribute act featuring Edin on vocals appears permitted to use the Squealer font, while the "original" studio band featuring Snibb on vocals cannot.[15] This legal situation has also reportedly affected other AC/DC clone bands, such as the British group Boned, who changed the font on the cover of their 2004 album Up at the Crack during the 2000s.

Trivia

  • AB/CD potentially hold two records: they were likely the first Swedish AC/DC tribute band and possibly one of the first in the world.[6] They are also among the earliest AC/DC "clone" bands—a trend that began in the 1980s and continues today with numerous more or less explicit imitators like Krokus, Rhino Bucket, Hardbone, Airbourne, 42 Decibel, '77, Boned, and many other minor acts. AB/CD are probably second only to the Swiss band Krokus (from their 1982 album One Vice at a Time), although Krokus never explicitly acknowledged the inspiration and explored other styles within hard & heavy. Furthermore, AB/CD hold the record as the first clone band from the Brian Johnson era.
  • Although known outside Stockholm and Sweden for their original AC/DC-inspired songs, AB/CD have almost exclusively performed as a cover band during their concerts, rarely playing their original material except on a few occasions. This unusual choice appears motivated by a desire to better meet audience expectations,[6][15] which aligns with their original founding intent.
  • The name "AB/CD" has also been used by several later AC/DC tribute bands from countries like the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Hungary, and possibly South America.[15] This has naturally caused significant confusion, leading to these groups being mistaken for the Swedish band and vice versa. Formed in 1989, the British namesake (now disbanded) were likely the second after the Swedes, and were reportedly recognized by Angus and Malcolm Young on MTV as the best Bon Scott-era tribute band in Europe.[14] It was precisely this naming conflict with the British band that triggered the legal disputes over the use of the logo's font.

Members

Current

  • Martin Edin (Brajan) – vocals (2020–present) (for live AC/DC covers)
  • Pontus Snibb – vocals (2023–present) (for original studio tracks)
  • Bengt Ljungberger (Bengus) – guitar (1984–present)
  • Björn "Nalle" Påhlsson (Nalcolm) – guitar (1984–present)
  • Jim Gustavsson (Clim) – bass (1984–present)
  • Johan Kullberg (Rude Fill) – drums (2020–present)

Former members

  • Patrik Brun (Putte Finger) – drums (1984–1986)
  • Jan-Erik Perning (Rajmon Left) – drums (1986–1987)
  • Nicolas "Nicci" Notini-Wallin (Flint/Phil Rules) – drums (1988–2020)
  • Mikael "Micke" Hujanen (Brajan) – vocals (1984–1993)
  • Mats Levén (Brajan/MacScott) – vocals (1993–1995)

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Compilation appearances

  • 1992 – Rock Forever Vol. 4 (Germany)
  • 1993 – Champion Carnival BMG-Victor March 1993 (Japan)
  • 1995 – One For The Road (Belgium)
  • 1996 – A Salute To AC/DC (Sweden)
  • 1997 – A Tribute Records Sampler (Sweden)
  • 2001 – Bajen Forever (Sweden)
  • 2002 – The Encyclopedia Of Swedish Hard Rock And Heavy Metal, Volume II (Sweden)
  • 2003 – A Tribute To...AC/DC (Ukraine)
  • 2023 – Nr. 97 / Der Soundtrack Zum Heft (Germany)

References

  1. ↑ "THIS IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT". abcdband.com. Archived from the original on 7 September 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "nalle.rocknytt.net - Björn "Nalle" Påhlsson's Official Website". Nalle Påhlsson.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 themaloikrockblog.se - Interview with Björn Påhlsson (Nalcolm)
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 "Official biography". abcdband.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "matsleven.com - Mats Levén's projects". Archived from the original on 2011-03-23.
  6. ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 "Interview with Björn Påhlsson (Nalcolm)". rocknytt.net. 26 May 2023.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "Interview with Björn Påhlsson (Nalcolm)". Sweden Rock Magazine. 16 May 2023 – via Readly.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Service communication by Björn Nalle Påhlsson, via email interview, June 2024.
  9. ↑ "Jan-Erik Perning Discography". Discogs.
  10. ↑ discogs.com - AC/DC – Rock'n Roll Devil
  11. ↑ Larkin, Colin (1995). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Guinness Pub. p. 41. ISBN 978-1-56159-176-3 Search this book on ..
  12. ↑ discogs.com - Various editions of the album Victim of Rock
  13. ↑ New album announcement from the official Instagram profile in 2021
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 acdctribute-abcd.co.uk - Brief biography of the eponymous British tribute band
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Interview with Björn Påhlsson (Nalcolm) about AB/CD's history on YouTube
  16. ↑ discogs.com - Various versions of The Rock N' Roll Devil
  17. ↑ Announcement on the band's official Facebook page

External links


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