You mean Chris Olsson - your guitarist?
Yes. Chris and I have also played together since then, until late 2006 when I left the band and re-joined it the spring of 2009 =)

Whose idea it was - to create the band?
When we met, both of us had plans to start a band... and that's what we did. So it was the idea of both of us to start it. But it was long before Dirty Passion.

Who were the members of that first band apart from you and Chris and what was its name?
There were Chris (guitar), me (drums), a guy named Kimmo (vocals), and another guy Emil (bass) and we called ourselves "REVENGE". Chris and I have always been the two who kept the band alive, but soon after we formed Revenge we changed the bassist and the singer and this was when Björn entered the band!

When exactly the band was formed?
Today's Dirty Passion was formed in 2006 right at the same time I left the band. We had just met another guy - Emil (the singer), and played together for about 2 months only when I left. That was when they three took the name Dirty Passion, this was in 2006! "Revenge" lasted in different line-ups between 2000-2005.

You stood in sources, so to say, and now you are back after 3-year's absence... Right?
Yes, that's correct!

In your opinion what has changed during this time? What way has the band passed?
So, technically, I've never played in the band when it was called Dirty Passion until today! BUT me, Chris, Björn and Emil played together just right before the trade mark of "Dirty Passion" was born!

Well, that's a convention after all. The people were still the same.
Yes the people were the same! The thing that I can tell right away without a doubt is that we ALL have become better musicians! Much better.... Each has grown individually, musically and today we know each other like brothers. We can call each other at any time, and we see each other 5-6 days a week (almost every day) and the band has never sounded better than it does now. So I would say that the sound has developed for the better over the years! Especially live sound.

Tell our readers a little bit about yourself, please. How old were you when you started to play music? Do you play any musical instruments except drums?
I was about 13 when I started playing drums. My father, who is a very talented bass player, taught me how to jam! I also play the guitar, the piano, the bass and the harmonica but that's just when I'm bored and do not have access to my drums =) We were a musical family and we always had a lot of different instruments at home. That’s a major reason for my getting into music and starting to play and learning to play.

Some questions especially for your Russian fans.
Yes =)

What do you sing about?
That's really a question for Emil to answer because he writes most of the lyrics.... As he's not here I can say how I look at the songs and what they say to me. Some songs are about situations, problems and different crossroads in your life that you sooner or later get into. I guess the songs are very easy for people to reflect on and connect with, because most people can see themselves in the songs, if you know what I mean... Some songs are about who you want to be and who you are, like the song "Rock In The Night..." That song is pretty much written about ourselves, and who we are and what we believe in, and what we stand for. I guess the red line in our songs is that message: who you are, what you believe in and what you stand for.

If I have understood right, Emil writes your lyric and music too?
We all write the music. We don't see it separately like music/lyrics. We see it as "one". Every song is "one". We write together.

Oh, it was a perfect answer! Do you have in sight any plans to visit Russia?
We would very much like to go to Russia. But our nearest plans are to tour in Sweden from the North to the South in August, and soon right after that we will go into the studio to record our newest never-sounding-better songs! =) But Russia will be in our minds when we book gigs in Europe! I personally don't know that many venues in Russia, but we will investigate it and would all like to visit Russia in the nearest future.

Do you know any Russian rock bands?
I don't know that much rock bands in Russia I'm afraid, but I’m sure there are a lot of rockers... One of my favorite concerts was when Bon Jovi, Skid Row, Mötley Crue played the Moscow Peace Festival, (I think that’s how it’s called), in, I think, 1989. I believe that just like Finland, Russia has a very good rock scene and if that's not the case, we would do everything in our power to change it when we get there!

Wow! It has happened not really a "small" interview. I hope I didn't wear out you by my questions and you were as interested as I was.
I enjoyed it very much =) Thank you for your interest! I PROMISE YOU that you will hear a lot from us in the future now that EMIL, CHRIS, BJÖRN and ME finally are together as we started it after 3 years with another drummer. You can quote me when I say "I WILL NEVER LEAVE THE BAND EVER AGAIN =)" They are my guys! They are my brothers =)

Yes, I'm sure it will be so! Thanks a lot for your time and let me wish you and all the band good luck! We will be looking forward to your new songs!
Yes =) Thank you Risha! I hope we'll keep in touch! Check us out at http://www.dirtypassion.net/
http://www.myspace.com/dirtypassionswe
Rock on!!

Interview by Risha Nilova.
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