The (International) Noise Conspiracy
Combat rock: In this decadent, corporate-run economy, political rock bands are 10 a penny. Guitar-toting lefties in leather shout such catchy slogans as "smash the system", "fight the power" and "vote for Kerry even though he's bland, because at least he's not as bad as the other warmongering guy". There's good money in anti-capitalist rock, though, and if The (International) Noise Conspiracy break through, they'll have plenty of dosh to donate to their local Socialist Party fund. T(I)NC hail from the small town of Umea, Sweden, but they've set their sights on bringing their anti- establishment message to rock 'n' roll kids around the world. The new album, Armed Love, is produced by big-name US producer Rick Rubin, so that's a bit of a coup for Sweden's favourite Marxists.
Refuseniks: As with many political dynasties, The (International) Noise Conspiracy have an interesting pedigree. Guitarist Lars Stromberg was in a punk- rock trio called Separation, while party leader Dennis Lyxzen was once the frontman of Swede hardcore terrorists Refused. Formed in 1991, Refused mixed hard-hitting politics with thundering punk energy, tossing in a few jazz noodles and ambient doodles just to confuse the proles. When Refused fell apart, Lyxzen and Stromberg were determined to form a band that, in the words of singer- songwriter Phil Ochs, "would be a combination of Elvis and Che Guevara". They recruited bassist Inge Johansson from art/noise outfit Female Anchor of Sade, and organist Sara Almgren and drummer Ludwig Dahlberg from politico- rockers Saidwas.
T(I)NC tank: Rather than become another boring, shouty agit-rock band, The (International) Noise Conspiracy mixed '60s garage and soul with '70s punk and hard rock, with an emphasis on catchy songs, sexually charged sounds, wild, abandoned beats and high fashion insurgency. T(I)NC put their tourbus where their mouths were right from the start, playing in the People's Republic of China in 1999, and playing a free show to protestors in Gothenburg in 2001, where EU leaders were meeting George Bush. Songs such as Capitalism Stole My Virginity cemented the band's reputation as a radical rock 'n' roll force.
Active duty: When Rick Rubin signed the band to his label in 2003, the scene was set for T(I)NC's American invasion. Armed Love was released last July, and features such tender pop songs as Communist Moon and The Way I Feel About You. The band played the prestigious Coachella festival alongside Radiohead and The Cure, and will be bringing their noisy political manifesto to Dublin on December 1st, in Whelan's on Wexford Street.
Kevin Courtney
