From 1991 to 1998, Swedish hardcore punk band Refused revolutionized the genre and inspired legions of hardcore, alt-rock and metal bands to push the boundaries of their artistic expression and political consciousness. After reuniting in 2012, today they officially announce the end of their influential career and share plans for a farewell tour that will be the band's last appearances in the United States.
Refused drummer David Sandström muses:
“We actually wanted to do this in May. Start our modest farewell tour, starting with Rosendal Garden Party in Stockholm and then play a few shows here and there before calling it quits at the end of the year. The rehearsals were great, the vibe was great and two days before the show we played a secret show at Kulturhuset Femman in Uppsala. No photos were taken and no filming took place, but it was a great show in front of maybe 60 local scenesters. We hung out afterward, I had a couple of beers and Dennis and I, still vegan and basically straight edge, swapped silly stories about bands we love. It was a lovely evening. The next morning I got a call from Dennis' wife, and a few turbulent hours later it was confirmed that he had suffered a heart attack in the hotel
We played our first concert in February 1992. That same week George H.W. Bush and Boris Yeltsin held a press conference at Camp David to announce the end of the Cold War. That was so long ago. It was so long ago that I can't remember exactly who we were on that wintry Saturday when we got in a car and drove to Luleå to play four Gorilla Biscuits songs, one Shelter song, one AC\DC song and I think three originals to a crowd of 50-60 blind, drunk Nordic people. I had just turned 17, had never travelled outside of Sweden, and by the time the band broke up in 1998 we had played over 500 shows all over Europe and the US. To say that the band changed our lives would be a gross understatement, and to say that we got to know each other during those seven years is too. A band that goes on tour becomes like a family, especially when you're travelling in a van, with maps, looking for a squat in Halberstadt where you were supposed to have played an hour ago. And family relationships can be difficult. That's how it was with us.
And that's basically it. We tried it several times between 2012 and 2024. We all have different opinions on how it went and what the legacy of the reformed band will be, but personally I felt we couldn't quite agree on what to do musically and we were still struggling with that when the pandemic hit. Kristofer felt he had done what he wanted to do and left the band in August 2020 and although the death blow was delayed, it was a death blow.
So earlier this year we started making plans for one last big hurrah to make the end of the band a fun, generous, lavish affair. And that's exactly how it felt after the first show, we never sounded so good and we were really having fun, playing old songs we haven't played since the 90s and even a Misfits cover. And then disaster struck. I visited Dennis in hospital the day after he was admitted and, as is to be expected, he wasn't happy about the hospital gown he had to wear. Hooked up to all those machines, unshaven and with his hair all messed up, I swear the first thing he said was: (pointing to the gown) "I mean, this isn't great." I guess you can't wear suits or Negative Approach t-shirts in the hospital.
Now for the good news: Dennis is doing well. He's one of the healthiest people I know, he can't sit still, he does a lot of exercise, so it's only logical that he'll recover quickly. He is receiving excellent care and his doctor has done all the tests that indicate a full recovery. Of course he is eager to get back on the road and playing shows and he even suggested that we set tentative dates for late fall and winter, but we have decided to postpone those shows and start in the spring instead. Yes, that is the state of things. We are coming to the US in March/April 2025 and we are figuring out what else we can do with the rest of the year. Let us know if there are any songs you'd like us to play and we'll try them out. We hope to see you there."
Albums on exclusive colored vinyl, unreleased demos and rare alternate versions of songs. The anniversary package also includes a 12-song tribute album titled 'The Shape Of Punk To Come Obliterated' featuring covers and remixes from bands such as Quicksand, Zulu, Gel, IDLES, Touche Amore and more. Liner notes by Dennis Lyxzén and David Sandstrom, as well as written contributions from bands featured on the tribute album, provide new context and insight into the album's legacy.
Limited to just 2000 copies worldwide, the album can be pre-ordered HERE.
The band adds: "Whatever the record means to everyone else, it represents a remarkable time in our lives when we were young and carefree, taking risks and wanting to prove our skills, and more than anything, we wanted to celebrate that: the madness, the wild combinations, the sheer creativity of it all. So we asked a number of artists we love and respect to take liberties with the songs and either rearrange the material or completely deconstruct it, essentially taking the engine apart and not being squeamish about it. For us, that's the only tribute to our record that matters: our heroes, young guns, but also old friends and colleagues, complimenting our music by finding new possibilities and meaning in it. These bands are all caviar for the public and we are honored that they took the time to be a part of it. Thank you all."
The Shape Of Punk To Come Obliterated Tracklisting:
2. Quicksand - The Liberation Frequency
3. Brutus - The Deadly Rhythm
4. Snapcase - Summer Holidays Vs. Punkroutine
5. Idles - New Noise (remix)
6. Ho99o9 - New Noise
7. Fucked Up - Refused Party Program
8. Zulu - Protest Song '68
9. Cold Cave - Refused Are Fucking Dead
10. IGORR - The Shape Of Punk To Come
11. Cult Of Luna - Tannhäuser / Derive
12. Touché Amoré - The Apollo Programme Was A Hoax
Artists On The Shape Of Punk To Come Obliterated:
Walter Schreifels of Quicksand: “I’m honored that Quicksand was asked to be on this compilation. Liberation Frequency and The Shape Of Punk To Come are monuments to heavy music with a message and aesthetic that transcend the genre.”
Anaiah Lei of Zulu: “I’ve always been a Refused fan and even had the chance to tour with them back in 2012 with my old band. This record was definitely top 10 in my list of favorite hardcore albums and it was an honor to get to play a song off it. Especially this one because I’m like, y’all made this in the mid 90s? Way ahead of its time!”
Snapcase: "We were super excited when Refused asked us to take part in this project and it was a quick decision to choose Summerholidays vs Punkroutine. It’s collectively one of our favorite songs on the record and presented us with a unique challenge to get outside our comfort zone while mixing in elements of our own musical identity. Thanks for including us!"
Sami of Gel: “Refused was one of the first shows I went to and the first time I was up front. It was a charismatic performance and rowdy crowd and it definitely contributed to my love of heavier music and the live shows that demonstrate the energy of the music authentically.”
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