Loosegoats

In the rapidly expanding Swedish lo-fi landscape of the mid-1990s, Loosegoats emerged as one of the scene’s stronger outfits. Singer-guitarist-songwriter Christian Kjellvander, drummer Johan Hansson, guitarist Jens Lowius, and bassist Marten Lofwander assembled the group in Lund in 1994 after the four teenagers concluded that Sweden lacked a technically capable lo-fi act possessing the right attitude. Following just four rehearsals, they captured their first demo, Back in Slack, within two weeks. The recording drew favorable notices, live bookings, and industry notice, ultimately attracting punk-rooted label Bad Taste Records. On that imprint the band issued its debut mini-CD, Small Lesbian Baseball Players, in May 1995; the release earned widespread praise, moved briskly for an independent title, and later appeared via New York’s Underhand Records. A proposed trip to New York for shows and further sessions was abruptly dropped once additional domestic opportunities arose. Although several major labels expressed interest, Loosegoats ultimately signed with the smaller yet respected Startracks, home to acts such as Fireside. In March 1996, after Anders Tingsek replaced Marten Lofwander, the quartet tracked two EPs’ worth of material in Stockholm under producer Pelle Gunnerfeldt. Startracks released the first of those EPs, Mule Habits, that May; later the same year Country Crock arrived to strong critical response. Its title track received extensive airplay on Swedish national radio, prompting the band to begin work on a full-length debut. Before sessions commenced, guitarist Lowius departed and Magnus Melliander took his place. On 23 March 1997 the resulting album, For Sale by Owner, appeared, containing fifteen vigorous tracks that included a version of Waylon Jennings’ “The Dukes of Hazard Theme.” Following its release, Loosegoats maintained an intensive Swedish touring schedule that encompassed major festivals such as Hultsfredsfestivalen. That summer Startracks compiled the four earlier EPs on the budget-priced collection A Mexican Car in a Southern Field, satisfying fans who had found the original pressings long unavailable. Touring continued through late 1997, during which time Kjellvander also produced his brother Gustaf Kjellvander’s band Sideshow Bob, whose debut album Invasive Confusion surfaced in 1998. Despite their youth, the members of Loosegoats demonstrated notable musical and lyrical assurance, with the half-American Kjellvander responsible for every lyric. He briefly reconvened the group in 2012 to record Ideas for to Travel Down Death’s Merry Road.