A Dirty Dozen with PONTUS SNIBB from BONAFIDE – October 2023

According to a recent press release: “”Hero to Zero” is the first single taken from Are You Listening?, the upcoming album from Swedish hard rockers BONAFIDE. It is accompanied by a lyric video and is a bittersweet tale of going from hero to zero. Where the idol you once worshipped and knew, doesn’t even spare you a glance anymore. Written by Rosell & Snibb with the lyric idea from Newcastle’s finest, James Braban. The single is also accompanied by a lyric video which is also released at the same time as the single. This is the band’s first studio album since 2017’s Flames, and not only are they back, it is with a vengeance!” We get singer Pontus to discuss new music, influences, and more.

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

There is more of a live sound on this album than the previous albums. The listeners always used to say we are better live than on album. This album was recorded all live in the studio with vocals and solos put on later to get that live vibe. It makes a big difference for the sound. We are again produced by the great Chips Kiesbye, who produced our 2008 release Somethings Dripping. He worked a lot with Swedish bands as Hellacopters, Backyard Babies, Sator and Wilmer X. A special thing unique for this album is two duets. One in Swedish with famous artist Nisse Hellberg. The other is a duet with our drummer, who is a great singer in his own right.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

My dad’s a drummer in Sweden, played with all the Swedish greats, so I was pretty much raised on the road with him. By the time I was ten I knew this was what I wanted to do in my life. I became a full-time musician by the time I was 18 and never had any job outside of music. It’s all I know and want to do, even 30 years later. It’s humbling to be able to live on music alone. Not many get the chance.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Dad and his record collection paved the way. Everything from The Beatles to BB King. From Humble Pie to Led Zeppelin. He listened to a lot of different stuff, and I soaked it all up.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

It would be fantastic to write a song with Pete Townshend and make it a duet.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I’m a constant walker, ha ha. I power walk a lot and have been for all my adult life. It’s a great way to keep in shape and listening to pod casts and music at the same time. Got a lot of woods and parks close to home in Stockholm. I walk 10,000 steps a day easily when I’m home.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Musically I’m inspired by the likes of AC/DC, Zep, Humble Pie, The Who and a lot of blues. That classic twin guitars, left-right and a good natural sound. Like in the olden days of analog. I love it when reviewers name bands that we sound like, and I’ve never heard of them. Usually, I go in and check those bands out on Spotify. Actually, found some favourites that way.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I’m the cook, Niklas serves drinks, Martin tells stories while Anders noodles on an acoustic. No, not really, we hit a curry place for hot Madras and some beers and talk about whatever comes to mind. We’re all great friends. A 1,000 shows together makes a solid team of friends.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

Backstage with Angry from Rose Tattoo. That was special! And that time Brian Johnson’s wife took me in backstage to have a pint with him on the Black Ice tour in Gothenburg. That was special. And he was so humble and nice to me.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

You get to sleep in every day, except when you gotta catch a flight, ha ha. It’s the fans and the people you meet and the friends you have all over the world thanks to your music. If I couldn’t play anymore, I’d go for being a producer or such. I can’t leave the music behind. It’s all I know and want to do.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

How do you get that great guitar tone? It’s all in the fingers! Name Your top five desert island albums. Eeeehhh, need to make that 50!

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Well, looking back with record labels we could Have “signed” differently at times. It feels like we Have a good momentum now. Future’s looking up.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

The Led Zeppelin sessions in Hedley Grange would Have been fantastic to witness. Just to be a fly on the wall when the basis track was recorded for “Kashmir.” Or when Bonham started off the “Rock And Roll” drum intro that became history. Gonna put on some Zeppelin now. Dad’s old vinyl I borrowed 35 years ago.

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Category: Interviews