A Dirty Dozen with JOHAN MEITON from BOMBUS – SEPTEMBER 2024

According to a recent press release: “Swedish heavy rockers BOMBUS are thrilled to share their latest single “Killer,” the first track from their upcoming album Your Blood out November 1st on Black Lodge Records. Known for their powerful blend of metal, punk, and classic rock, on “Killer,” BOMBUS once again pushes sonic boundaries delivering a raw, high-energy anthem that perfectly captures their signature sound. Your Blood is not just an album where BOMBUS successfully melds past heaviness with a new, melodic edge. It’s a testament to their ability to evolve while staying true to their roots. Prepare for a powerful display of metal ‘n’ roll, as BOMBUS delivers Your Blood with intensity and purpose.” We get guitarist Johan 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?

Apart from us being stoked about the record and that it´s gonna be out soon it is yet another step further for us broadening our sound a bit keeping it 100% Bombus. There was no decision made beforehand to do so, the songs all came naturally along the way and that’s how we operate. There are nuggets to find like tributes to other songs we dig. If they are hidden or in plain sight depends on what music, you’re into so you don’t have to be a diehard Bombus fan to spot them. Should be quite easy if you’re into the exact same stuff as we are. The good stuff.

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

Both my parents have always been into music and my dad is a piano player, so I grew up with music. Dad blasting Weather Report in the car is an early memory. But what got me hooked was when I got a cassette with all the James Bond themes when I was seven years old. A couple of years later I got the first Atomic Swing album and that got me even more hooked, but it wasn’t until I got blown away by Kill ‘Em All by Metallica that I wanted to be in a band. Something about that album made the idea of playing in a band seem possible so me and my friend immediately started one.

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

The first Atomic Swing album and Kill ‘Em All since they made such an impression on me early on, plus various punk stuff that I discovered later.

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

Kavinsky and Lovefoxxx simply because “Nightcall” is one of the best songs ever. We’d have them make a sequel to that one with us. “Nightcall” by Kavinsky, Lovefoxxx and Bombus. We’re ready and just a night call away guys!

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

Night owling by myself in my apartment, listening to music, smoking cigarettes, solving crosswords, watching series. I’m a mix between a teenager and a 70-year-old.

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?

I always say we play hard rock. Partly because I can’t come up with anything else and partly because I would feel too pretentious if I would try to come up with something like Gothenburgian Decibel Metal played on 11 by two guys from Gothenburg and three guys not from Gothenburg. That one was pretty good though… As for comparisons I haven’t heard or read any that I’ve disagreed with or has gotten me all cringed up, but I haven’t been in the band that long. I might have a better answer when our new album’s been out a while. “My God! You sound exactly like Pat Boone!”

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?

Easy. No one cooks, everyone takes turns getting drinks and no one has ever to my knowledge suddenly popped up with an acoustic guitar trying to get a singalong going. Thats’s strictly forbidden if you ask me. Unless it’s any song by King Diamond or the late great Onkel Kånkel. But once there are drinks coming in, we usually get too busy babbling away or shouting along to the stereo anyway.

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

2015 in Luleå, way up north in Sweden. My old punk band, Gamla Pengar, was playing a show along with two other bands and Mattias Alkberg (Apesex, Bear Quartet, MABD) came to the venue. After we had played, I was standing by the merchandise tables when Alkberg came over and said something like “Fun to finally have seen Gamla Pengar live.” My only response was “Sweeeeeet” probably with a facial expression worthy of Homer Simpsons brighter moments. Then I slowly turned around, walked away. and vowed not to ever open my mouth again if starstruck.

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?

When there’s a strong creative connection making music with others. Kind of like when you know someone well enough to finish each other’s sentences or laying a jigsaw puzzle and every piece fits immediately. Cheesy comparisons but something like that. I’ve had that connection in some of the bands I’ve been in and I definitely have it in Bombus. It’s a rare thing so I’m a grateful dude. Dream job number two would be making artwork for artists and bands so that I still would have a connection to music. And I like to paint, draw, etc. so that would be a nice line of work.

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?

May I interest you in placing one billion dollars on your bank account right about now? Yes you may. That’s the only question I can come up with. Well, the word is out! I haven’t done enough interviews to have a specific question that’s tiring to answer so I wouldn’t know.

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?

Not that I can think of. Probably because I’ve only been in the band since 2020. The other guys might feel it was a misstep letting me do this interview though.

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?

There’s so many. I’d love to have been around the recording session of The Number of the Beast when producer Martin Birch forced Bruce Dickinson to sing 100 takes on the opening line to the title track until he got the right vibe. Or the Reign in Blood sessions to see Tom Araya pull off the intro scream for “Angel of Death.” And a hundred other recording sessions but I’ll use that magic to be a part of Dead Kennedys recording In God We Trust, Inc. I saw a video on YouTube with excepts from that session and the takes are ridiculously intense, all recorded live, they play and sound awesome and the songs are all killer! And there seemed to be a nice goofy vibe at the same time. If I could just sit next to the producer drinking beer on that session I would live happily ever after. Dead Kennedys is a big inspiration and influence and one of my favorite bands. I wouldn’t mind having been a part of all their recording sessions but since I got a glimpse of this one it will be my top choice.

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Category: Interviews