Hidden Gems & Guilty Pleasures: Crashdïet (Sweden)

Photo by Tommy Bäcklin

Crashdïet (Sleaze / Glam Metal, Sweden)

It has been the motivational “catchphrase” for the Swedish boys in Crashdïet ever since they started out back in the beginning of 2000. They’ve clearly gone through turbulence a number of times their career, with deaths, line-up changes and a history of abuse that would make Mötley Crüe’s »The Dirt« sound like a children’s book.

However, Crashdïet have become known for picking up the pieces and returning to the scene, every time they crash. Their undeniable flirt with the 80s big arena rock bands like Guns N’ Roses, Kiss, Skid Row etc., combined with a notable element of punk, has made them a significant name in the revival of the sleaze and glam (or hair metal) genre.

Crashdïet released their critically acclaimed debut album »Rest In Sleaze« in the fall of 2005 through Universal Music, giving them a spring of success in their home country. But shortly after, in January of 2006, their frontman and founder Dave Lepard, was found dead in his home after committing suicide.

The surviving members have carried on the torch ever since, recruiting new frontmen, touring the world and releasing studio albums for their widespread fans. In September of 2019 they released their fifth studio album »Rust«, followed by a European tour together with their neighbours in Norway: The Cruel Intentions and Swedish punk-sleaze act Highride.

Some of the notable former band members are Tobias Forge (Ghost), Thomas Daun (ex-Dismember, ex- Dr. Living Dead!, Iron Lamb, Grga), Olli Herman (Reckless Love, The Local Band) and Gustaf Lindström (ex-Ghost, ex-Iron Lamb, Grga).

Discography:
• »Rest In Sleaze« (Universal Music, 2005)
• »The Unattractive Revolution« (Universal Music, 2007)
• »Generation Wild« (Gain Music, 2010)
• »The Savage Playground« (Gain Music, 2013)
• »Rust« (Dïet Records / Frontiers Music Srl, 2019)

Band members:
Gabriel Keyes – Vocals
Martin Sweet – Guitar
Peter London – Bass
Eric Young – Drums

https://www.crashdiet.org/
https://www.facebook.com/realcrashdiet
https://www.instagram.com/realcrashdiet/

For fans of Guns N’ Roses, Skid Row, Vain, L.A. Guns, Kiss, Hardcore Superstar, Sister, Shotgun Messiah

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well