It all started in the early nineties when several bands in Sweden (especially in the North) formed the hardcore scene which became a strong and vital force both domestically and internationally. Fireside was one of the leading bands of this movement which also included Refused, Randy, Breach and Him Kerosene. In 1994 Firesides debut Fantastic Four was released in the US, Japan and Europe. In 1995 the groundbreaking album Do Not Tailgate won them a Swedish Grammy, saw them get signed to Rick Rubins American Recordings and turn their track Kilotin into a monster hit. They played showcases in NYC, LA and Florida and there was a lot of talk of them being the next big thing and this long before the Scandinavian rock Invasion was a term of any credence. They did several US tours that culminated with the prestigious Lollapalooza tour. Europe saw them supporting Fu Manchu as well as doing several headline tours. Album # 3 Uomini DOnore was a top 10 hit and steady touring kept them busy throughout 1998, but not so busy that they didnt have time to assemble all their b-sides and record cover versions of some of their favourite tracks for release as the double CD Hello Kids. Kristofer also made 1998 the year when he embarked on his side project Kristofer Lström & Hidden Truck with the blissfull Go, Went, Gone album that amazed Fireside fans and revealed Kristofers talents as a singer-songwriter.
In 2000 the bands desire to experiment in the studio created a large, ambitious and innovative album Elite. This was very different to their previous releases and included everything from semi-alternative country track Elevator Action to the 12-minute long instrumental Elite. While some cheered and hailed it as a huge milestone recording, others were nonplussed. It was the first Fireside album that didnt get released on the Western side of the Atlantic.
Thus here we are in 2003 and the band are back after 3 years. During this time they havent decided to trade their instruments for wheelchairs, have licked their wounds after the apparent commercial failure of Elite (you ask any member today and they still think it is a masterpiece
theyre right!), havent taken anything close to day jobs or decided to become music publishers (seemingly something that many has been musicians are doing). Instead Pelle Gunnerfeldt is a big-name producer as a result of his contribution to The Hives international success and an ever-growing list of credits that includes Entombed, Spain and Randy. Frans Johansson has been a stand-in member for Kalle Gustafsson in The Soundtrack of Our Lives on many of their tours including the one with Oasis in the US. Per Nordmark is one of the in demand drummers in Sweden constantly on the road or in a studio somewhere but most notably with Breach and with label mate Christian Kjellvander. Kristofer has released two more albums and an EP with his band Hidden Truck (of which Per is also a member) and has toured Europe on several occasions, been up for a Swedish Grammy and has even had his music included on American TV teenage sitcoms!
