Träd, Gräs & Stenar
Träd, Gräs & Stenar ("Trees, Grass and Stones") is a Swedish rock band formed in 1969, from previous incarnations Pärson Sound, International Harvester and Harvester. The group was one of the front acts of the Swedish progg scene, although noticeably less political than their contemporary counterparts. Their sound has been described as raw, psych rock jam, by the writer David Pescovitz, who also notes the band would invite their audiences to improvise and collaborate.[1]
Background
Pärson Sound, International Harvester and Harvester
The band Pärson Sound was formed during the summer of 1967 by members of progg band Mecki Mark Men. Then original line up consisted of Bo Anders Persson (guitar), Thomas Tidholm (vocals, saxophone, flute), Arne Ericsson (cello), Urban Yman (violin), Torbjörn Abelli (bass) and Thomas Mera Gartz (drums).[2] Inspired by the minimalist music of Terry Riley, the plan explored drones, heavy repition and use of tape loops. This constellation, which were playing an experimental style of psychedelic rock never released any official records, although a collection of recordings from 1967-1968 were released as the double CD Pärson Sound (1967-68) in 2001 and as a 3 LP Deluxe box set in 2010. In August 1968 the band changed their name to "International Harvester" and later the same year their debut album Sov gott Rose-Marie was released. In 1969 the name was shortened to "Harvester", under which the album Hemåt was released. In addition to music, the band was involved with Happenings, art and theater as part of a larger group collective.[3]
Träd, Gräs & Stenar
In the summer of 1969 the band reformed as Träd, Gräs & Stenar, now consisting of Bo Anders Persson, Torbjörn Abelli, Arne Ericsson and Thomas Mera Gartz. 1970 saw the release of their self-titled debut Träd, Gräs & Stenar, sometimes called "the green album", which included cover versions of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower" and Rolling Stones' hit song "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction". Thomas Tidholm left the band before recording began, as he deemed the new material too commercial.[4]
Discography
As "Pärson Sound"
- Pärson Sound (1967-68) (CD - 2001)
- Pärson Sound 3 LP Box Set (LP - 2010)
As "International Harvester"
- Sov gott Rose-Marie (LP - 1968)
As "Harvester"
- Hemåt (LP - 1969)
Träd, Gräs & Stenar
- Träd, Gräs & Stenar (LP - 1970)
- Djungelns Lag (LP - 1971)
- Rock för Kropp och Själ (LP - 1972)
- Mors Mors (LP - 1972)
- Gärdet 12.6.1970 (CD - 1996)
- Ajn, Schvajn, Draj (CD - 2002)
- Homeless Cats (CD - 2009)
- Tack För Kaffet (So Long) (CD - 2017)
Timeline
References
- ↑ Pescovitz, David. "Video premiere: music documentary about incredible late-1960s Swedish psych band". BoingBoing. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- ↑ Gustafsson, Mats; Jackson, Lee (January 2003). "For fans of seriously damaged psychedelic excess only: Pärson Sound". The Broken Face (15). Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- ↑ Sjöholm, Jakob; Weir, Jim. "Jakob Sjöholm on his years with Träd, Gräs Och Stenar". thewire.co.uk. Wire. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- ↑ Weir, Jim (January 2008). "Once upon a time in...Sweden". WIRE (287). Retrieved 8 April 2016.
See also
- Band Homepage
- Träd, Gräs och Stenar's MySpace Page
- Video of live performance for the Dearraindrop art opening at the Loyal Gallery in 2006