Interviews: C.K.O.

We have had the opportunity to interview the Heavy Metal band C.K.O.  from Sweden. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or come out just like that?

Claes Karlsson: Hello and thank you so much for reaching out to us. The band's name is an abbreviation of my own official FB page that I created during my time in Blacksmith Legacy (2014-2019) "Claes Karlsson Official" (C.K.O)

Gustav Bronelius: It came quite natural since everything started with Claes new FaceBook page, Claes Karlsson Official (C K O)

Anders Pålsson: Claes came up with it i think😃

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Claes Karlsson: Have always loved this type of music

Anders Pålsson: Grew up with This genre. Love it and Will never stop

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Claes Karlsson: I knew Johan when we met via joint bookings during my time in Blacksmith Legacy 2014-2019. I found Gustav when we needed to change bassist in Blacksmith Legacy found him via a page for musicians. Johan knew Rikki from previous bands and I knew him but we did not know each other. Rikki knows Anders Since they have another band together so I got to know him too.

Gustav Bronelius: Yes and no. I knew Claes quite well. Both of us played in Blacksmith Legacy. Johan had been referred to as "the guy with the voice!" at some point earlier.  

Anders Pålsson: I'm in another band with Rikki and ive known Johan for a couple of years but we never worked together. Claes and Gustav i met in C.K.O

4. Each band member favourite band?

Claes Karlsson: Accept, Judas Priest, Saxon, Manowar, Hammerfall, AC / DC, Air Bourne e.c.t

Johan Widerberg: D-A-D, Audioslave, AC/DC.  

Gustav Bronelius: Seventh Wonder

Anders Pålsson: I have to say Judas Priest

Rikki "The Basard" Dahl: Foo Fighters, Rage Against The Machine och Mötley Crüe.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Claes Karlsson: Usually, when I sit down and work with the music, a new riff almost comes out that is good enough to continue working with.

Gustav Bronelius: Different feelings and experiences. Sometimes you feel like writing something fast in major because of your happy mood, or the opposite, something gloomy and dark in minor.

6. Where was your last gig?

Claes Karlsson: 13/11 Smokey Barbecue Höllviken Sweden With C.K.O

Johan Widerberg: Smokey Barbecue Höllviken

Gustav Bronelius: Smokey Barbecue Höllviken

Anders Pålsson: Smokey Barbeque , Höllviken 

Rikki "The Basard" Dahl: Smokey Barbecue Höllviken

7. Where would you like to act?

Claes Karlsson: A European tour would have been fun. And of course at Sweden Rock

Johan Widerberg: A tour in Europe would be nice, Sweden Rock Festival. 

Gustav Bronelius: Space would be the ultimate gig!

Anders Pålsson: Wembley stadium 😃

Rikki "The Basard" Dahl: Everywhere, haha!

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Claes Karlsson: Accept, UDO, David Reese, AC / DC, D.A.D, Judas Priest, Saxon, e.t.c

Johan Widerberg: D-A-D, AC/DC

Gustav Bronelius: A gig with UDO would be great! Claes likes them a lot and I think that would make the decade for him! 

9. Whom not?

Claes Karlsson: There is probably no good answer to it right now.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Claes Karlsson: It has only happened once and it was in the middle of the 80's when I did my first gig. Since then, I've never had a problem with it.

Gustav Bronelius: I suffered from stage fright before my first ever gig. I think what helped me the most was finally doing a gig. After doing it, you realize that the feeling you get from doing the gig is so much better than the fright. With a positive sum of feelings, why care about the fright before? 

Anders Pålsson: Not to bad. Just to be prepared and not miss rehearsal😃

Rikki "The Basard" Dahl: I get nervous if I’m not prepared so my tip is to know the songs you’re playing. Be well rehearsed as a band and with your own parts. There’s nothing worse than thinking about what part comes next or what the next song is during a show…     

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Claes Karlsson: In recent years, there is a lot of UDO, Saxon, Manowar, Hammerfall, Air bourne, e.t.c.

Johan Widerberg: KISS, AC/DC, D-A-D.

Gustav Bronelius: Black Sabbath, Testament, Deep Purple

Anders Pålsson: Mostly 70-80s metal, not the ”sleaze era” so much

Rikki "The Basard" Dahl: Mötley Crüe got me into Rock n Roll!

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Claes Karlsson: Can you not get up and play for me (the person came when the gig was over and we had started packing)

Gustav Bronelius: Don’t know if this conts or not, but at an afterpart a fan asked if he could also be Tik-Tok from the Wizard of Oz. Earlier that night, we had found a closet of old costumes from a local theatre group that no longer existed. 

Anders Pålsson: I dont know. Maybe a Boob autograph?? 

13. What do you think of your fans?

Claes Karlsson: Our fans are amazing and wonderful what would we have done without them. and as I usually say "Are You With Me"

Johan Widerberg: Our fans are great, hardcore absoluetly.

Gustav Bronelius: They’re the best! Every small piece of love sent means the world!   

Anders Pålsson: Love the all

Rikki "The Basard" Dahl: Can’t do it without the fans. They’re everything!

14. What do you think of our site?

Claes Karlsson: It's Fantastic! We have to answer a lot of questions

Anders Pålsson: Fantastic

15. Something to add?

Claes Karlsson: Nice and fun interview.

Anders Pålsson:  Nope. Be there or be square 🤘🤘

Rikki "The Basard" Dahl: See you out there!