In February 1990 guitarist Nicklas Berg and bassist / vocalist Jan Erik Liljeström started to discuss tile possibilities of forming a band together. They had been playing in Swedish combos since the early 80's, but never in the same group. They were both interested in progressive rock and wanted to explore this field of music more thoroughly.
In May 1990 the first incarnation, called KING EDWARD, with Peter Nordin on percussion, started to rehearse. They started out as a King Crimson cover band, in fact the first song they played together was 'Larks' Tongue in Aspic, pt 2'. In August Peter left the village where the group were based, moving to Stockholm. The band was laid to rest, but five months later it was resurrected, when Peter moved back home.
In January 1991 the trio became a quartet with the addition of Michael Thörne (from the group BOUGANVILLE) on keyboards. This line-up didn't last for long, as Michael had to move back to his native town. He is now part owner of the CD-label APM together with Ulf Danielsson. King Edward continued as a trio, but they kept searching for a fourth member.
Anna Sofi Dahlberg had seen the group perform at a gig in May. She had been playing folk and classical music on the cello, but only done one guest appearance with a rock group previously. As she had wanted to play in a progressive rock band for a long time she approached Nicklas about joining the group. Rehearsals began with Anna Sofi in August 1991 and this marks the starting point of ANEKDOTEN. Inspired by the new possibilities, the group started to write more original material and this change of direction made them change the band's name.
In December they recorded Demo #1 which included three songs destined for their debut CD 'Vemod'. One tune 'Karelia' is inspired by Van der Graaf Generator. Most of the rest were heavily in the King Crimson vein. Demo #2 which featured the remaining songs for 'Vemod' was recorded a year later on Jan Erik's portastudio. The demos were sent out to different record companies and the response was enthusiastic. Anekdoten started to look for suitable recording studios. When they heard the highly praised ÄNGLAGÅRD's 'Hybris' album, recorded at Studio Largen, the decision was made.
Between March and April 1993 they laid down seven tracks, which were mixed onto DAT, and sent out to some record companies and then the group waited... Even though eleven companies had shown an interest in releasing their music, in July ANEKDOTEN decided to release it themselves. With the help of Änglagård, they found distributors all over the world and when 'Vemod' was released in September it had pre-sales orders of over 1000, mostly to distributors in USA, Japan and Sweden.
On the 25th of September they played at a Progfestival in Stockholm along with Änglagård, Landberk and the reformed SAMLAS MAMMAS MANNA. The initial pressing of 1500 copies was sold out within three days of the release in Sweden! Currently they are trying to sell off the second pressing of 1500 copies to distributors all over the world. The Norwegian label Colours are also going to release the recordings on LP with a gatefold cover and an A2-size full colour poster in the first 300 sleeves.
Q: Why is Ork Alarm! devoting two whole pages to ANEKDOTEN?
A: It's not just the amazing symbiosis of King Crimson with Van der Graaf Generator that intrigued me, it is the juxtaposition of those "paeleo-progressive" musics with the phenomenal similarity in some of bassist Jan Erik's playing with that of Jannick Top at his most raucous peak.
Q: Yes, O.K. so the bassist sounds like Jannick, I've heard that before.... But you said they were very heavily influenced by King Crimson, I suppose that means the drummer is another Bill Bruford?
A: Cynic! No, actually you probably won't believe me, but Peter whips up a percussive storm with all the fury of Christian Vander when he needs to, yet the subtlety is not lost in the quieter passages. And as for the bassist, trust me! Just listen to the third cut on this album.
Q: So then, what we've got is a sort of "Jannick and Christian" playing "Fripp and Hammill"?
A: Um, right... Yes I suppose you could say that. But it's not just that, this stuff is fantastic music, sure it's not Zeuhl Music but it's unquestionably inspired by some of your favourite combos. Have I mentioned the mellotrons, yes there are two real mellotrons on this (not the insipid sampled versions that Julian Cope plays).
Q: Two Mellotrons... and I notice that as well as the bass guitarist there's a classically trained cellist. I think I'm beginning to get the picture, but could you be more explicit in these comparisons with other groups?
A: Well, try to imagine the mood of VDGG's 'Still Life' album cross-bred with the dynamics and melodies of KC's 'Red' or 'Starless and Bible Black' yet with the underlying growl of 'Köhntarkösz'. But before you melt at the thought of that, I must say that the vocals on 'vemod' are not of that ilk. Instead they remind me more of the second generation of Fripp's work, the gentler aspects circa 'Lizard' perhaps.
Q: O.K., that does sound very appetising indeed, but is it all like that or do Anekdoten spice the album up with some other variations? I get the impression that Anekdoten are still virtually a King Crimson clone band, does it verge on the excesses of their heroes 'Earthbound' or 'USA' albums?
A: No, it's not what Audion magazine would term a "variable" album. There are no duff tracks on this one. But it is not all flash and HM thunder either. The first piece is an instrumental called 'Karelia' which is quite awesome. Then there are some dreamy ballads and instrumentals, then more violent material such as 'The Wheel'. It really is a good blend, and yet you perceive, correctly, that it could very easily be mistaken for a studio album by King Crimson from 1976. Nick, the guitarist, sounds like he spent a bit too much time learning every one of Robert Fripp's licks: he is very proficient, but if he develops his own style then Anekdoten will truly progress.
Q: I can't figure out what the cover artwork is trying to say. What's the deal?
A: "One more red nightmare?"