· By Mattias Forsgren
Internet Friends collaborate with Bentley Rhythm Ace on new remix of “How D’You Like Me Now?” Out March 10 on Icons Creating Evil Art
Fresh from supporting The Libertines on the Nordic leg of their 2022 tour, Internet Friends have revealed their debut album “Dressed To Kill” is on the way - celebrating the news with their new single “How D’You Like Me Now?” - listen here, and now team up and collaborate with Bentley Rhythm Ace on new remix. Based in Birmingham, Bentley Rhythm Ace are Mike Stokes (aka Michael Barrywhoosh) and ex- bassist Richard March (aka Barry Island). The group were made popular in the lat 90s and to date when they released music for Brighton's big-beat Skint label, attracting wide acclaim for their energetic, irreverent blend of hip-hop, funk, and the bizarre lounge, jazz, and exotica records that initially brought them together. "This Is Carbootechnodiscobooto"
The BRA pair have also cultivated something of a devoted club following through their campy live performances, which often involve strange and unusual costumes and props (probably originating from the same car boots as their records).
Fredrik Soila, Jakob Falkendal and Noel Hassling-Offrell as Internet Friends are in their element on “How D’You Like Me Now?” with the band describing this new track “as proof that rock music can move forward in a good way. It throws the listener between a messy punk club and your own bedroom”.
“Dressed To Kill” is set for release on Swedish boutique label Icons Creating Evil Art and will feature the previously released title track and Rice Krispies. Enjoying spins on BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 1’s Future Alternative with Nels Hylton and BBC Radio 1’s Indie Show with Jack Saunders and even charting on Amazing Radio and ESNS Emerging European Chart, Gothenburg-based Internet Friends are ready to take over the airwaves once again.
Speaking on their new album, Internet Friends say: "It's time to fall in love with an album again. It's time to start fan accounts on all social media. The kind of debut that comes every ten years. Internet Friends release a collection of songs that will fundamentally shake up the indie music scene. Dressed To Kill is the granddaddy of debut albums and it's now your turn to take over and care for this record.”
Internet Friends keep on exploring new ways to create music that make crowds lose their inhibitions. This time, the band really went for it and wrote a song in the forbidden tuning of drop D. A band that pays no respect to the concept of genre has made magic yet again. Mesmerising guitars by Noel Hassling, pounding drums by Jakob Falkendal and surprisingly optimistic lyrics from singer Fredrik Soila; "Even though I'm still fighting my mind and all the bad thoughts in it, at least I'm Dressed To Kill."
Fredrik explains: "The lyrics were written when I had a full time job that I realised didn’t give me anything whatsoever which made me live for the weekends. On mondays I used to sneak away in to an empty room at work to write lyrics about what I had done on Friday and Saturday and one particular Monday this song is what came out. The lyrics are 100% telling my real story about choosing to be a low-life just because the other part of you is the opposite."
Last year, Fredrik Soila, Jakob Falkendal and Noel Hassling-Offrell as Internet Friends, released the “Nosebleeds” EP - the follow up to their debut EP “Yawn Yawn Yawn”. Described as "a fusion between alternative indie rock and punk pop", “Nosebleeds” built on the energy established on their pop-leaning debut. Today, they are almost unrecognisable as they give two fingers to those who made them feel unwelcome and de-prioritised in their formative years. The sunny disposition has been swapped with one of attitude, spit and discontent.
Feeling exiled by the Swedish music scene, Internet Friends began to play up the idea of professional martyrdom and developed a core audience by relentless hard work and frequent, balls-to-wall live shows. “A gig should be 60 minutes without a break, with up-tempo songs and a maximum of one ballad. We want to reach out and have a party, not give people more anxiety.” Jakob Falkendal explains: “The core of the band is that we really want to make a big impression as a live band, to be the band we ourselves wanted to see. What is missing in Swedish music today is bands and artists with damn clear intentions. The point of playing is to entertain and offer people a free zone. I think the core is that we are not on stage for our sake, but for the sake of the audience. Because we have to give it to people. The music scene of today is poor in nutrition.”
The BRA pair have also cultivated something of a devoted club following through their campy live performances, which often involve strange and unusual costumes and props (probably originating from the same car boots as their records).
Fredrik Soila, Jakob Falkendal and Noel Hassling-Offrell as Internet Friends are in their element on “How D’You Like Me Now?” with the band describing this new track “as proof that rock music can move forward in a good way. It throws the listener between a messy punk club and your own bedroom”.
“Dressed To Kill” is set for release on Swedish boutique label Icons Creating Evil Art and will feature the previously released title track and Rice Krispies. Enjoying spins on BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 1’s Future Alternative with Nels Hylton and BBC Radio 1’s Indie Show with Jack Saunders and even charting on Amazing Radio and ESNS Emerging European Chart, Gothenburg-based Internet Friends are ready to take over the airwaves once again.
Speaking on their new album, Internet Friends say: "It's time to fall in love with an album again. It's time to start fan accounts on all social media. The kind of debut that comes every ten years. Internet Friends release a collection of songs that will fundamentally shake up the indie music scene. Dressed To Kill is the granddaddy of debut albums and it's now your turn to take over and care for this record.”
Internet Friends keep on exploring new ways to create music that make crowds lose their inhibitions. This time, the band really went for it and wrote a song in the forbidden tuning of drop D. A band that pays no respect to the concept of genre has made magic yet again. Mesmerising guitars by Noel Hassling, pounding drums by Jakob Falkendal and surprisingly optimistic lyrics from singer Fredrik Soila; "Even though I'm still fighting my mind and all the bad thoughts in it, at least I'm Dressed To Kill."
Fredrik explains: "The lyrics were written when I had a full time job that I realised didn’t give me anything whatsoever which made me live for the weekends. On mondays I used to sneak away in to an empty room at work to write lyrics about what I had done on Friday and Saturday and one particular Monday this song is what came out. The lyrics are 100% telling my real story about choosing to be a low-life just because the other part of you is the opposite."
Last year, Fredrik Soila, Jakob Falkendal and Noel Hassling-Offrell as Internet Friends, released the “Nosebleeds” EP - the follow up to their debut EP “Yawn Yawn Yawn”. Described as "a fusion between alternative indie rock and punk pop", “Nosebleeds” built on the energy established on their pop-leaning debut. Today, they are almost unrecognisable as they give two fingers to those who made them feel unwelcome and de-prioritised in their formative years. The sunny disposition has been swapped with one of attitude, spit and discontent.
Feeling exiled by the Swedish music scene, Internet Friends began to play up the idea of professional martyrdom and developed a core audience by relentless hard work and frequent, balls-to-wall live shows. “A gig should be 60 minutes without a break, with up-tempo songs and a maximum of one ballad. We want to reach out and have a party, not give people more anxiety.” Jakob Falkendal explains: “The core of the band is that we really want to make a big impression as a live band, to be the band we ourselves wanted to see. What is missing in Swedish music today is bands and artists with damn clear intentions. The point of playing is to entertain and offer people a free zone. I think the core is that we are not on stage for our sake, but for the sake of the audience. Because we have to give it to people. The music scene of today is poor in nutrition.”
Sink your teeth into Internet Friends now. You’ll only get hungry later.
Their long awaited debut album “Dressed To Kill” drops May 5th