"We live in a different world, our little underground world. To join the same gang as Carola and Abba, what the hell, it's like being thrown into the sea from a boat," says drummer Charlie Claeson.
Anti Cimex made their mark with their second EP "Raped ass" (1983), which was recorded in a chicken coop on the Västgötaslätten plain and became a style-defining element for Swedish boot punk. The sound then spread across Europe, to Brazil and the USA.
"We were all actually very happy about this. It's like a confirmation that we've done something right somewhere," says Claeson.
Hectic week
Four days after the ceremony at the Swedish Music Hall of Fame, the documentary "Jawbreaker" about the band will also premiere at the Skövde Film Festival.
It will be a busy week, says Charlie Claeson.
When asked about the band's influence in punk and metal, he replies that "everyone is basically heir" to Anti Cimex.
Our heirs have become legends themselves. If I may say so, it was perhaps not so humble.
Are they all your children?
Not all of them, but many of them are.
On the opposite side of the musical spectrum is the dance band Vikingarna, which is also inducted into the Swedish Music Hall of Fame.
“Great honor”
They were formed in Arvika in 1958 and over the years have become one of Sweden's most popular and successful dance bands, with songs like "Smiling Golden Brown Eyes" and "Can you love someone from a distance?".
"It feels huge. The Vikings have been around for so many decades. It's a great honor for us to be chosen in this fine company," says Vikings singer Christer Sjögren, who is on a solo tour.
I'm just celebrating by doing what I enjoy so much: playing for a satisfied audience.
According to the jury's motivation, the Vikings make "music built on simplicity, recognition and an emotional register that encompasses both the joy of the dance floor and the sadness of everyday life."
Sjögren points out that even though dance bands have changed with the times, the genre is still big thanks to dedicated fans.
There are many people who are passionate about this style of music, he says.
Kristoffer Viita/TT
Facts: They will be inducted into the Swedish Music Hall of Fame in 2025
TT
Sahara Hotnights, Peter LeMarc, Laleh, Jerry Williams, The Vikings, Kjell Höglund, Anti Cimex, Sonya Hedenbratt.
Previous inductees include Abba, Jan Johansson, Roxette, Eva Dahlgren, The Latin Kings, Evert Taube, Ebba Grön, Nationalteatern, Cornelis Vreeswijk, Entombed, Stina Nordenstam, Looptroop Rockers, Britt Lindeborg, Magnus Uggla, Ace of Base, Lisa Ekdahl, Eldkvarn, José González, Refused, Alice Tegnér, Freddie Wadling.
The idea behind the Swedish Music Hall of Fame is to "celebrate the richness of the Swedish music treasure." Those inducted must have made their debut album at least 20 years ago.
