Backyard Babies

Backyard Babies are a Swedish hard rock and punk rock group from Nässjö, Sweden, formed in 1987 and active since then with breaks. The band is based in Stockholm and the line-up consists of Johan Blomqvist, Nicke Borg, Peder Carlsson and Dregen.

Formation and early years

The band begins as Tyrant, with Tobias Fischer on vocals and bass, Dregen and Johan Blomqvist on guitar, and Peder Carlsson on drums. Fischer is later replaced by Nicke Borg on vocals and guitar, and Blomqvist moves to bass. The group adopts the name Backyard Babies in 1989, records two demos, and completes a national tour of Sweden.

The self-released debut EP Something to Swallow appears in 1991, followed by a contract with Megarock Records in 1993. Their debut album, Diesel & Power, is released in 1994 and combines rock, punk and blues influences. The single Electric Suzy includes a version of Hanoi Rocks’ Taxi Driver as its B-side.

Album releases and collaborations

After a hiatus during which Dregen joins The Hellacopters, the band reunites in 1997 with MVG Records. Total 13 follows and draws comparisons with the New York Dolls, the Ramones and The Damned. Its singles include Bombed (Out of My Mind), with the B-side Rocker featuring Michael Monroe, and Is It Still Alright to Smile?, with the B-side Babylon featuring Ginger of the Wildhearts and Nicke Andersson.

In 1998, the band tours the United Kingdom supporting Alice Cooper. Dregen, Ginger and Nicke Andersson also form the side project Supershit 666, which releases a six-track EP in 1999 before Dregen returns to Backyard Babies.

Making Enemies Is Good follows, with singles including The Clash and Brand New Hate, the latter co-written with Ginger. The band tours with Motörhead. After Dregen is assaulted and injured in 2002, the group continues recording and releases Stockholm Syndrome in 2003. The album wins a Swedish Grammy and includes the singles Minus Celsius, A Song for the Outcast and Friends.

The band tours the United States and Europe in 2005 and releases People Like People Like People Like Us in 2006, produced by Nicke Andersson. Singles from the album include The Mess Age (How Could I Be So Wrong) and Dysfunctional Professional. Their self-titled album follows in 2008, with singles Fuck Off and Die and Degenerated, and reaches number 1 on the Swedish albums chart. The compilation Them XX appears in 2009 to mark the band’s 20th anniversary.

The group reconvenes in 2014. Four by Four follows in 2015 and reaches number 2 on the Swedish albums chart. The band performs at the Hard Rock Hell Sleaze festival in Sheffield, England, in September 2018. Their eighth studio album, Sliver & Gold, is released in 2019.

Style and recognition

Backyard Babies are associated with the spread of sleaze rock in Scandinavia and Sweden. Their work spans hard rock, punk rock, alternative rock, glam punk and glam rock. The band wins two Swedish Grammy Awards. Their song Minus Celsius appears as a playable bonus track in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, while Degenerated is available as a downloadable song in Guitar Hero World Tour.