Sha-Boom are one of the legendary bands of Swedish rock. More than two decades after their last studio album, they return with Another Nail In The Coffin and with the intention of taking their music beyond Scandinavia. Why hadn’t this happened before? We talk to their singer, Dag Finn, about the band’s return, their sound and everything that comes next.
David Aresté
M.S: First of all, thank you for talking to us. 20 years have passed since Sha-Boom’s last studio album. What made you decide that the time was finally right to bring the band back?
I feel that now is the right time to do it. Next year I turn 60, so later on I won’t be able to do it anymore. I’m 100%, or even more. I’m very happy with this.
M.S: 100% for you and the other members of the band?
Yes, absolutely. I’m very happy with this and I hope it works out now.
M.S: Another Nail In The Coffin sounds like a celebration of classic melodic rock. How important was it for you to keep the original Sha-Boom sound?
Because I love it. I think Sha-Boom has its own sound. I haven’t listened to any albums after 1992-93. The music I listen to is only music from the 70s and 80s, that kind of music is in my heart. I love commercial rock, stadium rock, like Def Leppard. I like Slade, a glam rock band from the 70s. Everything Kiss did… Yes, of course, many bands.
But I love that kind of music and I don’t listen to any other music. It’s the music I know. That’s why. We call it the Sha-Boom sound. I don’t know if it’s melodic rock or traditional rock. I simply call it the Sha-Boom sound.
M.S: You’ve said that you’re still living in the 80s. Do you think something has been lost in the way music is made today?
I think the 80s are coming back a little now, more than before the pandemic. We have bands in Sweden like Nestor and H.E.A.T. I also wrote some songs for Eclipse, Erik Mårtensson’s band. I like that kind of music. I hope the sound of the 80s comes back, of course. That’s why it’s time for Sha-Boom.
M.S: The title Another Nail In The Coffin sounds very dark, but the album is full of energy and positivity. What is the real meaning behind the title?
No, it’s simply a title. I’m not writing about politics. I’m a party guy. I like fun songs. And the most important thing for me is the melodies, of course. Some words that are good, you know? I’m not particularly focused on lyrics, but the song has to sound good. So it has no political or transcendental meaning. It’s simply a rock and roll song and title.
M.S: «Never Stop» was chosen as the first single. Why did you think it was the perfect song to introduce Sha-Boom’s return?
Exactly for the reason you said. I think in that song you can see the band live and also in the video. The sound is more or less what the album sounds like. So I think «Never Stop» more or less represents how the album sounds. I love that song and I love all the songs. But «Never Stop» is one of my favourites.
M.S: Erik Mårtensson produced the album and played guitars, bass and backing vocals. What did he bring to the project and what was it like working with him?
Yes, I love working with him. I’ve known him since 2001 and I’ve written many songs with him over these 24 years. He’s one of my best friends and he’s one of the best producers in Europe. He’s a good songwriter and also a good guitarist.
M.S: Everyone knows Erik in Sweden, right? (Laughs)
Yes, yes. If you like AOR or melodic rock, or you’re part of that world, you’ve probably worked with Erik. He’s a great guy. (Laughs)
M.S: Linnéa Vikström appears on «One More Drink For The Road» alongside Thomas Vikström. It feels like the album brings together different generations of musicians. Was that something you planned from the beginning?
Thomas does all the backing vocals on the first Sha-Boom albums. I’ve been working with Thomas for almost 40 years. He does the backing vocals on the Sha-Boom album and also on my solo album that came out in 1991.
Linnéa is his daughter and the first time we worked together was on the last Sha-Boom album, 22 years ago. I like her voice. It was perfect to do it that way. Yes. That song with Linnéa is different from the others. It’s good to have her as a duet on the new album.
M.S: Another Nail In The Coffin feels like much more than a nostalgic comeback. Should we see it as the beginning of a new chapter for Sha-Boom?
No, for me nothing has changed. I’m still the same guy. In my mind, I’m still the same guy.
M.S: Sha-Boom are very well known in Sweden, but many fans outside Scandinavia are discovering the band thanks to this new album and the support of Silver Lining Music. Do you think this is the right time for a European tour? Is there any chance of seeing Sha-Boom in Spain? Are there already any plans in the works?
I hope we can go to Europe and play after New Year, at the beginning of next year, and do some festivals next summer. Our agent is working on getting dates in Spain, the UK and France from next year onwards, and we’ll see if we can do festivals in the summer.
M.S: Because I don’t think you have any problems playing outside Scandinavia, right?
No, no.
M.S: So, what is the reason you don’t go out?
Because our old albums weren’t released outside Scandinavia. That was the problem. That’s on my list of things I want to do.
M.S: You’re on the same label as bands like Tyketto and Michael Monroe, both very popular in Spain. If the opportunity came up, would you like to tour with either of them? Which band would you most like to share the stage with?
Yes, that’s true. They are very popular in Spain. Yes, and Europe. Europe are also one of my favourite bands from the 80s. I’ve known all the guys for 40 years.
And Michael Monroe is one of my favourite frontmen. He’s a great frontman in rock and roll. He’s a crazy guy. (Laughs)
M.S: Would you like to tour with them?
Absolutely. I think Michael Monroe and Sha-Boom would be a good combination. And also opening for Europe. It would be a good combination. Yes, of course.
M.S: We had the chance to see you at Sweden Rock Festival. It was a rock and roll party. The band looked like they were enjoying every second. What do you remember most about that show and what did it mean to you to return to such an important festival?
That show was incredible for me. It was one of the happiest days of my life. And as I said, we’re a good live band, with a good attitude. An excellent attitude, I think. So if we come back to Spain and do a festival, we’ll smash it.
M.S: Erik Mårtensson played on the album, but in Sweden we saw a different guitarist on stage. Who was the guitarist who played with Sha-Boom that day? How is the live line-up organised?
Yes, our band is more like Whitesnake, David Coverdale’s band. Sha-Boom is the name of the group and it’s my baby. I’ve had pretty much the same set-up for many years, with the same guys. If we’re playing live, we’re pretty much the same guys.
Sometimes I have to change the drummer or the bass player because they have other jobs or they are live musicians. But I try to use all the guys every time I’m playing, when we do the shows.
M.S: Thanks for your time, Dag, we’ve reached the end. What message would you like to send to the fans who have waited more than 20 years for this return and to those who are discovering Sha-Boom with this album?
I would say that, if you like the first Sha-Boom album, this is the second chapter of the first album, with, in my opinion, better songs. Of course, the sound is much better. And if you like stadium rock or rock and roll music, you’ll love the album. I’m very happy, very proud of the album and I hope people like it. We start the tour on August 27 with Another Nail In The Coffin in Stockholm, Sweden. I hope I can cross all my fingers and come to Spain. It will be absolutely fantastic.
David Aresté