Based in Sweden but steeped in American influences,
Svvamp are a power trio whose heavy, blues-based rock, influenced by guitar-based classic rock acts, has won them an international audience, especially among stoner rock fans. Discovered by an American record label after excerpts from one of their concerts were posted online,
Svvamp cut their 2016 debut album in their own practice space, and the band's enthusiastic embrace of vintage sounds clicked with fans and critics. A second album, 2018's Svvamp 2, was more ambitious while still rooted in blues-rock tropes.
Hailing from Jönköping, Sweden,
Svvamp were founded by three friends with a passion for vintage rock and blues of the late '60s and early '70s, citing
Cream,
Thin Lizzy,
Crazy Horse, and
Thin Lizzy as key influences. With Henrik Björklund on guitar, Erik Ståhlgren on bass, and Adam Johansson on drums, the band was originally formed simply for fun, with the trio jamming in a pre-metal heavy style. The group's original ambition was to play shows in Stockholm, and when
Svvamp were booked to appear at two clubs in the city, Undergången and Sweet Leaf, a friend shot highlights of the shows on video. Clips of
Svvamp's performances were posted on social media, and one of the videos was seen by the founders of Riding Easy Records, a California-based stoner rock label responsible for the acclaimed
Brown Acid compilation series. Riding Easy reached out to
Svvamp, and offered the band a recording contract. Using a four-track recording rig,
Svvamp cut their self-titled debut album in their practice space, and it was released by Riding Easy in September 2016. The band earned enthusiastic reviews in the underground heavy rock press, and toured Scandinavia in support.
Svvamp graduated to a six-track recording system when they began work on their second album, and Svvamp 2 arrived in June 2018. ~ Mark Deming