Hi Bjorn, would you care to introduce yourself and the current line up of Baltimoore to the readers of hardrockhouse.com? 

Hello, My name is Björn Lodin and I’m the singer and founder of the band Baltimoore. The current line up, besides myself is: Hempo Hildén – drums, Thomas Larsson – guitar, Mankan Sedenberg – guitar and Weine Johansson – bass. 

Bjorn Lodin

Who are your personal heroes and influences? 

Frank Zappa and Led Zeppelin are both major influences, I’m not sure they are the first artists you think of when you listen to our stuff, though.  

Balitmoore was not your first band, could you give us some Idea of your history before Baltimoore? 

I was in different bands before Baltimoore. I started playing music when I was around 12.  

How did the formation of Baltimoore come about? 

I got a recording contract as a solo artist in 1987, and called the project Baltimoore, instead of Björn Lodin. It’s not my stage name, just a name for the “thing”… 

Were did the band get the name Baltimoore from? 

Out of a beer glass, probably. I don’t remember. 

  

How would you describe Baltimoore sound to people you‘ve not heard of the band? 

I don’t. I try to get them to listen and decide for themselves. What do you think? 

I compared you voice to a blend of Phil Mogg and Steve Augeri in my recent review, who do feel you sound like and do you agree with my comments ? 

I must admit I haven’t been listening to them at all. All I know from UFO is “Doctor, Doctor” and I’ve never heard of Steve Augeri. I’m not much of a music listener and hardly have any records or CD’s. My favourite singers are Brian Connolly, Bon Scott, Ian Gillan and Robert Plant. 

In the early years of the band Nikolo Kotzev was member why did he leave the band?

We simply didn’t have anything left to do. Our ideas went separate ways. 

Why did the band call it a day in 1994? 

After Nik and I split, I took time off to get some personal shit together and also worked on songs for Original Sin. 

What caused the band to reform in 2000? 

There was a new album ready. That it took 6 years wasn’t intentionally. 

How did you team up with Hempo Hilden and Thomas Larsson?(

I knew both Thomas and Hempo before I started Baltimoore. Thomas and I was in a band together 82-84, called Six Feet Under, and Hempo and I had played in a few different constellations. Sweden’s a small place! Since this isn’t a band in a conventional way, there hasn’t been any steady members, I’ve asked people to participate when there’s been something going on. They all have their own agenda. 

Which of the ten studio albums by Balitmoore is your favourite and why ? 

Original Sin is more of a solo album then the others, and also the most original one, I think. I like it because it has guts. The last 3 albums show energy and determination, which I also like. Ultimate Tribute, is pure fun – who doesn’t want to have fun… Wellaway is my favourite song. 

The band has produced six albums in six years how do you mange to :- A write so much material and B keep the standards high? 

A: Well, we’ve had a lot of stuff boiling and we decided to cook a meal of it. We’ve still got the dessert to do… 

B: Thanks! We try to do the best we can. 

How would you say that the bands sound has changed and evolved over the years ? 

Right now we’re on tour and we change from day to day. We don’t follow a certain recipe; we want to try different things. Of course one is influenced by certain trends and stuff, but I think we tend to look backwards rather than being contemporary. I think we sound great today! 

I see the bands next album is due early next year (2007), can you give us any details ? Title, release date line up changes etc ? 

April 15. I’m talking to the guys right now about it and they’re checking their schedules. Hopefully there’ll be babysitters available! 

And finally, the standard HardRockHouse question, is there anything further you would like to mention that we haven't covered so far?

  I would like to wish everyone happy holidays - and while you are laying on the couch, give our cd’s a spin!