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What The Beatles are to my mom, The Stones to my dad, Depeche Mode to my brother, The Cure to my sister, Refused are to me. The most pivotal band of my teens, musically and ideologically. The band that showed me that anyone can start a band, make a fanzine, book your own tours, run your own record label or your own venue, influence people everywhere with your politics, your lifestyle and your friggin fashion sense.

I grew up during – what I believe to be one of the most interesting musical eras of all time – during the mid- to late 90s, when hardcore, punk and straight edge culture was huge in little old Sweden. A country with a mere 8 million inhabitants, was the stronghold for one of the worlds biggest and most talked about HC/sXe scenes. And Refused was the most influential band we had. The beacon so many of us turned to for inspiration and advise. It was beautiful.

So it is with great joy that I – this morning on the subway on my way to work – learn about their two reunion shows planned for this summer. Especially cos I never got to see them on their Shape of Punk-tour.

It means the world to me. And many of my kind. Thank you!