Having just released their killer second album, Knock You Down, the Stockholm, Sweden based Dynazty have a collection of storming melodic hard rock songs that are set to propel the band amongst the leaders of the Swedish contingent of rock bands dominating the hard rock scene worldwide such as Crashdiet, H.E.A.T and Crazy Lixx. Having formed in 2007 and with relentless touring under their belts on the back of their debut album Bring The Thunder, Knock You Down sees the band well and truly answering their true musical calling.
Rob Love Magnusson kindly answered our questions to give a great insight into what Dynazty is all about!
Let’s start with the basics first, in your own words, how would you describe the music of Dynazty?
I would describe it as thunderous, melodic hardrock. Heavy metal combined with anthemic choruses that really makes you wanna grab a beer!
Can you introduce each member of the band and give us a rock ‘n’ roll fact or myth about each?
Nils Molin, our singer, has such vocal power that he doesn’t have to use a microphone live. He just has one for the visuals, but it’s never plugged in.
George Egg, our drummer, is actually named Egg because he was born as an egg. For 20 years the egg just grew and grew, and you could hear smashes and strokes from inside this egg. The very same day Dynazty was born, this egg cracked and George came out and ruled the drumchair.
Rob Love Magnusson, guitars, plays so loud that he actually has been sued and had to go to court for this. True story.
Joey Fox, our bass player, has had more beers than there are people on this planet.
You have twenty seconds in an elevator to try and convince someone to listen to your new CD ‘Knock You Down’, without resorting to threats or violence, what do you tell them?
I would tell them to listen to Knock You Down because it’s the hardest rocking album this decade! Great songs and great musicianship without overdoing it! The album is very well produced and really lives up to it’s name and the fact that if you listen to Dynazty, you’ll get laid more often! 🙂
Earlier this year you recorded your new album in Los Angeles, aside from escaping the Swedish winter for a few weeks…how was that whole experience of recording in Los Angeles and playing a show at the Roxy?
The whole trip was awesome! None of us had been to California before, and I must say that I prefer their winter before the Swedish winter :). We worked really hard recording the album for about three weeks, still we found time to explore Hollywood at night. The show at the Roxy was great, and we where really exited to play at such a legendary place. We really enjoyed the Sunset Strip and had lots of wild nights there. We also did a show at the Cat Club. You can find some videos from our time in Hollywood at our website www.Dynazty.com
You released your debut album ‘Bring The Thunder’ in 2009, what do you feel have been some of the biggest changes in the band between your first album release in 2009 and in 2011 having now released Knock You Down?
When we recorded our first album, we had only been a band for about six months. We really wanted to have an album out asap, so we booked the Polar Studio in Stockholm before we had all of the songs for the album done. We all wanted things to move on, and to have an album out was the first step.
This time we had more time writing songs, we had all grown as songwriters and musicians and we’re more aware of the making of an album. While recording Knock You Down, we all knew what we wanted to sound like. While recording Bring The Thunder, we didn’t have the same clear view of how we wanted to sound.
Now, I think Dynazty sounds more like a unit. We’ve gone heavier and really found our style.
In terms of your songwriting what do you consider to be the most important ingredients that need to feature in a Dynazty song?
A heavy riff, a nice groove, a great chorus, lot’s of hard rocking vocals and a smashing guitar solo!
What or who inspires and influences your music the most, in both a lyrical and musical sense?
Very hard to say. We all listen a lot to bands like Whitesnake, Dio, Van Halen. But at the same time we listen to all kinds of music and bands, not necessarily hard rock all the time. Of course, life itself has a major input in our music and our lyrics.
As a bonus track to ‘Knock You Down’ you have recorded a rockin’ cover of the Edwyn Collins song, “A Girl Like You”, what inspired the choice of this song as a cover?
Actually, It was the President of our label that asked us if we wanted to do a cover of that song. We all knew that song from before. So we recorded it, and think It’s pretty cool!
Chris Laney, who’s work I am very familiar with over the years, mixed your new album and I know you have played with Chris in Zan Clan and in his own band…what is it that you think makes Chris so talented, without giving away all his secrets of course haha!
Chris is truly gifted. He really has ears for music, and he never runs dry of ideas. And he really does anything, and I mean anything to make the result as good as it can.
When I was in Stockholm in June 2011, I finally got my chance to see The Poodles perform, as one of the premiere rock bands in Sweden, how has it been to go out on tour with them on numerous occasions? Have they passed on any words of wisdom upon you guys, such as tips for trying to win the Melodifestivalen?
To go on tour with The Poodles has been great! We had a lot of fun together with them. I think they are a great band, and such nice persons, so hopefully we’ll tour together with them soon again.
Having gone through the process of writing, recording and releasing 2 albums, as well as playing a bunch of live shows, I have to ask, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being in Dynazty?
The most rewarding aspect as I see it, is to play the music that I love, with the best of friends in front of an audience that appreciates us and what we are doing.
What touring plans do you have during 2011, are the USA and UK in your sights?
We are doing six dates in the UK in October together with Electric Boys. Also we are planning a European tour. We don’t have any more dates in the USA this year, but we hope that something shows up!
As far as Rob Love Magnusson is concerned, who have been some of the biggest influences on you as both a guitar player and getting into rock music?
My biggest influence is Yngwie Malmsteen. I discovered him when I was 8 years old. He is one of the reasons I started playing guitar and got me into rock. I listened a lot to him during my childhood and still do. Otherwise I listen a lot to guitarists like Zakk Wylde, John Norum, Kee Marcello and Gary Moore.
With 2011 half way through, here’s a chance to gaze into your crystal ball. By the end of 2011, Dynazty will have:
1.Toured Europe and UK
2. Written a third album
3. Been drinking several cases of beer
Essential Information
From: Sweden
Band Members: Nils Molin – Vocals, Rob Love Magnusson – Guitar, Joel Fox Apelgren – Bass, George Egg – Drums, (Live) Mano Lewys – Guitar
Website: www.dynazty.com
Latest Release: Knock You Down – Out Now! (Playground Music)
