Easy
If Abba had stereotyped Sweden with a boy/girl pop tag since the early '70s, Easy were the most likely fellow countrymen to make the international scene look at the Scandinavian nation in a new light. Formerly known as TV Pop Crisis, Easy was formed in 1990 with Johan Holmlund (b. 13 July 1965, Jonkoping, Sweden; vocals), Tommy Ericson (b. 23 March 1966, Umea, Sweden), Anders Peterson (b. 12 November 1965, Jonkoping, Sweden), Rikard Jormin (b. 2 August 1965, Jonkoping, Sweden) and Tommy Jonsson (b. 15 June 1966, Vastervik, Sweden). Because the band was heavily influenced by the noisier British acts such as the Jesus And Mary Chain, it was a logical move for the quintet to sign to the UK arm of Blast First records. Similarly, Easy relished the opportunity to tour the British mainland and, thanks to support slots with Lush, the Charlatans and House Of Love, the group gouged a small but significant niche in the independent pop market by virtue of their moody guitar growls.