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All Music Guide:
The Stockholm-based pop collective the Concretes were formed in 1995 by vocalist Victoria Bergsman, guitarist Maria Eriksson, and drummer Lisa Milberg; over the course of three years, they added guitarist Markus, bassist Martin Hansson, organist Per Nystrom, trumpeter Ulrik Karlsson, and vocalist/harmonica player Malte. Malte and Nystrom were playing in other bands in the Stockholm scene; Eriksson and Bergsman were art school students; and Milberg worked at one of the city's graphic design firms.
The Concretes released their first EP (helpfully named EP #1) in 1998 and followed it, logically, with EP #2 (aka The Lipstick Edition) the following year. In 2000, the Concretes combined these EPs into their full-length debut, Boy, You Better Run Now, in mid-2000 on Up Records. However, shortly after the album's release, Up founder Chris Takino died of leukemia, and the Concretes found themselves without a label.
The Nationalgeographic EP arrived in 2001, but due to difficulties with the Above Ground label, it was nearly impossible to find. Along the way, the Concretes also added guitarist Daniel Varjo and horn player Ludvig Rylander to their fold. They formed their own Licking Fingers imprint, on which they released the Forces single in 2002. Two more singles, You Can't Hurry Love and Warm Night, arrived in 2003 and heralded the release of the band's proper debut, The Concretes. Astralwerks released The Concretes in the U.S. in 2004. A year later, the B-sides and rarities comp Layourbattleaxedown -- which gathered most of the band's output between Boy, You Better Run Now and The Concretes -- arrived.
The band delivered more low-key, sparkling indie pop with 2006's In Colour. The following year, Bergsman left the group to focus on her folky solo project Taken by Trees, but the rest of the band regrouped quickly, with Millberg taking over vocal duties on 2007's Hey Trouble. However, 2010's dance-influenced WYWH was the first Concretes album featuring Millberg on vocals released in the United States.
Wikipedia:
The Concretes are a popular Swedish indie pop band from Stockholm, composed of eight members.
History
The Concretes began with Victoria Bergsman, Maria Eriksson, and Lisa Milberg. Since their formation in 1995, they have grown into an eight piece band. They have a number of "Honorary Concretes" who play on their records.
One of their songs from their debut album The Concretes, "Say Something New", has been featured on a number of television advertisements in the United States for Target. "You Can't Hurry Love", also from their debut album, has been used in major motion pictures and other films. Their second album, In Colour, was released in 2006. It was followed shortly after by the departure of lead singer Victoria Bergsman, who has since moved on to her solo project, Taken By Trees. Lisa Milberg now provides lead vocals for the band, both on stage and on the band's third album Hey Trouble, released early 2007.
In 2007, The Concretes recorded a cover version of Take That's "Back for Good" for Engine Room Recordings' compilation album Guilt by Association, released September 2007.
Maria Eriksson is also half of the band Heikki, with guitarist Jari Haapalainen. They released their self-titled debut, a mini-CD, in Scandinavia in 2002. The follow-up, Heikki 2, appeared in 2004. Lisa Milberg also makes music on her own, under the name Milberg. Her first solo album was released in 2009.
Group members
Current members:
Maria Eriksson – guitar, lead and backup vocalsMartin Hansson – bass, backup vocalsUlrik Janusson – horns, piano, backup vocalsLisa Milberg – drums, lead and backup vocalsDante Kinnunen - drumsPer Nyström – organ, backup vocalsLudvig Rylander – horns, piano and backing vocalsDaniel Värjö – guitar, mandolin, backup vocalsFormer members:
Victoria Bergsman – lead vocals
