Band page - Frederiksen/Denander

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Band Profile

What is your name and your current position in the band?

- Tommy Denander and i wear many hats haha...guitarist, keyboardist, writer, engineer and producer...oh and i played the bass haha...

Tell us about the history of the band. More specifically, when was the band formed, how did you meet, and have there been any particular highlights or low points in your career, any crucial events that have taken you where you are today?

- Well...it's not a band since it's just me and Fergie but we've known each other for close to 10 years now and he is one of the best friends i've got plus an amazing singer.
We met when he was doing a show in Sweden in the late 90's and a mutual friend hooked us up, he sang a couple of songs on my first Radioactive album and we just became friends right away and kept working on various albums.
The high points are easy cause it's every day of creating music and hanging together...the low points are few but Fergie had to go through some serious Hep C treatments that took a long time and was no picknick for him...the great thing is that he came out better and stronger in every way after it.

Was there ever a time when you wondered if your band would remain just a local outfit and never make it in the industry?

- Yes i thought we were forever doomed to play covers in small local bars here in Sweden hahahaha.....eh....no i think we felt pretty safe!

What is your latest album and why should people buy it?

- it's our first album and it's called Baptism By Fire but not the last i hope.
Any serious fan of really good AOR knows our names and know that we bring quality to the table...we don't waste our or your time so people should feel safe about spending money of getting this album.

How would you categorize the style of the band? And did you ever consider or try playing other styles of music than the one(s) you are playing now?

- We play pure rock to the bone 80's melodic rock and it's the only sound we will touch under this name.

Can you share with us one or two of your favourite moments with the band?

- For me personally it's the whole thrill of getting to do an album with one of my biggest favorite singers, Fergie sang on one of my all time favorite TOTO albums called Isolation...it's one of my all time AOR albums period!!!....it came out in 1984 when i was 16 years old and i can't count the hours the LP was spinning in my room so sitting here today and having done this album i feel very proud.
It's been a true journey to do this album during the 3 years it took and i've loved every second.

How is the writing process in the band?

- I come up with the music and sometimes melody ideas and then Fergie will refine or write the melodies plus lyrics with great friends like Jim Peterik, Ricky Phillips or Pamela McNeill.

What brought you on the path to becoming a musician? Did you ever consider or take any other paths through life besides music?

- I started to play when i was 5 years old and i knew from day one i HAD to do this...it's not something i wanted to do...it was something i had to do....luckily i was good at it and turned into a good living.

Do you have any idols? If yes, who?

- I don't have idols anymore but a huge list of people i truly admire like Toto, David Foster, Michael Landau, Steve Perry, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Stevens, Dann Huff and many more.

Do you have any regrets looking back at your career? For example any songs or even full albums that you regret recording? If so, what made you regret it?

- I have worked on more than 1100 albums in 25 years and eventhough there are many i could do without i don't regret a single one cause you learn from everything you do and without them all i wouldn't be here today.

Are there particular songs in your catalogue that the fans love but you're not particular fond of yourself?

- Honestly no cause i don't put songs on albums i don't believe in myself....

How important do you rate the lyrical side of your albums?

- I love great lyrics but i hardly ever write them myself, i leave that to very talented friends like Marjorie Maye, Björn Lindbom etc but i am more of a music and melody guy.

What do you think about the state of the music industry today?

- I'm old enough to miss the years when music was magic...i mean really magic....these days it's something you find on the net for free and download even before the official release is out and it's become a simple soundtrack to our stressed out daily lives and i hate that....people don't taste music like a fine wine as much as we used to do and the music suffers A LOT from it....what happen to quality?...when did quality and being able to play and sing become such bad words....

What do you think is the best way to fight music piracy?

- You can't fight it so don't!!!....face the fact and change the business instead of fighting it.
Downloading and copying is here to stay so record labels and artists have to make money from other sides of this biz than the record sales....it's good and bad.

Do you have a life philosophy? If yes, what is it?

- Life is too short and i don't wanna die curious....so i make my dreams come true!

Can you describe a typical day in your life?

- Wake up about 7:30 and make breakfast for the kids and then take them to school, then i go to the studio and work 8-10 hours before i head home.
I normally work on 2-3 albums a day these days so it's crazy but a lot of fun.

What do you like to spend your time with besides music?

- My family plus playing sports like tennis.

What's the craziest thing that has ever happened on a tour?

- A million things happened all the time back then but i stopped touring so long ago i really can't think of anything right now....

You're heading off to live on a deserted island for a couple of years with your portable entertainment system... Which albums, movies or books would you bring? (Max. 3 of each)

- Albums...TOTO "4", Kiss "Destroyer" and Van Halen "1"...
3 big books about KISS cause i collect them and they are very funny to read....
movies...all 3 Lord Of The Rings...

What is your favourite joke?

- The music business hahahaha....kidding......how many guitarists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?....10...1 to screw and 9 to tell him they can do it faster!!!

Can you tell us about any future plans for you and your band?

- We will do a ton of promotion right now and then Fergie will do a solo album that i will do some writing for....after that i hope we do another album together.

Thanks for answering these questions. Now you are free to write a few lines to our readers.

- The AOR fans are so loyal and friendly...nothing we do matters without you...so THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Best
Tommy


Added by Steen - 6/28/2007


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Album Review - Baptism By Fire
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