Alien (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Alien


Img_capt =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Gothenburg, Sweden
Genre = Progressive rock Melodic rock
Years_active = 1987 – present
Alias =
Label = Virgin Records Frontiers Records
Associated_acts = Madison
Current_members = Daniel Zangger Borch Tony Borg Conny Payne Richard Andre Staffan Scharin
Past_members = Jim Jidhed (1987-90) Jimmy Wandroph (1987-1990) Toby Tarrach (1987-90) Ken Sandin (1987-93) Peter Sandburg (1990-93) Bert Andersson (1990-93) Imre Duan (1990-93) Stefan Ridderstrale (1993-95)

Alien is a Swedish progressive rock band formed in Gothenburg in 1987 by guitarist Tony Borg and vocalist Jim Jidhed. They are best known today for their single Only One Woman, a cover of a Marbles song, and Brave New Love, which was featured in the 1988 movie The Blob.

Early success (1987-90)

Borg and Jidhed's original lineup included Ken Sandin on bass guitar, Jimmy Wandroph on keyboards, and Toby Tarrach on drums. This group released the single "Only One Woman" in 1988, a cover of a song written by the Bee Gees and first recorded by The Marbles in 1968. The Alien cover reached #1 in Sweden and remained there for six weeks. [ [http://www.rockdetector.com/officialbio,308.sm] ]

Later in 1988, Alien released their first, eponymous album, including "Only One Woman" as well as Brave New Love and Tears Don't Put Out the Fire, which was released as a single later that year. In 1989, the band released a second album, again titled Alien (1989 album)|Alien. This album included nine out of the twelve tracks released in the 1988 album. The only new track was "Now Love."

Shiftin' Gear (1990-93)

In 1990, Jidhed left the band to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Peter Sandberg, formerly frontman for the bands Madison and Von Rosen. The band also made other changes, such as replacing Wandroph and Tarrach with Bert Andersson on keyboards and Imre Duan on drums. This was the lineup for the band's release of its third album, "Shiftin' Gear". However, the album was not the success it was predicted to be and another major lineup change occurred. Andersson was replaced by Richard Andre on keyboards and Stefan Ridderstrale replaced Duan on drums. Former Madison bassist Conny Payne also joined Alien in 1993. Finally, lead singer Peter Sandberg departed the band and later pursued a solo career. To replace him, Alien recruited Daniel Zangger Borch.

Band Stability (1993-present)

Alien returned to the studios to record their fourth album, again titled "Alien". Ridderstrale, although performing on tour, did not participate in the recording sessions and Michael Wilkman stood in as drummer. Production was weak and the band lost much of its following. This can also be attributed to the numerous band member changes between 1990 and 1993.

Ridderstrale officially left the band in 1995 and Staffan Scharrin became the drummer, thus completing the band's present lineup. This new formation released the band's fifth album, "Crash" in 1995. This album featured heavier metal songs than previously recorded by Alien.

Since then, Alien recorded three more albums, "Best and Rare" (1997), "Live in Stockholm 1990" (2001) and "Dark Eyes" (2005). Dark Eyes was the first album to feature all new releases.

Notes and references

External Links

* [http://glory.metalkings.ru/bands/a/alien.htm Discography]
* [http://www.rockdetector.com/artist,308.sm Bio at Rockdetector]