The (International) Noise Conspiracy

Biography

The (International) Noise Conspiracy (abbreviated T(I)NC) was a Swedish rock band formed in late 1998. The lineup consisted of Dennis Lyxzén (vocals), Inge Johansson (bass), Lars Strömberg (guitar), and Ludwig Dahlberg (drums). The band was known for its punk and garage rock influences, along with its passionate left-wing political stance. Until 2004, guitarist/organist/keyboardist Sara Almgren was also part of the group. Dennis Lyxzén formed The (I)NC shortly after the breakup of his previous band, Refused. The (I)NC drew on the musical roots of at least four other bands, including Totalt Jävla Mörker (Johansson), Separation (Strömberg), Saidiwas (Dahlberg and Almgren), and Doughnuts (Almgren). In 2007, Inge Johansson also played with the band The Most.
Influenced by a quote from 1960s folk singer Phil Ochs, lead singer Lyxzén stated that the band aimed to blend music and politics into "a cross between Elvis Presley and Che Guevara." Additionally, according to the liner notes of their debut album, The First Conspiracy×The First Conspiracy1 May 1999 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1The First Conspiracy1:152Abolish Work2:413A New Language2:334Do U Know My Name2:115T.I.M.E.B.O.M.B3:376The Sin Crusade2:037The Blast Off1:418Young Pretenders Army2:129I Swear If U Do2:2010Airports1:5711Introduction To…2:3212The Black Mask2:26, the band sought to challenge music's role as a Spectacle—a concept derived from Guy Debord's work, The Society of the Spectacle.

First recordings

In 1999, the band recorded their debut album, The First Conspiracy×The First Conspiracy1 May 1999 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1The First Conspiracy1:152Abolish Work2:413A New Language2:334Do U Know My Name2:115T.I.M.E.B.O.M.B3:376The Sin Crusade2:037The Blast Off1:418Young Pretenders Army2:129I Swear If U Do2:2010Airports1:5711Introduction To…2:3212The Black Mask2:26, with G7 Welcoming Committee Records. While not a commercial success, the album gained the band recognition from the punk label Burning Heart Records, which had previously released records by some of the members' earlier bands. In 2000, they released Survival Sickness. Widely regarded as one of the finest examples of situationist-influenced punk rock, Survival Sickness showcased the band's revolutionary ideology with biting lyrics and infectious rhythms. Many of the lyrics were drawn directly from the writings of the Situationist International, particularly Raoul Vaneigem's The Revolution of Everyday Life.
By 2001, the band returned to Burning Heart's studio to record their next album, A New Morning, Changing Weather×A New Morning, Changing Weather15 October 2001 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1A Northwest Passage3:552Up for Sale3:273Bigger Cages, Longer Chains4:214Breakout 20013:435A Body Treatise3:256Born Into a Mess5:217New Empire Blues3:208Capitalism Stole My Virginity3:389Last Century Promise6:1010Dead Language of Love4:2411A New Morning, Changing Weather4:27. With the addition of Almgren's organ playing, The (International) Noise Conspiracy created a sound that extended beyond the boundaries of typical punk music. Incorporating organs, horns, and keys, the band began to develop a reputation for eclectic instrumentation, a characteristic they would continue to refine.

Touring

The band's first tour outside their homeland of Sweden took them to China, where they performed in illegal and hidden rock clubs while Chinese police reportedly waited outside armed with guns and nightsticks. They also toured the United States with My Chemical Romance. The band's lead singer described their music as similar to The Hives but with a political edge, as The (International) Noise Conspiracy incorporates a strong Situationist agenda into some of their work, exemplified by songs like "Capitalism Stole My Virginity×Capitalism Stole My Virginity11 October 2001 · EPSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Capitalism Stole My Virginity3:382Ever Felt Cheated?2:383United by Haircuts4:45."

Later recordings

Between 2002 and 2003, the Up for Sale EP (Sympathy for the Record Industry) and Bigger Cages, Longer Chains×Bigger Cages, Longer Chains25 November 2002 · EPSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1Bigger Cages, Longer Chains3:112Beautiful So Alone4:053Baby Doll5:174Waiting for Salvation3:145A Textbook Example2:376When Words Are Not Working4:31 EP (2003, Burning Heart/Epitaph Records) were recorded. The band's 16 March 2002 performance in Bremen, Germany was recorded and released by Tobby Holzinger (Your Choice Records) as Your Choice Live Series Vol. 25.
In 2004, The (International) Noise Conspiracy collaborated with producer Rick Rubin for their next album. Swedish jazz saxophonist Jonas Kullhammar temporarily joined the band on saxophone and keyboards, co-writing some of the songs. Organists Billy Preston and Benmont Tench also joined the lineup temporarily, as Sara Almgren left to join the Swedish punk band The Vicious (later Masshysteri). Rick Rubin signed the band to his label, American Recordings. The result was the release of Armed Love in 2004. The album's inlay paid tribute to the slogan "¡O Bailan todos, o no baila nadie!" written by the Tupamaros, which translates to "Either Everyone Dances, or No One Dances!" According to the band, this phrase reflects their philosophy and music.
In 2006, The (International) Noise Conspiracy contributed a cover of "Shut Up" to The Monks tribute album Silver Monk Time: A Tribute to The Monks, which was released in October.
By 2007, the band had completed recording a new album. In an interview for Rockstar.tv on 28 August, they announced plans to name the album The Cross of My Calling×The Cross of My Calling17 November 2008 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracksA1Intro2:09A2The Assassination of Myself3:28A3Dustbins of History2:31A4Arm Yourself3:22A5Hiroshima Mon Amour3:31A6Boredom of Safety2:58A7Child of God4:58B1Interlude1:41B2I Am the Dynamite3:38B3Washington Bullets2:27B4Satan Made the Deal3:06B5Storm the Gates of Beverly Hills3:35B6Black September3:07B7The Cross of My Calling8:39, stating it would feature "mystical" lyrics and a more soulful sound. The album was released on 17 November 2008 in Europe and 25 November in America. The fourteen-track album was produced by Rick Rubin and released through Burning Heart, American, and Vagrant Records.

Members

Sara Almgren – rhythm guitar, keyboards, organ (1998–2004)
Ludwig Dahlberg – drums, percussion (1998–2009)
Inge Johansson – bass, backing vocals (1998–2009)
Dennis Lyxzén – lead vocals, tambourine, harmonica (1998–2009)
Lars Strömberg – guitars, backing vocals (1998–2009)

Studio albums

The First Conspiracy (1999, G7 Welcoming Committee Records)
Survival Sickness (2000, Burning Heart/Epitaph)
A New Morning, Changing Weather (2001, Burning Heart/Epitaph)
Armed Love (2004, Burning Heart/American Recordings)
The Cross of My Calling (2008, Burning Heart/Vagrant/American Recordings)

Live albums

Your Choice Live Series 025 (2002, Your Choice Records)
Live at Oslo Jazz Festival (2003, Moserobie Music Production)
(Live EP) (2005, American Recordings)

EPs and singles

The First Conspiracy 7" (1999, Premonition Records)
Abolish Work 7" (1999, The Black Mask Collective)
T.I.M.E.B.O.M.B. 7" (1999, Carcrash Records)
The Subversive Sound of the Conspiracy 7" (1999, Trans Solar Records)
Smash It Up EP (2000, Big Wheel Recreation)
The Reproduction of Death EP (2001, Sub Pop Records)
Capitalism Stole My Virginity EP (2001, G7 Welcoming Committee Records)
Up For Sale EP (2002, Sympathy for the Record Industry)
Bigger Cages, Longer Chains EP (2003, Burning Heart Records/Epitaph Records)
Black Mask EP (2004, Burning Heart Records) (#92 UK)
A Small Demand EP (2004, Burning Heart Records)

Compilations and other appearances

The First Conspiracy (1999, G7 Welcoming Committee)
Separation / T(I)NC (1999 split with Separation, The Black Mask Collective, Busted Heads Records)
Take Penacilin Now (2005 compilation, G7 Welcoming Committee Records)
Rock Against Bush Vol. 2 (2004 compilation, Fat Wreck Chords)
Silver Monk Time: A Tribute to the Monks (2006 compilation, Play Loud!)
Punk-o-Rama (vol. 7) (2001)