Being an American of Swedish ancestry, I have long taken pride in the NOMADS' ability to leave all competition at the starting line ­ and their past accomplishments speak for themselves. However, their latest ­ "Big Sound 2000" is certainly up to take the test of time!

This album is much like drummer Joakim Ericson's cherry mint 1970 Dodge Super Bee ­ fast, mean, and one wicked ride indeed ­ so ya wouldn't think that a band going on almost 20 years together could produce such a vital slab, now would ya? But then again, most bands ainıt the NOMADS, are they? Joakim should win a special trophy for his work here ­ from the opening salvo of "Don't Pull My Strings" to the closer "Another Man's Cross" this is prime NOMADS all the way baby! Check out their cover of "Ainıt Dead Yet" ­ an unrecorded tune by 80's Scottish garage band THE SINISTER URGE which sounds like it was tailor made for the Swedes! Singer/guitarist Nick Vahlberg tells me that he found the tune "Screaming" on an early 80's single by the obscure American band LEOPARD SOCIETY ­ "I guess it was meant as a CRAMPS rip-off, but I immediately thought it sounded like a NOMADS song." Yep, Nick ­ youıre right, it does.

Part of the band's strength can be attributed to the fact that all four members are solid songwriters ­ Nick credits bassist Bjorne Froberg in particular as being the source of many of the original ideas for "Big Sound 2000" ­ once a song idea is brought to practice, it becomes a group effort with each member fine tuning their part until the song is completed and ready to record.

Perhaps some of the raw spontaneity of the sound and style of the band is because (like all good bands) the NOMADS won't usually practice until ready to tour or record? Then again, when ya got Hans Ostlund on lead guitar then things simply ain't gonna be all smooth and mellow, no sir! I was seriously fortunate to have recently caught 'em in smaller venues such as the Showbox in Seattle as well as the good ol' 3B at G-Shock 'cuz last month they played for over 15,000 people at Denmark's Roskilde Festival! (Speaking of which ­ their set at this year's Shock had to be one of the best of this year, without a doubt) After many years of road dog tours, the band may play in their hometown of Stockholm only 5 or 6 times a year and touring outside of Sweden is becoming more infrequent due to jobs, families, and home life ­ so it goes without saying that is the NOMADS should happen to be playing anywhere within, say, a ten hour drive from where ya live. Well ya better git to it! Even Crider sez theyıre his favorite band EVER, no questions asked.

Good golly, the recent NOMADS/HELLACOPTERS/QUADRAJETS tour of the US just HAD to have been the rock lineup of the year ­ Nick recalls a night in particular at the Cowboy Bar in Missoula, Montana: "The 'Jets were finishing their set with most of them hanging by their knees from the ceiling while most of the Nomads and 'Copters were trying to finish the last of their song." Having witnessed but two shows from that tour, I can well imagine the craziness!

So, what will the future bring us from the NOMADS? Nick sez "We're really grateful for al the help that Dave's given us over the last couple of years." He adds "Working with Estrus is like a dream compared to any other label, as they actually get things done when they say they will ­ which is truly rare in this business!" And with standing offers to record at places such as Austinıs Sweatbox, Chicago's Uberstudio, and the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis, it looks as if the finest rock&roll band ever to hail from Stockholm just ain't gonna stop ­ 'cuz they ain't dead yet!