Taste Of Blues was formed in 1967, in Malmö, Sweden, by Claes Ericsson (organ and violin), Anders Stridsberg (vocals), Rolf Fredenberg (guitar), Robert Möller (bass) and Patrick Erixson (drums). In 1969 after American vocalist Don Washington replaced Anders Stridsberg, the band recorded their only album ‘Schizofrenia’. Taste of Blues dissolved shortly after, and Ericsson along with Erixson formed progressive rock band Asoka.

“We got high on the music.”

Where and when did you grow up? Was music a big part of your family life?

Rolf Fredenberg: I grew up in a small town in Västergötland county, further up in Sweden, but at the age of ten, in 1960, my family moved to Malmö – very south. I have two years older brother.
We all loved all kinds of music even if my parents didn’t play instruments at home. A lot of records were bought and we had a good record player cabinet.

When did you begin playing music? What was your first instrument? Who were your major influences?

My first music influence was my grandmother in Stockholm who was a teacher of German, but also a piano teacher and had played the piano in silent movie theaters. I always jumped to the piano when we were visiting. Second influence was one my brother’s friend who could play the guitar and was very popular, especially amongst girls. So being around 11 years old in 1961, it was one of my goals to learn that myself. Then of course came the pop era with The Beatles and others. Everybody was forming bands and it happened that I was given the lead guitar according to my wish. My first electric guitar was a cheap flat red Kent. Parallelly to this I had this fascination for film music and bought a lot of records with score theme music. No wonder as I was also an avid home movie maker, double 8 mm and then super 8 mm. This started in 1963 when my father let me take over the filming more and more.

Were you in any other bands before forming Taste Of Blues?

I was in several local groups before Taste of Blues, and we played mostly in youth clubs around the county of Skåne. You probably know how it was in the mid sixties. Prior to Taste of Blues it was a group called The Decibels, five teenagers; two guitars, bass, drums and a separate lead singer.

Can you elaborate on the formation of the Taste Of Blues?

I don’t remember why The Decibels “dissolved” but the bass player and I wanted to form a new group. It happened in the Autumn of 1967. We had a huge rehearsing place in the center of Malmö. It was almost for free as the building was going to be torn down. We officially searched for new musicians through the papers and had auditions. When players were added and it all went towards being a blues band, the bass player quit. After another bass player, Robert, was added, we had Taste Of Blues. However, the lead singer then was very competent Anders Stridsberg. First gig appearance, December 11th 1967. Anders left for studies in September 1968 but only weeks later we had Don Washington who actually lived in Malmö. Of course we played blues, but a bit of soul was also added.

“Long improvised solos were more for the hippie psychedelic inspired audience.”

What sort of venues did you play early on? Where were they located?

We were more of a performing band, playing for people who listened. We were not a “dance band”, even if people could dance to some soul/beat numbers. And of course long improvised solos were more for the hippie psychedelic inspired audience. We played in clubs, college venues and concert places around Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Once in Finland too. Places in Denmark wanted us often and I guess they were the right audience. It could be radically different like in April of 1969, when we were opening for Fleetwood Mac at Gothenburg’s Concert Hall and then travelled on to appear and play for inmates in prisons.

What can you tell me about SSR label? How many copies were originally pressed?

It was a new established studio in Malmö. They offered us to be the first band to record there an album in stereo. The recordings are from November 1968. Earlier, musicians and groups had to go to Stockholm or Gothenburg. I don’t know how many were pressed; 500 or 1000?

What influenced the band’s sound? How would you describe your sound?

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Sam Cooke and others. It’s hard to describe our sound. We were experimenting and improvising with a “feeling”.

What’s the story behind ‘Schizofrenia’? Where did you record it? What kind of equipment did you use and who was the producer? How many hours did you spend in the studio?

‘Schizofrenia’ was our own composition that we used to play at shows. Live, it was even much longer than on the record. I guess it was named ‘Schizofrenia’ because of the three parts. One in major, one in minor and one when all hell breaks loose – a bit like Bolero.

Would you share your insight on the albums’ tracks?

The tracks were chosen out of our repertoire to be “sellable”. Nothing too odd (except ‘Schizofrenia’) and mostly our own. Solos were not really planned, but rather unique for that recording…

‘A Touch Of Sunshine’
Don wrote the lyrics and I think he came up with it when we were doing the recordings in the studio. Claes laid out the music in the style of the traditional 12 bar blues in minor.

‘On The Road To Nidaros’
Composed in the bus on the way to Trondheim in Norway. Nidaros is old name from the Viking Age.

‘Another Kinda Love’
Tribute to John Mayall.

‘Another Mans Mind’
A bit scary devilish song, especially Don’s lyrics. Again in minor.

‘What Kind Of Love Is That’
A more up beat blues in major that you can dance to. The one that used to be chosen to be played at discos and radio. Don’s lyrics again.

‘Schizofrenia’
Long improvisation.

Was there a certain concept behind it?

We wanted to be out there with music that people could play on their record players even if we were not a “commercial” group. The days long before Spotify etc.

“Frank Zappa used my guitar”

What about gigs? What are some bands that you shared stages with? Any crazy stories from the gigs?

When we were in Stockholm there was a club called Gyllene Cirkeln. They almost always booked us. It was one of the jet set clubs with celebrities coming in late at night, including groups after their performances. That’s where and why we befriended Jefferson Airplane, but also met The Mothers of Invention. Of course there were jam sessions late at night. Frank Zappa used my guitar and I think Robert, our bass player jammed with other Swedish groups that you probably don’t know of – or at least Peps Persson, from another blues group.

Were you inspired by psychoactive substances like LSD at the time of writing the album?

Actually no! We got high on the music. I have never smoked so I couldn’t cope with marijuana (but probably inhaled as it was pretty common) and as far as I know, none of the others ever took drugs like LSD. We even went to the papers to protest being taken for drug users. But we drank alcohol especially after gig. We asked Don not to smoke… his singing was pretty lame when he smoked. Better he had some shots because then he was more “aggressive”. Then people like Jefferson Airplane offered cocaine without insisting at all. They were often high on it but I don’t know who in our group tried it – probably Robert and Don. Last big gig for Taste Of Blues was as a house band at the jet set club Alexandras in Stockholm. A place where the crown prince of Sweden (now still a king) had as his favourite place – disco and live bands. There is a big photo from that event in the record slip. Anyway there we were also offered amphetamine in drinks. Got extra and saved some too. Made it easy to lose weight and I was not at all big. So ridiculous when I look back.

The footage with Jefferson Airplane is amazing!

I digitalized it from a super 8 mm movie. I have more footage still not digitalized. I guess they just connected with us as a rock/blues/psychedelic group when we met in this in place in Stockholm. They even invited us to their hotel. We had special passes for their concerts in Stockholm.

What happened next?

After that summer tour to Stockholm and some other places in 1968, we decided to change the singer. Don Washington joined in September. Then we went on pretty well.

What occupied your life after?

I felt I needed to finish my last year of Swedish gymnasium. Typically I was much more successful then, at school, compared to before as I now had done my own choice with ambition and goal.
After graduation I didn’t know, but after eight months of travelling around Europe and Israel with a friend (before the rail cards) it evolved into going in for a teacher training where I could use my creative pleasure and skills, which also included writing, speaking (leading), history and sport in addition to my music and art (including photo and film).

Looking back, what was the highlight of your time in the band? Which songs are you most proud of? Where and when was your most memorable gig?

The best experiences were probably in Stockholm where we were popular and well known. I don’t have a favorite except any blues, or soul, with a lot of feeling, solo and improvisations. One got high on that as I also mentioned before.

Is there any unreleased material by Taste of Blues?

I have a poor recording of a song we did early on with Anders Stridsberg, recorded on a reel-to-reel recorder. I wish it was as easy as it is now. I also think I have one or two photos, not published plus a lot of newspaper clipping of course.

The latest reissue of your album is very well done.

Yes, and it was a coincident when our contact Tobias Petterson asked if there area any new photos except the ones I had already let him copy and so I told him about the YouTube film I have posted. It was a cool idea to include screenshots from that into the envelope.

Thank you for taking your time. Last word is yours.

It was a long time since I had to answer questions about Taste Of Blues so I had to go into my scrapbook for research and dates. Thank you! Rolf Fredenberg

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