Interview GRAND DESIGN by mail with guitarist Peter Ledin

 

Valérie : Hello ! My name is Valérie. Can you please in few words introduce us the band?

Peter Ledin : Grand Design is the band that takes that great 80’s rock sound into the future. The band is Pelle Saether – vocals, Peter Ledin (me) – lead guitars and backing vocals, Richard Holmgren (also plays in Wolf) – drums and backing vocals, Anders Modd – bass (also plays in Wolf) and Dennis Vestman – guitars.

 

Valérie : Can you speak to us about the working atmosphere for this album?

Peter Ledin : It all started as a project in Pelle’s creative mind in 2005. He wrote some songs that he wanted to record. He contacted Richard who he knew was a great drummer. Richard suggested that I, Peter could be perfect for the guitars, and I just loved recording these wonderful songs with Pelle. We were so happy with the result that we decided to make it a real band. In spring 2009 we had found Dennis and Anders, great guys and great musicians !!! We finished the recordings and here we are !

 

Valérie : In the listening of your album (excellent album!!), the influence DEF LEPPARD is felt, I know it is not original what I say... But what are your musical influences?

Peter Ledin : Thank you very much, Valérie! Of course Def Leppard was a major influence. We think they were the best sound band in the 80’s and we really wanted to recreate that wonderful sound we love ! This album was first and foremost to make an album we wanted to listen to. But we all looove 80’s rock so other bands that influence us are for example Scorpions, TNT, Ratt.

 

Valérie : If you had to choose just one song from your new album to talk about your album, which would be and why?

Peter Ledin : Right now my favorite is Piece of the action because it has it all ! But I think Air It Out describes our music best. It’s a true 80’s rock anthem !

 

Valérie : Since I listen Hard Rock, for me, Sweden is the country which "provides" the best bands. So a question comes to mind... In Sweden, have you a magical powers or a gift in particular with the music? :-)

Peter Ledin : Maybe it’s because of the long and cold winters ? We don’t have many other things to do during this dark period exept ROCK !

 

Valérie : What bands gave you the desire to be a musician?

Peter Ledin : KISS ! I first heard Kiss when I was six and I thought it was the coolest sound I’ve ever heard. And when I saw the cover of Destroyer, I was sold. Since then, my passion for rock’n’roll and electric guitars have only become bigger !

 

Valérie : What are your favourite bands?

Peter Ledin : Right now I listen to a lot of AOR bands and 80’s hard rock bands like Dokken, Journey, TNT, House of lords etc. I don’t really have favourite bands. It varies from day to day.

 

Valérie : Will you make a tour?

Peter Ledin : We hope so !!! Nothing is booked yet, but we had our first gig last Saturday and it was a blast ! It was great to play the songs live, the band worked really good together and the crowd went mad ! So now we really want to play more. Maybe you can book some gigs for us in your country ???

 

Valérie : If I name you others Swedish bands, can you tell me what you think about all this bands ? Then, at random let us begin by...

Peter Ledin :

EUROPE ? – I loooved Europe in the 80’s. They were huge in Sweden and made really good songs and put Swedish melodic rock on the world map. Their last album is quite good and went straight in to the top of the charts here in Sweden. I hope they will do just as good in the rest of the world.

BAI BANG ? - I have never listened to Bai Bang. But I know they’re doing pretty well. A lot of gigs I guess ?

H.E.A.T ?- Great band !!! It’s so good to see that young guys have inherited the music from the 80’s. Great songs, great musicians ! I wish them all the best !

BACKYARD BABIES?- A little bit to sleazy for my taste, but it’s great that they keep on doing their thing and Dregen is the only true swedish rock star !

HAMMERFALL?- Have never appealed to me. I don’t like that Helloween wannabe, dragon slaying hard rock.

THE POODLES ?- Great musicians, but it’s a little hard to take a band called The Poodles seriously.

 

Valérie : What do you think of the return of the famous bands of 80 years as EUROPE, WHITE LION or MOTLEY CRUE?

Peter Ledin : I really like that the music is getting popular again, but none of these bands have managed to produce albums as good as they did in the 80’s. I don’t know why ? Maybe they’re old and tired ?

 

Valérie : How do you compose your songs? The idea comes first the lyrics or music?

Peter Ledin : First music and a melody, then lyrics. The melodies are the most important thing. We want to make songs that you remember and if we’re not happy with the melodies the song goes straight in to the trash can ! We hate « fillers ». All songs have to be great !

 

Valérie : What was your reaction the first time you heard a song of your band on the radio?

Peter Ledin : I wondered what great band it was on the radio, because I thought it sounded sooo good. Then when I realized it was us I felt very proud !

Valérie : I leave you the last word, if you have something to add, don't hesitate!

Peter Ledin : I just want to thank all of you rockers out there who likes our cd and have supported us. I’d love to see you all on tour so we can rock your asses !!!

Valérie : Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions!

Peter Ledin : Thanks a lot to you, Valérie ! Hope I’ll mett you someday. If you come to one of our shows, let us know and I’ll make sure you get a backstage pass !!!

Valérie