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We Are Not Alone - Alexander Bard talks to The Schlager Systems

Ahead of BWO's performance in Leksand, Sweden for this years Melodifestivalen, we find out the gossip from the man himself.

TSS: How are rehearsals going for the performance on Saturday night?

AB: Very well, but it is a very complex number so there are lots of details to work on.

TSS: Can you describe this year's BWO entry 'You Are Not Alone' for Melodifestivalen?

AB: A dramatic melodic modern electronic gospel ballad.

TSS: Does Marina wear a fabulous frock?

AB: We all wear cosmonaut suites on Saturday.

TSS: We loved 'It's My Life' by Amy Diamond, how did that song come about? Did you have Amy in mind while writing?

AB: Yes, when I write for others, I write what they want me to write. When I write for BWO, I write with my heart. Iäm glad Amy likes her song so much.

TSS: Apart from BWO and Amy, what other favourites do you have from this year's MF?

AB: Alcazar. They're back in full form and made a stunning performance with a catchy electro track.

TSS: We absolutely love Alcazar! Apart from winning MF and Eurovision what else have you planned for this year?

AB: The big priority is the release of our brand new album "Big Science" in April. "You're Not Alone" is only a first taster from the new album. A second single is planned for the summer and a third single is planned for the autumn. This time around we will have a Pan-European release (ncluding the UK) from day 1 of the new record.

TSS: Have you heard the Lloyd Webber penned UK eurovision entry yet? Do you like?

AB: I actually and honestly think the UK track is awful. This is one of the worst and most dated songs ever from Lloyd-Webber. But I really like Greece's entry this year which is very now and very sexy.

TSS: The Schlager Systems will be at the final this year again, any tip on where to party after the final?

AB: I will find out for you if BWO make it to the final again this year.

TSS: Do you have a message for you UK fans?

AB: We love you all!!! And we hope you will like the new sound of the "Big Sceince" album in April.

Thank you Mr Bard and lycka till for tomorrow!

MGP and MF 2009

Well Friday saw another absolute awful instalment from NRK's 'Melodi Grand Prix'. We don't mean to be bitchy but don't you think Per and Maria could have done a couple of weeks of 'Atkins' before appearing on telly? The only decent song this week coming from Alexander Rybak with the fiddle playing in 'Fairytale. We here at the Schlager Systems think it could possibly win for Norway. The only other decent song in the contest is the fantastic 'Find My Girl' by Zuma front man Alexander Stenerud. Compared the last few years Norway's song choices for this year are dire - we know there is much more talent in Norway that what has been put forward for the show.

On Saturday, the whole Schlager world tuned in the the first semi final of Melodifestivalen 2009. Wasn't sure of the Alcazar snippet STV had placed on there website but when we heard Alcazar perform 'Stay the Night' on the night, it blew us away and they deservedly won their place in the live final. Was it just us or does anybody else think that Emilia just couldn't hold a note? Maybe she was too nervous. Marty loved Shirely Clamp, but unfortunately her sore throat ruined the big vocal climax and she missed out altogether! It was so nice for the international jury to decide that Caroline av Ugglas' 'Snälla snälla' was the 'most eurovision sounding song' of the night - YES ONLY IF YOU'R DEAF!!!!!! Anyway here's Andreas, Tess and Lina doing what they do best........

Stay Tuned Lots of Schlager Interviews Coming Your Way!

Well as MF 09 season starts to get into full flow, we here at the Schlager Systems will be bringing you as many interviews as possible. So keep checking back!

Love Marty

It's Agnes Carlsson

The Schlager Systems are back after a lengthy absence due to several personal disasters and difficult circumstances. We are bigger and better with a lot more glitter! Anyway, we quite like Agnes Carlsson, winner of Idol Sweden 2006. This is her new song 'On and On' which is a little bit 'Ace of Base' - which means it's a slice of pure svenska europop - nothing wrong with that! She is a little ray of sunshine through the shite we have to endure through this miserable forthcoming winter.

Our Own Marty Releases Debut Album!

Nothing like a bit of self promotion but Marty from the Schlager Systems has released his first solo album, entitled 'Dark Heart'.... it's not schlager but it is rather good... available from itunes (worldwide), Payplay.fm (worldwide), Amazon.com (USA/Canada only), Bengans.se (Sweden), åhlens city (Sweden) to name but a few. Go buy it and show support lol!

Let It Rain! The Schlager Systems at Europride 2008

Well that's us home from Europride in Stockholm! We had a thoroughly fab. We missed the first half of schlagerkväll due to Marty losing his mobile phone and all his contacts! However we did get to pride park for part two. Here are some pics:-


We really enjoyed Linda Bengtzing, Sanna Nielsen (although, what was she wearing?) and really loved Lena Philipsson - who was the highlight of Thursday... we were too busy screaming to take pictures by this time lol.

Friday in the park wasn't really up to much so we headed off to the Blue Moon Bar, just off Stureplan to see Schlagerfeber featuring none other than Mr Melodifestivalen himself, Christer Björkman. Despite being told rudely by some knob that this was a TOTALLY straight venue, we had a great time dancing to all of our fave schlager hits in the TOTALLY straight schlagerbar.

It had been glorious sunshire on Thursday and Friday but the day of the march was rainy, light at first while on the march but really heavy later on in the park. After the march Marty was really looking forward to seeing German electronic musician Eto, who played a great set including the infectious 'Bi-curious'. He's is pretty hot too!

And the rain kept pouring and pouring. We got some pictures of Pay TV, Elin Lanto etc but when the time came for Alcazar and BWO, we were so drenched that the will to live was slowly leaving our bodies. Penny is pictured below in her rain poncho courtesy of Swedbank.

We were a little disappointed in the organisers of the event. This was europride and everything was in Swedish. All the signs were in Swedish, all the talks and seminars were in Swedish. It catered only for the Swedish which was a shame because a lot of people from all over Europe had travelled all the was to Stockholm for the event. However the crowd were really friendly and helpful. Stockholm pride - could do better!

The Schlager Low Down From This Years Europride!

Not long now until The Schlager Systems stoat into pride park for this year Europride in Stockholm. We are really looking forward to Schlagerkväll on the Thursday night... should be fantastic! Friday in the park looks rubbish so we will be heading to Blue Moon Bar (http://www.bluemoonbar.se/) to see Schlagerfeber. Schlagerfeber, picutred above are a vocal group consisting of Melodifestivalen backing singers who sing a range of schlager/euro classics and medlies, (http://www.schlagerfeber.com/). The band are appearing on Friday 1st August with special guest Christer Björkman of Melodifestivalen fame!

Our Schlager pics are (in no particular order)

Right Said Fred 3/8/08 20.00-20.45. RSF should bring a little gay fun to pride with hits like 'I'm Too Sexy'.

Wizex 31/7/08 19.00-20.30. With a career spanning 35 years and previously singers Kikki Danielsson and Charlotte Nilsson. We will hopefully get treated to 'Take Me To Your Heaven'.


Schlager Night 31/7/08 17.00-19.00 then 20.30-22.30. We are promised 25 acts from the history of Euro/MF including at leaset 2 Eurovision winners!


ETO 2/8/08 18.00. ETO is an electronic musician from Essen, Germany, pop sensibilty 80's style with modern gay themes. Go listen to him now www.myspace.com/etomusik



Alcazar 2/8/08 22.00.-22.30 With a new album on its was Alcazar will definitely play their most recent hits 'We Keep on Rockin' and 'Inhibitions', the crowd wont be pleased until they hear 'Alcastar' and 'Sinner Not A Saint'.

BWO 2/8/08 22.30-23.30 need no introduction at all, with be playing this years Europride anthem 'The Bells of Freedom'.


Diamond Dogs 2/8/08 21.00 - The fabulous Swedish drag act - the Bitch is Back!

Pay TV 2/8/08 18.00 with hits like 'Refrain Refrain' and 'Trendy Discoteque', the girls should get the gay boys and girls dancing.

Nicki French 30/7/08 - with hits like 'Don't Play That Song Again' and 'Total Eclipse of the Heart'. Pitty she's not playing Friday night to liven things up a bit!

Arrival (ABBA tribute) 30/7/08 21.45-23.00 Again should be playing Friday, but aren't!

Discoboys 1/8/08 22.30 - 23.30 - relive the studio 54 experience.


Linda Sundblad 30/7/08 20.45-21.00 Lighten up a bit love, don't take yourself too seriously. Reprising her appearance from last year with hits 'Oh Father' and 'Lose You'.


Lil Babs 31/7/08 16.00-16.30 schlager star with a career spanning 4 decades!


Svenne and Lotta feat Hep Stars 3/8/08 19.00-1945. Benny Andersson's old band should be worth a listen!


See you in Sweden!!!
Love Martin and Kethan

BWO and Alcazar at G-A-Y

Marina Schiptjenko
Alexander Bard
BWO
Martin Rolinski
Alcazar (Mark 3)

Venue G.A.Y Astoria London
Date 5th July 2008
Time 01.30am
Crowd Capacity 2000

The atmosphere was phenomenal at the BWO and Alcazar night to celebrate London Pride 2008! Just before the the first act had come on, Jeremy Joseph, the promoter announced that this was the last G.A.Y pride party as of July 26th 2008, G-A-Y will be closing its doors (but it may return), in the meantime concerts will still be held at the venue whilst the decision will be made as to whether to raise the building to the ground. The threat of demolition has been looming for 10 years & it's still standing!

First Act was BWO the audience erupted their set included; the bells of Freedom, Lay your love on me & Chariots of Fire & towards the end of the set Martin Rolinski poured a whole bottle of water over himself and the audience went comletely wild. Second act was Alcazar again the audience went absolutely bonkers, their set included; This is the world we live in & Funky Town to name a couple. Both acts received a thunderous applause what a last Pride Party @ G.A.Y an the end of an era for such a well known venue.

Words and Pictures by Miss Tempest

Edited by Martin Hannah (Editor)

Bobby G's Bucks Fizz Live at Artburst EK

Bobby G

Well Bobby G's Bucks Fizz were playing our home town of East Kilbride at the annual Artburst Festival so we just had to go along! They opened the show with 'New Beginning', which was just one of only five Bucks Fizz songs sang in their one hour set, the others being 'My Camera Never Lies', 'Run For Your Life', 'The Land of Make Believe' and the inevitable 'Makin' Your Mind Up'. The rest of the show was made up of an Abba medley, a Motown medley, Starship's 'We Built The City' and some Meatloaf songs. The set list was a bit strange considering the band released in excess of 18 singles, most of which were huge hits. When Bucks Fizz entered the stage could here people in the crowd ask each other 'where's Cheryl?', obviously unaware that the line up now only consists of one original member, Bobby G. The band's performance however was very polished and professional although the performance was more cabaret than what you would expect from multi-million album selling eurovision winners. This Bucks Fizz have only one quarter of the original line up and appear to have only one quarter of the credibility. 'The Original Bucks Fizz' have Cheryl Baker, who really is the star of the band and they deliver nothing but a pure Bucks Fizz performance. Bobby G's Bucks Fizz, which is the official Bucks Fizz, seem almost a parody of themselves, which is a shame.

Tammy Choat

Bobby with new boy Paul Fordham

Bobby's wife Heidi Manton

Bucks Fizz singing Makin' Your Mind Up

ALCAZAR - INHIBITIONS

Alcazar have released there brand new sigle from their as yet untitled Album, the track is called 'Inhibitions' and it's simply fab! Alcazarworld.com ran a competition for fans outside Sweden to win a digital copy of the single, all the fans had to do was think of a title for Alcazar's new album... The Schlager Systems have suggested 'Triple Distilled' as the title and we think that should definitely win, we like our vodka triple distilled too! Alcazar will be appearing with BWO at this year London Pride at G-A-Y on July 5th and at Stockholm Europride on August 2nd.

Click below to listen to the full song!