LOK (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1995 in Partille, Sweden |
| Defunct | 2002 (ceased activity) |
| Fate | Reunited in 2019 |
| Headquarters | Partille , Sweden |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
LOK is a Swedish nu metal group established in 1995 in Partille, near Gothenburg. The band ceased activity in 2002 but reunited in 2019.
Members
- Martin Westerstrand (vocals)
- Johan Reivén (drums)
- Daniel Cordero (bass)
- Thomas Brandt (guitar)
History
LOK was formed through the merger of two local rock acts, "PsychoBetaBuckDown" and "Hyperbug," whose members shared rehearsal facilities and competed against each other in a 1994 community rock contest. In 1995, Martin Westerstrand and Johan Reivén combined efforts, with Johan transitioning from bass to drums. They completed their lineup by adding Daniel Cordero on bass and Thomas Brandt on guitar.
During their initial rehearsal, Martin briefly sang in English before switching to Swedish lyrics—a choice that became a hallmark of the band’s identity. The name LOK is derived from the Swedish term for locomotive, symbolizing their powerful and relentless sound.
Within nine months of forming, LOK secured victories in two significant music competitions, which granted them studio recording opportunities and allowed them to produce two singles. Their debut album, released in November 1996, featured six tracks. After signing with Stockholm Records in 1997, they recorded a follow-up album in 1998 and appeared at the Hultsfred Festival. In 2000, they performed on the green stage at Roskilde Festival before an audience of 17,500.
The band’s last concert took place in Malmö toward the end of 2002, shortly after a live recording from Gothenburg was issued as their live album. Internal disagreements led to their split, with the group stating that their goal—to demonstrate that hardcore music could succeed with Swedish lyrics—had been accomplished after releasing five albums.
Following LOK’s disbandment, Martin Westerstrand and Daniel Cordero formed Rallypack in 2004 alongside new musicians, releasing one English-language album titled Sod Off, God! We Believe In Our Rockband. Rallypack later transformed into Lillasyster in 2006, debuting with Hjärndöd musik för en hjärndöd generation (Braindead Music For A Braindead Generation) in 2007.
Albums
- Ord och inga visor (1996) (Words and No Songs)
- Naken, blästrad och skitsur (1999) (Naked, Blasted and Pissed Off)
- Sunk 500 (2000)
- Ut ur diskot och in i verkligheten (2002) (Out of the Disco and into Reality)
- Blästrad levande (2003) – live album (Blasted Alive)
Singles
- Lokpest (Lok-plague)
- LOK står när de andra faller (LOK stands when the others fall)
- Skrubbsår (Grazes)
- Ensam gud (Lone god)
- Stänkskärmar och sprit (Mudguards and booze)
- Bedragaren i Murmansk (The deceiver in Murmansk)
- Sug min (Suck my/mine)
- Staden Göteborg (The city Gothenburg) – collaboration with Swedish band Hardcore Superstar.