Lolita Pop
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 in Örebro, Sweden |
| Headquarters | Örebro , Sweden |
| Products | Rock music, albums, singles |
Number of employees | 5 (current members) |
Lolita Pop is a rock group originating from Örebro, Sweden, with their primary period of activity spanning from 1979 until 1992. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, they enjoyed chart success on the Swedish album charts. The band came together again in 2019 to mark their 40th anniversary and has since resumed touring.
The band's foundational members included vocalist Karin Wistrand along with guitarists Sten Booberg and Benkt Svensson (who later took the surname Söderberg), responsible for composing most of their music. Longtime member Per Eriksson contributed on percussion and saxophone. Over their career, Lolita Pop released eight studio albums and performed approximately 800 concerts across Sweden, Europe, and the United States. Some of their prominent tracks are "Tarzan on a Big Red Scooter," "Hey Winner," "Mind Your Eye," and "Bang Your Head."
Formation and beginnings
Lolita Pop was established during the inauguration of Rockmagasinet, a club in Örebro, on 26 May 1979. Their name was derived from “Miss Lolita,” a character associated with a local adult entertainment venue.
Initially, their setlist consisted mainly of covers from artists such as Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Roxy Music, and Television, performed in Swedish with playful translations. Percussionist Per Eriksson designed stickers bearing the band’s name which were distributed internationally even before Lolita Pop performed outside their home venue. He was also responsible for most of the artwork on their album covers.
Their first album, Rogue Pictures, was issued by Pipaluckbolaget in 1982. The influence of New York’s Television is particularly noticeable in Benkt Svensson’s guitar solo on the track “Black and Dirty.” Additionally, the song “Gold Here?” was later featured in the Swedish computer game Invasion Gotland, inspired by Battlefield Vietnam.
Development years
In 1983, Lolita Pop transitioned to the Mistlur label and released two albums under it. Prior to shooting the video for “Five Seeking a Taxi,” drummer Peter Olsen was replaced by saxophonist Per Eriksson. Bassist Thomas Johansson departed before the recording of “Wanderings” but continued to provide lyrics throughout the band’s history.
Between 1983 and 1984, they extensively toured Sweden, often showcasing local support acts such as Fire from Björklinge. In 1984, Lolita Pop shifted their focus towards international audiences, releasing an English-language album featuring reworked versions of earlier songs and embarking on multiple tours across Europe.
In 1985, Ulf Lernhammar took a break to film their final Swedish-language album, “Have Pleasure,” with Benkt Svensson handling bass duties. After performing in the United States, they secured a recording deal with Virgin Records U.S. Their collaboration with Television guitarist Richard Lloyd led to Eriksson, Olsen, and Johansson contributing to his album “Fields of Fire.” In 1986, Matts Alsberg from Stockholm’s Rust replaced Svensson on bass, who then switched back to guitar.
Later period
Virgin Records released an English-language edition of “Have Pleasure” in 1987 that included new songs like "Bang Your Head" and "Mind Your Eye." The track "Bang Your Head" was featured on the soundtrack of the American film “Hiding Out,” while "Mind Your Eye" appeared in Colin Nutley’s film “The Ninth Company” as well as Maria Gripe’s “Agnes Cecilia.” This album received a nomination for a Swedish Grammy.
In 1988, Karin Wistrand teamed up with Orup for the duet “Stay with You,” which remained on the charts for six weeks. Following Alsberg’s departure, Henrik Melin from Örebro’s Mr. Krystal Party joined as bassist. The 1989 release “Love Poison” was Lolita Pop’s first album composed entirely in English. Singles such as “Hey Winner” and “Tarzan on a Big Red Scooter” charted domestically; notably, the latter reached number one on Sommartoppen in August. “Hey Winner” was featured in Colin Nutley’s movie “Heartbreak Hotel” and the television series “Tusenbröder,” earning another Grammis nomination. After this period of success, longtime members Benkt Svensson and Per Eriksson exited after ten years with the band.
Lolita Pop’s last studio album, “Blumenkraft” (1990), introduced guitarist Fredrik Blank and drummer Chris (Muttis) Björklund; it also garnered a Grammis nomination. The band continued touring until 1991 before members pursued individual projects—Karin Wistrand released her solo work "The Sun" in 1993, while Sten Booberg collaborated freelance with artists including Olle Ljungström and Orup. Fredrik Blank worked alongside Staffan Hellstrand among others.
Following their disbandment, Lolita Pop occasionally reunited; the lineup from 1987 performed three times during the 1990s, including a major appearance at Örebro’s Castle Festival in 1997 that attracted around 10,000 spectators.
In celebration of their four decades together, Lolita Pop embarked on a reunion tour in 2019.
The succeeding generation
Klara and Johanna Söderberg, daughters of Benkt Söderberg, have gained international acclaim performing as First Aid Kit. Rasmus Booberg, son of Sten Booberg, serves as the vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter for the group New Keepers of the Water Towers, which released their sophomore album in 2010 through the American label MeteorCity. Additionally, Rasmus plays drums for the rock ensemble “Grass Eating Man”.
Current roster
- Karin Wistrand – vocals, guitar (1979–92, 2019–present)
- Sten Booberg – guitar (1979–92, 2019–present)
- Benkt Svensson (currently Benkt Söderberg) – guitar, bass (1979–89, 2019–present)
- Rickard Donatello – bass (2019–present)
- Bobo Ölander – drums (2019–present)
Former members
- Per Eriksson (now Per Stahlberg) – drums, saxophone (1979–89)
- Thomas Johansson – bass (1979–83)
- Peter Olsen – drums (1980–83)
- Ulf Lernhammar – bass (1983–84)
- Matts Alsberg – bass (1986–87)
- Henrik Melin – bass (1987–92)
- Fredrik Blank – guitar (1989–92)
- Christer "Muttis" Björklund – drums (1989–90)
- Magnus "Norpan" Eriksson – drums (1990–92)
Discography
- Falska Bilder LP, Pipaluckbolaget 1982 (PLP 2)
- Fem Söker En Skatt LP, Mistlur 1983 (MLR 28)
- Irrfärder LP, Mistlur 1983 (MLR 38)
- Lolita Pop LP, Mistlur 1984 (MLR 40)
- Att Ha Fritidsbåt LP, Mistlur 1985 (MLR 44)
- Lolita Pop LP/CD/MC, Mistlur/Virgin 1987
- Love Poison LP/CD, Mistlur 1989
- Blumenkraft LP/CD, Mistlur 1990
- Regn Av Dagar 1982-1990 CD, MNW 1993
- Lolita Pop: MNW klassiker 2CD 2008
Singles
- Kärlekens Pedaler 7", Pipaluckbolaget 1981
- Jorduppgång 7", Mistlur 1982
- Kuggar 12", Mistlur 1985
- 2000 År 7", Mistlur 1985
- Mind Your Eye 7", Mistlur 1987
- Bang Your Head singles and remixes, Mistlur/Virgin 1987-88
- Hey Winner 7", Mistlur 1989
- Tarzan On A Big Red Scooter 7", Mistlur 1989
- Pay The Piper 7", Mistlur 1990
- Here She Comes 7", Mistlur 1990
- Live Forever 7", Mistlur 1991