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Refused

From Alfawiki
Refused
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1991 in Umeå, Sweden
FounderDennis Lyxzén, David Sandström, Pär Hansson, Jonas Lindgren
Headquarters
Umeå
,
Sweden
ProductsMusic albums, EPs

Refused—occasionally referred to as the Refused—is a hardcore punk group originating from Umeå, Sweden, established in 1991. The band features vocalist Dennis Lyxzén, guitarist Kristofer Steen, drummer David Sandström, and bassist Magnus Flagge. Guitarist Jon Brännström was part of the ensemble from 1994 until his removal in late 2014. Their songwriting frequently addresses far-left political ideologies and non-conformist ideals, historically associated with the straight edge movement.

Their initial album, This Just Might Be... the Truth (1994), was succeeded by Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent (1996) alongside five EP releases. In 1998, they unveiled The Shape of Punk to Come, an album integrating jazz and electronic influences, which initially faced commercial disappointment and mixed critical reception. The group dissolved during the subsequent tour. Despite modest early achievements, Refused played a pivotal role in shaping rock music’s progression in later years.

In 2012, Refused reunited for a reunion tour and later produced Freedom (2015) and War Music (2019).

Formation and early period (1991–1997)

Refused came together in early 1991 with Dennis Lyxzén (previously of Step Forward) as lead vocalist, David Sandström on drums, Pär Hansson handling guitar duties, and Jonas Lindgren on bass. Their initial ambitions involved performing outside their local area and releasing a 7" record that ultimately never saw release. That same year, they put out their first demo titled Refused. Following lineup adjustments—including the addition of Kristofer Steen from Abhinanda and the departure of Pär Hansson—the band launched their debut studio album, This Just Might Be... the Truth, in 1994, followed shortly by the Everlasting EP.

The definitive lineup featured Dennis Lyxzén, David Sandström, Kristofer Steen, and Jon Brännström; however, prior to disbanding they cycled through as many as twelve bassists.[1] In June 1996, they released Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent under Victory Records. This record marked a transition toward metallic hardcore and was accompanied by a fanzine that detailed their political stance. Their touring schedule included dates with Snapcase, followed by support slots for Millencolin in the United States and Mindjive across Europe.[2]

The Shape of Punk to Come era and dissolution (1998)

Their third studio effort, The Shape of Punk to Come (1998), broadened their sound beyond hardcore by incorporating elements of electronica, jazz, and ambient music. Upon release, it struggled commercially and received mixed reviews; media coverage was sparse and some fans and critics declined to evaluate it due to its stylistic departure.

The U.S. tour supporting this album was cut short midway through. Accompanied by Washington, D.C.’s Frodus, they completed only eight performances in venues such as nearly empty basements and coffee shops, concluding with a show shut down by police in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The band characterized this tour as "emotionally devastating" and "a terrible experience," factors that contributed heavily to their breakup following internal disputes in Atlanta, Georgia. Additional reasons cited include creative burnout, diverging ambitions among members, as well as escalating tensions between Dennis Lyxzén and others.

Refused formally declared their split through a blunt open letter titled "Refused Are Fucking Dead" posted on their label Burning Heart’s website.

Post-breakup period (1999–2009)

After disbanding, The Shape of Punk to Come gradually achieved greater acclaim, with U.S. sales increasing from an initial 1,400 copies to 21,000 within one year, and reaching 28,000 by 2000. This album subsequently inspired a wide array of musicians and emerging bands.

Vocalist Dennis Lyxzén went on to establish The (International) Noise Conspiracy, while other band members engaged in different ventures, including the ensemble TEXT. In 2007, Lyxzén and Sandström briefly revived their side project Final Exit (band), which originally included members from Refused and Abhinanda, with participants swapping roles from their primary groups.

By May 2008, Lyxzén and Sandström had formed a new hardcore outfit called AC4. Meanwhile, Kristofer Steen moved to Orange County, California, pursued film studies, produced the 2006 documentary Refused Are Fucking Dead chronicling the band's final year, and later contributed to opera productions in Sweden.

Speculations and announcements (2010–2011)

In March 2010, Epitaph Records reactivated the old Refused website displaying a "Coming Soon" message, triggering widespread rumors of a reunion. An unnamed source cited by Punknews.org hinted that the band might appear at European festivals during 2010. Nevertheless, Dennis Lyxzén dismissed reunion claims, noting that he and David Sandström were concentrating on AC4. The website was eventually revealed as a promotional campaign for a deluxe reissue of Refused’s last album, The Shape of Punk to Come. Released on 8 June 2010, this three-disc edition featured the original record, an unreleased live performance from 1998, and the documentary DVD Refused Are Fucking Dead.

In November 2011, leaked promotional materials for the 2012 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival included Refused in the lineup, reigniting speculation about a reunion.

Reunions, Brännström’s departure and Freedom era (2012–2017)

On 2 January 2012 during BBC Radio 1's "Punk Show," Mike Davies announced that Refused along with At the Drive-In would be reuniting that year. A week later, on 9 January, Refused officially confirmed their comeback to perform at the 2012 Coachella Festival, reversing their previous stance against reuniting.

On 29 February, Refused held a secret concert in Umeå—their first live appearance since 1998. They then embarked on an extensive European festival tour including appearances at Way Out West Festival in Gothenburg, Primavera Sound in Barcelona, and England’s Download Festival. The band made their American television debut on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on 18 July 2012 and toured Australia for the first time in November. The reunion concluded with a hometown performance in Umeå on 15 December 2012.

On 22 February 2013, Refused was honored with the "Special Prize for Music Exports" by Sweden’s Minister of Trade. During the ceremony, Lyxzén and Sandström used their acceptance speech to critique governmental policies while expressing support for educational organizations such as the Workers' Educational Association (ABF). Jon Brännström refused to accept the award on behalf of the group and later voiced regret that they had not rejected it entirely.

On 31 October 2014, Brännström announced via Facebook that he had been dismissed from Refused and no longer considered himself friends with the band members. The group stated his departure occurred in 2013 due to his diminished enthusiasm for their collective efforts.

Refused revealed plans for their first performances in three years during summer 2015 at events including Reading and Leeds Festivals, Groezrock, and Amnesia Rockfest. They also headlined Punk Rock Bowling in Las Vegas in May of that year. Around this period, rumors of a forthcoming album surfaced after vocalist Lyxzén was seen recording in studio.

On 27 April 2015, Refused announced their fourth studio album titled Freedom, set for release in June through Epitaph Records. The record was primarily produced by Nick Launay with additional input from Shellback; its lead single was "Elektra."

By 20 November 2017, members of Refused disclosed via social media that they were actively working on new material in the studio.

Servants of Death, Cyberpunk 2077 and War Music (2018–present)

In May 2018, Refused unveiled the Servants of Death EP, which included a fresh track, a b-side, and four recordings from live performances. Initially released on vinyl in 2016 for Record Store Day, this EP represented a deliberate move to reconnect with their audience.

On 2 July 2019, the band collaborated with Polish developer CD Projekt Red to produce original compositions for the video game Cyberpunk 2077. They crafted songs for the fictional punk group Samurai, led by Johnny Silverhand, a character portrayed by Keanu Reeves. Vocalist Dennis Lyxzén lent his voice to both Johnny and Kerry Eurodyne within the game. This partnership was introduced with the single "Chippin' In," followed by the release of "Never Fade Away" on 23 August 2019.

The track "Blood Red" was released on 2 August 2019 as the lead single off their album War Music, which came out on October 18, 2019. To support the album, Refused embarked on a UK tour alongside Thrice and Gouge Away, strengthening their presence in the market.

On 20 November 2020, they put out the EP The Malignant Fire, featuring five tracks including "Born on the Outs" and "Malfire" from the War Music album, maintaining engagement between full-length releases.

In March 2024, Refused announced their first live performance in four years at Stockholm’s Rosendal Garden Party, promoted as their "final festival appearance in Sweden. Ever". Unfortunately, this event was cancelled due to frontman Dennis Lyxzén experiencing a cardiac arrest.

Later, on 10 September 2024, the band revealed plans for a farewell tour across the US in 2025 along with a reissue commemorating the 25th anniversary of The Shape of Punk to Come, leveraging their enduring legacy and fan nostalgia.

In May 2025, Refused publicly justified their decision to participate in festivals managed by Superstruct Entertainment, despite numerous artists withdrawing due to controversies surrounding ownership by investment firm KKR. This position underscored their calculated approach within the festival industry amid ongoing debates.

Musical style, lyrics, and influences

Initially emerging as an energetic positive hardcore outfit, Refused gradually developed a more experimental and politically charged sound. Their debut album, This Just Might Be... the Truth, showcased a robust hardcore style influenced heavily by the New York hardcore scene exemplified by bands like Earth Crisis. Their sophomore effort, Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent, adopted a heavier sonic approach inspired by Slayer, with Lyxzén shifting towards screamed vocals.

With their third release, The Shape of Punk to Come, they took a significant stylistic leap by integrating hardcore punk with unconventional chord structures, sampling techniques, ambient layers, jazz interludes, electronic elements, and spoken word passages.

Thematically, Refused’s lyrics consistently addressed far-left ideologies such as anarchism and socialism. From their debut onward, they maintained a strong anti-establishment message. The band members adhered to vegan straight edge principles until their disbandment in 1998; some tracks reflected these values. Since then, some members have distanced themselves from these lifestyles. Lyxzén frequently incorporates political commentary into live shows. Prior to the rise of the Umeå hardcore scene, Refused was associated with the youth venue Galaxen and performed alongside punk and metal acts including Meshuggah.

Among their cited influences are Inside Out, Fugazi, Slayer, Born Against, and ManLiftingBanner. Lyxzén also acknowledges inspiration from Ian Svenonius’s projects such as (The Make-Up, The Nation of Ulysses, Cupid Car Club), while Sandström draws creative influence from Snapcase.

Legacy

Despite receiving minimal recognition during their active period, Refused played a crucial role in shaping the direction of rock music as the twenty-first century began. Vice described them as occupying "the intersection of contemporary punk, blending its various subgenres into a cohesive yet eclectic whole," revitalizing punk and hardcore by reintroducing an element of unpredictability. David Anthony from The A.V. Club referred to The Shape of Punk to Come as "a definitive classic" that motivated other artists to expand their sound beyond mere aggression. Author Gabriel Kuhn highlighted how Refused symbolized Sweden's prominent vegan straight edge movement in the 1990s, using manifestos and live shows to challenge conventional scene expectations.

Refused’s impact can be traced across a wide array of musicians, including Linkin Park, Duff McKagan (Velvet Revolver, Guns N’ Roses), Sum 41, Tom DeLonge and Mark Hoppus of Blink-182, AFI, Papa Roach, Tim McIlrath of Rise Against, Underoath, Enter Shikari, the Used, Every Time I Die, Norma Jean, Showbread, La Dispute, Nick Hipa (As I Lay Dying), Derek E. Miller (Poison the Well), Geoff Rickly (Thursday), United Nations, No Devotion, Marcos Curiel (P.O.D.), Jeremy Bolm (Hesitation Wounds), Zachary Garren (Dance Gavin Dance), Chris Teti (the World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die), the New Transit Direction, the Bloody Beetroots, Justin Beck (Glassjaw), Robin Staps (the Ocean), the Bled, Thomas Williams (Stray from the Path), Brandon Kellum (American Standards), and Jonathan Boulet. The band letlive. paid tribute through their track "H. Ledger," reflecting Refused’s belated acclaim. British artist Frank Turner attributes his musical development to The Shape of Punk to Come, even naming his band Million Dead after a lyric from Refused. Additionally, pop punk group Paramore acknowledged inspiration from Refused’s "Liberation Frequency," incorporating references in their song "Born for This."

Other notable figures who have expressed respect for Refused include Anthrax, Steve Aoki, and Ben Weinman of the Dillinger Escape Plan.

Band members

Current
  • Dennis Lyxzén — lead vocals (1991–1998, 2012, 2014–present)
  • David Sandström — drums (1991–1998, 2012, 2014–present)
  • Magnus Flagge (formerly Björklund) — bass (1992–1995, 1997, 2012, 2014–present)
  • Mattias Bärjed — guitar (2019–present; touring member 2015–2019)
Former
  • Jonas Lidgren — bass (1991–1992)
  • Pär Hansson — guitars (1991–1994)
  • Henrik Jansson — guitars (1992–1995)
  • Jon Brännström — guitars, samples, synthesizer, backing vocals (1995–1998, 2012)
  • Magnus Höggren — bass (1995–1997; died 2023)
  • Ulf Nybérg — bass (1997–1998)
  • Kristofer Steen — guitars (1994–1998, 2012, 2014–2020); bass (1994–1998, in studio)


Session
  • Jesper Sundberg – bass (1994)
  • Anders Johansson – bass (1994–1995)
  • Jonas "Babyface" Eriksson – bass (1996–1997)
  • Håkan-Håkan Strandhag – bass (1997)
  • Inge Johansson – bass (1997)
  • Andreas Nilsson – bass (1997)
  • Don Devore – bass (1998)

Official Studio Releases

Related Topics

Further Reading

External Resources

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named popsongs
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named buddyhead
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