Moneybrother

Originally a singer with the idiosyncratic Swedish soul-ska-punk rock band Monster, Anders Wendin decided to go solo in 2002, taking the somewhat peculiar stage name of Moneybrother. Few could have predicted the success that was to follow. His debut album, Blood Panic, sold well and was panegyrically received by critics in Scandinavia, eventually earning him a Swedish Grammy and a sold-out German tour. As if that wasn’t good enough, Moneybrother’s live performances were frequently hailed as near-legendary events. Anders Wendin has a technically limited but highly characteristic voice, often resembling the rugged delivery of such greats as Joe Strummer and Bruce Springsteen. He also possesses extreme qualities as a frontman, singing his heart out with every single word that escapes his lips and making full use of his background as a theatrical actor. In concert, he is backed by a sizable and gifted band, including charismatic ex-Monster trombonist Victor Brobacke. Moneybrother’s musical roots are evident; the songs hark back to both classic pop and soul from the ’60s and ’70s, but they are delivered with punk intensity. He is most frequently compared to Bruce Springsteen, the Clash, and Dexys Midnight Runners, and rightfully so, but his music also incorporates elements of everything from vintage disco to Thin Lizzy and slightly lesser-known rootsy rockers like Mink DeVille and Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes. In early 2005, his second album — To Die Alone — managed to achieve even greater success in every area. This time around, Moneybrother opted for dramatic string arrangements and lovelorn mini-epics rather than the occasionally leftist lyrics of yore, making him acceptable to an even larger audience than before. His releases thus far were available only in Europe. The EP They're Building Walls Around Us was issued in the U.S. via Sabot Productions in 2006. It served as a Moneybrother taster by compiling six tracks from his albums ready for American palates. ~ Anders Kaasen