ONE OF Sweden’s most popular and successful guitarists, Dregen, has joined the ranks of Michael Monroe’s touring band; he replaces Wildhearts mainman, Ginger.
As well as being an original member of sleaze rockers Backyard Babies, Dregen was also there in 1994 at the birth of The Hellacopters – the low-slung Swedish outfit put together by the multi-talented Nicke Andersson, formerly driving force/drummer with Death Metallers, Entombed.
Dregen’s first show with Michael (who has previously guested with Backyard Babies both on record & onstage) was on the 26th of June when MM’s band appeared with the Foo Fighters in Helsinki.
Says Michael: “Dregen is the perfect choice for this band – a killer guitarist and a brilliant showman. He looks great, and he has the right kind of attitude and taste in music. He’s a real star and a true rocker at heart.”
Says Dregen: “Sure, I was listening to Kiss and the Sex Pistols when I was a kid, but it was Hanoi Rocks that made me want to be in a band! So it’s a great honour for me to play alongside Michael and Sami (Yaffa), who were the brightest shining stars when I was growing up.
“I am a happy f**kin’ Dregen!”
Michel Monroe –with Dregen lining up alongside fellow guitarist Steve Conte, drummer Karl Rockfist and aforementioned bassist Sami Yaffa – will open the main stage at this year’s High Voltage Festival on July 23rd at London’s Victoria Park.
A new single, ‘Superpowered Superfly’, will be released on July 18th via Spinefarm Records, a track from current MM studio album, ‘Sensory Overdrive’.
