The future for Chemical Co-operation and singer David Bremer in 
particular seemed very dark this spring, as he suffered a brain hemorhage 
and was placed in a respirator for eleven days. But today, three months later, 
David has returned to life and the band with a record deal in his hands.
   Chemical Co-operation has existed for at least five years, and more 
than 14 people have passed through the band. Today´s lineup have played 
together for three years, with the exception of their second guitarist, who quit 
in November just after their self-produced vinyl LP was finished. The band 
today consists of David Bremer (vocals, harmonica), Wiking Ytterholm 
(guitar), Roger Iderman (bass guitar, synthesizer) and Johan Burman 
(drums).
   VLT meets Chemical Co-operation in their crowded rehearsal studio 
where electrical equipment of all shapes and kinds squeezes the band into a 
small space in the middle of the floor. Their debut album was, at least 
partially, recorded here.
   The recording contract is a thick bunch of paper in fine print, and as 
David quickly looks through it it is not with undivided pleasure:
   - If they meddle with the way it should sound we ditch `em, if not we´ll 
sign, he calmly states.
   - Luckily we´re not sixteen anymore; then you probably would´ve 
swallowed it right away. Now I assume everyone in this business is out to rip 
everybody else out of as much money possible, Johan adds.
   This is probably true, but in particular for a band that play music 
because it´s a must, not because they wanna be rock stars. David admits 
that he, despite his tender age, already has tried the downside of rock 
life,which has brought too much destruction and drugs.
   - I wouldn´t play music weren´t I frustrated. The amount of energy I 
get out of my system, especially on stage, which is pure therapy for me. 
Rock´n´roll is a curse, but a necessary one. If I didn´t have music, litterature 
and art I would probably be a danger to others, now I´m only a danger to 
myself.
   David admits that after the total collapse, when he was diagnosed with 
a brain hemorhage, two-sided pneumonia, heart attack and blood poisoning, 
he has had to rethink a lot. He is now deaf on one ear and has a red scar 
running from the right side of his forehead up over his head, bearing witness 
of the operation that brought him back to life.
   Wiking, who once formed the band, has a just as intensive but quite 
different way of approaching music.
   - I don´t feel frustrated, to me the music is the drug itself. I get a kick 
out of making a song groove.
   Wiking is the one who handles the practical aspects, such as getting 
gigs and sending their material to record labels. As well as giving the music 
his full attention, he also spends time with his one-year-old son.
   Music is what occupy these guys´ lives. There´s no room for any spare-
time activities. Roger says there´s always a song or a riff in his head.
   - I constantly have music in my head. I either listen to or play music, 
or I might have an idea I have to get out of my head.
   Johan is a teacher, but has chosen a job that doesn´t require as much 
time or planning.
   - I love teaching, but I know it requires working 12 hours a day for the 
first couple of years. Then I wouldn´t have time for the music, which is more 
important at the moment.
   David is the lyricist, and most of the lyrics are about drug abuse, sin 
and redemption.
   - I feel no need to write about things I´m satisfied with. When I write I 
assume another identity which makes it possible for me to write about 
terrible acts as if I had committed them. But it´s rather a way of getting rid 
of those kinds of thoughts. Writing, to me, is getting rid of distorted images 
and ideas.
   They make their music together in the rehearsal studio. Even if 
someone has an idea of how a song should turn out, it´s always different once 
finished.
   - I feel I need to be stimulated all the time, says Roger. Something I 
think everyone in this band feels. So we constantly add new elements to the 
songs. After three weeks the original idea is unrecognizable.
   Chemical´s music is raw, dirty and experimental. It´s hard to pick a hit 
song from their album, with the possible exception of Because you Believe, 
which is also about to become a video directed by Anne Ekelin.
   We play punk jazz, says David. Or twisted rock, anything from boogie 
to jazz. I´d like to say that our music is organic; it has a life of its 
own which we have trouble controlling. Also, we are open to all kinds of 
music. There are never any references that aren´t "good enough". The groove 
is what matters. Then if there´s a small amount of people who like what you´ve 
done, that´s really cool. I know how much certain records have meant to me. 
If you can achieive that, it´s a real thrill.
   David is mostly influenced by post-punk from the US; Gun Club, 
Cramps, Flesheaters.
   The rest of the band hold Cream as a main influence, something they 
Don´t share with David.
   - We like them because of their ability to play such long songs and 
concerts; the jam sessions, says Roger. 
   Johan´s favourites are amongst others The Who, The Byrds and The 
Band. He´s also an avid KISS fan.
   The band will now scrutinize the contract and straighten out any 
questions concerning a possible co-operation in the future.
   - We´ll probably wait a while in contacting the company, says Wiking. 
We´ll continue looking for other record companies that might be interested, in 
order to place ourselves in the best possible negotiatimg situation. The most 
important thing is still to be able to make the music we like, the way we want 
to.
   Chemical Co-operation continues to rehearse and record, and they 
already have material for a second album. They won´t give in to any record 
company executives, and plan to record their next album just the way they 
please, but this time with a record deal.

Tomas Nilsson
Västmanlands Läns Tidning
July, 1999