Lights Out-Seriously

Bio by She Rox, All Female Bands. It is no secret that Sweden is currently leading the way in a revival of hard rock and heavy metal that has inspired musicians from around the world. Sweden is also leading the way with the most all-female bands to emerge from their thriving music scene. This progression however was not quick and took several decades to achieve and could now easily rival Japan, all-though all-female bands have always been revered by the Japanese, the Swedes are churning out the talent as well at an alarming rate, however bands from the past or pre-internet bands, have mostly become a footnote in music history if not forgotten altogether. The 1980’s should have been the era of possibilities for women in music, female singers were much more visible, but the female musician was still considered unmarketable by the music industry. Hard rock and heavy metal ruled the airwaves but female bands that played in these styles of music were mostly dismissed as a novelty or exploited for simply being a female band. Sweden’s early hard rock scene was like most, dominated by men, and all male bands were a dime a dozen, however the few female bands that played rock or hard rock could be counted on one hand. One of Sweden’s early and important rock bands that paved the way for hordes of others after them hailed from Norrkoping. The band Lights Out were indeed at the forefront of Sweden’s then growing hard rock music scene. Founded in 1987 by then 15-year-old vocalist Vicky Bjerselius and 16-year-old guitarist Angela Esposito with the intent to form an all-female rock band. Musically trained keyboardist, songwriter and background vocalist Jenny Back (Jonander) joined next in 1988 followed by drummer Malin Andersson and bassist Theresa Runso, all three members only 14 at the time they joined. Lights Out was far from being Sweden’s answer to the Runaways, other than being teenagers as well, that is where the similarity ends. Lights Out were far more advanced musically and was formed by the members themselves without a controlling Svengali pulling the strings for them. The band would spend several years perfecting their sound, writing and arranging their own material, and playing all over Sweden and Denmark while making several demos in the process. Lights Out as a band could have easily taught their male counter parts on how to earn your rock and roll badges, through hard work and consistency the band grew in popularity not only in Sweden but throughout Scandinavia. The band’s sheer tenacity and drive to succeed would pay of by 1990 when they would win the first of a nationwide music competition, “Milk Energy 1990” and months later another win with the music competition, “Rock It 91’”, this same year the band would recruit new bassist, 17-year-old Heidi Lehmus (Nylenius) to replace Theresa Runso. By 1992 Lights Out would release their debut single, Seriously/Fire of Love, the single was hailed by critics and fans as perfection and removed any doubts some if any, may have had about the band. Talented and mature beyond their years, this was not mindless party rock. Melodic, catchy, and radio friendly, a guitar driven rock with a slight pop undertone that sounded as close to if not better than most of what the international rock stations were playing at the time. Not long after the single was released the band caught the attention of a then unknown Danish music manager who wanted to manage the band and was adamant, they would be huge in Japan, the band at the time was skeptical of his intentions and declined his offer. This unknown manager was managing a then unknown band called Ace of Base, who within a year became a worldwide phenomenon. Not defeated by this revelation the members of Lights Out would continue for several more years before calling it quits amicably in 1994. There is no doubt that the band should have reached commercial success perhaps timing was their nemesis, but the band members who remain close friends to this current day have no regrets and look back on their rock days with great admiration and pride and know that the bond they have, a sisterhood they call it, is far greater than anything else. *Huge thanks to Jenny for all your help!! And all the band members for the amazing band pictures.