Bowser



First, lets clarify some things about Bowser. This band started somewhere around 1995 and have recorded 3 tapes and 4 CDs. The only record to have been released on a label is the Self-Titled under Monster/Reprisal Records. All the rest was DIY stuff, CD-Rs, self-made demotapes, etc and some of them were never released.

As far as I know, the following was physically released : Opinion (tape), Bowser vs. NOFX (tape), One Happy Family CD, Bowser CD-R and Bowser CD on Monster/Reprisal Records. The Bowser CD was first released on Monster Records in 2001, then re-released on Reprisal Records in 2002. Also, many people know the Bowser CD-R (the 4-tracks one) under the name Skate And Die, but this title never existed. You can see a pic of the CD-R : HERE! So, 3 of the 4 CDs were released, what leave I Hate The Mainstream Shit only a 3-song demo that were sent to mp3.com for download-only.

Now about the tapes... even if it was their first recording, Manga Girl was stuffed with amazing songs, but it was never released because right after the recording some members left the band. They reformed some months later and started to record again with a new vocalist. 2 of the 5 songs on Manga Girl were re-recorded, and some physical Opinion demo-tape copies were successfully made. One thing to know about Manga Girl is that it was a 5-song tape and it has nothing to do with that fake 8-song that is circulating over the web, this is not even the same singer... As for the Bowser vs. NOFX, this is more a joke than a real recording. It sound really shitty and was recorded in a couple of hours, and they play 5 NOFX songs and only 2 of their own songs. Only 7 copies or so were made.

Bowser was playing a fast and very melodic punk similar to Swedish legends like Millencolin, Adhesive and Satanic Surfers, but without copying any of them. They had their own sound and it was fast, melodic, catchy, seriously some of the best skatepunk songs ever made in my opinion. There has been many lineup changes in the band. The only member to have been there from the beginning to the end is Tony Graf. They disbanded in 2003 and some members started When We Fall, an hardcore band. Håkan Ljunggren now play skatepunk in Steve And The Alcoholics

Discography:

- Manga Girl (1996) *unreleased

- Opinion (1996) TAPE

- Bowser vs. NOFX (1997) TAPE

- One Happy Family (1999) CD

- I Hate That Mainstream Shit (2000) *unreleased

- Punk Rock - Bowser Promotion CD (200X) CD
- Bowser (2001) CD

- Bowser (2003) CD

Listen to Bowser - The End Will Justify The Means