FLAGSHIP

FLAGSHIP was formed in the summer of 2002 by Linus Kåse & Christian Rivel both of NARNIA fame. They both share the passion for symphonic rock in the vein of KANSAS, STYX, BUGGLES & QUEEN. They realized that very few bands today play this kind of progressive music where melody is the key thing. Lots of ideas came and soon they started to record some demos. They first named the band WINDY CITY, after one of the song titles, but in 2004 it was changed to FLAGSHIP. One of the goals for the band is to bring attention and highlight to this kind of music again. The thought is also to keep the band a duo, like the BUGGLES were in the late 70´s and early 80´s.

Together they now wished to bring in new elements into the music that they hadn’t tried out before.

To capture the sound they wanted, they now had to pick just the right musicians to bring the right chemistry into the songs. FLAGSHIP wanted to create a fresh sound and production with the roots from the late 1970´s but with a touch of the new millenium.

Since the song arrangements are very demanding the line-up had to be top notch, with musicians who’d both understand the feel and essence of the songs as well as technically able to actually perform them. Hence the FLAGSHIP team was completed with the only obvious choice of people.

We call these people FLAGHIP - THE PLAYERS:

Carljohan Grimmark – Electric & rhythm Guitars
He is also the guitarist and one of the founding members of NARNIA. On FLAGSHIP´s “Maiden Voyage” he really shows what he is capable of with his powerful, passionate and diverse playing. He felt it was a challenge to be apart of the FLAGSHIP team.

Kristofer Eng – bass
…is also the bass player of BRIGHTEYE BRISON. Kristofer has done lots of session work live and in studio and have worked as a producer and musical director at several musicals in Sweden, amongst them JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. He has a similar style of playing like CHRIS SQUIRE from legendary YES.

Per Hallman – vocals, engineer, producer
Next man to present is Per who has co-produced this album together with Linus Kåse and shared the lead vocals together with Christian Rivel on “Ground Zero”.  Being a fulltime member as the sound technician, engineer and one of the vocal forces of BRIGHTEYE BRISON he had the skill, experience and feel to capture just the sound that FLAGSHIP envisioned. “Maiden Voyage” was recorded at his studio “ToneZone”. He also is singing backing vocals on the rest of the album.

Mick Nordström – drums
Mick has been touring and working as a drummer, producer and sound engineer for over 20 years in the music business. Christian Rivel and Mick were both members in MODEST ATTRACTION which released three albums and did many tours. Mick’s drum playing is the perfect mix between Phil Collins (GENESIS) & Ian Paice (DEEP PURPLE).

As a big bonus “Maiden Voyage” contains a guest performance by the legendary KERRY LIVGREN, former guitarist of KANSAS!! He is playing the guitar solo on his own composition GROUND ZERO, in a new arrangement written by Linus. This song is taken from Kerry´s first solo album “Seeds Of Change” released back in 1980.

For Christian & Linus it was very special and emotional to have one of their musical heroes involved on the debut album of FLAGSHIP. So get into the flow and enjoy the musical journey that will take you to another dimension, and remember these words:

HOLD ON TO YOUR DREAM !!!

Line-Up:

Vocals: Christian Rivel
Keys: Linus Kase
Guitar: C.J. Grimmark
Bass: Kristofer Eng
Drums: Mick Nordström
 

Releases:

Mayden Voyage (2005)

Official website:

http://www.flagship.se

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