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	Blindside   Slackjawing in its range, The Great Depression, the Swedish band’s fifth album, was produced by Lasse “Lars” Marten. It proudly displays its musical diversity on part Rage Against the Machine, part Franz Ferdinand opener “This Is A Heart Attack,” before diving into melodic crunchers, classic, punk-propelled hardcore and Thom Yorke-ian, almost goth-y confessionals, a la the first single, “Fell In Love With The Game.” Written starting in late fall 2004 and recorded between March and June 2005, The Great Depression is Blindside’s most lyrically revealing and introspective album since 2000’s A Thought Crushed My Mind. “I’ve always been into that really personal way of writing,” singer Christian Lindskog says. “When there’s lyrics that hit me in the heart, that’s when I get interested. I’m not so interested in being cool or whatever. When it’s bleeding, that’s when I’m interested.” “Please choose life with its sweet and sour,” Lindskog sings on “We’re All Going to Die,” which draws parallels between his experience in South Africa and the depression filling America’s suburbs and high schools: “When I went to South Africa, I met all these young people who were dying way too early. But up here, in the Western society, a lot of people are dying way too young but for different reasons: There’s a lot of suicide and the suicide rate is going up. I found that interesting—on two continents people are dying young.” “Some people might think this is a depressing title for a record,” Lindskog continues. “But this record is not simply about depression. We all walk through difficult times in our lives. We have learnt that there is reward in the journey. To be lost and then found brings the greatest joy.” http://www.purevolume.com/blindsidesweden/bio Year Formed: 1994   Influences: Pantera, Metallica, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins   Labels: Day-Glo Records, Tooth and Nail, Solid State, Elektra, 3 Points, Asylum, DRT Entertainment, Wasa Recordings   Billboard Album Rankings: Silence- #83 About A Burning Fire- #39 The Great Depression - #89   Billboard Song Rankings: Sleepwalking- #31 on Mainstream Rock Tracks, Pitiful- #18 on Mainstream Rock Tracks & #36 on Modern Rock Tracks   Producers: Lasse Marten, Andre Jacobsson, Howard Benson   Bands Toured With: P.O.D., Hoobastank, Papa Roach, Linkin Park, Project 86, Hazen Street, Lacuna Coil, Trapt, Showbread, The Showdown, Namur, 3, mewithoutYou, The Kick, Aphasia,

	Simon   D.O.B.: 1/21/75 Favorite Movie: Buffalo 66 & A Mighty Wind Estimated Height: 5'7'' Fact: Simon wants "Ask Me Now" to be the next single Quote: "The great depression is an observation about the world we live in. We all feed ourselves with stuff that's so empty, we live in an iPod world in which we constantly surround ourselves with noise, whether it be Internet, TV, or radio. It's a high-speed world. We can do almost anything in no time. We rarely sit down and have quiet time. People desperately search for meaning. That's where the great depression comes in. It's actually positive. When you reach the bottom, where do you go?"    Simon is the guitarist to this kick-ass band. Simon was influenced by very familiar bands like Metallica, Pantera, Nirvana, and more of that era. He is an extremly nice dude in interviews and on TV appearences (IMX). On stage he's a totally different person. He livens up the whole stage with his technical guitar tricks, kicks, and cartwheels. Simon has such a great personality and a great passion for music it's very inspiring. He's an enormous factor to this band. One of the coolest things about Simon and the band in general is their diversity. Simon can change styles effortlesslly and make it sound incredible. One thing I noticed about Simon is that he doesn't try to show his skills by doing huge guitar solos. That isn't what Blindside is about. They make great music and don't try to impress anyone. When you listen to Blindside song's like Yamkela the thing that stands out most is the guitaring. Simon has so much skill and creativity that it's fair to say that Simon is one of the most underrated guitarists in rock today. Simon could never be replaced from Blindside, he gives the band style. Simon rocks!

	Tomas   D.O.B.: 3/23/78 Favorite Movie: Spinal Tap Estimated Height: 5'8' Fact: Tomas loves hockey  Tomas is the awesome bassist for blindside. He and Simon make an awesome team. They both do stage moves together like cartwheels and kicks. Tomas has a lot of musical talent and is obviously a true rocker with the dreadlocks, fros, spikey hair, and what someone from the official blindside forum called it, a "mohawk mullet." He was awesome in every album. I especially loved the bass in the song "December in Sweden" It was the greatest bass line I've ever heard in any song. Tomas is also a funny guy. On the "blindside blog" he took funny pictures and showed his personality through it. Without Tomas Blindside wouldn't be the same. Tomas' bass lines bring ever song together, he is the structure to all of Blindside's song.

	Marcus   D.O.B.: 4/25/77 Favorite Movie: Office Space Estimates Height: 6'2'' Fact: Marcus' dog's name is "Gyzmo"  Marcus is the drummer of Blindside. This is the man who played a big part in making songs like "King of the Closet," and "Yamekla" such a success. Marcus can easily adjust the tempo to a song. Whether it's fast and heavy like "We are to Follow" or mellow  and slow like, "Roads." Marcus is consistanly improving his skills with each album. He has been recogniozed by many people on the album "About A Burning Fire" and also Chrisitan mentioned his efforts on an interview on MTV.com.  Marcus plays with such intesity that at concerts and music videos that he oftenly ends up destroying some part of his drums. Marcus has advanced musical skills and is a cool guy. He has a great sense of humor.

	Christian   D.O.B.: 9/3/76 Favorite Movie: Lord of the Rings  Estimated Height: 6'2'' Fact: One of Christian's Tattoos has wife's name written in the fictional language from the book Lord Of The Rings called "Elvish". Quotes: My wife sees that we're not pursuing the rock 'n' roll dream anymore, she sees that it's about something greater. That's what prepared her to make this sacrifice. We do bring our loved ones on tour whenever we Christian is the lead singer of Blindside. Christian has the whole package. He writes incredibly and seems to mature more and more after every album. Lyrics like "I was never meant for reality, I'm a reality TV clone," in the song Yamkela, absorb you into his perception. When Christian writes lyrics he draws the listener in and makes them feel whatever emotion he expresses in the song. It's rare to find a lyricist who will reveal so much about themselves and make their songs so personal, still find a way to let listener to relate. Christian never seises to reach new heights with his vocal range. In Blindside's newest album, "The Great Depression," his vocals bring a real sense of sadness in songs like "This Time." Not only are his vocals incredible but he has had many different styles such as screaming, singing, and even rapping.   Christian's stage performance is unbelievable, he never runs out of energy. The passion that he brings to songs are truely inspiring, especially in songs like "About a Burning Fire," and "Put Back The Stars." If you have ever been to a Blindside concert you know that when you see Christian up there poaring his heart out, that this isn't just any band. They are true to their music and every other aspect of their careers. It's evident that Christian is one of the most talented artists in the business. Christian is also very kind. Recently at his concerts he has been helping to promote "World Vision," a non-profit organization that helps kids in South Africa with AIDS.