Kent was a Swedish alternative rock band formed in Eskilstuna in 1990. With members Joakim Berg, Martin Sköld, Sami Sirviö, and Markus Mustonen, the band had numerous radio hits throughout Sweden and Scandinavia
and consecutive number-one studio albums on the Sweden top list (Sverigetopplistan) beginning with the release of Verkligen (1996) and led by the single "Kräm (så nära får ingen gå)." With origins rooted in distorted rock, they found mainstream success through their alternative rock albums of the mid-1990s, 2000s, and 2010s, the latter decades during which they adopted elements of synthpop.
Origins & Early Influences
The band Jones & Giftet (Jones & The Poison) was formed in 1990 with members Joakim "Jocke" Berg, Martin Sköld, Markus Mustonen, Sami Sirviö, and Thomas Bergqvist (synthesizers). Berg and Sirviö started the band when Berg went to London and bought two guitars, one for each of them. Sköld, Bergqvist, and Mustonen joined soon after. Their first gig was in Lindesberg in Västmanland, and the second at Knegoffs in Eskilstuna. In 1991, Jones & Giftet won the contest Cult 91 at the Skylight in Eskilstuna.
Training, Day Jobs & First Gigs
In March 1994, Kent recorded a 10-track demo under very simple conditions in an 8-track studio at Nytorpsskolan near Blåsut in Stockholm. They gave the demo to Peter Ejheden at Pet Sounds who was working as a booker for a club (Pet Sounds Bar). In the same chain of events where he got the tape, Ejheden quit Pet Sounds and started working at BMG. In April Per Lindholm, A&R at RCA/BMG, heard the band for the first time and was immediately interested. On 26 June Kent's first record contract was signed. They went to Silence Studios in Koppom, Värmland, to record their first album.
Breakthrough & Early Stardom
In March 1995, Kent released their first album, Kent. The band's style at that time emphasized distortion, which is in contrast with their later albums. Their first single was "När det blåser på månen." One year later, in March 1996, Kent released Verkligen (Really). Guitarist Martin Roos had left the band for his career at Kent's record company BMG; he later became the band's manager. The pre-release single "Kräm (så nära får ingen gå)" immediately became a radio hit and gained Kent some serious fame in Sweden.
Peak Era & Signature Works
With eleven number-one albums, five number-one singles, 22 Swedish Grammy Awards, and over three million record sales, Kent is considered the most popular rock/pop group within Sweden and throughout Scandinavia. Vapen & ammunition (2002) topped the Swedish charts for eight weeks. Kent is often compared to bands like U2 and Coldplay. On 14 March 2016, the band announced that they would release their final album, titled Då som nu för alltid, after 26 years of performing. The album was released on 20 May 2016. The band's announcement noted that the dissolution of the band is voluntary and is despite their continued success.
