Latest release (2024-09-06)

Biography

Varnagel year by year
 
1999
● Varnagel is formed and releases the demo cassette – “En ny tid”
● Participates for the first time on a compilation cassette – Pubertala Records collection “From here to fame”
 
2000
● Live debut
● Releases second demo cassette – "Ledarskap, karriär och kompetens"
● Contributes for the first time on compilation records – Oslipade diamanter records collection “KOL” and Trapdoor records collection “Holy Shit #3”

2001
● Releases third demo cassette – “Marknadsromantik”
 
2002
● Appears on a split EP (vinyl) that Fouty5 records released. The other side of the vinyl consisted of Näsblod
● Halvkass records releases a live cassette “Levande punk” documenting one of Varnagel’s gigs at Kafé 44
 
2003
● The first full-length album – “Offentligt Häckleri” is released in collaboration with Kamel records
● First (and so far only) appearance on a foreign compilation album - American Vinehell records “To the bitter end”"
 
2004
● Release the mCD “Andra Klass” on Second Class Kids records
● A recording of a gig at Tantogården is released on BJ Eagle Records under the name “Offentligt, billigt och skitsurt”
● Freddan new drummer
 
2005
● Varnagel’s three demo cassettes are released on CD by Kulturföreningen Levande Punk records (KfLP-r) with the title “Det som var”
 
2006
● Varnagel begins the collaboration with Beat Butchers and releases his second full-length – “Stenar mot pansarvagnar”
 
2007
● Releases the cover mCD “Melodier vi minns (typ)” together with the bands Greta Kassler, Snorting Maradonas and Sällskapsresan
● Third album – “Vill ha mer”
● The band’s most active touring year.
 
2008
● Varnagel quits
● The CD “Sista biten” is released with newly recorded material and older previously unreleased recordings
 
2009
● Mini reunion at Beat Butcher’s 25th anniversary party at Kägelbanan in Stockholm
 
2010
● The live album “Avsked” is released, recorded at the band’s farewell gig in 2008
 
2014
● Mini reunion at Beat Butcher’s 30th anniversary party at Münchenbryggeriet in Stockholm. In connection with the gig, the EP ”Herrelösa hundar” is released with three new songs and a collection of older songs
 
2019
● Mini reunion at Beat Butcher’s 35th anniversary party at Kraken in Stockholm
 
2021
● Varnagel reunites for real, as a trio
 
2022
● Fourth full-length album – “I vargars land”
 
2023
● Varnagel becomes a quartet again
 
2024
● Fifth full-length album – “Opium för folket”
From the punk wave of the 90s to Japan
 
Sometime around 1993/94, a punk band was formed on Ekerö outside Stockholm, which after a few name changes came to be called Frank Evert Lipar (F.E.L). In neighboring Bromma, the punk band Tarmludd was formed in 1995, and the year after Mindless. Musically, F.E.L and Tarmludd can be described as springing from the then blazing Swedish punk scene with bands such as Dia Psalma, Cosa Nostra and Radioaktivaka Räker, while Mindless rather had its musical home in the then at least equally active skate punk scene.
 
Varnagel was formed in 1999 when Tobbe and Henkan from the then dormant F.E.L independently recorded the demo cassette “En ny tid” [A new era] under the new band name.  Erik and Danne from Tarmludd (and later also the skate punk band Mindless) joined and the band now had a full lineup even for gigs. The first releases were self-released demo cassettes, but it was mainly via compilation cassettes, compilation discs and fanzines that Varnagel was spread outside its own circle.
 
In 2003, the band released their first full-length album - a CD with the title “Offentligt Häckleri” [Public heckling] in collaboration with Kamel records, which also resulted in participation on the legendary Definitivt 50-spänn compilation album.  The following year, an mCD (or EP...) titled “Andra Klass” [Second class] was released on Second Class Kids records.  “Andra Klass” was the last release with Danne on drums, and as he left he was replaced by Freddan from F.E.L.  Varnagel now started playing live more than before and began a collaboration with the record label Beat Butchers.  In 2006, the band’s second full-length album ”Stenar mot pansarvagnar” [Rocks vs. battle tanks] was released, which was followed up in 2007 by another one – ”Vill ha mer” [Wanting more].
 
In 2008, Varnagel decided to call it quits as a band and the music continued to spread in other forums.  However, it was not completely dead in the Varnagel camp during the break.  Already in 2009 – the year after the band was disbanded – Varnagel played at Beat Butcher’s 25th anniversary party, then in 2014 at the 30th anniversary and then again in 2019 at the 35th anniversary. In connection with the 30th anniversary party, three new songs were released together with a collection of old songs on a limited edition CD with the title “Herrelösa Hundar” [Stray dogs], and in connection with the 35th anniversary party, the compilation vinyl “Trallpunk” was released.
 
In 2021, Varnagel reunited for real, as a trio consisting of Erik, Freddan and Tobbe. The following year, in 2022, the band released their fourth full-length, "I vargars land" [In the land of wolves], on vinyl this time, and again on the Beat Butcher label. The album was also released on CD by the Japanese label Waterslide Records in collaboration with Beat Butchers. This was the first Varnagel release to be released on a Japanese record label, but as the band has been shipping cassettes, records and merch to Japan for over 20 years, there is already a small but dedicated fan base there. In 2023, Varnagel again became a quartet when Joel from Järnmalm and Kolonin, stepped in as a permanent member. Joel has jumped in and played live with the band on numerous occasions since the mid-00s and has been a steady live session member since the reunion.
 
2024 is now the time for the band’s fifth studio album, “Opium för folket” [Opium for the people], which will be released on September 6 on Beat Butchers. Also this time the CD version is released in cooperation with Japanese Waterslide, while the vinyl will be released by Beat Butchers. Before the album release, the band releases a number of singles on digital platforms.
 
Varnagel 2024
Erik - bass and backup vocals
Freddan - drums
Joel – guitar and backup vocals
Tobbe – leadvocals and guitar
 

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Header Photo: Elsa Lundin
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