There was a time in the late ‘90s—pre-streaming, pre-Spotify algorithm hell—when the postman was never off my doorstep. Almost daily, he’d bring me 7-inches and CDs of Swedish punk rock brilliance. The Hellacopters. Backyard Babies. Names that still snarl with attitude. That was an era when rock ‘n’ roll felt alive, unfiltered, and smeared in engine grease.
Midlife Crisis come from that same bloodline. A Scandinavian supergroup in every sense of the word, the lineup reads like a who’s who of Nordic punk royalty: Urrke (Maryslim, Bizex-B), Dregen (Backyard Babies, The Hellacopters, Michael Monroe Band), Robban Eriksson (The Hellacopters, Strindbergs, Syl Sylvain), and Måns P Månsson (Crimson Shadows, Wrecks, Maggots). In 2004, these four lunatics got together and ripped through three classic punk songs, throwing them onto a vinyl EP with zero concern for polish—and all the better for it.
They’ve since released three more EPs, with the last arriving in 2018. Now, Wild Kingdom Records has done the decent thing and gathered the chaos into one glorious collection: “45 Turns 33.” It’s punk rock through a cracked mirror—raw, ragged, and more than a little bit ridiculous. In other words, it’s absolutely perfect.
The opening blast of “Sick Of You” is snotty, low-slung and filthy. It sounds like it was recorded in a garage that doubles as a drinking den, and that’s a compliment. “Centre Of Lies” is a street anthem celebrating a Swedish punk band, delivered with snarling sincerity. The Avengers’ “The American In Me” gets a thunderous run-through—one of the few tracks here I knew going in—and it still kicks with purpose.
“Cranked Up Really High” might as well be autobiography. It’s the sound of a Saturday night out in Stockholm circa 1981, complete with gang vocals and a reckless swagger. “Raggare” dives back to the greaser subculture with the enthusiasm of a band that never truly left it behind.
Every track screams their love for this music. “Vital Hours” burns with urgency. “I Need Nothing” is brash and full of strut, with Dregen reminding us that no one makes a guitar sneer quite like he does. The songs blur past in a frenzy of leopard print and safety pins—if you know, you know.
There’s even room for some power pop sparkle. “Here I Go And Here I Am” tosses in handclaps like it’s 1978 all over again. “Silver Son Johnnie” sounds like Chuck Berry sniffing glue and loving every minute of it. “The First Time Is The Best Time” pops its cherry with pure punk energy, while “Dark Yellow, Easy Flow” (despite sounding like a 3am toilet trip) adds a dose of grimy garage rock.
Shortest track? That’d be “Samma Sak”, 84 seconds of straight-up filth and fury. Best title? “Shitty Shitty Bang Bang”, obviously. But for sheer giddy joy, closer “Bye Bye Hey Hey Hey” is a full-tilt sugar rush that leaves you grinning—and reaching to spin the whole thing again.
“45 Turns 33” is more than just a collection. It’s a reminder of what punk rock was—and what it still can be when it’s played by lifers who never lost the spark.
Review 8/10
