Easy Action (band)

Easy Action
Background information
OriginStockholm, Sweden
GenresGlam metal[1]
Years active1981–1986, 2006–present
MembersKee Marcello
Chris Lind
Tommy Nilsson
"Grizzly" Höglund
Björn Påhlsson
Past membersDanny Wilde
Freddie Von Gerber
Alex Tyrone
Micael Grimm
Björne Fröberg
Pelle Almgren
Zinny J. Zan
Simon Roxx

Easy Action is a Swedish band from Stockholm that was first formed in 1981 by Pelle Almgren (ex-Warhead), Henrik "2 meter" Jermsten (ex-Stoodes),[2] Bosse Belsen (aka Zinny J. Zan of Shotgun Messiah/Kingpin/Zan Clan – drums) and Björne Fröberg (bass, ex-Warhead). Bosse and Björne quit and were replaced by Ola "Skox" Andersson and drummer Urban "Ubbe" Sundbaum (ex-Lustans Lakejer).[3] Stranded Rekords became interested and released the single "Honcho Bongo". It did not sell well and when the second single, "Om jag vore kung", also failed the band split up. Skox and 2 meter formed Psyhedelic Mongo and Pelle Almgren started writing songs instead.[4][3]

Easy Action was reformed as a glam metal band in 1982 by Kee Marcello and Alex Tyrone (aka Peo Thyrén). The two played together in the Swedish glam act Noice when they decided to start the ultimate glam rock band, mixing their influences of 1970s glam with a punk/metal attitude. They met the original singer Bosse Belsen, now named Zinny J. Zan, at the Stockholm rock club Ritz and recorded his vocals on the first demos the same night. Later the Noice drummer Fredrik Von Gerber and the guitar player Danny Wilde joined the band, followed by bassist, Per-Olof Thyrén.

In 1983, they got signed to the US major label Sire and became the first Swedish band ever to sign a worldwide record deal.[5] After releasing two albums; Easy Action in 1983, and That Makes One in 1986, the band split up when their guitarist and band leader Kee Marcello quit the band to join Europe, and went on to worldwide success with the band, selling over 30 million albums. Zinny J. Zan went on to join the Skövde glam metal band Kingpin, later renamed Shotgun Messiah.

Poison used a similar chorus to Easy Action's 1983 single "We Go Rocking" in their hit single "I Want Action", which led to the members of Easy Action suing the American band's record label and accepting a financial settlement in the case.[6]

Easy Action reunited for a gig at the Sweden Rock Festival in 2006. This was followed by several shows in late 2007, including opening for Twisted Sister. In April 2008, the band went in the studio with producer Chris Laney to record a new studio album. In 2011, bassist Micael Grimm died.

On 18 December 2018, Easy Action was confirmed to play at the Sweden Rock Festival in 2019. The concert included a live performance of the album That Makes One in its entirety, performed by the line-up that recorded it, including vocalist Tommy Nilsson and guitarists Kee Marcello and Chris Lind.[7][8]

  1. ^ McPadden, Mike (22 September 2015). "The Hair Metal 100: Ranking the '80s Greatest Glam Bands, Part 2". VH1. Viacom. Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  2. ^ "The Stoodes". Punktjafs.com. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Easy Action – historik". Punktjafs.com. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  4. ^ "Easy Action – fakta". Punktjafs.com. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  5. ^ "Bosse Belsen". Punktjafs.com. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  6. ^ "Did POISON Steal '80s Hits From Another Band?". Blabbermouth.net. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  7. ^ "Sweden Rock". Swedenrock.com. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  8. ^ "EASY ACTION To Reunite For Appearance At SWEDEN ROCK FESTIVAL". Blabbermouth.net. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2020.