Nicke Andersson#Cold Ethyl

Andersson's interest began early in life with Kiss as his favorite band. He soon discovered his childhood friend and future bandmate Kenny Håkanssons's father's record collection and bands such as The Ramones and Sex Pistols. His interest soon turned towards heavier music, trading cassettes and vinyl and writing for fanzines.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0w08u66yTg |title=Nick Royale Special – Swedish Documentary Part 1 |via=YouTube |access-date=1 October 2011}} It wasn't long before Andersson started playing music and was soon playing drums and guitars in rock and metal bands such as Brain Dead Bodies, The Breaking, Belsen Barnen, Parodi, Maximal Skandal, Sons of Satan, Blasphemy, Nihilist and a number of other bands.

{{main|Entombed (band)}}

Andersson formed Nihilist after answering an ad in Heavy Sound, a record store in Stockholm. When Nihilist broke up in 1989,{{cite web|url=http://www.metallian.com/entombed.php |title=Entombed band biography |publisher=metallian.com |date=10 April 2024 |access-date=10 April 2024}} the same musicians formed Entombed with a different bass player. Andersson was predominantly the drummer in the band but also contributed to bass, guitars and vocals. Entombed derived influence from various different genres, but mostly from death metal on the band's first two albums Left Hand Path (which was recorded when he was 18){{cite book |last1=Mudrian |first1=Albert |title=Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces |date=14 July 2009 |publisher=Da Capo Press |page=110 }} and Clandestine. With their third album the group started incorporating more traditional influences from hard rock and heavy metal and the album Wolverine Blues is widely considered to be the origin of death 'n' roll.{{cite AV media notes |title=Wolverine Blues |title-link=Wolverine Blues |others=Entombed |year=1999 |first=Dan |last=Tobin |page=8 |type=CD booklet |publisher=Earache Records |location=Nottingham, United Kingdom}}

File:Nick_royale_and_strings.jpg performing with the Hellacopters in 2008]]

{{main|The Hellacopters}}

In late 1994, Andersson formed The Hellacopters as a side project with Dregen, Kenny Håkansson and Robert Eriksson, all of whom earlier had been roadies during Andersson's time in Entombed. In January 1995 they released their first single Killing Allan on their own label Psychout Records.{{cite web|url=http://www.grunnenrocks.nl/label/p/psychoutrecords.htm |title=Psychout Records |publisher=Grunnenrocks.nl |access-date=1 October 2011}} Their first full-length album Supershitty to the Max! was released in 1996 and was recorded in 25 hours and later awarded with a Grammies. The group recruited Anders Lindström and supported KISS on their Scandinavian shows in 1997. The album was followed up the next year with Payin' the Dues. Due to the band's success, Andersson left Entombed to focus full-time on his new band. However, the next year guitarist Dregen left The Hellacopters to focus full-time on his other band Backyard Babies.{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Underground/6514/dregenint.html |title=Urotsukidoji's Pad |publisher=Webcitation.org |access-date=29 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091020232950/http://geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Underground/6514/dregenint.html |archive-date=20 October 2009 }} With their third record The Hellacopters changed the direction of their music to a cleaner sound than the early garage/punk rock style. The band continued to tour with temporary replacements before Robert 'Strings' Dahlqvist joined the band as their full-time guitarist.{{cite web |url=http://hem.bredband.net/sanna96/hellacopterssve.htm |title=Robert Dahlqvist spelar med i Hellacopters |publisher=Hem.bredband.net |access-date=1 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604165140/http://hem.bredband.net/sanna96/hellacopterssve.htm |archive-date=4 June 2009 }} The band continued to release albums and tour extensively in Scandinavia, Europe and other parts of the world as well as opening for The Rolling Stones on two shows in 2002. In 2006 The Hellacopters joined forces with The Hives, Backyard Babies, The Soundtrack of Our Lives and Millencolin and embarked on a successful tour throughout Sweden. The band broke up after the release of their seventh full-length album, Head off, a collection of cover songs, which was followed in 2008 by a last tour through Europe and Scandinavia.

{{main|The Hydromatics|The Solution (band)}}

While on tour in USA with The Hellacopters, the band played several shows in the same venue as the former Sonic's Rendezvous Band singer Scott Morgan. This led to the formation of The Hydromatics which went on to release their first record Parts Unknown in 1999. Andersson and Morgan teamed up once again in 2004 this time under the name The Solution to release Communicate, which was followed by Will Not Be Televised in 2007.{{cite web|author=The Barman |url=http://www.scottmorganmusic.com/scott_soulmover.html |title=The Solution |publisher=Scottmorganmusic.com |access-date=1 October 2011}}

{{main|Death Breath}}

In 2005 Death Breath was formed by Andersson and Robert Pehrsson. Soon Scott Carlson and Erik Wallin joined, making the band's lineup complete. The band plays metal music inspired by some of Andersson's favorite early extreme metal bands such as Venom, Autopsy and Celtic Frost. The band released Stinking Up the Night in 2006 and Let It Stink in 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/showinterview.php?id=1524&lang=en |title=Death Breath | Lords of Metal metal E-zine – Issue 65: December 2006 |publisher=Lordsofmetal.nl |access-date=1 October 2011}}

After the breakup of The Hellacopters, Andersson formed Cold Ethyl along with Thomas Eriksson, Tobias Egge and Dolf De Borst from The Datsuns, who opened together with "Demons" for The Hellacopters during the later part of The Tour Before the Fall. The band states that they have no interest in recording or releasing any material at this time and that the only way to experience the band is through their live shows. The band played their first show at Debaser Slussen in Stockholm early 2009 and held a short tenure at the club Fanclub.{{cite web|url=http://www.myspace.com/coldestethyl |title=Cold Ethyl | Gratis muziek, tourneedata, foto's, video's |publisher=Myspace.com |access-date=1 October 2011}}{{Primary source inline|date=May 2025}}

{{BLP unreferenced section|date=August 2022}}Image:Lucifer Rockharz 2022 17.jpg

At first a Nicke Andersson solo recording project Imperial State Electric soon evolved into a touring band with the same members as Cold Ethyl. They toured Scandinavia and Europe during 2010–2011 on the back of the first self-titled record (released Jan. 2010). I.S.E played mostly headline shows and festivals but there were also support act slots to KISS and Guns N' Roses. For the recording of the second album "Pop War" (released 9 March 2012) Imperial State Electric was declared a band proper. The "Pop War" tour was unofficially started with two gigs supporting The Hives, one "by invitation only" secret gig on 28 March 2012 and one official The Hives gig three days later. The Imperial State Electric Pop War tour officially started on 4 April at Katalin in Uppsala, Sweden.

{{main|Lucifer (multinational band)}}

In March 2017, it was announced that Andersson had joined the band Lucifer as drummer.{{cite web | title = LUCIFER Joined By ENTOMBED's NICKE ANDERSSON | url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/lucifer-joined-by-entombed-nicke-andersson/ | work = Blabbermouth.net | date = 8 March 2018 | accessdate = 11 October 2018}} He had started writing songs with his now-wife and Lucifer vocalist Johanna Sadonis in 2016, when two of its members had left.{{cite web | title = JOHANNA SADONIS Says New LUCIFER Album 'Digs Even Deeper Into The Record Crates Of The '70s' | url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/johanna-sadonis-says-new-lucifer-album-digs-even-deeper-into-the-record-crates-of-the-70s/ | work = Blabbermouth.net | date = 20 May 2018 | accessdate = 11 October 2018}}{{cite web | title = An interview with Johanna Sadonis and Nick Andersson of Lucifer | url = https://lotsofmuzic.weebly.com/home/an-interview-with-johanna-sadonis-and-nick-andersson-of-lucifer | work = Lots of Muzic | date = 3 June 2018 | accessdate = 11 October 2018}} As he is a multi-insturmentalist, Lucifer recorded their second album in Andersson's home studio without a complete band, only the addition of guitarist Robin Tidebrink. The band's third and fourth albums, Lucifer III (2021) and Lucifer IV (2022), were each nominated for Best Hard Rock/Metal at the Grammis awards.{{cite web | title = DARK TRANQUILLITY Wins Swedish GRAMMIS Award For 'Moment' | url = https://blabbermouth.net/news/dark-tranquillity-wins-swedish-grammis-award-for-moment/ | work = Blabbermouth.net | date = 7 June 2021 | accessdate = 18 August 2021}}{{cite web | title = AT THE GATES, TRIBULATION & LUCIFER Up For Swedish Grammis Awards | url = https://metalinjection.net/news/at-the-gates-tribulation-lucifer-up-for-swedish-grammis-awards | work = Metal Injection | date = 14 March 2022 | accessdate = 21 July 2022}}

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|quote="...to have Nicke in the band is the piece de resistance you know, cause he is such a solid musician to begin with, just fundamental, knows music, knows chords, knows melodies, his technique is superior and he has the connection to the music. He gets it, you know, he understands how it all works together. So he's able to work with in the context of it and bring something to it."

|source=Wayne Kramer of the MC5.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwr8MhtZnWY |title=The Hellacopter Nick Royale – Wayne Kramer talkin about him |via=YouTube |date=6 January 2007 |access-date=2011-10-01}}

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In 1998 Andersson, with former bandmate Dregen, Ginger (from the Wildhearts) and Thomas Skogsberg, formed Supershit 666. The band's music was very reminiscent of the early Hellacopters sound.{{cite web|url=http://www.grunnenrocks.nl/bands/s/supershit666.htm |title=Supershit 666 |publisher=Grunnenrocks.nl |access-date=1 October 2011}} The band released a self-titled EP in 1999 but never played live. However, Dregen and Ginger have both expressed interest in playing together again, possibly as Supershit 666.{{cite web|url=http://www.thewildhearts.com/askginger/askginger16.shtml |title=Ask Ginger February 2000 |publisher=The Wildhearts |date=21 February 2000 |access-date=1 October 2011}} After releasing By the Grace of God, Andersson was invited to join Wayne Kramer and the remaining members of the MC5 for their reunion tour in 2003 and 2004.{{cite web |url=http://www.mysnip.de/forum-archiv/thema/10043/749054/DKT_MC5+-+Tour+-+dates.html |title=DKT/MC5 – Tour – dates – TheDynaminds Forum |publisher=Mysnip.de |access-date=1 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707134523/http://www.mysnip.de/forum-archiv/thema/10043/749054/DKT_MC5+-+Tour+-+dates.html |archive-date=7 July 2007 |url-status=dead }}

In 2004 Andersson joined up with Swedish punk veteran Johan Johansson from KSMB and Strindbergs. They released the single "(Komma ut ur matchen) NU!", a Swedish version of "(Gotta get som action) NOW!" They were joined by musicians such as Anders "Boba" Lindström and Dregen from Hellacopters and Sulo from Diamond Dogs. The single also contained the song "8 pm", an English version of the KSMB song "Klockan 8". Along with fellow Hellacopter member Robert Dahlqvist, Andersson recorded drums and guitars for Swedish singer-songwriter Stefan Sundströms 2004 album Hjärtats melodi. Apart from being a producer/co-producer with his own bands, Andersson produced Swedish rock band Dollhouse's second album, The Royal Rendezevous, in Acetone Studio, Stockholm in late 2005. Also at Acetone Studio he played on Neil Leyton's The Betrayal of the Self album along with Backyard Babies's guitarist Dregen. The next year he produced the Backyard Babies's fifth studio album, People Like People Like People Like Us.{{cite web|url=http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/7054486/a/People+Like+Peoplelike+Peple+Like+Us.htm |title=Backyard Babies – People Like People Like People Like Us CD Album |publisher=Cduniverse.com |date=2 May 2006 |access-date=1 October 2011}} In 2009, it was announced that Andersson and Neil Leyton have a side project called The Point, with a 7" single titled "Give it a try" due to be released in the spring of 2010.

• Greco 1977 Les Paul Standard – Chambered body Tobacco Sunburst. It has three custom fitted pickups, one DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge position and two DiMarzio Classic PAF in the middle and neck positions. This guitar was given as a birthday gift to Nicke Andersson on his 40th birthday, August 2012. All custom work and fitting done by luthier Janne Helge.
• Berg Electric Guitars "Goblin" – Custom built for Nicke Andersson with a single Dimarzio Super Distortion humbucker in the bridge position.

High gloss black with

Bent maple bindings (appearing to be cream plastic to the naked eye) on body, head and neck.

Made by then-apprentice luthier Thomas Berg, as a qualifying piece of work.

Mr Berg has also built The Imperial model guitar (based on the early hard radius edge body Epiphone Coronet with custom features including a Crestwood headstock) for Tobias Egge and Nicke.

• Berg Electric Guitars "Imperial" built for Imperial State Electric guitarists Tobias Egge and Nicke Andersson by Thomas Berg of Berg Electric Guitars.

Based on the symmetrical shaped, hard radius edge body Epiphone Coronet (later Coronet models had more rounded edges on body)

Custom features include a Crestwood deluxe style bound, inline headstock, J200 type inlay, single Dimarzio DP100 and a wraparound bridge.

• Greco Les Paul Standard – black with white body binding.
• Eagle 12-string – "The Eaglebacker", a 12-string Rickenbacker clone.
• TYM Guitars The Royale – Andersson's signature guitar.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tymguitars.com.au/guitars_royale.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070925175243/http://www.tymguitars.com.au/guitars_royale.html|url-status=dead|title=The Royale|archivedate=25 September 2007|website=tymguitars.com.au}}
• TYM Guitars Wosrite Black Beauty{{cite web |url=http://www.hellacopters.com/site/nicke.asp?show=mygear |date=24 July 2006 |access-date=1 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060724050934/http://www.hellacopters.com/site/nicke.asp?show=mygear |archive-date=24 July 2006 |title=The Hellacopters }}
• TYM Guitars Johnny Ramone model
• TYM Guitars Versatone
• Mosrite – Ventures Model reissue
• Halkan Crestwood Deluxe – Replica made in Sweden
• Daguet – Epiphone Crestwood replica.{{Cite web |url=http://www.decibelmagazine.com/features/aug2007/nickeandersson.aspx |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208184444/http://www.decibelmagazine.com/features/aug2007/nickeandersson.aspx |url-status=dead |title=Top 20 Death Metal Guitarists |work=Decibel Magazine |first=Nick |last=Green |archivedate=8 February 2008}}
• Gibson SG Custom – Creamwhite finish with three humbuckers
• Mosrite Ventures model
• Gordon Smith GS LP Junior – Single cutaway
• Gordon Smith GS LP Junior – Double cutaway
• Gibson Les Paul Junior – Single P-90 pickup
• Gibson Les Paul Custom
• Iceman – Custom built by Sengenbjerg with three humbuckers[http://www.sengenbjerg.com/swe/artister/nicke.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090605134306/http://www.sengenbjerg.com/swe/artister/nicke.htm|date=5 June 2009}}
• DiPinto Mach IV – All black finish two single coil pickups{{cite web |url=http://www.dipintocustomshop.com/dpgal/slides/Nick%20Royale.html |title=DiPinto Artist Gallery : Nick Royale |publisher=Dipintocustomshop.com |access-date=1 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005122601/http://www.dipintocustomshop.com/dpgal/slides/Nick%20Royale.html |archive-date=5 October 2011 }}
• Gibson Flying V – Converted to left-hand
• Edwards Flying V
• Hagström bass

• Orange OTR-12 amplifier
• Marshall Amplifiers
• Fender Twin Reverb
• Lehnert Rambler 25w combo

• Nihilist (drums (1987–1989))
• Mezzrow (bass (1988–1989))
• Entombed (drums (1989-1997, 2016–present), vocals (1991))
• The Hellacopters (guitars, vocals (1994–2008, 2016–present))
• Daemon (Drums (1996))
• Supershit 666 (as Nick Royale: drums (1999))
• The Hydromatics (as Nick Royale: drums, percussion, backing vocals (1999))
• Kurt-Sunes med Helveteshundarna (vocals, guitars (2004))
• Death Breath (drums, guitars) (2005–present)
• The Solution (as Nick Royale: drums, percussion, guitars, backing vocals (2004–present))
• Imperial State Electric (vocals, guitars (2008–present))
• Lucifer (drums, guitar, bass (2017–present))

{{see also|The Hellacopters discography}}

{{reflist}}

{{The Hellacopters}}

{{Entombed}}

{{The Solution}}

{{Authority control}}

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Category:1972 births

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