Hardcore Superstar

Formed in Gothenburg in 1997 around singer Jocke Berg and bassist Martin Sandvik, Hardcore Superstar situates itself within the Swedish hard rock tradition, blending glam metal, sleaze rock and a rawer rock’n’roll energy. Initially completed by Thomas Silver on guitar and Mika Vainio, and later with Magnus “Adde” Andreasson on drums, the quartet released It’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll in 1998 and widened its audience with Bad Sneakers and a Piña Colada in 2000, after tours with Backyard Babies, Motörhead and Dio. Hardcore Superstar’s trajectory then passed through albums of varied profiles — from the more melodic Thank You (For Letting Us Be Ourselves) in 2001 to No Regrets in 2003 — and a heavier turn in the mid‑2000s the band labeled “street metal,” heard on Hardcore Superstar (2005) and Dreamin’ in a Casket (2007). Since guitarist Vic Zino’s arrival in 2008, Hardcore Superstar has continued that formula of catchy choruses, massive riffs and sleaze aesthetics, notably on Beg for It (2009), Split Your Lip (2010), C’mon Take on Me (2013), HCSS (2015), You Can’t Kill My Rock ’n’ Roll (2018) and Abrakadabra (2022). A regular presence on European rock and metal stages, Hardcore Superstar remains closely associated with Gothenburg, a city the band has frequently claimed as its anchor.