Dag Vag was one of the bands bridging
the declining old and the burgeoning new. They called their music
'trans-continental rock reggae' and that explains their music pretty
well. Frontman Stig Vig (real name Per-Åke Odeltorp) was previously
known as Per Gud and used to hang around with Träd Gräs &Stenar (TG&S). He recorded several of their gigs and released two
TG&S albums on his own Tall label, ”Djungelns lag” and ”Mors
mors”. Stig Vig's first band was God's Sideburns which he founded
in 1966. He was in several other bands in the early 70's including
the music theatre group Blomkraft with members from Archimedes Badkar
and TG&S. In 1978, he released the single ”Dimma” as Dag Vag
& Svagsinta, a raw and fantastic solo DIY effort with its roots
in progg but punk in attitude that eventually led to him forming a
full band, keeping the name Dag Vag. In the early 00's, Stig Vig said
in an interview that he wanted Dag Vag to be fun and joyful
alternative to the increasingly narrow-minded politicized progg, and
with consciously simple lyrics.
Dag Vag (Silence, 1979)
Swedish vocals
Swedish vocals
International relevance: **
Already known to Silence Records as the
live engineer for Tråd, Gräs Och STenar, it was only natural that Dag Vag scored a
deal with the label. The album opens with an excellent cover of
”Sanningens silverflod” from TG&S's green album, and features
two more translated covers, The Fugs' ”I Couldn't Get High” (”Jag
blev inte hög”) and Bob Dylan's ”Tombstone Blues”
(”Snorbloos”). However, the best track on this splendid album is
the original number ”Idioterna” that captures the band's
'trans-continental rock reggae' at its best.
First edition was released with clear vinyl.
Scenbuddism (Silence, 1979)
Swedish vocals, instrumental
International relevance: **
When original guitarist Olsson left
(real name Ola Backström, known from albums by Stockholm Norra,
Torkel Rasmusson, Tore Berger, Lena Ekman et al), Kenny Håkansson of
the recently disbanded Kebnekajse stepped in. His first vinyl
appearance with the band (as Beno Zeno) was the live album
”Scenbuddism”. Covers of The Modern Lovers' ”Egyptian Reggae”
and a translated ”Wild Thing”, but mostly terrific original
material including the classic reggaefied version of ”Dimma” .
Håkansson delivers some of his best guitar work ever but perhaps he shines brightest on 8+
minutes closing track ”Tokna & galna”.
Palsternacka (Silence, 1980)
Swedish vocals
Swedish vocals
International relevance: **
Still good but not as consistent as
their first two albums. The lovely ”Jag har drömt” has lyrics
adapted from Swedish poet Dan Andersson and collectively set to music
by the band. Highlights also include ”Rulla på” and ”Lång
väg”.
7 lyckliga elefanter (Silence, 1982)
Swedish vocals
International relevance: **
The weakest of their original early
period albums, with too many highlife and new wave influences,
including a translated version of Generation X's ”Dancing with
Myself” (”Dansar med mej själv”). ”Min pappa” is however
brilliant, written by Zilverzurfarn (real name Johan Zachrisson).
Almanacka (Silence, 1983; recorded
1978-1981)
Swedish vocals
International relevance: **
Dag Vag disbanded in 1983 and released
this live compilation as a farewell album, recorded between 1978 and
1981 and including a trippy version of ”Snorbloos” and a very
dubby version of ”Tokna & galna”. Also Kenny Håkansson's
brilliant and otherwise unavailable ”Om döden”. Features Don Cherry on several tracks. The expanded CD reissue has different cover art:
Dag Vag also released a number of non-album 45's and has a track on the ”Nej till kärnkraft” comp released in 1979, the great original version of ”Många gånger om” (re-recorded in a lesser version for ”7 lyckliga elefanter”). All stray tracks were later added to the CD reissues along with previously unreleased tracks.
The band reunited in the late 80's with
several disbandings and reunions following over the years. Stig Vig
died in 2012.
Dag Vag full album playlist with bonus tracks
Scenbuddhism full album playlist with bonus tracks
Palsternacka full album playlist with bonus tracks
7 lyckliga elefanter full album playlist with bonus tracks
Almanacka full album playlist with bonus tracks
Dag Vag full album playlist with bonus tracks
Scenbuddhism full album playlist with bonus tracks
Palsternacka full album playlist with bonus tracks
7 lyckliga elefanter full album playlist with bonus tracks
Almanacka full album playlist with bonus tracks
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