Diddi Kastenholt

Bai Bang

The Swedish BAI BANG, one of the many Hard Rock figures of the 80s, comes out, with no surprise, with another hit machine of an album called "All Round The Worlds", via AOR Heaven. Kati had a chance to talk with Diddi Kastenholt about the band, himself and more…

By Katarzyna Zakolska

• June 5, 2013

Hey Diddi, how have you been? Thank you very much for the time to this interview for Metal Temple. BAI BANG's new album, "All Around The World", was just released via AOR Heaven. How can you describe the album in general?

It's a more guitar oriented album!!! We have more guitar in the mix upfront but without taking away any vocals.

Do you think that it is different than anything you guys produced earlier?

Yes I believe so. Compared to the other albums the vocals are very upfront in the mix together with the guitars!!

What are the most memorable moments during the album's making?

Back when I did the last song "Everybody Everywhere". When I come up with some ideas, hooks, lyrics etc. I always record them on my cellphone so that I won't forget…..As we should start writing on an idea we had I said: Lest listen to my cellphone….I had recorded an chorus idea in a…..shopping mall!!!! When Pontus the producer heard it he said: Let's go for it!!!! And that song became Everybody Everywhere!!!!!

What inspired your to create the album's music and its lyrics?

Oh… life I think!!! I'm a positive person and I like to surround me with positive people and vibes!!!!

I think that your voice is amazing, the highlight of the album for me, is sounds so natural? Have you been developing it over the years? Have you always wanted to become a vocalist?

Thanks a lot!!! I have developed the voice. There was a time when I had difficult in doing live shows for too long. Bad monitors, smoke etc. So I had to do an vocal cord operation!! In total 4!!! But since before the album Are you ready, it all started to feel ok in my voice!!!The last 5 years has been perfect!!! Yes I always wanted to sing in a Rock band!! And I do!!!

BAI BANG has been on since the 80s, how has the band's sound changed throughout its Career?

Well I think so but the band has always had great melodies and hooks!!! That's Bai Bang. In the past played with bands such as LA Guns, Thin Lizzy, Wishbone Ash, Ratt, Dio, Mötley Crüe, Pretty Maids, Saxon, Axel Rudi Pell and played at festivals such as Sweden Rock, Wacken and Rocklahoma.

If you could put together a tour with any bands, what bands would you love to tour with?

Aerosmith, Bon Jovi perhaps……it's a hard question!!!

You're probably already started supporting "All Around World". Are there places around the world that you never played on that you wish to reach?

South America and Australia!!! We must go there!!!!

It would be interesting to know the roots of the name BAI BANG.

It's a name of a small village and a papermill in Vietnam.

Generally, what do you think about music scene in Sweden?

We do have a great scene!!But we could have some more rockclubs….

Have you ever considered a release in your native language for your local fans?

We did a single or two ways back… But now we will not do anything in Swedish. We like to have listeners all around the world!!!!

With what kind of music you grew up with?

T-Rex and Kiss,