Biography

Refused is a hardcore punk band originating from Umeå, Sweden, formed in 1991. The band’s final lineup comprised its founding members, vocalist Dennis Lyxzén and drummer David Sandström, as well as guitarists Kristofer Steen and Jon Brännström. Their lyrics were often of a non-conformist and politically far-left nature. The band released five EPs and three albums before initially splitting up in 1998. Kerrang! placed The Shape of Punk to Come at #13 on their 50 Most Important Albums Of All Time list. Several months of heavy touring and internal stress caused the band’s dissolution, after their last show in the United States was dismantled by police. Following the band split, Lyxzén went on to front the political garage rock band The (International) Noise Conspiracy.

In March 2010, Epitaph Records put up the old Refused website online with the words ‘Coming Soon’. Rumors spread across the internet about what the new website could indicate, including speculation of a reunion. Citing an anonymous source “close to the situation,” Punknews.org unofficially announced that the band would perform at European music festivals in 2010. Dennis Lyxzén has denied claims of a Refused reformation as he and David Sandström are busy with AC4.The new band website was later announced to be a promotional site for a reissue of Refused’s final album, The Shape of Punk to Come.The reissue, was released on June 8, 2010, is a three-disc set with an unreleased live album recorded in 1998 and the Refused Are Fucking Dead DVD documentary in addition to the full original album.

On January 9, 2012, it was announced that Refused would be performing at the 2012 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Fesitval in Indio, California in April 2012. Dennis Lyxzen has assured “non-American” fans there will be plenty more shows to come and are planning a world tour.