Teddybears

Teddybears Artistfacts

  • 1991-
    Patrik ArveVocals
    Joakim ÅhlundGuitar
    Klas Åhlund Guitar, production
  • Teddybears were formed in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1991 by Patrik Arve and brothers Joakim and Klas Åhlund. The band started as Teddybears STHLM, playing grindcore and their early albums sounded more like Slayer than Daft Punk. The shift to electronic pop was gradual, but complete.
  • The band members often perform in fuzzy bear masks or robotic headgear. The visuals play into their genre-defying aesthetic: pop music dressed up in punk costumes.
  • Teddybears are the kind of group that can get Iggy Pop, CeeLo Green, and Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne on the same playlist. Joakim Åhlund said their guiding principle for guest features is simple: "The voice has to hit you in the gut."
  • Rock'n'Roll Highschool earned the group four Swedish Grammis Awards in 2001, including Album of the Year and Pop/Rock Group of the Year
  • Featuring Jamaican dancehall artist Mad Cobra, their song "Cobrastyle" has been used in everything from Gossip Girl to FIFA video games to Taco Bell commercials. It's reggae-inflected electro-pop with teeth, and a perfect example of Teddybears' cut-and-paste approach to genre.
  • Their 2006 version of "Punkrocker," featuring Iggy Pop, became a cult favorite after being used in a Cadillac ad campaign. It's also the end credits song in the 2025 film Superman.
  • Joakim Åhlund has co-written and co-produced songs for artists like Robyn ("With Every Heartbeat") and Kelly Clarkson ("I Want You"). He also co-founded the glam-pop band Caesars (remember "Jerk It Out"? That iPod ad jam? Yep, same guy).
  • Teddybears blend garage rock, hip-hop, reggae, synth-pop, punk, and even bubblegum into a neon-colored Frankenstein of sound. As Åhlund once put it, "We don't care about genres - we just like when music makes you feel something."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Curt Kirkwood of Meat Puppets

Curt Kirkwood of Meat PuppetsSongwriter Interviews

The (Meat)puppetmaster takes us through songs like "Lake Of Fire" and "Backwater," and talks about performing with Kurt Cobain on MTV Unplugged.

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenSong Writing

Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.

Movie Stars In Music Videos

Movie Stars In Music VideosSong Writing

Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Mila Kunis and John Malkovich are just a few of the film stars who have moonlighted in music videos.

Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.