Nearly Three Decades of Sleaze Rock – Still Kicking on Stage
Hardcore Superstar from Gothenburg, Sweden has been flying the flag for sleaze rock since their formation in 1997, releasing their debut album the following year. Almost three decades later, their energy and presence show no signs of fading.
While the line-up has seen some changes, frontman Joakim Berggren, better known as Jocke Berg, and bassist Martin Sandvik are still at the core, joined by guitarist Vic Zino (who replaced Thomas Silver in 2008) and the latest addition, drummer Johan Reivén, who stepped in after Magnus “Adde” Andreasson’s departure in early 2024.
Headliners of a Brand-New Festival
At the brand-new two-day Oasen Festival in Ulricehamn, Hardcore Superstar were the undisputed headliners. Their 22:00 slot on the main outdoor stage was clearly the festival’s prime time – and the show drew both the biggest crowd and the most ecstatic response of the weekend.
Energy, Riffs, and Humour
From the very start, the band fed off the energy of the audience. Jocke Berg, always the charismatic showman, bounced across the stage with his trademark humour and boundless stamina. Vic Zino matched him with wild enthusiasm and goofy expressions, while delivering thick riffs and infectious leads that made the absence of a second guitarist barely noticeable.
The band sounded tight and powerful, proving once again why they’ve held their status as one of Sweden’s most enduring hard rock exports.
A Local Touch from Jocke Berg
Berg also offered a personal touch, revealing from the stage that he has recently moved to Borås – something he never imagined, but he’s clearly settled in and enjoying it.
For me, this was news, though it brought back a memory of spotting him years ago at Knalleland shopping centre, queuing of all things at a Sarah Dawn Finer signing. His offbeat anecdotes and local references gave the set a warm, communal feeling, especially considering Borås’ proximity to Ulricehamn.
Sandvik’s Laid-Back Groove
Meanwhile, bassist Martin Sandvik brought his own brand of laid-back joy. With fedora perched on his head and sunglasses dangling loosely around his neck, he plucked the bass with his fingers rather than a pick – not the most common approach in hard rock, but one that gave his playing a distinctive groove.
Sandvik seemed to have his own little fan club in the crowd, chanting ‘the guy with the hat!’ – though whether they actually knew his name is anyone’s guess.
Banter, Stage-Diving, and Chaos
The show was peppered with Berg’s antics and banter. At one point he asked the crowd, “Are you feeling strong?” before grinning: “Good, because any moment now I’ll come on you. Not sexually – the whole of me will come on you. So be ready for it!” Stage-diving seemed to be on the cards, though I left before finding out if he actually launched himself into the crowd.
After about 35–40 minutes, I made the decision to slip out. The lack of a photo pit made shooting challenging, and the increasingly rowdy crowd – fuelled by drink and festival euphoria – left little space for photography without risking a camera lens (or a 51-year-old frontman) in the face. With the prospect of another long day ahead, I traded the chaos for an earlier night, missing out on Borås-based black metallers Jord, who were set to close the evening.
Highlights from the Set
The band tore through several of their classics, including Medicate Me, Last Call for Alcohol, You Can’t Kill My Rock ’n Roll and Wild Boys.
No complete setlist has been published, but even with these highlights it was clear that the crowd was thoroughly engaged, singing along and feeding the band with energy throughout the performance.
Still Sleaze Royalty
Hardcore Superstar’s performance stood tall as arguably the main event of the first Oasen Festival. Nearly thirty years on, their brand of high-octane sleaze rock still feels alive, vital, and above all, fun – and the hundreds who gathered in Ulricehamn that night surely went home buzzing.
This show was shot with
Wider Shots
- Camera: Sony a7 III
- Lens: Tamron 28-75/f2.8
Close-Ups
- Camera: Sony a7R II
- Lens: Tamron 70-180/f2.8
Concert Photo Gallery
The lighting conditions and my limited view during the show weren’t ideal for photography, often resulting in a purple haze and random hands in front of the lens. For this reason, I mostly opted for black-and-white images, which also helps make the crowd less distracting. Enjoy the shots!
