John Lindberg Trio: Best Friend’s Girlfriend Review

Ever since the floodgates opened during the British Invasion, rock bands from other countries manage to create an uproar when their sonic waves crash upon the shores of North America. 

This was the case last month when the John Lindberg Trio travelled from their home in Sweden to appear in two blues festivals in Canada.

The explosive response from a thrilled audience prompted Blues Rock Review (BRR) to take a close look into the band and their recently-released album, Best Friend’s Girlfriend.

While their catalogue lists a variety of genres among their repertoire, there’s no doubt that the band is brilliant at Rockabilly and old-style Rock and Roll. Typically, they offer a retro throwback to the days when radio favored songs that were three and four minutes long.  

The John Lindberg Trio (JLT), consisting of leader John Lindberg (guitar, vocals), Olle Tjern (drums, backing vocals), and Nathanael Marcusson (bass, backing vocals), are impressive musicians who bring elements of pure joy and fun to the stage. Besides his dazzling, skilled and dynamic guitar, Lindberg is the proud owner of a deep, powerful voice, reminiscent of Elvis’s. The powerful rhythm section also adds some solid harmonies.

Recordings usually can’t replicate the energy and excitement generated by the best-seen-live performers like JLT, but their albums consistently come close to capturing the live experience.

Best Friend’s Girlfriend offers eight tracks that maintain a high level of energy and first-rate production values throughout. It is an exuberant antidote to the current political climate. 

Lindberg told BRR he was enthralled at an early age by American stars, especially Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Chuck Berry. While their influences are evident, this is no cover band. They have produced volumes of original, funky, rockabilly material with a modern energy. 

He recounted how he wasn’t popular in school as his peers were “listening to bands like the Spice Girls.” Later, at 15, he was introduced to Brian Setzer and the Stray Cats, and he was hooked. “They played the music I liked but in a modern way,” he said. By age 17, Lindberg had released his first album.

“I love to write songs that make people happy; you need some darkness, too, but I prefer happy songs,” he shared. “The pandemic scared me and I became depressed; ‘who am I,’ I wondered. “What will I do (without live music), but we struggled through and, when back on stage, I tell everyone this is what I live for. I love playing live.”

This new album is buoyant and pure joy, starting with the title track, “Best Friend’s Girlfriend.” It is upbeat, all the while exploring the dark side of being attracted to the wrong person.

The third track, “Cry, Cry, Cry” was released as a single and is destined for a wide popular following. It is a highly infectious and fun tune featuring a dynamite guitar solo in the middle. It, and other tracks, including “Rock And Roll Girl,” and “Dance The Night Away,” keep the danceable energy peaked throughout.

“Good Thing” introduces a heavier fuzzy electric tone to Lindberg’s guitar. The excitement and upbeat energy is definitely still there, but this song is bound to appeal to those looking for a heavier rock sound. “There’s No Getting Over Me,” the second track, provides a more melodious tune that somehow makes it fun and okay to be a little boastful. 

Like Setzer, Lindberg prefers the big hollow-body Gretsch guitar with its deep rich sound, especially at the bottom end. “It can do everything,” he said, “including the distorted electric sounds often favored in heavier rock and roll solos.” While not as prevalent in his music, Lindberg can deliver blistering solos when it’s called for. Both Tjern and Marcusson are accomplished and exciting on their respective instruments. Marcusson prefers the upright bass and it adds a great sound on stage and records while providing an engaging visual dimension in live performances as well. 

The band has produced 10 albums, and this one loses points because there just isn’t enough of it! Known for typically including more than a dozen tracks on each album, this one is a trimmed-down eight. Earlier albums such as Made for Rock’n Roll, Dig it! and Hell of a Ride offer a much wider array, demonstrating just what this band can do. But then maybe leaving the listener wanting more was the goal.

The Made For Rock And Roll album reached gold status and had them turn a corner in terms of gigs and popularity, playing the biggest festivals in Sweden and across Europe – and now Canada. Encouraged by their first North American crowds, they’re hoping to gain some traction in the US as well. 

The bulk of the group’s writing is done by Lindberg, but he said he loves to collaborate. He penned the title track with Henrik Jonzon, “Cry, Cry, Cry,”  “Dance the Night Away,” and “Rock And Roll Girl,” with Martin Engstrom. Erika Jonsson is credited on the latter as well. “There’s No Getting Over Me,” was written by Tom Brasfield and Walt Aldrige, and “Good Thing” was written by David Steele and Roland Gift.

The album is rounded out by two cover tunes: “Help” by the Beatles, and the Ben E. King classic, “Stand by Me.” In each case, the band has created enjoyable arrangements with a distinct funkier JLT flavor. 

Lindberg told BRR, “Right after (the blues festivals) we said, We want to come back!”

There’s little doubt this side of the Atlantic will be hearing a lot more from the John Lindberg Trio.

The Review: 8.5/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Rock and Roll Girl
– Dance the Night Away
– Best Friend’s Girlfriend
– Cry Cry Cry


The Big Hit

– Cry Cry Cry