Crashdïet
Swedish sleaze rock band formed in 2000, named after an unreleased Guns N' Roses song.
Crashdïet (often written as CRASHDÏET) are a Swedish sleaze rock and glam metal band that started in Stockholm in 2000. The current members are Martin Sweet, Peter London, Michael Sweet, and John Elliot. The group has put out six studio albums: *Rest in Sleaze* (2005), *The Unattractive Revolution* (2007), *Generation Wild* (2010), *The Savage Playground* (2013), *Rust* (2019), and *Automaton* (2022). Their name comes from an unreleased Guns N' Roses song.
The band first got together in 2000 and built a dedicated following by releasing early demos for free download on their website. In late 2002, they broke up, with some former members joining Repugnant and SubVision. Vocalist Dave Lepard then reformed the band, announcing guitarist Martin Sweet and bassist Peter London on the band's website on Christmas Day, along with a call for drummers. Eric Young joined as drummer in April 2003. That year, Crashdïet put out a self-titled EP, and in 2004 they signed with Universal Records.
Their debut album, *Rest in Sleaze*, came out in 2005, and they toured Sweden that fall to support it. The album reached number 12 on the Swedish album chart, though the band wasn't widely known outside Sweden. Four singles came from the album: "Riot in Everyone", "Breakin' the Chainz", "Knokk 'Em Down", and "It's a Miracle". On 13 January 2006, vocalist Dave Lepard died by suicide at age 25 after a period of depression during which he isolated himself. The band initially announced they were ending, saying, "Crashdïet will definitely not continue as a band. The band consisted of four people and now one of them has left us." But on 2 April, after support from Lepard's family and fans worldwide, they changed course, stating, "We feel that we want to carry on the Crashdïet legacy, which will keep Dave's spirit alive for a long long time... It would be a shame NOT to spread the message across the whole world and let them know what real music should sound like!"
On 22 January 2007, the band announced a new vocalist, H. Olliver Twisted from Finland, who also played in Reckless Love. They released a free download of his first live performance from the Rest in Sleaze Festival in February. Later that year, they announced plans for *The Unattractive Revolution* and a single, "In the Raw". The album came out on 3 October 2007 and debute
- formed
- 2000
- origin
- Stockholm, Sweden
- genre
- Sleaze rock/glam metal
- years_active
- 2000–present
- albums
- 6 studio albums (Rest in Sleaze, The Unattractive Revolution, Generation Wild, The Savage Playground, Rust, Automaton)
- notable_members
- Dave Lepard, Martin Sweet, Peter London, Eric Young, H. Olliver Twisted, Simon Cruz, Gabriel Keyes
Quick Facts
- Landscape
- yes
- Origin
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Genre
- Sleaze rock / glam metal / hard rock
- Years Active
- 2000–2002 / 2002–2006 / 2007–present
- Label
- Universal / StandBy
- Website
- crashdiet.org
- Current Members
- John Elliot / Martin Sweet / Chris Young / Michael Sweet
- Past Members
- Dave Lepard / Eric Young / Peter London / Gabriel Keyes / H. Olliver Twisted / Simon Cruz / Mary Goore / Lacu / (see Personnel section for others)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Crashdïet was originally formed in 2000 and built a cult following through early demos released on their official website. The band split in late 2002, but vocalist Dave Lepard reformed the group with guitarist Martin Sweet and bassist Peter London, adding drummer Eric Young in 2003. After releasing a self-titled EP in 2003, they signed to Universal Records in 2004. Their debut album Rest in Sleaze (2005) debuted at No. 12 on the Swedish album chart and was supported by a Swedish tour. Contrary to some claims, there is no widely known record of the band performing at the Download Festival in the UK in 2005 or 2006.
On 13 January 2006, vocalist Dave Lepard died by suicide at age 25 after a bout of depression. The band initially announced they w
Reader's Guide
Crashdïet's significance lies in their persistence through tragedy and lineup changes while maintaining a sleaze rock/glam metal sound rooted in the late-20th-century hard rock tradition. The band's name, taken from an unreleased Guns N' Roses song, signals their stylistic allegiance. Their debut album Rest in Sleaze established them in Sweden, but the suicide of original vocalist Dave Lepard in 2006 threatened to end the band. Instead, they reformed and continued, releasing albums with three subsequent lead singers. Their 2010 album Generation Wild reached No. 3 on the Swedish chart and featured a music video banned by MTV. The band's legacy includes a dedicated cult following, particularly in Sweden and Europe, and a discography spanning six studio albums over two decades. Their ability to replace vocalists and continue touring—including opening for Ozzy Osbourne and playing to 50,000 people in Brazil—demonstrates their resilience within the sleaze rock scene.
Did You Know?
- The band is named after an unreleased Guns N' Roses song.
- Original vocalist Dave Lepard died by suicide on 13 January 2006 at age 25.
- The music video for 'Generation Wild' was banned by MTV due to obscene images.
- The band opened for Ozzy Osbourne in Globen, Sweden in September 2010.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Crashdïet?
Crashdïet is a Swedish sleaze rock and glam metal band that formed in Stockholm in 2000. They have remained active ever since, carving out a niche in the European heavy metal scene with a distinctly retro, party-rock sound.
How many studio albums has Crashdïet released?
The band has issued six full-length studio records, beginning with Rest in Sleaze in 2005 and most recently Automaton in 2022. In between they delivered The Unattractive Revolution, Generation Wild, The Savage Playground, and Rust.
Where does the name Crashdïet come from?
The band borrowed their name from a Guns N' Roses track that was never officially put out on any album. The diaeresis over the "i" is an intentional part of their official spelling and branding.
Who are the current members of Crashdïet?
The present-day lineup consists of Martin Sweet, Peter London, Michael Sweet, and John Elliot. Other musicians who have been part of the project over the years include Dave Lepard, Eric Young, H. Olliver Twisted, Simon Cruz, and Gabriel Keyes.
How did Crashdïet first build their fanbase?
Before dropping their first studio album, the band uploaded early demo recordings as free downloads on their own website. That grassroots, DIY approach helped them assemble a loyal following across Sweden and beyond by the time Rest in Sleaze arrived in 2005.
More in Swedish heavy metal musical groups 1-24
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