BAD HABIT

BAD HABIT
The Trajectory of Swedish Melodic Rock

BAD HABIT in the Context of Scandinavian Melodic Rock

In the late 1980s, Sweden rapidly emerged as one of the global centers for Melodic Rock and AOR (Adult Oriented Rock). While bands like Europe, Treat, and Alien achieved international success, BAD HABIT, formed in the southern Swedish city of Lund, established a unique position representing the mature phase of that scene.

BAD HABIT's musicality is characterized by the fusion of the structural beauty of American Arena Rock bands like Journey, Toto, Boston, and Van Halen, with the transparent, melancholic melodies unique to Northern Europe. More than 35 years after their formation, having overcome numerous member changes and hiatuses, they continue to maintain strong support, especially among AOR enthusiasts in Japan.

Part 1: Biography and Historical Transitions

1. Early Days: Formation and Establishment of Identity (1986-1988)

The history of BAD HABIT began in 1986 in Lund, Skåne County, Sweden. The central figure of the band, guitarist and keyboardist Hal Marabel (real name: Hal Johnston), who was born in the United States and later moved to Sweden, envisioned a new project with his former bandmate, keyboardist Doc Pat Shannon.

Their initial concept was to fuse the dynamism of Hard Rock, which lay in their musical background, with more sophisticated melodic tendencies. During this period, they cited bands like Journey, Toto, Van Halen, and Boston as influences. Furthermore, by incorporating elements of Blues and Classical Music, they aimed for a musicality that transcended the boundaries of a simple rock band.

Initial Lineup and Demo Production

To realize Marabel and Shannon's vision, the following members were recruited:

• Patrik Södergren: At the time, he used the stage name Stevie Rose and played bass.
• Bax Fehling: A vocalist with a powerful and expansive high-tone voice.
• Jan Andersson: The band's original drummer.

The demo tape and music video produced by this lineup attracted attention in the music industry at the time, leading to a contract with the major label CBS (now Sony Music).

Release of Debut EP "Young & Innocent"

In 1987, the band released their first official work, the mini-album (EP) "Young & Innocent" (CBS). Consisting of six tracks, this work proved BAD HABIT's potential and became the catalyst for them to launch full-scale touring activities in Sweden. However, as is common with bands right after a major debut, adjustments among members became necessary, resulting in the departure of the original drummer, Jan Andersson.

2. Golden Era: "After Hours" and International Acclaim (1989)

Joining the band as Andersson's successor was Jaime Salazar, who would later become known as a master in the progressive rock scene. With Salazar's addition, the band's rhythm section became more technical and robust, propelling BAD HABIT to the next step.

1st Full Album "After Hours"

In 1989, the band transferred to Virgin Records and released their long-awaited full-length debut album, "After Hours". This album would go on to establish its status as a "masterpiece" within the AOR community.

• Musical Characteristics: The sparkling keyboards, catchy hooks, and polished production embodied the ideal form of late 1980s commercial rock. Although some critics pointed out that it was "saccharine," its thoroughly melody-oriented approach won over many fans.
• Success of "Need Somebody": The music video for the featured track "Need Somebody" achieved the feat of being the first self-produced video by a Swedish band to be broadcast on Swedish national television. This dramatically improved the band's name recognition.

During this period, the "Nordic Metal" and "Nordic AOR" boom had taken root in the Japanese music market as well, and BAD HABIT's sound strongly resonated with the sensibilities of Japanese listeners.

3. The Dark '90s and Survival (1990-1999)

Entering the 1990s, with the explosive popularity of Grunge and Alternative Rock symbolized by the rise of Nirvana, the glamorous 1980s-style AOR came to be seen as "outdated." While many contemporary bands were forced to disband or change their musical direction, BAD HABIT chose to stick to their style, albeit slowing down their pace of activity.

"Revolution" and "Adult Orientation"

• "Revolution" (1995): Their second album, released against the market headwinds. While the AOR market was shrinking in the West during this time, the Japanese market still demanded melodic hard rock. Therefore, the Japanese edition (XRCN catalog) included bonus tracks like "Scandal Nights," showing consideration for their Japanese fans.
• "Adult Orientation" (1998): The title itself suggests self-awareness and pride in the "AOR" genre. With this work, BAD HABIT solidified their branding as "rock for adults." Released mainly in Germany and Japan, the Japanese edition included the additional track "I Live For You."

During this period, drummer Jaime Salazar also participated in other prominent projects, such as the Swedish progressive rock band The Flower Kings and Last Autumn's Dream, further elevating his reputation.

4. Reassessment and Revival in the 2000s (2000-2011)

Entering the 2000s, thanks to the efforts of specialized labels like Italy's Frontiers Records and Germany's AOR Heaven, the melodic rock scene began to show signs of revival. BAD HABIT rode this wave, achieving a complete comeback.

From "Hear-Say" to "Atmosphere"

• "Hear-Say" (2005): Released through Frontiers Records. Welcomed as a work breaking a long silence. Critics described it as "lacking hard-rocking elements, but a high-quality AOR album filled with smooth, melodic love songs."
• "Above And Beyond" (2009): Released through AOR Heaven. Characterized by stable songwriting and matured performances. The Japanese edition (King Records) included "Reaching Up" as a bonus track.
• "Timeless" (2010): Positioned somewhat like a best-of album, it featured remasters of past tracks alongside new songs like "Turning Water Into Wine."
• "Atmosphere" (2011): Considered by fans to be one of their masterpieces. It deployed pure AOR sounds, and the quality of its melodies was highly praised.

5. Hiatus, Reunion, and "Autonomy" (2012-Present)

After the release of "Atmosphere," the band entered a hiatus that lasted for about eight years. Members focused on their personal lives and other projects, and the band was thought to be in a state of de facto disbandment.

2018 Reunion and "Autonomy"

However, the band reunited in 2018 and resumed live performances. This reunion stimulated new creative desires, and in 2021, they released "Autonomy," their first new work in 10 years.

In this latest work, alongside their previously "sweet" AOR sound, a heavier, more guitar-driven approach was evident. The headbanging-inducing rhythm in the opening track "Retribution" showed that BAD HABIT was evolving as a contemporary hard rock band. In Japan, it was released through the Avalon label, confirming their enduring bond with the Japanese market, as multiple live recordings were added as bonus tracks.

Part 2: Personnel Details

The sound of BAD HABIT is supported by the songwriting of central figure Hal Marabel, the distinctive vocals of Bax Fehling, and the performance skills of each member. Details of the main members are provided here.

Current and Main Members

Member Name (English)	Role	Active Period & Notes
Hal Marabel	Guitar, Keyboards	1986-Present. The founder and primary songwriter of the band. His real name is Hal Johnston. Also exercises his skills as a producer.
Bax Fehling	Lead Vocals	1986-Present. The vocalist and face of the band. Renowned for his expressive ability to sing melancholic melodies.
Sven Cirnski	Lead Guitar	Provides melodic solos and riffs as the band's lead guitarist. A cornerstone of their post-reunion sound.
Patrik Södergren	Bass	1986-Present. An original member who operated under the stage name Stevie Rose in the early days.
Jaime Salazar	Drums	1989-Present. Joined during the production of the 1st album. A technical drummer also known for his work in The Flower Kings and Last Autumn's Dream.

Past Members & Associates

Member Name (English)	Role	Active Period & Notes
Doc Pat Shannon	Keyboards	Co-founder of the band. Contributed greatly to forming their early sound.
Jan Andersson	Drums	1986-1988. Left after participating in the debut EP "Young & Innocent."
Cozy Wallen		Listed as a member in databases, etc.

Part 3: Discography

BAD HABIT's discography consists of EPs, studio albums, and compilation albums. The Japanese Editions, in particular, often include bonus tracks and specifications different from the European editions, holding significant meaning for collectors. Details for each work are described below.

1. Young & Innocent (Mini Album / EP)

• Release Year: 1987
• Japanese Title: ヤング・アンド・イノセント
• Label: CBS
• Commentary: The band's debut, a 6-track mini-album. A stepping stone to their later 1st album.
• Selected Tracks: Young & Innocent, Need Somebody (Early Version)

2. After Hours

• Release Year: 1989
• Japanese Title: アフター・アワーズ
• Label: Virgin (Europe)
• Commentary: Their major debut full album. Counted among the masterpieces of '80s Nordic Metal.
• Key Tracks:
  • Need Somebody
  • More Than A Feeling (Not a cover of the Boston song, but a different song with the same title or an homage.)
  • Play The Game

3. Revolution

• Release Year: 1995
• Japanese Title: レヴォリューション
• Label: Virgin / XRCN (Japan)
• Commentary: An ambitious work released at the height of Grunge. The existence of the Japanese edition supported the band's continued activities.
• Tracklist (Japanese Edition XRCN-1260):
  1. Sad But True
  2. Hunger
  3. Another Night
  4. Too Late
  5. Watching Over You
  6. High On You
  7. Revolution
  8. Scandal Nights [Japan Bonus Track]
  9. Still In Love With You
  10. Wiping Your Tears Away
  11. Rumours
  12. Reach For The Sky
  13. Broken Dreams

4. Adult Orientation

• Release Year: 1998
• Japanese Title: アダルト・オリエンテーション
• Label: Point Music / Pony Canyon (Japan)
• Commentary: A work that clearly signified a return to the AOR genre.
• Japan Bonus Track: I Live For You

5. Hear-Say

• Release Year: 2005
• Japanese Title: ヒア・セイ
• Label: Frontiers Records (Europe) / King Records (Japan - Nexus Label)
• Commentary: Their first studio album in about 7 years. A return to the melodic rock scene.
• Features of the Japanese Edition (KICP-1114): Includes "Anytime You Want It" as a bonus track.
• Key Tracks: Shine Your Light On Me, Heart Of Mine, etc.

6. Above And Beyond

• Release Year: 2009
• Japanese Title: アバヴ・アンド・ビヨンド
• Label: AOR Heaven (Europe) / King Records (Japan)
• Commentary: A work boasting stable quality. The Japanese edition with the OBI strip has become a collector's item.
• Tracklist (Japanese Edition KICP-1360):
  1. I Don't Want You
  2. Just A Heartbeat Away
  3. Don't Want To Say Goodbye
  4. Let Me Be The One
  5. A Lot To Learn
  6. I Believe
  7. Never Gonna Give You Up
  8. Surrender
  9. And Beyond
  10. I Need Someone
  11. Calling Your Name
  12. My Confession
  13. Let Me Tell You
  14. Reaching Up [Japan Bonus Track]

7. Timeless (Compilation)

• Release Year: 2010
• Japanese Title: タイムレス
• Label: AOR Heaven
• Commentary: A best-of compilation adding new songs to past representative tracks.
• New Songs: Turning Water Into Wine, Rock This Town

8. Atmosphere

• Release Year: 2011
• Japanese Title: アトモスフィア
• Label: AOR Heaven / King Records (Japan)
• Commentary: Highly evaluated for its transparent production and song quality.
• Tracklist (Japanese Edition):
  • Main tracks: 13 songs in total, including In The Heat Of The Night, Words Are Not Enough.
  • Bonus Track: I'll Be True

9. Autonomy

• Release Year: 2021
• Japanese Title: オートノミー
• Label: Border Music / Avalon (Japan)
• Commentary: The first release after their reunion (treated as a mini-album, but the Japanese edition has the volume of a full album including bonuses).
• Tracklist (Japanese Edition MICP-11639):
  1. Retribution
  2. I Reach For You
  3. A Place In Your Heart
  4. Back To Life
  5. Love Will Find A Way
  6. Lost In You
  7. Reason To Live
  8. A Lot To Learn (Live) [Bonus Track]
  9. Alive (Live) [Bonus Track]
  10. Walk Of Life (Live) [Bonus Track]

Part 4: Discussion and Analysis

The "Big in Japan" Phenomenon of BAD HABIT

An overview of BAD HABIT's discography highlights just how much the Japanese market has supported their career. During the 1990s, an era when melodic rock struggled commercially in the West, the continuous release of Japanese Editions was BAD HABIT's lifeline. Reinforcing this relationship was the existence of "Bonus Tracks." In almost all of BAD HABIT's albums, songs exclusive to the Japanese editions have been added. This was a strategy by Japanese record companies (King Records, Avalon/Marquee, Pony Canyon, etc.) to compete with imported versions and increase the value of domestic releases; as a result, they succeeded in making Japanese fans feel a "special connection." Songs like "Scandal Nights" and "Reaching Up" hold important meaning in this context.

Musical Transitions and the Evolution of the Swedish Sound

BAD HABIT's music has slowly evolved from its early, sparkling keyboard-centric sound to the more organic, guitar-oriented sound seen in 2021's "Autonomy". However, the underlying "Nordic Melancholy" and "catchy chorus work" have remained consistent. Sweden has a fertile ground for producing "excellent melodies," from ABBA to Max Martin. BAD HABIT is a legitimate successor on the "rock side" of this lineage, and Hal Marabel's songwriting excels at incorporating universal pop sensibilities—unaffected by trends—into a hard rock format.

Conclusion

BAD HABIT is a rare band that originated in Lund, Sweden, in the 1980s and has survived the turbulent upheavals of global music trends. The history of BAD HABIT has not only been a pursuit of commercial success but also a history of fighting to protect their own musical identity (AOR / Melodic Rock). Their affinity with the Japanese market is particularly high, and the Japan-exclusive bonus tracks and specifications on each album prove that a strong bond exists between BAD HABIT and their Japanese fans. Their revival with "Autonomy" in 2021 demonstrates that BAD HABIT is an ongoing rock band, and there are high expectations for their future activities.

Appendix: List of Key Data

Basic Band Information

• Band Name: BAD HABIT
• Origin: Lund, Sweden
• Genres: AOR, Melodic Rock, Hard Rock
• Years Active: 1986-Present (with a period of hiatus)

List of Successive Albums (Studio Full Albums and Major EPs)

Year	Title (English)	Format / Major Labels
1987	Young & Innocent	EP / CBS
1989	After Hours	Album / Virgin
1995	Revolution	Album / Virgin, XRCN
1998	Adult Orientation	Album / Point Music, Pony Canyon
2005	Hear-Say	Album / Frontiers, King Records
2009	Above And Beyond	Album / AOR Heaven, King Records
2011	Atmosphere	Album / AOR Heaven, King Records
2021	Autonomy	Album / Border Music, Avalon