Foundation

One of the few male singing duos working in the contemporary pop idiom, Sweden’s Per Strandberg (vocals) and Lars Mertanen (vocals/guitar) took their initial influence from artists such as Johnny Cash, Roxy Music and the Velvet Underground. Most critical comparisons, however, have cited a detectable similarity to the work of the Walker Brothers. Before electing to work together, both Mertanen and Strandberg had performed in a number of Swedish bands during the 80s - including the Gary Cooper Combo and Iguana Foundation. While studying at the Arts Academy in Madrid, Spain, Mertanen was also a member of the briefly successful Decima Victima. Their career together as Foundation began strongly with the release of three acclaimed singles - ‘Dumb Generation’, ‘Next In Line’ and ‘Back To You’ - each of which carried a social message beyond Strandberg’s soulful voice and Mertanen’s accomplished guitar playing.