BONAFIDE - 20th Anniversary of these Swedish Rock Gods

BONAFIDE - 20th Anniversary of these Swedish Rock Gods

Origins & Formation
Bonafide was founded in Malmö, Sweden, by singer and guitarist Pontus Snibb in 2006. Snibb, who had spent years working in blues and rock (playing with bands like Mescaleros and Jason & the Scorchers), wanted to return to the roots of "true" hard rock — heavily influenced by electric blues and early rhythm & blues.

Early Years & Breakthrough
They recorded their self-titled debut album in Snibb's home studio with bassist Micke Nilsson, drummer Sticky Bomb, and guitarist Mikael Fässberg. The album was released in October 2007.

In 2008, Bonafide made a big leap: they played two shows at the prestigious Sweden Rock Festival — including stepping in at short notice to replace Sebastian Bach. Their exposure grew quickly, and they started supporting major rock acts such as Deep Purple, Quireboys, and Status Quo.

Growth & Lineup Changes

• In 2009, they recorded Something's Dripping with producer Chips Kiesbye, a well-known name in the Scandinavian rock scene.
• That same year, Sticky Bomb (drums) was replaced by Niklas Matsson, who would become a permanent member.
• Bassist Micke Nilsson left the band in 2011 and was succeeded by Martin Ekelund.

Rise to International Recognition

• Their song "Fill Your Head With Rock", originally written for the Sweden Rock Festival, became something of a signature track.
• Classic Rock Magazine named it one of the best songs of 2011.
• In 2012, they released Ultimate Rebel, recorded in Stockholm.
• Bonafide continued to tour heavily across Europe.

Later Work & Current Era

• Guitarist Anders Rosell joined on January 6, 2014, forming the lineup that has been most stable: Snibb, Matsson (drums), Ekelund (bass), and Rosell.
• Major albums include:
• • Denim Devils (2015)
  • Flames (2017)
  • Are You Listening? (2023), their most recent studio album.
• They also released a live album Live at KB (2019), capturing both early classics and newer material. onafiderocks.se
• Their sound remains grounded in classic, riff-driven hard rock, with clear influences from blues and early rock 'n' roll. lacklodge.se

Members & Legacy

• Pontus Snibb (vocals, guitar) — founder and frontman.
• Anders Rosell (guitar) — joined 2014;
• Martin Ekelund (bass) — seasoned musician and tour manager, a
• Niklas Matsson (drums) — previously in Backdraft and Raging Slab;

Bonafide is known for their high-energy live shows and their commitment to a raw, authentic rock sound. Over the years, they've built a solid following in Europe and earned respect for keeping classic rock's spirit alive in a modern context.