Rikard Sjöblom
Rikard Sjöblom is a Swedish singer and musician, best known as a member of Beardfish and Big Big Train, and also for his solo project, Gungfly.
Biography
Sjöblom started playing accordion at age 6, under the encouragement of his grandfather. He started playing guitar at age 10, and bought a Hammond organ at age 17. He started playing guitar because of metal bands like Helloween, Iron Maiden and Metallica.After buying a Hammond organ, he formed a duo with drummer Petter Diamant called Bootcut, who released two CDs, Hammond vs Drums and De Fluff and a digital release called Suspended Animation. They continue to be active to the present day, and released an album in 2017.
He formed Beardfish in 2001, with guitarist David Zackrisson, drummer Petter Diamant and bassist Gabriel Olsson. Diamant soon left the band due to not being into the bands progressive direction. He was replaced by Magnus Östgren. The next addition to the band was multi-instrumentalist Stefan Aronsson in 2002 who played keyboards, guitar and flute. Olsson was replaced Robert Hansen later in 2002. Aronsson left in 2003 reverting the band to a four piece line-up which it would stay until 2015, when they toured with keyboardist Martin Borgh. Beardish mainly made progressive rock music, as well as verging into metal with The Void.
Sjöblom has also performed with The Tangent, providing narration.
Sjöblom was recruited by Big Big Train in 2014 as a touring guitarist and keyboardist, as the band was considering the possibility of live performances. He has since become a permanent member appearing on all of their releases since Wassail.
Gungfly is Sjoblom's pseudonym for his solo work, he releases studio work and also performs live under the name.
Discography
with Bootcut
Real Music Beauty Of Soul demoHammond vs Drums De Fluff- ''Suspended Animation''
Solo
Kretslopp Cyklonmannen with Den Gyllene Orkestern- ''The Unbendable Sleep''
as Gungfly
Please Be Quiet Lamentations On Her Journey To The Sun Friendship- ''Alone Together''