Grand Design was formed in 2006 by vocalist/producer Pelle Saether, and the band’s first 1st album “Time Elevation” was release by AOR Heaven in October 2009. The album featured a guest spot from guitarists Janne Stark. The release gained massive success and was awarded ‘best album’ and ‘best song’ by BeRockRadio and received numerous top 10 positions for “best album 2009”. Several concerts, including the prestigious FireFest in Nottingham, UK proved that Grand Design also deliver live.
Two years later, it was time for Grand Design’s second album – “Idolizer”.
Pelle says: “We knew we had found a formula to make an 80’s rock record work in the 21st century – so why change it?” With new anthems like “Get On With Action”, “OughtoGraph” and “Your Love’s A Runaway”, “Idolizer” followed up the fans expectations. Grand Design again proved that the songs and sound of 80’s rock belong in your players and on the big stages.
In 2012 the line-up saw singer Pelle Saether and guitarist Dennis Vestman, now flanked by guitarist Janne Stark (Constancia, Overdrive etc) and bassist Mats Vassfjord. The band also did numerous shows in Sweden as well as outside the country.
Early 2013 the band finished two new songs, featuring guest singer Susie Päivärinta (of Lili & Susie), of which the song “Baby It’s You” (Promises cover) was released as a single and video in June 2013. The band also welcomed new drummer Magnus Ulfstedt (Eclipse, Jimi Jamison, Talisman, Lion’s Share etc), who made his debut on the video. The band performed at festivals such as Skogsröjet and Rock Out Wild, together with bands like Twisted Sister, Lita Ford, Pain and Lizzy Borden.
2014 saw Grand Design play lots more shows/tours/festivals, such as MelodicRockFest 4 in Chicago, U.S.A, Grand Design Italy Tour, etc. But, most importantly, on September 26 Grand Design released their third and highest rated album, “Thrill Of The Night” (AOR Heaven Records/Europe, Rubicon Music/Japan). The same day the video for “Rawk ‘N Roll Heart Attack” was released and hit over 6000 views in just a few days! “Thrill Of The Night” also marks the first Japan release for the band. The album was awarded best album of 2014 by RockEyez. Grand Design is the only band winning two years (2011 and 2014).
By mid-2015 the video for ““Rawk ‘N Roll Heart Attack” had well over 200 000 views on YouTube! The band played in Spain together with Kee Marcello and Dynasty, plus some more shows in Sweden. A new video for “Get Up And Love Someone” saw the light of day in September 2015, like the previous one, also directed by Thomas Tjäder (Acromancy Media).
In 2017 the band was reinforced by new bass player Stefan Westerlund (Rocket Love) and drummer Joakim Jonsson (Axenstar, Psychopunch) and the new album “Viva La Paradise” was recorded. Continuing on the path of “Thrill Of The Night”, the band feels this marks the strongest album to date. The same old style and sound, but elevated and with a few new surprises.
Grand Design is already booked for the 2018 MelodicRock Festival in USA and Sweden, a tour of Spain is planned for the fall and more shows are being added!
Grand Design line-up:
Pelle Saether: vocals
Janne Stark: lead/rhythm guitar+backing vocals
Dennis Vestman: rhythm guitar+backing vocals
Stefan Westerlund: bass+backing vocals
Joakim Jonsson: drums+backing vocals
GRAND DESIGN have launched the second video from their Thrill Of The Night album featuring a lot of footage from MRF4 and the band's pilgrimage to Chicago.
Simply put, the Grand Design guys have taken everything good about their first two albums and made it better. The new lineup, which includes the energized licks of Janne Stark and the pounding drums of Magnus Ulfstedt has made the band ever more powerful and the production here is the band’s best yet.
Long time bassist Mats Vassfjord joins Ulfstedt in creating a monster rhythm section and Stark’s guitar really does propel these songs into a new league.
Frontman Pelle Saether sounds as strong as ever – as long as you have a penchant for his unique vocal style.
The guys still trade off that classic Def Leppard sound – a mix of Pyromania, High & Dry and Adrenalize, but what I like about Thrill Of The Night is that these songs stand out on their own merits, rather than directly copying Leppard songs as the last album tended to do.
The fast rolling and spirited opener U Got Me Good is as catchy as anything the band has recorded previously as is the fun groove of the anthemic Rawk N Roll Heart Attack.
The Rush Is Gone captures the mood of the darker Pyromania moments, while 10 Out Of 10 is a pounding rhythm tour-de-force.
When The Greatest Love Of All Kicks In is a quality sentimental ballad layered in harmonies and guitars, plus a tasty solo mid-track.
Rip Iddup is a silly title, but a fun, groove driven hard rocker not to be taken too seriously.
Get Up N Love Someone is a more free flowing anthemic rock and You're The Only One is Grand Design’s answer to Leppard’s ‘Animal’. A great mid-tempo melodic rocker.
Who's Gonna Rawk You Tonite is yet another quality chorus attached to another quality melodic rocker with a lot of layers to dig through.
Closing the album is the moody, hard rocking, fast moving Thrill Of The Nite.
I respect bands that get better with experience. There’s a few of them around and Grand Design have so far proved to be one. This is easily their best produced and performed record and the songs, while ever familiar, are starting to branch out into the band’s own personality.
Swedish melodic rockers Grand Design premiere the first video off the new album 'Thrill Of The Night' (AOR Heaven), which was released on September 26 on AOR Heaven. The song is entitled 'Rawk N' Roll Heart Attack' and is as eighties as it can be. The band doesn't hide the Leppard spots, which also shows on the album artwork by CA Beckston. 'Thrill Of The Night' has been receiving rave reviews with numerous full scores, which is quite suitable as one of the tracks is entitled '10 Outta 10'.
Later this week the band plays Chicago's Melodic Rock Fest and more shows are being planned for UK, Italy, Sweden etc.
'Thrill Of The Night' will also be released in Japan later this year, by Rubicon Music. The Japanese version will feature two previously unreleased bonus tracks, one being a cover of 'Fallen Hero', paying tribute to the late Vixen guitarist Jan Kuehnemund.
The video was directed and produced by Thomas Tj'der at Acromancy Media (Pretty Maids, Jorn, In Flames etc).
Grand Design was formed in 2006 by singer/producer Pelle Saether, and the band’s first 1st album “Time Elevation” was released by AOR Heaven in October 2009. The album featured guest spots from guitarists Janne Stark and Tommy Denander. The release gained massive success and was awarded ‘best album’ and ‘best song’ by BeRockRadio and received numerous top 10 positions for “best album 2009”. Several concerts, including the prestigious FireFest in Nottingham, UK proved that Grand Design also deliver live. Pelle Saether comments: ”Since we all love Def Leppard, it will always be an influence we use to spice things up.”
Two years later, it was time for Grand Design’s second album – “Idolizer”.
Pelle says: “We knew we had found a formula to make an 80’s rock record work in the 21st century – so why change it?” With new anthems like “Get On With Action”, “OughtoGraph” and “Your Love’s A Runaway”, “Idolizer” followed up the fans expectations. Grand Design again proved that the songs and sound of 80’s rock belong in your players and on the big stages.
In 2012 the line-up saw singer Pelle Saether and guitarist Dennis Vestman, now flanked by guitarist Janne Stark (Constancia, Overdrive etc), bassist Mats Vassfjord (Chris Laney Band, Scaar) and drummer Peter Hermansson (Talisman, John Norum, 220 Volt). The band continued playing shows and festivals, building a solid following.
Early 2013 the band recorded two new songs, featuring guest singer Susie Päivärinta (of Lili & Susie), of which the song “Baby It’s You” (Promises cover) was released as a digital only single and video in June 2013. The band also welcomed new drummer Magnus Ulfstedt (Eclipse, Jimi Jamison, Talisman, Lion’s Share etc), who made his debut in the video. The band also performed at festivals such as Skogsröjet and Rock Out Wild.
Early 2014 Grand Design started working on the third album, and we are now proud to present the band’s third outing: Thrill Of The Night. This album has definitely taken the band to a whole new level, musically, song wise and regarding production. The band is packed with potential hits and choruses that you will wake up in the middle of the night singing! Sorry about that, but that’s how it is. From the opening chords of U Got Me Good, followed by the anthem rocker “Rawk ‘N’ Roll Heart Attack”, to up-tempo rocker “10 Outta 10” and the big epic balladry of “When The Greatest Love Of All Kicks In”. This time the band has also had some outside help in the song writing, where melodic rock icon Erik Mårtensson (Eclipse, W.E.T) has co-written the hit style “Who’s Gonna Rawk U Right” and “You’re The Only One”. The production, again by singer Pelle Saether, is big, ballsy yet ambient enough to probably make even John “Mutt” Lange proud.
Discography: Time Elevation (2009), Idolizer (2011), Thrill Of The Night (2014)
