Cosmic Overdose

Swedish electronica pioneers from Gothenburg, founded in 1978.

They were founded as a duo by Dan Söderqvist and Karl Gasleben (Ingemar Ljungström), the band was expanded to a quintet in 1979, but reduced to a trio again by the time of their first album, "Dada Koko", was recorded. In addition to the founding members, The Rainmaker (Kjell Karlgren) remained. The debut, with it's quirky electropunk sound and naive, nonsensical and playful lyrics were followed by a darker and more restrained sound with influences of bands such as Joy Division and Suicide on the second album, "4668", recorded in 1980 and released in 1981.

When the band played in the UK (as part of a "artist exchange" demanded by the Swedish musicians' union at the time) the British concert arranger told them the group name did not work and provided a list of suggestions. The band went with "Twice A Man" and played with good reviews. When The Rainmaker soon after left the band, the original members continued under the new name.