Stage 2

Refused is a Swedish hardcore punk band formed in Umeå in 1991. The band's final lineup included vocalist Dennis Lyxzén, guitarist Kristofer Steen, drummer David Sandström, and bassist Magnus Flagge. Guitarist Jon Brännström was a member from 1994 until he was fired in 2013. Their lyrics often addressed non-conformist and politically far-left themes, and the band was associated with the straight edge subculture for a period. Refused released their debut album, This Just Might Be... the Truth, in 1994, followed by Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent in 1996 and five EPs. In 1998, they released The Shape of Punk to Come, which incorporated jazz and electronic influences but was initially met with limited commercial and critical success. The group disbanded shortly after during a tour. Although they achieved limited success at the time, Refused influenced the development of rock music in subsequent decades. The band reformed in 2012, embarking on a reunion tour, and released additional albums including Freedom in 2015 and War Music in 2019.