CODE is a brand new band consisting of Sherwood Ball; vocals and guitar, Ola af Trampe; guitar and Anders Rydholm; bass, keyboards, guitars. Since December 2004 they have been busy writing songs for a melodic rock album. 40 songs later they have narrowed it down to 13 really melodic and heavy songs. Recordings have taken place in Växjö, Sweden and Hollywood, California, USA. There first album "The enemy within" will be released in January 2007 on Marquee/Avalon in Japan and on Escape Musicx in Europe.

Why an album with an American singer?
One day, driving in his car, Anders heard Sherwood sing an old Jay Graydon tune on the radio (Holding on to Love) and started to wonder what Sherwood was doing these days. In 1994 and in 1996, he heard Sherwood sing with Jay Graydon All Stars and has been a big fan of Sherwood's great voice since then. When Anders came home that day, he did a quick search on the Internet and found Sherwood's email address. He sent an email with a presentation of his ambitions and a question if Sherwood would consider listening to a couple of melodic songs and if he liked them would he consider singing on them. Sherwood replied a couple of hours later and said "Ok, send me a couple of songs so I could hear how the music sounds and check out the song writing".  He must have liked what he heard, cause that was the start of an intense period of song writing back and forth over the Internet.  Sherwood said, “When I got the music via email from Anders, I was expecting that I would be listening to junk, not knowing Anders or his music. When I played tracks, I was blown away. I had always wanting to sing in a band like Toto or Giant and this was exactly of that quality.”

Most of the music is written by Anders but Ola has also helped out co-writing the music to two songs. Lyrics are written by Sherwood.

A couple of months later, Anders and Ola visited Sherwood at his home in Studio City, California.  Their meeting became the genesis for the creation of the band, CODE.

The name CODE is referring to an honorable agreement, not computer programming or secret codes, etc. Anders states, “We would like to establish a new ROCK code. A standard to create by.” So many times, the reason for failure in relationships (from business, groups, etc.) is the lack of clear understanding and mutual agreement.

Anders has much experience in this musical genre’ from his days producing, writing and playing in his band, Grand Illusion. Sherwood has been almost shocked at how many aspects of production and songwriting that Anders has mastery over. Anders writes the music, creates the arrangement, plays bass, creates the temporary drums tracks, plays rhythm guitars, all keyboards (including orchestration), is the recording engineer for all of this and is the leader! Sherwood says, “It’s so unusual to find someone with so many extraordinary abilities in Los Angeles, New York or anywhere for that matter. Here is Anders Rydholm from Sweden. I guess that’s where the hit makers are coming from nowadays. The unfortunate thing about Anders is, he’s so generous. ”Sweeeeeeeeeeet! Or should I say SWEDE?

Not only was Sherwood impressed by the music, but also was blown away by the lead guitar playing of Ola af Trampe. He was especially shocked to hear that Ola was so young since his playing is so melodic, mature, tasty and with great technique. This is very rare for guitar players of ANY age. Ola played lead guitar on the Grand Illusion CD, “Ordinary Just Won’t Do”.

Featured on all the songs on this debut CD by CODE is the world famous drummer, Gregg Bissonette. Gregg is on the upcoming DVD by Ringo Starr with his brother, bassist extraordinaire, Matt Bissonette. Gregg has played with David Lee Roth, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Carlos Santana, Toto, Don Henley, Jeff Lynne, Andy Summers, Gino Vanelli, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Duran Duran, Counting Crowes, Brian Setzer, Larry Carlton and Steve Lukather.

The recording session was engineered at world famous recording studio, Castle Oaks Recording, Calabasas, CA. by the world renowned wizard, Steve Sykes.

Sherwood said, “When Anders asked what engineer we should use for the Gregg Bissonette drum session, I emailed Jay Graydon and several other notable artists. Ironically, EVERYONE recommended Steve Sykes as the true master. They were right!!!!!! The combination of Gregg, Steve, Castle Oaks, and Anders producing has created some of the best sounding tracks in the genre’.  KILLER!!!

Anders and Sherwood share the same vision of creating the best music possible and to take the Melodic Rock genre to the next level. The songwriting being paramount, they have not been satisfied until they wrote and rewrote 40 songs to come up with 13 truly great songs. Anders and Sherwood both agreed that what has been missing in the Melodic Rock genre’ has been great songs! It’s been the goal to create music they will be proud of for life. 

Gregg Bissonette said, “I’m not used to this. Every song on this CD……KICKS ASS!”

The ambition for the future of CODE is to not only bring the music to the people by performing live, but to establish the band and it’s music as a staple and standard for the melodic genre of today and tomorrow. Quite a tall order, but someone’s gotta do it.
Watch out for CODE.