1989

The Zoo Crew is spinning "1989" by Nestor, a track from their debut album Kids in a Ghost Town, and the Zoo Freaks are vibing to its nostalgic 80s energy. This song is a standout, with a faux vintage radio intro that sets the scene, as if you're flipping stations in a time machine tuned to 1989. Reviewers have called it a "hook-laden 80s tour-de-force," with a chorus so infectious it sticks for weeks after just one listen. The track features additional background vocals by Sebastian Forslund and Mia Stegmar, adding depth to its anthemic feel. In an interview, vocalist Tobias Gustavsson shared that "1989" is a love letter to the late 80s, capturing the band’s mission to revive the era’s melodic rock spirit. The song’s video leans into this, with the band decked out in period-specific gear, channeling the rebellious vibe of their youth. Fans on Facebook have posted about singing along to the line “It feels like an allusion, 1989!” at live shows, especially at festivals like Sweden Rock, where Nestor’s performance was described as “magical.”

Another cool tidbit about "1989" comes from its production. The band, known for their DIY approach, self-produced the track, and it’s been praised for its crystal-clear sound despite being an indie release initially. A reviewer on Rate Your Music noted that the song’s nostalgic nod to pre-grunge hair metal days, with its “balladesque, getragene Strophe” and powerful refrain, makes it a hit for melodic rock lovers. The song also sparked buzz on social media, with posts on Instagram showing fans recreating the video’s retro aesthetic at Nestor’s 2022 Nestor Fest in Falköping. One fan commented on X, “1989 takes me back to a time I didn’t even live through, but damn, it feels real!” The track’s success helped the album become one of Sweden’s top-selling physical releases for weeks, a rare feat in the digital age, proving Nestor’s savvy use of social media to connect with fans.

Nestor’s origin story is as rock ‘n’ roll as it gets. Formed in 1989 in Falköping, Sweden, by five childhood friends—Tobias Gustavsson (vocals), Jonny Wemmenstedt (guitar), Marcus Åblad (bass), Martin Frejinger (keyboards), and Mattias Carlsson (drums)—the band was born out of teenage dreams and a love for 80s hard rock. Inspired by giants like Bon Jovi, Europe, and Journey, they jammed in rehearsal rooms to impress schoolmates but never released music before life pulled them apart. Gustavsson, a Tintin fan, revealed in a Needle in the Groove interview that the band’s name comes from Captain Haddock’s butler, Nestor, a nod to their playful, tongue-in-cheek vibe. After a decades-long hiatus, the band reunited in 2021, fueled by a pandemic-era desire to chase their dream. Gustavsson, who’d built a career as a hit songwriter for artists like Edurne and E.M.D., brought his production chops to the table, crafting Kids in a Ghost Town as a love letter to their 80s roots.

The band’s reformation wasn’t just a nostalgia trip—it was a triumph. Their debut album, released independently before being reissued by Napalm Records in 2022, earned a Swedish Hard Rock/Metal Grammis nomination. Nestor’s music, described as a blend of AOR, hard rock, and NWOBHM with a touch of self-irony, resonates with fans who flock to their official Facebook page and fan groups like the Nestor Fans Community. Their Instagram is packed with behind-the-scenes shots of their 2022 European tour, including opening for KISS in Stockholm. On X, fans share clips of Gustavsson’s soaring vocals, often comparing him to Chris Cornell. Nestor’s official site, nestortheband.com, offers merch and tour updates, while fan sites like Rock Angels celebrate their retro charm. With their second album, Teenage Rebel, released in 2024, Nestor continues to keep the 80s flame alive for Zoo Freaks everywhere.