Following the Thundermother’ split’ in February 2023, vocalist Guernica Mancini, drummer Emlee Johansson and guitarist/bassist Mona ‘Demona’ Lindgren instantly continued under a new guise. Like a phoenix from the flames, the three arose to continue their pursuit of kick-ass rock’ n’ roll and reinvented themselves as The Gems.
It was not long before The Gems released songs and started gigging, and 2024 saw the release of an epic 14-track rock album, Phoenix, combined with a busy tour schedule. MetalTalk’s Sid Kissinger spoke to Emlee Johansson as The Gems tour ran to a close.
“The tour has gone well,” Emlee said, “but it has truly been a roller coaster with challenges. But seeing so many people around Europe come to our gigs, singing along to our songs and rocking out feels absolutely wonderful.”
Following the February 2023 news, it was immediately evident that the three would continue and write music as a new band. “It was actually obvious to all of us to continue together,” Emlee said. “None of us had plans to leave Thundermother, but what happened made it inevitable. We started writing songs for our new band straight away, long before the news became official.”
That freedom to write what they want led to Pheonix, a complete album with 14 songs featuring a range of styles and influences. Emlee says that process was exciting. “We could explore new influences,” she says. “We had a lot of emotions within us that we expressed in our lyrics. Creatively, it was fantastic. Our producer, Johan Randen, has also been an important person helping us realise our visions in terms of sound.”
The Gems are a three-piece band but tour as a four-piece. How do they see themselves in that regard? At heart, do they feel like a three-piece band?
“We see the three of us as Gene and Paul in KISS,” Emlee says. “We run the whole enterprise, and the rest of our musicians are paid to participate. Everything is very clear, and all our bassists are very happy and comfortable with that deal.”
Pheonix was an amazing album and is full of real passion and emotions in the lyrics. “It was definitely inspired by everything we went through in 2023,” Emlee says. “Our choice of lyrics reflects our reality. We like to write about real things. Our lyrics have meaning, even if it’s lighter sometimes.”
Does Emlee have favourite songs from the album? There are great songs, but it’s hard to beat Like A Phoenix for the power in the lyrics. This, in my opinion, epitomises their creation as a band. And the fact that it gets stuck in my head all day.
“Yes, we all have slightly different favourites,” Emlee smiles, “but Phoenix is definitely symbolically an important song for us that we are very proud of having become such a hit. Personally, I also like Force Of Nature and Send Me To The Wolves. They are incredibly fun to play on the drums! But all the songs are great in their own ways. They are all our babies.”
For those who have not listened to the Phoenix album yet, it is raw power and emotion through lyrics and music. Knowing what happened in 2023 really helps to understand how certain lyrics come together, whether deliberate or not. For example, on Silver Tongue, the lyrics begin with “I can’t take it, you can’t fake it, I’m getting tired of the things that you say,” or any of the lyrics in P.S.Y.C.H.O, which is very obvious.
There are also plenty of positive lyrics that reflect their feelings. In Queens, we hear about “Queens, stick together, always and forever,” an anthem for all female rock warriors.
And not least the hit single Like A Phoenix which reflects The Gems feeling of freedom and rebirth with the new lineup. It really is the lyrics and feelings of passion that run through the album that elevate this beyond the standard rock albums, wearing their feelings on their sleeves and honesty about how 2023-2024 was for the band.
The music underneath has recognisable foot-stomping, head-banging riffs to please any rocker. The breadth of variety shows a band enjoying exploring styles, hearing influences from across the greats such as Queen, Guns N’ Roses, AC/DC, Van Halen and more to create a real modern rock concoction of sound.
Alongside this are moments of tranquillity, with Maria’s Song leading into the more balladesque Ease Your Pain or even an acoustic rendition of Like A Phoenix at the end.
The whole album flows brilliantly, and it will be exciting to see what 2025 brings.
The last Thundermother tour in the UK was cancelled, to the disappointment of many UK fans, who are desperately waiting to see The Gems here on stage.
“There was a lot that didn’t work in Thundermother,” Emlee says. “But YES, The Gems will come to the UK. We are just waiting for the right moment. We appreciate you all. We have many friends in the UK and look forward to coming and gigging for you.”
After such a phenomenal first album and extensive tour, and with the determination of The Gems, Emlee confirms what we all believed was the plan for 2025.
“Album number two is on the way,” she says, “and then continue gigging, touring, and doing festivals. Keep moving forward 😊.
