Inspired by the American and especially the British pop wave of the 1960s, many, mainly young guys started pop groups
without being able to play any instrument or sing. The young people were inspired by pop groups like The Beatles, The
Rolling Stones and their cheeky clothing style, the long hair and the high heels on the so-called "Beatles boots".
Around the summer of 1964, the Uppsala group The Shakemen was formed, consisting of Hans Lundin, Tomas Frisk, Lars
Jardemyr (from The Nashmen, Jan-Olof Wallin and Hans-Olof Eriksson. They played mostly at youth clubs where the group
became increasingly popular and in demand.
The Shakemen were amateur musicians but wanted more than that. The band wanted to become something big in show
business. So new first-class instruments and equipment were purchased. They practiced a stage show. They were properly
dressed and now looked like the English pop bands and played exclusively covers. Finally, the band name was changed to
St Michael Sect.
St Michael Sect was successful. In Norway, at the time, they were ranked as the best Nordic pop group in 1965 and could
now call themselves Nordic Masters of Pop.
St Michael Sect recorded three singles, with covers and original compositions written by guitarist Thomas Frisk. Over the
years, they changed members and styles. In 1968, Tomas Eriksson became the band's bassist. In 1970 the name was
shortened to San Mikael's. Around this time the band changed direction and increasingly began to write their own songs
with Swedish lyrics and their own arrangements.
Two of the band's members left the group and the remaining musicians continued to play as a trio, forming their own
musical style built around Hammond organ, bass and drums. They continued to write new songs in Swedish but they
also played covers in their own characteristic arrangements combined with longer jam sessions.
In 1973 Hans Lundin, Tomas Eriksson and Thomas Sjöberg started the prog band Ura Kaipa (later shortened to Kaipa)
Kaipa achieved great success both in Sweden and abroad.
