PROSECUTOR (Death and blackmetal)
Silverland (Rock)
Influences
ozzy
Black sabbath
maiden
and many many more
Sounds Like
Man gets sick benefits for heavy metal addiction
Published: 19th June 2007 15:12 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/7650/
A Swedish heavy metal fan has had his musical preferences officially classified as a disability. The results of a psychological analysis enable the metal lover to supplement his income with state benefits.
Roger Tullgren, 42, from Hässleholm in southern Sweden has just started working part time as a dishwasher at a local restaurant.
Because heavy metal dominates so many aspects of his life, the Employment Service has agreed to pay part of Tullgren's salary. His new boss meanwhile has given him a special dispensation to play loud music at work.
"I have been trying for ten years to get this classified as a handicap," Tullgren told The Local.
"I spoke to three psychologists and they finally agreed that I needed this to avoid being discriminated against."
Roger Tullgren first developed an interest in heavy metal when his older brother came home with a Black Sabbath album in 1971.
Since then little else has mattered for the 42-year-old, who has long black hair, a collection of tattoos and wears skull and crossbones jewelry.
The ageing rocker claims to have attended almost three hundred shows last year, often skipping work in the process.
Eventually his last employer tired of his absences and Tullgren was left jobless and reliant on welfare handouts.
But his sessions with the occupational psychologists led to a solution of sorts: Tullgren signed a piece of paper on which his heavy metal lifestyle was classified as a disability, an assessment that entitles him to a wage supplement from the job centre.
"I signed a form saying: 'Roger feels compelled to show his heavy metal style. This puts him in a difficult situation on the labour market. Therefore he needs extra financial help'. So now I can turn up at a job interview dressed in my normal clothes and just hand the interviewers this piece of paper," he said.
The manager at his new workplace allows him to go to concerts as long as he makes up for lost time at a later point. He is also allowed to dress as he likes and listen to heavy metal while washing up.
"But not too loud when there are guests," he said.
The Local spoke to an occupational psychologist in Stockolm, who admitted to being baffled by the decision.
"I think it's extremely strange. Unless there is an underlying diagnosis it is absolutely unbelievable that the job centre would pay pay out.
"If somebody has a gambling addiction, we don't send them down to the racetrack. We try to cure the addiction, not encourage it," he said.
Henrietta Stein, deputy employment director for the Skåne region, is also puzzled by the move; "an interest in music" is not usually sufficient to qualify for wage benefits.
"Certain cases are confidential but in general there is always a medical reason that is well-documented," she said.
Tullgren currently plays bass and guitar in two rock bands and says that he tends to get a lot of positive reactions for daring to be himself.
"Some might say that I should grow up and learn to listen to other types of music but I can't. Heavy metal is my lifestyle," he said
Tjena! Då var det dags för sweden rock snart då! Jag var ju en av nykomlingarna på campet från finspång, förra året. Kommer ihåg att du hade tryckt upp grymma spelscheman som uppskattades! Det är grym line-up i år...
No havent herad it yet but i will sooni go and buy the album,just put u un my topfrind hehe. Damn im luocking forward to that concert. Pretty Maids will play here in Amager bio the day before if u wanna see them
wats up dude so how did u get the goverment to believe u tht ur addiction with heavy metal is a disability. no way dude ur employer lets u dress how u want and listen to music when ur at work thts awsome.ttyl
Hej Roger!
Vår nya EP Rock Star finns nu att köpa på www.swedenrockshop.com
Kolla också in våra 3 nya livevideoklipp och nya livebilder! Mycket mer på www.sleazyjoe.com
StoneLake signs with Metal Heaven
Stonelake are pleased to announce the signing to Metal Heaven in Germany.
The release of the new album "World Entry" is planned in June.
This is a "Killer" album!!!! Do yourself a favour...DON'T MISS THIS ALBUM!!!!
To all our fans we would like to say...We love YA!! Take Care! See YA!!
