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Metal Maniac / Micke och Putte Crackers,
Magma,
The Warlocks,
Science 451,
Triad,
Dual Crew
Added on February 20th, 2004 (8053 views)
www.c64.com?type=3&id=112
Tell us something about yourself.
My name is Maniac, Metal Maniac. I turned 30 some time in the year 2000. ;) I was born in Norrköping, Sweden. Today I live in Stockholm, Sweden with my wife. I have an own consultancy company on the risky e-business market called Clear Cloud (www.clearcloud.se). Interests? Hmm... I like music (listen a lot to synth/industry, metal and Swedish music - nice mix, huh?). I still like coding, but it's like 100-200 code lines produced a year now. And I of course like meeting my friends, scene related or not, but I am really a lazy bastard when it comes to keeping in touch.
What handle(s) did you use and how did you come up with it/them?
From the beginning of 1983, I was called The Master. At some point in the mid 80's I changed my handle to Metal Maniac (I am a fan of old school heavy metal music).
What group(s) were you in?
Oh, a lot. MPC Crackers, Magma, The Warlocks, Science 451, Triad, Dual Crew to mention a few. Once Dual Crew always Dual Crew, but I had a good time in Triad as well. Both groups are real legends, and 100 percent built upon friendship, good organisation and leaders.
What roles have you fulfilled?
Coder, organizer and hacker.
How long were you active for?
From 1983 and on.
Tell us about those years and how you got into the scene in the first place.
It all started with the television games. I wanted to be able to do my own games and modify the existing ones (cheating, haha). I heard about the Vic 20 and got my parents to buy me one. I started coding and did some cracking and training on it. The coding was not that good back then, but I at least filled the memory with it several times. When the C64 came to Sweden I was one of the first to get it I think. I started coding on it almost instantly and destroyed some of the first C64's because I wanted to be close to the hardware (I modified it a lot).
Describe a typical day for you in front of the computer.
Back then it was 24/7/365 strictly data. Today it's my work (as project manager) but I still have a C64 on my table. I keep in touch with some of my old friends through the Internet and by going to parties, like the internal Dual Crew meetings and the Remedy copy-party that we organize.
Did you personally invent any special techniques or tools to make things easier for you?
Of course, I was a coder. I've done some hardware modifications, and also my own sampler equipment and software (but I mainly used a bought one for the sample demos). I was one of the first to play around with 2 MHz effects when the C128 came, and I was also among the first to find out about multi-expanded sprites. Other tools worth mentioning are some graphic conversion tools. I think they're all unreleased though.
When you look at what you did back then, what are you most proud of?
I am not the proud person really, but I really regret not finishing and releasing more of all the coding I did. I really hated to see nice effects and demos which I already had half-finished on my floppies. I guess that's a coders life, isn't it? It's fun inventing and optimizing stuff, but finishing it up, naaaah...;)
Who were your heroes on the scene and why?
I don't have any heroes, but a lot of good friends.
What, for you, was the coolest thing ever invented on the C64?
The scroller (even though it was not invented on the C64), no doubt about it! And I prefer a smooth 8x8 pixels char scroller. Tools, hmm... Well, Action Replay/Retro Replay is a really cool thing.
Did you go to any copy-parties, meetings or tradeshows?
Yes, you all know. I am a party animal/ruler.
In your opinion, what was the scene all about?
Was? Is it dead? Friendship.
What were the particular highlights for you?
My personal highlights have been the parties and meetings. Today I would say that the yearly Dual Crew meetings beat everything. We have so much fun!
Any cool stories to share with us?
Not really. I'm no storyteller.
Are you still in contact with any old C64 people today?
Yes! All at irc #-c64 on Efnet and Linknet. All Dual Crew members, Morpheus, Tranziie, Danko, Alfatech, Slaygon to name a few I still quite of often talk to.
When did you get your C64 and do you still have it lying around somewhere?
In 1983. And yes, it's on my table.
Was the C64 really as special as we like to think it was?
I thought it was really special back then. Today it's mainly the scene and all friends that are special.
When can we expect to see some new C64 output from you? :)
I couldn't give you a date, but I will release something. Maybe at the next LCP or Remedy copy-party.
Do you have a message for your old contacts and/or anyone reading this?
See you in hell, and don't be late.
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