Interview
Handle:
The Alchemist
How did you come up with your alias ?
I took my handle way back in late 1984 when I started converting disk games to tape. I thought the handle was appropriate as an alchemist is someone who turns base metals into gold.
City / Country:
Originally I come from Scotland, but I have lived in Sweden since 1983. I currently live in Stockholm.
What was your first computer, and when did you get it?
I got my first computer (a C64) a few months before moving to Sweden (compensation!) in 1983.
How did you get into the scene and what groups have you been a member of ?
I joined my first 'elite' group after a big copy party in Stockholm, Sweden. The group was then called Super Swap Sweden which later turned into Horizon. Because my main area was cracking and Horizon was mainly into demos, I joined Heptagon and then finally FairLight where I took over as main cracker.
What was the proudest moment in your career ?
When FairLight were ranked No.1 cracking group by the fanzine 'Illegal' when I was sole cracker for the group. The name Fairlight name obviously meant alot for the ranking but I feel that I did alot of good work during a 3 year period.
For what specific reason(s) do you think that you are remembered ?
I will probably not be remembered as I seldom made appearances at copy parties etc. If I am remembered it will be thanks to that wonderful VISA scandal?
What made you stop the scene activity ? (and do you remember when?)
I left the scene when I started university and started making money doing 'real' computing work.
Thinking back on the good old days, is there anything you regret?
I regret that some friends and myself got busted for the VISA scandal, although I do have a hard time trying to convince myself that it wasn't a lot of fun whilst we were still carding stuff?
What was your favorite
GAME(S)
My favourite C64 game is/was Armalyte as my cracked version was great and the game itself was incredibly well written and had the best of everything.
DEMO(S)
The Judges demos when FLD was introduced? or anything by TMC (Charles was a great designer!)
PROGRAMMER(S) (OR PROGRAMMING TEAM(S))
Horizon (for the code, not the design ;-) )
CRACKER(S) (OR CRACKING GROUP(S))
Gollum & Bacchus (FLT), Mr.Z & Janitor (TRIAD)
COMPOSER(S)
Rob Hubbard (because he showed us that it was possible!)
BEST COMPOSED TRACK(S)
Bionic Commandos / Ghouls & Ghosts (espec. Amiga version) as Tim Follin is AMAZING.
EVENT(S) (E.G. COPYPARTY)
Slagelse (Denmark) party 1989 (?) because FLT RULED!
MEMORY(S)
Reading the scroll text and listening to that famous intro music of my first crack for FLT.
DRINK ?
Coca-Cola (what else?)
How I make money:
I'm currently between jobs which doesn't mean that I'm unemployed (thank god!). On March 1st I start my new job with a small firm of management consultants doing a lot of work for large financial institutions in Scandinavia.
How I spend money:
My flat, my woman & my wardrobe (in that order)
What is the meaning of life?
Any other answer than 42 would have to be: WOMEN!!