Found in Translation: Finnish Punk Covers

I've looking into classic Punk rock from Finland, but for now here are some Finn grown versions of
Punk rock classics.

Here's some Eddie & the Hot Rods from Pelle Miljoona.



Here's some Stiff Little Fingers as performed by Ratsia.




And do you remember my curiosity about Humppa, from yesterdays post. Here's Eläkeläiset torching up Nirvana, Humppa style! Strange but compelling.





Enjoy!

Eppu Normaali's Aknepop--Finland--What A Country!

I got a call from my mom at work the other day. Apparently she had contacted one of our Finnish relatives on Facebook. She had written to them years ago but was out of touch. My great-grandmother used to correspond with them regularly, but she passed away years ago. They live way up north, in Santa Claus land, up by the Arctic circle. My mom was pretty excited about finding them on Facebook, and I was pretty amazed to see that there were definitely some distinct similarities between people related yet don't really know each other. Maybe some of these things came from the influence of my late great-grandmother. Back then her biggest fear was that the relatives would want to come over and live with her because they were poor. Things are very different for Finland these days, as they possess one of the highest standards of living on earth.

My head began percolating with thoughts of Finland and I remembered that I purchased some Suomipunk on Ebay a while back.

Eppu Normaali. Aknepop. Their first one. 1978-Poko Records. Great god damned album. They sound like the Finnish Clash. I don't know what they are saying, but this is classic stuff, upper-tier punk rock.

I'm started doing a little research and it turns out that they are one of the most popular if not most popular rock bands in Finland ever. It sounds like some crazy alternate universe, like waking up one morning and finding out that the punks took over. A punk rock fantasy.

What a country. I know I'm part Finnish and a little predisposed, but that's pretty remarkable. My admiration grew when I watched the Finnish Olympic hockey team nearly beat the Swedes in the finals. Nobody expected them to do anything, and they got a silver medal through pure guts and determination. I remember there was a guy with no front teeth jumping around throughout the games. A language with a lot of vowels. Been there once and had a great time. Had rye porridge for the first time. Really liked Helsinki--hope to return someday soon.

Of course it turns that unlike most punk acts, they kept together for years and years and they ultimately became more of a traditional rock act. But that's usually what happens with bands after a few albums. An album like say, Primal Scream's Xtrmnatr is one of those exceptions. Look at Stiff Little Fingers last album before they initially split up Now Then..... By any stretch of the imagination a very decent record, but the songs that everyone knows the words to at shows are not on that one. But in fairness, good bands aren't going to stay in one place for long.

Martti Syrjä: Vocals
Aku Syrjä: Drums
Mikko Syrjä: Guitar
Mikko Saarela: Bass
Juha Tovinen: Guitar


I'm listening to Aknepop for the 3rd time today, and each time I listen, the more I get into these guys.
Listen to song 8, Poliissi Pamputtaa Taas. (Cop beats with baton 2). Absolutely stunning. There name comes from Abby Normal, the brain that was put into the creature in Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein. Aknepop roars out of the gate with Teen Sinusta Muusia--overall I am reminded of the Clash's 1st album when I hear these songs. Listen to the anthemic Suomi Ryomii, (Finland Crawls). Really high energy music. I definitely give Aknepop a high recommendation.

I haven't used them to buy music, but it seems that the Stupido Records Store site would be a pretty good place to find Suomipunk. They seem to have most of Eppu Normaali discography in stock. As more and more mp3 albums are being posted for sale, there are a lot more records across the globe becoming readily and cheaply available. I still like to have something tangible, so call me old fashioned. As for Eppu Normaali, though I am not familiar with their later output,  I think that any fan of 1977-style punk rock should definitely seek this album out.

The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer!----Part 58--Sari and Mari Kaasinen

The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer is Singing Loud for All to Hear!


Sari and Mari Kaasinen--Jouluna Jumala Syntyi

We Have Met The Alien and They are Punks!!! Finland's Hundred Million Martians--Martian Arts

I bought this little album a while back by Hundred Million Martians, a punk pop group from Turku, Finland.

I forgot how enjoyable this disc was. Choppy guitar, huge hooks and harmonies, a lot of adrenaline here on Martian Arts, their 1997 debut full length album on Hiljaiset Levyt. Kind of like Green Day/Ramones meets The Jam, with some Buzzcocks and Undertones thrown in. If I had to do a blind guess, I would probably say that this was a punk group from California.

No profound statements on this album, just great music to rock to from a rocking country. It isn't accidental that the World Capital of Air Guitar is Oulu, Finland in the land of my ancestors (at least some of them).(August 24-27, 2011) And that is a part of the world that takes its Air Guitar seriously, before they started hooking up fake guitars to TVs.

I was in Stockholm in an ice cold November a while back, with my friend, the real world's most interesting man. He talked me into seeing an old stomping boogie band The Status Quo that was playing at some arena near the water. We were up in the nosebleed seats and it was simply amazing. There were these two drunken knuckleheads in our general jumping around like maniacs playing air guitar, jumping in the air, tongues out, falling on the floor, throwing Townshend-like windmills all over the place. They were having the time of their lives playing along with the band--taking pictures of each other with the band in the distant background. They even had us take pictures of them rocking out. It was ridiculous and great at the same time. They weren't bothering anyone, these guys were just enjoying the moment. Of course with all the alcohol they might not remember any of it. At least they have the photos as evidence.

Albums like Martian Arts never fail to amaze me. You would think someone would put this music out beyond Finland. It's not a question of language barrier, as the songs are sung in English. The songs are as good as any in the genre and they aren't particularly political or crude. The themes are girls, boredom, being a tortured artist, universal themes that would appeal to the broad base of music fans. If you don't enjoy this music, check yourself into a nursing home now, or maybe a funeral home.

Jyrki Makela: Vocals
Seppo Lehdonkivi: Guitars
Tuomas Pelttari: Guitars and Vocals
Pasi Hjerppe: Bass and Vocals
Jarkko Lehti: Drums

Mikko Kangasjarvi: Accordian cameo on Track 13.

Misery for Misery's Sake is the first track, which gives you a strong indication of the band's style and also how good their songs are. After the first tune it's a continuous bombardment of great pop punk. The next two tunes, A Perfect Pop Song and Difference are equally excellent. One of the highlights here is the quick pop burst of Brighter Days, 2.5 minutes that deserves a place of honor in the Punk-Pop Hall of Fame.

As befitting Martians, there are the marginally space-themed Buzz Aldrin and Beam Me Up. But stylistically they sound 100% terrestrial. Other decent songs are I Wanna Hate You and Dreams To Happen. And these guys are still out there rocking. Their 4th album Marseille came out in 2008 on the Plastic Passion label. So if you are into tuneful punk rock I would recommend giving these guys a listen. You won't regret it.

Hugo Simberg--Remarkable Finnish Folk Fantastist

Hugo Simberg (1873-1917)was an artist I knew nothing of until I saw some of his art in a Helsinki Art Gallery when I was on vacation in Finland. It's always very satisfying for me to find out about a new interesting artist when I go to visit a museum. His art was a strange mix of folk art and surrealism, magic and everyday life. When I go to an art museum I usually have a reason to go, but when I am there I try to keep an open mind and look at what other artists have to offer. When I am in another country I try to get to an art museum because I know that there usually is something wonderful that is just off the beaten path. In general, I know what I like, but sometimes I don't realize it until I see it in front of me. According to Wikipedia this picture was voted Finland's National Painting in 2006.

The Wounded Angel

It's kind of a strange painting, grim, traditional in style, but completely arresting and imaginative subject matter. And there is something about this painting that is evocatively Finnish. It seems to be almost on the cusp of different genres and eras.

Check this one out.

Garden Of Death

I don't know what the symbolism of this painting is, but it definitely caught my eye, reminiscent to me of Edvard Munch's The Scream and Ingmar Bergman's Seventh Seal. Yet in a way the dead seem pretty happy going about their gardening in the way senior citizens manicure their grassy lawns here. Definitely sends some mixed messages.

Hugo is definitely an artist to check out--he has quite a few other unusual painting involving devils, trolls and the like, the extraordinary intruding on everyday life. It seems like Simberg based his art on traditional themes and then took off in different directions. I think there is definitely bravery involved when you follow a unique path. It is not uncommon to see similarly styled paintings when you go to certain art museums so it was really refreshing to see a new perspective among schools and genres of art. So go check out a museum--and bring your kids along.