KOLLAA KESTÄÄ - Kokonaan: Jäähyväiset Aseille 1995

Let's meet singalong punk from Tampere: Kollaa Kestää. Founded 1976 by Kai (vox+guitar), Juha (guitar), Erkki (bass) and Jyrki (drums). Mikko came for Erkki on bass after recording their single "Musti, Sotakoira" in 1978. In the band's hometown Tampere the record company Poko Rekords was founded and members of the band were good familiar with the owner Epe Heleniuksen. Kollaa recorded their first single on the Gulf of Microvox studio in the afternoon of 28.November 1977, on the same day Eppu Normaali recorded in the morning their debut single as well. The band recorded the b-side "Tähtien Rauha" in January of the following year. The single was released on March 30, 1978. The new lineup recorded their first EP called Kollaa Kostaa with six songs with Mika Sundqvist MSL-studio on August 24, 1978. Later more songs were recorded for the Hilse compilation and "Adverts Blues" made it and on the Poko Christmas album "Kylmää Joulua!" Kollaa delivered another classic with "Tonttuarmeija". On 19 March 1979 the band recorded the MSL-studio single "Kirjoituksia Kellarista", which appeared during the following month. That same year the band asked Johanna and the labels interest in the publication of the first length album was honest. The label agreed and the band decided to leave Poko. Their debut album Jäähyväiset Aseille was recorded at the peak Finnvox studio and released in yet to the 1979 season. The record became positive criticals and its title song became a small success. Jyrki Siukonen wanted to do something different from the punk-rock and left the band. Mikko Nevalainen from Eppu Normaali joined as bassist. Kai Stone and Juha Helminen were in favor of continuing and did a few gigs with drummer Eila but however, the band broke up the same year.

Kollaa and Jyrki made with Siukonen a gig in Helsinki @ the Old Student House and in summer 1982 the band come for a short reunion together. Kai died on 10 June 2007 at the age of 48 at home and Juha died in March 2013.

- Great Thx to Marcus -

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