EPPU NORMAALI - Maximum Jee&Jee 1979

One of the oldest bands and still active is Eppu Normaali from Ylöjärvi, near Tampere. The members of the original band were Juha Torvinen (guitar), Mikko Saarela (bass), Aku Syrjä (drums), and brothers Martti Syrjä (vocals) and Mikko "Pantse" Syrjä (guitar), [the brothers are the sons of accomplished writers Kirsi Kunnas and Jaakko Syrjä]. In 1979, bassist Mikko Saarela left the band, and Mikko Nevalainen played bass in Eppu Normaali until 1989. The band released a lot of 7inches and albums and with their pop-punk sound they have a lot of fans worldwide, no wonder. A bit influenced by the Ramones, how many finnish punk bands, but soon their found their own style and distance themselves clearly from those in my opinion. They initially released albums in a punk pop style that gained favourable reviews, but the band did not gain mainstream acceptance until 1984 with what had evolved into a more AOR-oriented music style. So this is the second album with twelve superb pop-punk numbers, released via Poko Records.

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EPPU NORMAALI - Aknepop 1978

Aknepop is Eppu Normaali's first album which was released on Poko Rekords and "has fourteen straighforward Ramones and Sex Pistols influenced seventies goodies with Finnish lyrics full of youthful energy and political zeitgeist comedy influenced by a Finnish proto-punk/rock&roll band Virtanen." Eppu Normaali is one of the most popular bands -- perhaps the most popular -- in the history of Finnish rock music. They have recorded thirteen studio albums since their inception in 1976 -- nine of these have gone platinum and the rest gold. They've sold over a million albums in Finland, which is a significant amount for a country of five million, and are the rare Finnish act able to sell out 30,000 tickets in a stadium concert. They began as an irreverent punk band that turned toward guitar-oriented rock. Finns have called them "the poor man's Dire Straits," although their output is far more varied than that of Mark Knopfler. Their debut was among the earliest & most popular records on the early young Finnish punk scene. Their sarcastic and hilarious songs, such as "Poliisi Pamputtaa Taas" ("The Police Pounces Again") were beloved by both the music press and the kids, while the mainstream and adult contemporary crowds were either unimpressed or hostile. (JT Lindroos) - Sexy Stuff!

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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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EPPU NORMAALI - Jee Jee 7'' 1978

Eppu Normaali is one of the most popular rock bands in Finland. The band formed in 1976 in Ylöjärvi, a small town near Tampere, whose lyrics are written in their native language. The band's name comes from the movie Young Frankenstein by Mel Brooks. The brain, which has stolen the laboratory assistant is labeled with the name of 'Abby Normal' and actually a warning that the brain is abnormal. Abnormal translated into Finnish means Epänormaali. The band's first public appearance took place at the Rockin SM-Cup in 1977. The jury was unimpressed but singer Juice Leskinen encouraged them to send out demo’s. Soon they were signed at Poko Rekords and released their debut album ‘Aknepop’. Styled after the Ramones it was filled with short punk-pop songs. While the band has sold in Finland more than 1.5 million albums, they enjoy legendary status and all the albums, at least one gold record, have generally receive platinum or multi-platinum awards, but outside the Finnish-speaking countries they are hardly unknown. This 7'' was released via Poko Rekords and here we have 2 great punk rock tunes. Splendid!

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V/A - Hilse 1979

The Hilse record was the first Finnish punk compilation and it really has all the important punk bands of the late 70's on it. A LP that everyone should have in your record collection. There are many simple reasons, the song 'Just Like Eddy, I Hate Teddy' from KOHU-63 is awesome, 'Ketään Ei Kiinnosta Mitään' by Pelle Miljoona 1980 is crazy & weird, the Beatles cover (Sensuuri), Briard & Ratsia tracks are killers etc. etc....all eighteen songs rock decently how we all like & know Finnish PunkRock (this is the CD version with eleven goodies from Hilse II). Enjoy!!!!

1.Cock In My Pocket - EPPU NORMAALI

2.Kun Sä Tuomitset Mut - MAUKKA & NAHKATAKIT

3.Mustavalkoinen Maailma - TINNERI

4.Go Go Koululaitos - POP-IDOLIT

5.Just Like Eddy, I Hate Teddy - KOHU-63

6.Adverts Blues - KOLLAA KESTÄÄ

7.Punk On Typerää - SE

8.Philosophy - BRIARD

9.Ketään Ei Kiinnosta Mitään - PELLE MILJOONA 1980

10.Mongoloidi - SEHR SCHNELL

11.Ihohygieniaa - RATSIA

12.Älä Pilaa Nuoruuttasi - VANDAALIT

13.Lällätys - VAAVI

14.Pelkään Pimeää - YPÖ-VIIS

15.Sä Et Pysty Irtautuu - TV:N ORJAT

16.Mä En Jaksa Enää - LOOSE PRICK

17.Back In The USSR - SENSUURI

18.Kalkki Jäi Mainitsematta - KAUKANA POISSA

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V/A - Kylmää Joulua! 1978

My contribution on today's date, and you know this time is nothing spectacular for me, but I'm not alone on this earth, but here is something special for you: Kylmää Joulua! (A Cold Christmas!) is the Finnish Christmas greeting that was released 1978 by the essential Poko Rekords as a 12Inch as promotional use, which includes ten splendid Punk and Rock versions of traditional Christmas carols by early Finnish combos. At the time, only 500 copies of the album were pressed, and it was distributed free of charge to partners and close friends of the bands appearing on the album, among others. In 2007, a remastered CD version of the album appeared, which was printed in thousand copies and this file is this version, the original is damn rare and an expensive affair these days. The back cover said that the B-side contains the song 'Silent Night' performed by an Orchestra called "Tampere Chamber Ensemble", but in fact nothing was pressed on it. Enjoy!

1.Joulutarina - TIERNAPOIKA

2.Rudolph The Rednosed Reindeer - TEDDY & THE TIGERS

3.Soihdut Sammuu - POPEDA

4.Run Rudolph Run - VOX

5.Heinillä Härkien Kaukalon - EPPU NORMAALI

6.Joulukirkkoon - POPEDA

7.Go Tell It On The Mountains - DUCKS

8.Tonttuarmeija - KOLLAA KESTÄÄ

9.Merry Xmas Anyway - VOX

10.Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht - DIE HERODES

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VANDAALIT - Betonikolossit 7'' 1981

Vandaalit (Vandals) is a punk band from Hyvinkää. They have been active as musicians ever since the mid-70's, when they were known as Hard-Boiled and performed Hurriganes-type rock'n'roll in English. It all changed in 1977 when they heard Ramones' 2nd LP "Leave Home" being introduced on the radio. The boys changed into fast punk rockers, opted a new name Schlachthof Fünf (did they read Vonnegut?) and soon switched to singing in Finnish after seeing punk pioneers Eppu Normaali. Vocalist Vesa Häkli, bassist Sepi Rautiainen, guitarist Pekka "Piitsi" Huhtakallio and drummer Ari Lindroos debuted on record as one of the eighteen bands on the legendary punk compilation Hilse (1979). Apparently their song became so popular that they were allowed four songs on the sequel "Hilse 2" (1980). One of these four songs were their first-ever composition "En Ole Nainen". Making his debut on a Vandaalit recording was new guitarist Jari "Klide" Pelkonen, whom the other guys had noticed playing in a punk band called Hermones. Sepi Rautiainen headed off to Canada after the debut album was released and lived there until his death from cancer in the liver in 2004. Aki "Appa Nasaretilainen" Kuronen became the new bassist. Another assignment for Häkli was Billy Boys with Terveet Kädet man Läjä Äijälä. Two singles and a mini-LP during 1983-1986, described as experimental electronic psychobilly. Ari and Klide formed hard glam band Sticky Fingers in 1984, and made the "Fight For Fun" LP in 1984. Vandaalit decided to re-unit after seeing each other on Klide's 30th birthday. This reunion lasted for three years and produced two more albums, 'Apinoiden Platta' (1992), which the boys regard as their best, and 'Psykoakatemia' (1993). Vandaalit took great care in their street boy/labourer image, with leather jackets, and guitar straps so long that the instruments almost sweeped the floor. On their records they were far from any preachers or intellectuals, just fun-loving guys who liked playing music much more than going to school or work.

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V/A - Kick Your Mama's Ass 1996

OK Leute, now we meet a fantastic bootleg which is peppered with eighteen raw and furious punk nuggets from around the world and a label called Reverendo Moon Records from Italy, certainly another synonym for an KBD maniac, pressed this compilation in an edition of 500 copies to the surface. Excellent mix of songs which mark the punk sound between 1977-1981 and you can say what you want: The music was at that time simply better and I wish I had been part of it. Well, no matter. All infos written on the back cover, superb record, let the drugs flow into your brain!

1.R.A.F. - SODS

2.The Hell - THE MAD

3.Poliisi Ramputataas - EPPU NORMAALI

4.I Don't Care - THE KIDS

5.Punk Man - PREDATOR

6.Intoxication - RANCID X

7.Star In The Street - F.U.2

8.Wall Of Berlin - WIDOWS

9.No Solution - HITLER SS

10.Devil - SEXY ANGELS

11.Johnny, Johnny - JOHNNY CONCRETE

12.Iluinen Rakkaus - RATSIA

13.Low Down Kids - RAZORS

14.Tumor Boy - MENTALLY ILL

15.Amputee - ROTTERS

16.Marodna Pjesma - PARAF

17.Television Viewer - THE VACANTS

18.NRP - BUGS

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V/A - Bloodstains Across Finland 1996

I dedicate my bloody nightmares the right soundtrack with this compilaion of rare Finnish punk singles (1977-1979) and nothing is more unpleasant to them. With twenty-three essential punk rock blasts I arm myself for the fight against the everyday demons, throw the razor-sharp 7Inches at them and cut their heads off, nobody can hide... I find all of you and after almost forty-five minutes, I'm the winner, Yeah! You think tomorrow will be better for you? Never, because I have the best weapon: Punkrock!! - No matter what you do, it will always end the same. You must know: 500 copies pressed on black vinyl and on some copies one side of label is completely white, while the other side is black. Amen!

1.I Really Hate Ya - BRIARD

2.I Want Ya Back - BRIARD

3.Olen Työtön - PELLE MILJOONA & N.U.S.

4.Mä Vaan Pogoon - PELLE MILJOONA & N.U.S.

5.Nipa - EPPU NORMAALI

6.Ei Tää Lama Päähän Käy - PROBLEMS?

7.Häirikkö Oon - PROBLEMS?

8.Kaljupäinen Gangsteri - KARANTEENI

9.Vihaan John Travolta - KARANTEENI

10.Suomi 60 - HELLHOUND

11.Kasvot - HELLHOUND

12.Mari Pogoaa - YPÖ-VIIS

13.Mikkiteline - YPÖ-VIIS

14.Lontoon Skidit - RATSIA

15.Kassapäät - RATSIA

16.Mihin Jäi Punk? - VAAVI

17.Uhoan Voimaa - VAAVI

18.Kirjoitan Seinään - SENSUURI

19.Olet Sokea - SENSUURI

20.Neuroottiset Pohkeet - SEHR SCHNELL

21.Selittäjä - SEHR SCHNELL

22.Mua Potkitaan Päähän - LOOSE PRICK

23.Velton Nimeen - LOOSE PRICK

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V/A - Break The Rules #8 1997

One more fuckin' awesome punk compilation with old farts now. Splitting from his partnership with Incognito Records, Peter P., who compiled the Back To Front compilations, started his own label, Insekten Records, to put out his new series, Break the Rules. The series picks up where Back To Front left off (with #7). This, like the others, is s greaat mix of early rough-edged punk as well as punk with a poppier edge. And like his other comps here is Volume #9), he's have the permission from the bands to use these songs. Like the KBD or Bloodstains series: this LP is a killer! Get it yet and good Morning!

1.Go Go Go - P.F. COMMANDO

2.Suburban Kid - P.F. COMMANDO

3.New Time - SNUKY TATE

4.Blank Generation - XTRAVERTS

5.No Desire - JACK & THE RIPPERS

6.Used To Be In Love - DAYGLO ABORTIONS

7.Suicide - DAYGLO ABORTIONS

8.1967 - DAYGLO ABORTIONS

9.Kent Agent - MASS MEDIA

10.I'm The Nightmare - TV-WAR

11.Slave - HITLER SS

12.Occasional Lay - X-TERMINATORS

13.Loven Slår - HÆRVERK

14.Ingen Visjoner - HÆRVERK

15.We Want It Legalised - ACCIDENT ON THE EAST LANCS

16.Junked Up Judy - XPRESS

17.Burning - JUST URBAIN

18.Vardad Klädsel - KRIMINELLA GITARRER

19.Poliisi Pamputtaa Tass - EPPU NORMAALI

20.Dentist Blues - MIRANDA'S

21.Kidz Next Door - KIDZ NEXT DOOR

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