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!

here

KOHU-63 - Valtaa Ei Loistoa 12'' 1982

Kohu-63 was formed already in 1977, so it can be said that they are one the pioneers of punk in Finland. Their first recordings appeared on a legendary compilation, called Hilse LP, that came out in 1979. Hilse LP was the first Finnish punk compilation and it really has all the important punk bands of the late 70's. After that compilation they only sang in Finnish. Their first record came out in 1981 and it was a EP called 'Pelimannimusaa'. It was released on Poko Rekords. After that Kohu went more and more in a Hardcore direction and they released their MiniLP called 'Valtaa Ei Loistoa', also on Poko Rekords. "The missing link between Lama and the younger Finnish thrash bands. Kohu-63's newer material is considerably faster than the tracks on their '77-like 'Pelimanimusaa' EP. They certainly haven't lost any drive or power, though some of the melodic hooks may have been trampled in the stampeding tempo. Still, a fine record, and check out the Cockney Rejects-Exploited parody ('Härpsälä Kids') for a good laugh.'' - Jeff Bale (from Maximum Rock'n'Roll #3, November/December 1982)

- Special Thx to Fredrik -

here

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 -

here

NE LUUMÄET - Laki Ja Järjestys 1990

Third album by Ne Luumäet on Poko Rekords with eighteen ramopunk songs. Founded in 1985 and they strongly influenced by Ramones and they played a very significant role in the creation of the Finnish ramopunk genre. The band ceased operations in 1993, but returned to the stage in 1999, releasing "Autopartio 525" EP as well as the compilation Rahat Ja Pois. Since then, the band has not recorded any new material. In the 21st century, Ne Luumäet has performed publicly, mainly in charity concerts. However, in the summer of 2007, the band performed at Ruisrock and at the Tavastia Club in honor of Ramone Week named by Heko Luumäki ("Punkrock 30 years old," 30 years old from Ramones' first Finnish concert). In 2011, the band performed twice in Yy-Kaa-Koo-Nee: RAMOPUNK! book publishing events. Among the members of the band Ne Luumäet, guitarist Heko Luumäki has continued to be the most active in punk and ramopunk in the band Rehtorit, which he founded in 1995, where Kaide Luumäki and Finski also played Luumäinen in the early 1995s. In addition to band activities, Heko Luumäki has developed ramopunk events, of which Converse Club, Ramoviisut and Ramones Week are his creations. Joey Luumäki, the singer of the band Ne Luumäet, has composed new material and performed at solo gigs from time to time. Superb record!

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

here

WIDOWS - Balls'N'Bollocks 2000

This Bootleg compilation is no longer in my closet, you probably suspect why. Anyway, this record contains the rare Overscrupulous EP, Wall Of Berlin EP (both released 1979), the Were Comin EP and their only full length Fun? from 1980 plus tracks which was recorded live @ Tavastia, Helsinki 25.5.1980. The Widows were formed in early 1970's by brothers T.B. Widow (vocals, bass) and Johnny Widow (guitar), after been influenced by bands like New York Dolls. It wasn't until 1975 that they got a permanent drummer as Rocky joined them. The first one, for Love Records, had been recorded in 1978, but for some reason wasn't released until May 1979. This delay didn't make the band happy, so they switched to Poko Rekords after that. Things didn't work out very well within the band: Rocky had had enough and left, and Jacky announced that if Kelloggs wouldn't be kicked out, he would leave. So Kelloggs was out, and new guitarist J. Blockhead, as well as drummer Archie, was in. This lineup recorded the Fun? album in 1980. However, the lineup changes hadn't improved things that much, and Widows started to fade out. The finishing blow came when Jacky was sentenced to jail. Widows, in essence, was disbanded. Still, they played one more gig in Lepakko, with Pete Malmi on vocals, and even visited studio (T.B., Johnny, Pete Malmi and Affe Forsman on drums), but the recordings were never released. (Info by Mika Saastamoinen). They are represented on numerous compilations. Excellent stuff in every way.

here

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

here

SENSUURI - Hulinaa 1979

Sensuuri was founded 1978 by young and prospective musicians Pepe (voice) and Costello (guitars), completed with Jaska (bass) and Pasi (drums). In fall 1978 Epe Helenius happended to see them play live in Safety Pins Club, and he immediately offered them a chance to record a single for Poko Rekords. A year later their first 7Inch 'Kirjoitan Seinään' was released and was surprisingly very well received and of course, an album had to be followed which was finally implemented shortly afterwards. The band started practising new material and Hulinaa was released in summer 1979. It followed a couple of 7Inchers and songs on various compilations (Hilse) and in 1980 after recording a song for the 'Hellää Terroria Korville' EP, in the intention to promote a fortcoming second album Jaska and Pepe left the band and Sensuuri was buried. A CD with all their studio works comes 1996 via Kråklund Records out. Now enjoy twelve nuggets early Finnish punkrock.

here

V/A - Kovimmat Takaiskut 1987

Before I go home, a small compilation from the Finnish Poko Rekords label, known of its releases with several different styles. And this record documents their philosophy. Personally, I like varied samplers, there is always something new to discover, sometimes fascinating, sometimes incredibly shit-awful or something inbetween. The Lizard track for example, is a hermaphrodite; has a brisk rhythm, woman on the microphone, sometimes two-part but the saxophone is annoying, that works okay in the good ole Rock'N'Roll days, and not always there either. Then rather Mekaaniset Kakut with their drum machine, short & concise. Their only 7Inch is cool as well. I would say 85% of the mix is worth listening to and that's enough for a positive overall impression. Feierabend für heute.

1.Thunderball - TRIES

2.Tähtien Rauha - KOLLAA KESTÄÄ

3.Kaljupäinen Gangsteri - KARANTEENI

4.Tarzan (Tarzan's Marsch) - ÖYSTILÄ

5.Cark Park Drama - ART POP COMBO

6.Body Building - LIZARDS

7.Loch Lomond Rock - JAMROCK BAND

8.Mä Voin Kertoa Sulle - MEKAANISET KAKUT

9.Yö Asematunnelin Keskitysleirissä - VAU!!

10.Tornion Kevät - TERVEET KÄDET

11.Tiina Ottaa Eron - MÄDS

12.Betonikolossit - VANDAALIT

13.Hamina On Kaupunki - DYNAMO

14.Peili - WRUM

15.Lasinen Elämä - JARI KULLERVO

here

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!

here

LOOSE PRICK - Mua Potkitaan Päähän 7'' 1979

Loose Prick was formed fall 1977 in Kouvola by Pauli (vocals), Jussi (guitar), Harri (bass), Timo (drums) and existed for five years. Their debut 7'' was recorded February 5th 1979 @ the Microvox studios and released via the essential Poko Rekords label. Both songs are written by guitarist Kylliäinen, and they a pretty good. I'm in a hurry so reach more info about Loose Prick via the Valkoiset Sotilaat album post or visit finnmusic for the full bio.

here

MEKAANISET KAKUT - Mä Voin Kertoa Sulle 7'' 1981

Start today with this rare classic and believe me, these two songs blow you away. Released via the famous Finnish label Poko Rekords and the band is only one person, Timo Sinivaara and he sings, plays guitar and uses a drum machine which gives the songs a decent rhythm and the necessary hardness, maybe the first Elektropunk record....I have the 7Inch played five times in a row because it's so damn catchy. Unfortunately the only record of him, the title track was later used for the awesome Kovimmat Takaiskut compilation. Now I'll leave you alone with this beauty and play it fuckin' loud!

here