YPÖ-VIIS - Hyvästi Masentava Maanantai 7'' 1980

Ypö-Viis made history in Finnish punk scene. They were the first punk band to have a self-released record out. Ypö-Viis was formed in Karhula in summer 1977. Originally the band was five-piece, but as they changed their style to new wave, the organ player and second guitarist were dropped off. The remaining trio was Miika Söderholm: bass & vocals, Mikko Holmström: guitar and Rabbe Johansson: drums. Their first record was the one-sided self-financed 'Energia On A Ja O' (200 copies) and were published in late 1978. The latter song was a cover version of the Clash's, 'London's Burning'. Followed by the 2nd single 'Mari Pogoaa' from 1979 and a contribution on the great Hilse compilation. They moved to the legendary finnish label Poko Records and in autumn 1979 the 3rd record 'Me Myytiin Itsemme' came out. In spring 1980 they made by far their best release, the single 'Hyvästi Masentava Maanantai'. The B side is sung by Räsänen. Both are catchy tunes, and everything looked good again. Ypö-Viis existed from 1977 to 1981.

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KARANTEENI - Anna Palaa, Frank!! 2001

Let's move to the cold north of Europe and meet Karanteeni from Tampere. The band was founded 1978 by Konttinen brothers Hate (vocals) and Rina (guitar). The band went through several lineup changes: a total of eighteen people have been members of the group. They released four great 7Inches and one full length album, all via Poko Records. Guaranteed 1-2-3-4 fresh melodic short songs that boost my body fluid and promotes my libido... Karanteeni split up in 1984 but still performs occasionally and since 2014 they are back again. On this little charming compilation are all their early stuff to listen and after just two songs the arctic cold disappears out of your ass.

- Great Thx to Marcus -

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RATTUS - Uskonto On Vaara 1984

Third "mini" album by Rattus, legendary Finnish hardcore punx which were formed 1978 in Vilppulaon, on Poko Records with nine short killers. Who could give a better review than Pushead himself, who also provided his art for the cover: "Rattus combustion, startling adrenaline speed and hammerhead blows of power. Featuring the new high-velocity rasping vocals of Annikki, they virtually sweep forth with sharp-edged earloads of riveting force and disorderly rapidity. Brilliant Finnish hardcore, unhesitant and explosive assaults of raw nitro energy." Pushead (MRR #7 • July/August 1983) - And that's exactly what it is, a furious album with little playing time. Numerous albums and singles also prove their creative passion in songwriting, let's generously ignore contributions to compilations, there are too many... and now: POGO!

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YPÖ-VIIS - Karhulan Poikii/Koko Stoori 2002

Again visiting Finland and stop in Karhula, home of Ypö-Viis. I wrote much info in their Hyvästi 7'' post and I know the download link is expired but don't worry, on this compilation from Poko Records are all their studio + live recordings (1979-1980) they ever released. In whole thirty-five melodic polar lights and the detailed booklet tells you when and where the originals appeared. Confed Cup runs well for the German team, weather is great and I need a little oxygen and enjoy myself on the Main to calm down a little bit. I wish you all an exciting weekend with lots of music, beer and fun!

- Great Thx to Marcus -

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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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HASSISEN KONE - s/t 7'' 1980

Back with a quick post because I'm in a hurry and must get my train in twenty minutes. Hassisen Kone with their second 7Inch on Hilse-Levyt and the a-side is a real kbd smasher while the flip is a nice cowboy groove rhythm one, sounds a bit harder as the first album Täältä Tullaan Venäjä on Poko Records. Anyway, a solid record from Finland and no 1-2-3-4 Ramones copy. Have a nice weekend all together!

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RATTUS - WC Räjähtää 1982

In the early hour I welcome the weekend with fast hardcore from Finland and we put on the debut album by Rattus on Poko Records. Formed in the spring of 1978 by Jake and Vellu who started to play mostly English punk bands songs just for fun (Sex Pistols, The Damned, Clash,etc.). A few weeks later they asked Jake's brother Tomppa to join the band and so he did. The name Rattus was taken from the first album of the Stranglers, "Rattus Norvegicus". Rattus is latin meaning a rat,a very big rat. In the early days the band did shows only in their hometown and near of it. Fourteen heart attacks in less than twenty minutes, must I have say more? They made numerous albums, singles & represented on countless compilations and they're still touring, for example 2020 at the Rebellion Festival in Blackpool, UK., definitely worth a trip. - Now quickly to bed, in eight hours I'm back on my bike, good night Europe!

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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HASSISEN KONE - Täältä Tullaan Venäjä 1980

Hassisen Kone (Temptation) was a Finnish punk rock band from Joensuu which was founded at the end of 1979. The group started with a new wave of punk, but began to develop towards the end of a progressive direction. All three of the actual albums are classics of Finnish rock. Motion religious leader became angry with the band's name, and the band changed their name for a short time into 'Kassinen Machine". The band won a contest held in Oulu and shortly they released their debut 7'' on Poko Records. They recorded three highly successful albums before disbanding in 1982. The singer/songwriter Ismo Alanko has led several bands since then and continues to be an influential name in Finnish rock music. Hassisen Kone has played several nostalgic reunion concerts after they disbanded. In 2000, they reunited for a concert on midsummer at the Joensuu Laulurinne. The concert was filmed and released as a DVD titled Twenty Vuotta Myöhemmin (Twenty Years Later). Check this awesome band out.

- Special Thx to Fredrik -

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DESTRUCKTIONS - Vox Populi 1983

Ingenious Hardcore from Ulvila by Destrucktions, the four was founded in 1981 by Mike (vocals), Poko (guitars), Mixa (bass) and Jaakko (drums) and Vox Populi was recorded for Propaganda Records but is released via Rock-O-Rama in 1983. At that time Destrucktions had already split up, so that is the only record they have ever released. Compilations featuring the band at a few, one in this blog: Finnish Spunk/Hard Beat. Fifteen absolutely short kicking bombs with fierce sound which gives the band proper power and anger. Höhnie Records released 2007 a record named Complete Destrucktions with all their recordings plus rare demos in a gatefold sleeve with lyrics and band history, both in Finnish and English as well as some archive pictures which you can get via Melonville Hardcore blog. Fazit: first class twenty-five minutes of Finnish Hardcore!

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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.

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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.

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V/A - Asfalttidisco 1980

In Finland, at the end of the seventies/beginning of the eighties, amazingly good compilations were released, and most of you are probably familiar with the two legendary labels Poko and Propaganda Records, Asfalltdisco (fantastic album title) came via Kräk!, a rather unkonwn label for me but should also be considered, and this compilation, available as tape either, is not a bad one because we listen to thirteen varied melodies; NewWave, PowerPop, Punk or simple Rock: All In! The scope of this record is another solid demonstration of the musical diversity of interesting, sometimes short-lived bands and illustrates the innovative wide passion of the Nordic composers. Fazit: A sunny, entertaining mix and not only suitable for dinner parties. Now it goes on with the second day of the round of sixteen. ⚽

1.Tahdon Olla Vapaa - SOS

2.TV:n Uhri - KORROOSIO

3.Ulkona - NAUTA

4.Kuljen Ja Kuljen - LOUIE

5.Naapurin Poika - AARNEN VALINTA

6.Sun Täytyi Mennä - TURTA LEEVI

7.Idiootit Vauhdissa - SOS

8.Vanhat Jarrut - TEURASTAMO 5

9.Kuka Myi Kapinan - KORROOSIO

10.Elämäni Lotto - AARNEN VALINTA

11.Hienot Ihmiset - NAUTA

12.Oravanpyörä - LOUIE

13.Eläviä Ruumiita - TEURASTAMO 5

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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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