They punch elves, ferchrissakes!
Christmas makes people get weird and freaky-deaky
Absolutely one of the craziest news stories this year has been the Lapland New Forest debacle in the UK. The New Forest story has everything: elves getting punched, mangy reindeer (probably Delhi street dogs with fake horns
), greasy crap food, mud instead of snow, a security guard resigning because of shame and a lot more. Luckily, for most of you, none of these things are a part of Christmas. Ever.
So, consider yourself a part of the lucky majority and enjoy this special time. Slow it down. Savor it. Ignore demands whenever possible. Every decision there is to make, make it at the last possible moment and dont worry about it. Its all good. Its cold out. Be chill. Listen to some music for the hell of it, not because it shows potential. Forget about the business. Forget about this newsletter
Theres always January.
Apocalyptica (ZOMBA) turns into a hair-swinging chart monster
In November, the cello metal bands new single I Dont Care hit the top spot on the BDS and Mediabase Active Rock radiocharts in the States, zooming past the band that gave them their start in the music business. Thats right, Apocalyptica, the band that started out covering Metallica songs, beat the metal legends in the race to this particular and doubtless hairy summit.
Justify my Rasmus in 2009
Finnish pop/rock favourite The Rasmus (PLAYGROUND) kick off 2009 with the second single from their Gold-selling, Desmond Child produced Black Roses album. Justify is out digitally on the 5th of January, to be followed by the hard copy on the 14th of January. The Rasmus also embark on an extensive European Tour in the New Year, starting in Stockholm on the 22nd of January. Check the dates at the end of this newsletter
Hanoi Rocks compilation This Ones For RocknRoll in stores now in Scandinavia
Following Hanoi Rocks (BACKSTAGE ALLIANCE) recent announcement that they will break up by the end of this year, they are announcing the release of a brand new 2-CD retrospective compilation This Ones For Rock n Roll on November 26th 2008. This superb package includes 33 songs, encompassing both distinctive parts of their career, the 80s and the new millennium. The lavishly packaged set includes many previously unreleased photos and written testimonials from illustrious peers such as Alice Cooper, Ginger (Wildhearts), Dregen (Backyard Babies) and Jussi 69 (The 69 Eyes). CD 1 covers the years 1980-1985 and the first incarnation of Hanoi Rocks, tragically cut short by drummer Razzles death. CD 2 brings the legend up-to-date with music from the band reborn in 2001.
Crashing into Gossip Girl
The Crash (EMI) had a 2 minute clip of Reasons To Sing from the Pony Ride album included in the 17th November episode of Gossip Girl on The CW channel. The track was picked up for the synch by industry big-hitter Alexandra Patsavas from Chop Shop, who is known for producing the soundtracks for such shows as Grey’s Anatomy and The O.C.
Pony Ride is available in North America on Rykodisc.
Prog attack 09! New KTU album to be released in January
The second album by KTU (Pohjonen, Gunn and Mastelotto. ROCKADILLO RECORDS) in January 2009. It was composed, arranged and produced by KTU at Zone studios, Texas and mixed in Helsinki at Seawolf Studios. Samuli Kosminen is a featured special guest. Three pieces were mixed by Porcupine Trees Steven Wilson. The album will also be released in several European countries by Westpark Music, in America by Thirsty Ear and in Japan by Disk Union.
Cymbidium introduces new patterns for making music
Finnish producer/composer Saine is releasing his second album on Helsinki-based indie label CYMBIDIUM this winter. Far from being just another album, Break A Pattern actually embodies a true musical innovation. Saines constant search for new musical perspectives has allowed him to shape a sound signature you won’t come across elsewhere. The album ushers in the first development phase of Sonic Bloom, a music-making method based on Saine´s core idea. Sonic Bloom will offer easy tools for people who want to create online music with their friends. Service development is funded by Tekes, which supports Finnish innovations. Combining cutting edge technology with new innovative patterns is the in thing
every year.
Finnish showcases in Eurosonic:
Automatic Eye (JOHANNA KUSTANNUS)
Regina (JOHANNA KUSTANNUS)
Le Corps Mince De Francoise (NEW JUDAS)
Huoratron (NEW JUDAS)
Underwater Sleeping Society in Norway
UwSSoc (BACKSTAGE ALLIANCE) has been confirmed as one of the acts at By:Larm in Oslo, Norway. They recently completed a successful tour of Poland and the Baltic states.
A new home for Torture Killer
And, really, who wouldnt want to offer a home to a Torture Killer. Having one at home, as opposed to in the controlled confines of a record company, could end up in grief. Police blockades, hostage negotiations
So, its good that theyve found a home at Dynamic Arts Records. Torture Killer has been hiding in the depths of their studio, mixing their third album. The forthcoming album Sewers will be released at the end of February 2009. As posted earlier, their old vocalist Juri Sallinen is back on the line-up torturing his lungs for good, as opposed to metal legend Chris Barnes (Cannibal Corpse, Six Feet Under) who fronted the band for the previous album. Expect to see Torture Killer touring Europe in the spring of 2009. The first summer festival has been already booked; Legacy Open Air in Germany in May.
Dance, Russia! Tampere stylee
Tampere-based dance act DCX (PRIMETIME) played in Moscow on the 7th of December and took the opportunity to promote its music on television and in the press. After finding success in Finland and releasing music in the USA, Canada, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Asia and Australia, DCX is hungry for the huge Russian market for dance music. 25% of the music played and consumed in many other forms in Russia is dance. The share for heavy/indie rock is 6%
The berserkers of Turisas hack their way to the top of Finnish DVD charts
A Finnish Summer With Turisas (CENTURY MEDIA), the first official DVD by Finnish folk metal warlords Turisas hit the Finnish DVD charts at #1 congratulations!
Ondine wins award for Kullervo
The recording featuring the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Leif Segerstam, as well as soprano Soile Isokoski, baritone Tommi Hakala and the YL Male Voice Choir has won the prestigious DIAPASON DOR DE LANNÉE 2008. The award is presented by Frances most widely read classical music magazine. The names the same.
A Tenor dimension
SÄHKÖ RECORDINGS is releasing Jimi Tenor & Kabu Kabus 4th Dimension as Puu-35 CD/2vinyl/digital. File it under: afro-jazz-funk. Its out on 19th of January through the following: Germany: Groove Attack
France: Differ-ant
UK&digital: Kudos
Benelux: Rough Trade
Italy: Goodfellas
Spain: Nuevos Medios
Knuckle-draggin around Europe
Hyperactive rock band Knucklebone Oscar (BLUELIGHT RECORDS) heads for a tour in central Europe in December. The bands fourth European tour consists of 13 shows in Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland and Austria. The tour is organized by Weird World Booking, who have also booked tours for Radio Birdman, The Damned and Dick Dale. Knucklebone Oscar has also signed a recording & management deal with German indie label Rookie Records, who released the bands latest album Back From The Jungle in the end of October.
Francines new album will be released in Europe on 5th of December
Francine´s (POKO RECORDS) latest album One Step Further will finally be released in Europe! Wolverine Records (Germany) releases the album in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Holland and Belgium. Francine will be touring in Europe next year.
New singer for Callisto
Providence, the third album by experimental rock/metal band Callisto, will be released in Finland by FULLSTEAM RECORDS on February 18, 2009, international release date to be announced shortly. The albums debut single, Covenant Colours is streaming on the bands MySpace site. The new single and album will be the debut for the bands new vocalist Jani Ala-Hukkala, whose screaming and clean vocals mark a new element in the bands sonic palette. None of the original members have left the band, and Callistos former vocalist Markus Myllykangas continues with the band as a guitarist. After a years hiatus in touring, the band returns to the stage at Estonias Green Christmas festival on December 12 along with Volbeat and Dark Tranquility.
Winter in Japan
Niklas Winter, featuring Jukka Eskola, just finished their successful 6-date tour of Japan.
Winter’s Beautopia album was released on King Records in December 2007 and the decision to release his upcoming album in the near future was made. Concerts where held in Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka and Yokohama.
What a Gambit!
Finnish hiphop artist-producer The Gambit (QGL) has inked a sweet deal with Pepsi. The Gambits newest music video 5-0 (Dont Stop) was premiered on Pepsi site. The
on-going campaign encourages people to visit the site to check out the video and download the song (for free). 5-0 (Dont Stop) is the third single from The Gambits debut album Rosary. The Gambit’s album was released on November last year. The Gambits first music video released off Rosary, Snake Styles, won an award at the Oulu Music Video Festival. It was chosen as one of the best Finnish videos for 2008.
Where in the world is Carmen Gray!?
Japan, as it turns out. The sophomore album of Finnish, Helsinki-based rock band Carmen Gray (SONY BMG), Welcome to Grayland, was released by BMG Japan in late November. The Portrait of Carmen Gray, their first album, earned them a solid fan base in Japan back in 2007. Welcome To Grayland has received praise and scored 83 / 100 points in the acclaimed Burrn! Magazine album review.
Back to the future Sväng!
Sväng on the road in France in 2010. Run Productions is working on a full-scale French tour for AITO RECORDS recording artist Sväng for the spring of 2010. The globetrotting new harmonica quartet also found shelter under the wings of a new agency in Spain. From now on, Sväng’s Spanish representative is El Spiritu del Sur. Sväng will also perform in a famous British music television programme Jools Holland Show on new years eve.
Pohjonen / Kosminen & Proton Struing Quartet to tour Uniko in Estonia
After a successful concert in Espoo, Finland last month, Kimmo Pohjonen (ROCKADILLO RECORDS) and Samuli Kosminen, along with Proton String Quartet will take their piece Uniko on a tour of Estonia in February 2009.
Here they go again: The Milestones support Whitesnake in December
The Milestones (TEMPO MUSIC) have the honor to support Whitesnake on 12th of December in Helsinki. The Milestones are working on their third record and some of the new songs will be played on that show. After few years of silence, the band has returned with its original line-up. Classic Rock Magazine noticed the new energy and chose The Milestones-song Ragged Lies to kick off the Southern Rock compilation CD that was released with issue no. 121. The new album is being recorded in the fall of 2008.
The Milestones are looking for the best possible partners to release the album world wide.
Lepistö&Lehti a big hit at Cinars 2008
Lepistö&Lehti (AITO RECORDS), the duo of accordionist Markku Lepistö and bass player Pekka Lehti, made a deep impact at their Cinars Conference showcase in Montreal recently. The duo of two Finnish master musicians stormed the stage with their brand of highly communicative minimalism. The new album Helsinki is out now.
REFRESH! REFRESH! REFRESH! FULLSTEAM!
Something to take home with you over Christmas is a manic need to sit in front of the computer and press F5 F5 F5 F5 at the Fullsteam Records site
They have a boatload of great releases coming up early next year and news will be updated regularly on the website.
Taking it to the slippery streets
Live Finns
Children Of Bodom (SPINEFARM RECORDS)
(with Cannibal Corpse and Diablo, SAKARA RECORDS)
Jan 30 2009 Huxleys/Berlin (GER)
Jan 31 2009 Haus Auensee/Leipzig (GER)
Feb 01 2009 Stadtgarten/Erfurt (GER)
Feb 02 2009 LKA/Stuttgart (GER)
Feb 03 2009 Backstage/Munchen (GER)
Feb 04 2009 Z7/Pratteln (CH)
Feb 05 2009 Z7/Pratteln (CH)
Feb 06 2009 Travel
Feb 07 2009 Syma Hall/Budapest (HU)
Feb 08 2009 Gasometer/Wien (AUT)
Feb 09 2009 Travel
Feb 10 2009 Alactraz/Milan (IT)
Feb 11 2009 Löwensaal/Nurnberg (GER)
Feb 12 2009 Paradiso/Amsterdam (NL)
Feb 13 2009 Travel
Feb 14 2009 Tba
Feb 15 2009 Tba
Feb 16 2009 Tba
Feb 17 2009 Tba
Feb 18 2009 Travel
Feb 19 2009 Tba
Feb 20 2009 Elysee Montmatre/Paris (F)
Feb 21 2009 Hof Ter Loo/Antwerpen (B)
Feb 22 2009 Hof Ter Loo/Antwerpen (B)
Feb 23 2009 Grosse Freiheit/Hamburg (GER)
Feb 24 2009 Tba
Feb 25 2009 Travel
Feb 26 2009 Scentrum Scene/Oslo (N)
Feb 27 2009 Tyrol/Stockholm (SWE)
LAPKO (FULLSTEAM RECORDS)
Alternative rockers Lapko headed south again, together with label mates Downstairs:
Dec 11 2008 Maschinenhaus, Berlin, DE Dec 12 2008 Cafe-Glocksee, Hannover, DE
Dec 13 2008 Kuz Sägewerk, Neukirchen, DE
Dec 14 2008 The Londoner, Gotha, DE
Dec 16 2008 Backstage Club, München, DE
Dec 17 2008 Kulturladen, Konstanz, DE
Dec 18 2008 Underground, Köln, DE
Dec 19 2008 Klubhaus, Saalfeld, DE
NEGATIVE (HYPE PRODUCTIONS)
Jan 15 2009 Debaser/Stockholm (SWE)
Jan 16 2009 Sticky Fingers/Göteborg (SWE)
Jan 17 2009 KB/Malmö (SWE)
Jan 18 2009 The Rock/Köpenhamn (DK)
Mar 07 2009 Club Orlandina/ST.Petersburg (RU)
Mar 08 2009 Club Tochka/Moscow (RU)
SVÄNG (AITO RECORDS)
9 Dec 2008 The Palace of Arts - Budapest, Hungary
11 Dec 2008 Sargfabrik, Vienna - Austria
14 Jan 2009 Bielefeld, Rudolf-Oetker-Halle (WDR recording) - Nordhein-Westfalen, Germany
TURISAS (CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS)
Currently Turisas are conquering the US during their extensive tour with Dragonforce and will return to Europe in early 2009 for several headlining shows as well as the European leg of this massive touring campaign
(* = TURISAS headlining shows)
Dec 15 08 CA Edmonton, AB Edmonton Events Centre
Dec 16 08 CA Calgary, AB MacEwan Ballroom
Dec 19 08 CA Vancouver, BC Croatian Cultural Centre
Jan 17 09 FI Hämeenlinna Vanaja-Sali *
Jan 23 09 DE Glauchau Alte Spinnerei *
Jan 24 09 DE Osnabrück Winternoise Festival
Jan 26 09 DE Frankfurt Nachtleben *
Jan 27 09 LX Luxembourg Rockhal Club Box *
Jan 28 09 NL Tilburg O13
Jan 29 09 NL Amsterdam Melkweg
Jan 30 09 BE Hasselt - MOD
Jan 31 09 FR Paris Elysee Montmatre
Feb 01 09 FR Nantes Le Ferrailleur*
Feb 02 09 FR Bordeaux Barbie
Feb 03 09 ES Barcelona Apolo
Feb 04 09 PT Lisbon Cine Teatro Corroios
Feb 06 09 ES Madrid Heinekan
Feb 07 09 ES Bergara Sala Jam
Feb 09 09 IT Milan Alcatraz
Feb 10 09 CH Pratteln Z7
Feb 11 09 IT Bologna Sottotetto Club *
Feb 12 09 HU Budapest Diesel Club
Feb 13 09 AT Vienna Szene
Feb 14 09 SI Maribor Stuk
Feb 16 09 DE Munich Backstage
Feb 17 09 DE Stuttgart Röhre
Feb 18 09 DE Ottweiler Club Schulz *
Feb 19 09 FR - Strasbourg La Laiterie
Feb 20 09 DE Cologne Underground
Feb 21 09 DE Hamburg Knust
Feb 22 09 DE Berlin Kato
Feb 24 09 DK Copenhagen Vega
Feb 25 09 SE Gothenburg Brewhouse
Feb 27 09 NO Oslo John Dee
Feb 28 09 SE Stockholm Tyrol
LORDI (SONY BMG)
Jan 24 09 SWE-Lund - Mejeriet
Jan 25 09 SWE-Stockholm - Arenan
Jan 26 09 SWE-Gothenburg - Traedgarn
Jan 29 09 GER-Hamburg - Docks
Jan 30 09 GER-Herford - X
Jan 31 09 GER-Oberhausen - Turbinenhalle
Feb 01 09 NED-Purmerend - P3
Feb 03 09 GER-Nuernberg - Loewensaal
Feb 05 09 GER-Muenchen - Tonhalle
Feb 06 09 GER-Stuttgart - Filharmonie
Feb 07 09 GER-Saarbruecken - E-Werk
Feb 10 09 GER-Bremen - Aladin
Feb 12 09 GBR-London - Carling Academy
Feb 13 09 GBR-Dudley - JB´s
Feb 15 09 IRE-Dublin - Button factory
Feb 18 09 FRA-Paris - Elysee Montmartre
Feb 20 09 ES-Barcelona - Apolo
Feb 22 09 ES-Madrid - Heineken
Feb 24 09 FRA-Toulouse - Havana
Feb 25 09 FRA-Lyon - Transbordeur
Feb 26 09 ITA-Milan - Rolling Stone
Feb 27 09 ITA-Rom - Alpheus
Mar 16 09 CZE-Pardubice - Small Arena
Mar 17 09 CZE-Ostrava - CEZ Arena
Mar 18 09 CZE-Plzen - Halla Locomotiva
The Rasmus (PLAYGROUND)
Jan 22 2009 / SE- Stockholm Debaser Medis
Jan 23 2009 / SE- Mariestad Folkparken
Jan 24 2009 / SE- Göteborg Brewhouse
Jan 26 2009 / DK- Copenhagen Lille Vega
Jan 27 2009 / GER- Hamburg Grünspan
Jan 28 2009 / GER- Berlin Columbia Club
Jan 29 2009 / GER- Dresden Alter Schlachthof
Jan 30 2009 / GER- Köln Gloria
Jan 31 2009 / GER- Bochum Zeche
Feb 02 2009 / GER- München Backstage
Feb 03 2009 / GER- Frankfurt Batschkapp
Feb 04 2009 / CH- Bern Bierhübeli
Feb 05 2009 / CH- Zürich X-Tra
Feb 06 2009 / IT- Modena Vox
Feb 07 2009 / IT- Milan Alcatrazz
Feb 09 .2009 / SLO- Ljubljana Inbox
Feb 10 2009 / HR- Zagreb Boogaloo
Feb 11 2009 / SRB- Belgrade SKC
Feb 12 2009 / BG- Sofia Universiade
Feb 17 2009 / RO- Bucharest Hard Rock Café
Feb 18 2009 / HU- Budapest Durer
Feb 19 2009 / SK- Bratislava Dubravka
Feb 20 2009 / CZ- Prague Lucerna
Feb 21 2009 / PL- Warsaw Stodola
Feb 24 2009 / UK- London Islington Academy
Feb 25 2009 / L- Esch Rockhal
Feb 26 2009 / B- Brussels VK
Feb 27 2009 / NL- Eindhoven Efenaar
Feb 28 2009 / NL- Amsterdam Melkweg
Apr 03 2009 / AU- Vienne Arena Vienna
Apr 04 2009 / AU- Haus im Ennstal Talstation Gondelbahn Hauser Kaibling
MEDEIA (FULLSTEAM RECORDS)
Feb 26 09 Dortmund - FZW
Feb 27 09 Leipzig - Conne Island
Feb 28 09 Warsaw - Progresja
Mar 01 09 Prague - Exit Chmelnice
Mar 02 09 Wien - Arena
Mar 03 09 Budapest - Dürer Kert 04.03.09 München - Feierwerk - Hansa 39
Mar 05 09 Zürich - Dynamo 21
Mar 08 09 Karlsruhe - Die Stadtmitte
Mar 15 09 Bruxelles - VK
Mar 18 09 Lux Esch Kulturfabrik
Mar 21 09 Berlin Lido
KIMMO POHJONEN (ROCKADILLO RECORDS)
Jan 11 08 Kuopio, Finland KIDE festival (solo)
Jan 29 08 Kirkenes, Norway Borders Control or Rock and Roll festival (solo)
Feb 12 08 Tartu, Estonia - Vanemuise Concert Hall (Uniko)
Feb 13 08 Jõhvi, Estonia - Concert Hall (Uniko)
Feb 14 08 Pärnu, Estonia - Concert Hall (Uniko)
Feb 15 08 Tallinn, Estonia - Estonia Concert Hall (Uniko)
KNUCKLEBONE OSCAR (BLUELIGHT RECORDS)
Dec 10 08 Freiburg, KTS
Dec 11 08 Winterthur, Gaswerk
Dec 12 08 Bern, Gaskessel
Dec 13 08 Töning, Silo 1
Dec 15 08 Wien, Arena
Dec 16 08 Wiener Neustadt, Clumsy’s
Dec 18 08 Schrobenhausen, Lindenkeller
Dec 19 08 Berlin, Clash
Dec 20 08 Köln, Sonic Ballroom
Dec 21 08 Berlin, Ken FM radio session