 When and how was your band created?
It was one of those sweltering hot days you don’t want to spend in the suffocating heat of a poorly airconditioned car. Nonetheless, our guitarist Olli and myself we’re sitting in such a vehicle, planning what we want to do with our lives. We wrote down a list of things we wanted to do musically. later on we’ve come to think of that day, when speaking of the birth of Poets of the Fall. This was in May 2002
Where is the name of the band coming from?
It derives from the idea that two opposing concepts both give meaning to the other and together they may create an entirely new concept. There is the appealing idea of beauty and the possibly equally fascinating idea of ugliness or decay, which when put together create an understanding of what’s valuable and what’s less so… get it? It’s a four word phrase that can give you a topic for long hours of contemplation… Also we all like the mood the name sets for the music we write…
What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
Uh, a load of them, Pink Floyd, Steve Vai, Metallica, the whole Seattle grunge thing, classical composers, thank you very much… Live, Madonna, Tori Amos… even Def Leppard in the Hysteria days, and of course U2 has had great influence on us… does that answer your question… I’d also like to thank Bill Watterson for the Calvin & Hobbes comics. After reading them I was ok with myself, since I knew I wasn’t the only six year old in the world… ha ha ha…
What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
It’s a small market.
How could you define your style of music?
It’s Hybrid Clash… which means it’s got loads of melody, spiced with punkmetal and ballad pepper with a dash ethnic sounds…
During the years how has your musical style changed?
I think our tastes have broadened while simultaneously we’ve become more selective with what we actually like to hear. This has also influenced our own writing.
How do explain these changes?
I believe that has a lot to do with working with music… like, say, a chef wouldn’t want to eat just any load of crap on a plate, the same goes with us with music.
What are topics you treat in your songs?
I tend to focus a lot on things that seem to be very common problems everywhere. I talk about love, about being humane and finding the right angle of looking at things to find solutions, I try to give hope and sometimes I’ll state the obvious just so people wouldn’t forget it, and of course there are always those who’ll hear it from me for the first time.
What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
That varies daily, it’s all really up to how I feel at any given time. From the first album, Signs of Life, I’d say it’s a song called Shallow and from the new album, Carnival of Rust, there are such songs as Desire, Roses and Delicious, which are fun laid back songs to sing.
Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Both have their perks. In the studio I like it because I get to hear the tone of voice you’re singing in and the music you’re singing to a lot better than in any live concert, but the live situation has a completely different set of perks, the energy, the atmosphere, the audience to name but a few.
During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
The very beginning, when the song seems to well up from the depths of my soul, new and striking. Then there’s the completion, when if successful, I’ll hear exactly what I’ve meant when I wrote the song.
A stupid question but… what is among all the songs you’ve been listening in your life the BEST song?
No such thing as a stupid question, but neither is there’s such a thing as the best song… I can name great songs that have meant a lot to me, some still do…
What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
The internet has it’s uses. It’s a good tool for spreading the word of music as well as it’s good for any other similar “mission” if you will… of course, if you’re referring to piracy on the net… that sucks.
What are your projects?
Right now getting the new album finished takes precedence over any and all of my projects… so I suppose that’s my project… although I’m looking to find a nice, warm little place somewhere in the south of France to spend the cold cold winter months, and maybe do some hang gliding.
What “image” do you have of French music?
Isn’t Kmaro French? He came to Finland last year and we performed at the same concert. I think Patricia Kaas has some real nice tunes. But I wouldn’t call myself a connoisseur of the French music scene.
Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
“Laissez moi chanter” by Patricia Kaas comes to mind, she has a beautiful voice. Of course, Celine Dion, has some sassy tunes as well, but I don’t know if the French people actually consider her French, her being Canadian and all… just a minor detail, ha ha ha
January 18th, 2007
 When and how was your band created?
AKSIM: We’re 2 ordinary guys from different corners of Finland. I’m from Tikkakoski (which is near Jyväskylä) and Jodarok from Joensuu. We met few years back in Jyväskylä where I held this open-air hiphop event called Main Ingredient. Jodarok came thru blazing with amazing drunken freestyles !
JODAROK: We kept in touch afterwards and the group was finally formed 2
years ago after both of us had moved to Helsinki.
Where is the name of the band coming from?
AKSIM: Kids can’t say “kenguru” (kangaroo), so they say Kemmuru.
JODAROK: it’s a funny name and it could be almost any language
What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
AKSIM: I remember Hector, Sielun Veljet, Tuula Amberla and Mikko Perkoila from my childhood. Plus various communist (”taistolais”) tunes. When I was 7, I listened to pimppi-heavy: KISS, WASP, Quiet Riot and Twisted Sister. After that came 60’s rock’n'roll.
The first touch i got in hiphop was in ‘91 when a friend gave me tapes of Public Enemy, N.W.A., Cube and T. I was 13. Then in few years came others like Dre, The Roots, Gangstarr, Pharcyde, Del, Wu, 2Pac, Jeru. The usual dope ones. Later I played bass in a school band and got some soul & jazz influence from the other guys. Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” to mention a good soul record.
JODAROK: The early nineties hiphop had a big infiluence in my life, and even more so in my music. I was a 12 year old kid, trying to be so “HIPHOP”… my songwriting gets alot of influences ranging from rock or punk thru murder-country to irish music. I have no idea if you can hear that or not, but that’s the stuff I like.
What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician / singer (in Finland)?
AKSIM: U know Finland is nowadays known for it’s information technology. Our generation has had a computer home since 80’s. So I think that’s why Finns have now blown up in electronic music across the Europe. As you might know, our electronic music has been exported a lot since the audience in Finland is too marginal (or the record industry too conservative.) The idea of exporting Finnish rap sounds difficult, because of the language. Haven’t tried it yet though !
JODAROK: Finland’s music scene being small is good in some ways and, ofcourse, bad in others. It’s good, cause it’s easy to get recognition for dope music, then again the recognition you get doesn’t fill up stadiums or even pay rent . . . but then again it doesn’t matter that much cause we got such great social security ! no?haha.
How could you qualify your style of music?
AKSIM: Hip hop with heart and balls.
JODAROK: Plus blood and guts and sweat and tears, couple of tokes, couple of beers!
Have you ever considered the possibilty to change totally your style of music? If so, what style of music would you choose?
JODAROK: I’ve been meddling with different stuff a bit, trying to sing and varying my rap styles alot. My new music would propably be some folkrocksouletc.., and it would sound like shit. Very bad.
AKSIM: I’ve reached the conclusion that I shouldn’t try any other. This is what I do best. I’ve tried to make instrumental music but everytime I make a beat I start writing to it. I was a rapper first, so rap comes first.
What are stories/topics you tell/treat in your songs?
AKSIM: We try hard to find other topics than the usual “im-a-starving-but-independent-artist”. Trying to maintain balance between the positive and the negative. But it’s so much easier to bitch about everything.
JODAROK: The songs We’ve made are about everyday life, streetlevel type of
things, then there’s the obvious “hiphopboombap, you and your momma can’t rap” type of songs and alot of songs about women cause they drive me insane and i love them for it.
What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
AKSIM: Elämä Laittaa Saiffaa ( free translation: “life puts you to a test”).. when we made that one, it was some instant shit.. we made the beat, wrote couple of lines back and forth plus the hook and recorded that shit straight up. Plus the song’s simple and honest.
JODAROK: Yeah, that one’s great! My other favourite is “Häslää Soolona” (Solo Hustlin’), but it’s not mixed yet.
Do you tour regularly?
JODAROCK: We’ve haven’t had too many gigs together yet. I’m sure that every performance will teach us how to be a better performer and how to improvise our set without looking confused. I hate doing the same thing over so that’s why improvisation is vital.
JODAROK: We perform as much as we can, hopefully more after our album is out. I do a lot of shows with different collectives cause it’s easier for me to travel and perform for no money than Aksim, who’s a Family Guy.
Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
AKSIM: Recording is fun when it’s easy and fast. Some vocals sound good
right away, they just fit into the beat. But some need mixing and first you can’t tell are they good or not.
JODAROK: I prefer performing live. Recording is a drag, it’s fun for a while but I have a very little interest in mixing songs and tweeking sounds. On stage, with a good audience, you don’t need to have any energy, you can borrow from them and give back a good show.
During the process of making an album, what is the moment that you prefer?
JODAROK: When a song is finally done! we do everything by ourselves so the point when something is ready and it sounds good, you know hours/days of work was worth it. Other than that writing the lyrics is the best.
AKSIM: I like making the beats, of course. ‘Cause
January 17th, 2007
 When and how was your band created?
The pre-historical version of the band was created by the late-adolescent Teemu, Tuukka and Eero back in the good old nineties. The music at that time was a perverse mixture of progressive funk, rock and psychedelic lyrics.
Since Hannah joined, the music has growned a bit simpler and calmer and maybe a bit more melodic. I joined the band about 3 years ago and the band’s average IQ has fallen dramatically ever since..
Were is the name of the band coming from?
It actually originates in the french language. The phrase: Creme de la creme (probably misspelled) with a touch of pure Hollywood starshine!! No, seriously, we just wanted to come as close as possible to the fantastic finnish band called The Crash on all sort of band-lists.
What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life/work?
It would be completely wrong and shameful to play in a pop-band and not mention The Beatles…though it’s quite obvious..Our taste in music within the band varies quite a lot; Tuukka (the drummer) likes jazz and black music in general, Eero (bass) is a simple music lover with a special taste for Zappa, Teemu (guitar) listens to anything that’s trendy, Hannah loves singer/songwriter-stuff and I myself listen to the radio.
What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician / singer (in Finland)?
One of the good sides (call me naive) is that to me it seems like there is a kind of sincerety about the musicmaking here. Maybe it’s because there really is’nt that much money to make in the finnish music scene.
Which also is the negative aspect…at least one of them.
How could you qualify your style of music?
I’m not sure I understand the question right, but if it means how i’d characterize our style, I would have to quote a nice newspaperman, who said we sound a bit like “Ajetaan me Tandemilla” with a touch of slavic melancholy.
Have you ever considered the possibilty to change totally your style of music? If so, what style of music would you choose?
I think we’re too lazy for that.
What are stories/topics you tell/treat in your songs?
Since we live up north, where the evils of the world seem so distant, we mainly sing about the only problems we have; Love, loneliness and getting throwed through glass-doors.
What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
Mine, for the moment, is “Out of here”. The guitar-riff in the beginning makes my hair stand on end..
Do you tour regularly? Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
There are two sides to every story..At the moment, I would love nothing more than to tour with the band, preferably the world and maybe beyond..But of course, the comforts of a studio like Petrax (silence, sauna and sound) are enough to make one think about retiring from the concert circles.
During the process of making an album, what is the moment that you prefer?
Since we’we only made one album so far, I would have to say: When I got the finished album in my hand, finally!!!!
Why?
I guess I’m an egomaniac.
What kind of music / What artists do you currently listen?
I listen quite a lot to finnish bands at the moment. Bands like Cosmo Jones Beat Machine, Sweatmaster and such.
A stupid question but… what is among all the songs you’ve been listening in your life the BEST song? Why?
It’s not a stupid question but an incredibly hard one…impossible even. But I’ll boldly answer, with the risk of being ridiculed: Jethro Tull: “The cold wind to Walhalla.” It’s got everything. No, seriously, it just brings me such memories and feelings, non of which actually have so much to do with the music in itself, that I can’t listen to it objectively. Therefore it must be the best song I’ve ever heard.
Internet is something interesting for musicians because it gives them the opportunity to touch a larger audience but it is also a threat for them (regarding the copyrights). What is your opinion regarding this medium?
The internet, like the globalisation in general, has its down- and upsides. What would be greater than all of us getting united in a feast of free music and love and so on…but still, I want to get some compensation for all the work I’ve done, call me a materialist…I think it should be up to the band or artist in question to deside whether or not he/she/it wants to let the material be spread at no cost…Maybe Microsoft could organize this copyright problem, since it’s widely responsible for unleashing the mighty monster of internet.
Do you use computers or home studios during the process of making an album or a song?
When making songs I use a small tape-recorder and my voice and a guitar. But the recordings are mainly made with digital equipment.
What are your actual and future projects?
We are currently waiting for the gold-records that should come our way any minute now, any minute.
January 17th, 2007
 When and how was Zero Nine created?
The band was created originally 1979 by the group of friends just for having some action. Well – and we really needed that cause we are coming from the small village of Kuusamo in northeast Finland.
Where is the name of the band coming from?
The idea came from the bus sign in Stockholm..if I`m serious.. Nobody remembers
What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple etc.
What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
The aspects are same as everywhere – its great to be a musician…
How could you define your style of music?
Freestyle hard rock with no chains.
During the years how has your musical style changed?
Looking from the inside changes has not been big at all..listen to our new collection you can find the answer there.
What are topics you treat in your songs?
Sex, drugs an` R & R.
What is your favourite song in your repertoire and why?
Tango del Dolor. It`s a perfect hard rock song with good melodies and feelings.
Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Live is what this is all about.
During the process of making a song or an album, what is the moment that you prefer?
First time you put the headphones on after getting the first copy to your hands is the ultimate moment. I can sure you the volyme is more than normal people can stand.
A stupid question but… what is among all the songs you’ve been listening in your life the BEST song?
Don`t wanna name only one song. The list is long – world is full of good music
What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
Though I`m representing the old school I wellcoming the Internet.
What are your plans for the near future?
Writing songs for the new album at the moment.
What “image” do you have of French music?
“Les Negresses Vertes” is one of my favourites. Chanson.
Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
“Orane” by Les Négresses Vertes.
January 18th, 2007
 When and how was your band created?
We’re such an old skool rock band that we simply met at a rock bar, shared the interest to the same music, girls and partying!
And then just one Friday evening we gathered to a small rehearsal place to jam along with some beers … the band was like a good excuse to party together. And in a way the same parties still continue…
Were is the name of the band coming from?
A friend of mine was starting an underground band in New York but eventually she never did but had only the name which I took: The 69 Eyes … it sounds cool and exciting, could be from a horror movie or a porno clip, it’s just perfect for a rock’n'roll band!
What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
So many things: from Elvis Presley to The Doors to Billy Idol to Marilyn Manson, from Hugo Pratt to Neil Gaiman, from Jacques Tati to The Wachowski Brothers.
What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician / singer (in Finland)?
Ten years ago I think it felt like Finland was too far from the international music markets but these days it feels like Finland is the most interesting place for the new bands to come! Helsinki is “THE rock city” these days. It’s a great advantage be from Finland these days, also music is really appreciated here in Finland too, so no negative aspects these days.
How could you qualify your style of music?
It’s Gothic Rock which means that it’s very melodic and even sometimes romantic in the melancholic way but it’s still ROCKS!
Have you ever considered the possibilty to change totally your style of music? If so, what style of music would you choose?
Over the years the style of our band has developed from snotty glam punk to this more mature sound but in the end I would call our style as Rock … it’s played with 2 guitars, bass and drums with a Rock’n'Roll attitude. That’s The 69 Eyes. We can add some new flavours but in the end we’ll always be Rock. Somewhere else I visited last year on KWAN’s (the most famous Finnish hip-hop group) album, that was cool!
What are stories/topics you tell/treat in your songs?
I try to write lyrics with some sense of hope, even the world and the current situation sometimes might be dark, these always the bright side if you look at from the right angle!
What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
I think I’ve succeeded pretty well with “Brandon Lee”, there’s certain magic in the lyrics and also in the music. Also I’m still very satisfied with the opening lines of “Dance d’Amour”
I wanted to write the opening line which would be both really cool and everybody who knows the song would also know: “Your lips shine like Paris”…I still love it!
Do you tour regularly? Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
We’ve been touring for “Paris Kills” the album ever since May 2002 till now, in the end of August 2003, both in Finland and other countries from the Central Europe to Russia. To perform live is a social happening and you travel and meet people and finally see how your music affects people, to make music in a studio is a very lonely situation and pretty much I walk alone by the sea thinking of the lyrics etc. It’s like first work, then party… I love both as much!
During the process of making an album, what is the moment that you prefer? Why?
I’m also involved not only creating the theme of the current record but also the graphical design … that’s always exciting.
Also the process of writing the lyrics, despite it’s a VERY lonely part, is something really magical.
What kind of music / What artists do you currently listen?
I listen a lot of different music all the time, from rock I’ve been recently listening to Jeffrey Lee Pierce (Gun Club vocalist), Brian Setzer, ZZ Top, The Latebirds, the new Jane’s Addiction cd, Billy Idol, Plastic Gator Machine (ex-Circus Of Power) etc. From other stuff I’ve been enjoying Miles Davis, Angelique Kidjo, Alfa Blondy, Bob Marley etc.
A stupid question but… what is among all the songs you’ve been listening in your life the BEST song? Why?
Maybe The Doors’ “Light My Fire” because it has something magical which brings back my childhood feelings and also some mystic, sounding like the voice of Jim Morrison knows something more than anyone else. Almost for the same reason “Flesh For Fantasy” by Billy Idol, it brings me back the 80’s and gives a promise of the future…
Internet is something interesting for musicians because it gives them the opportunity to touch a larger audience but it is also a threat for them (regarding the copyrights). What is your opinion regarding this medium?
Like always, too much knowledge also brings the pain! Internet also can make you a star in one night and destroy the next. In a good way it’s a powerful tool for a band but I think you shouldn’t give it too much power … the music comes first anyways!
What are your actual and future projects?
We will release a compilation album “FRAMED IN BLOOD … The Very Blessed Of The 69 Eyes” and a live+videos dvd “HELSINKI VAMPIRES” in September 26th. Then we will tour for them in Finland in November. Meanwhile we’re currently in the studio creating already a new album for the next year 2004!
January 17th, 2007
 When and how was your band created?
It was founded at the fall of 2004 in Jyväskylä. Few friends decided to put up a project band but soon it became much more important and we quit our main bands.
Where is the name of the band coming from?
It’s an abtract name which sounds good but later we have heard that red number two also means certain color lipstick!
What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
We all have our own favourites, but everyone in our band likes Tool, Oceansize, Mew and Faith No More.
What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
Nowadays it is positive that everybody knows that being a musician can be regarded as a “real” job and musicians are more appreciated than before.
Negative aspects is that being so far away from the other world makes it more expensive to make gigs abroad.
How could you define your style of music?
Progressive mainstream alternative rock.
During the years how has your musical style changed?
Towrds bigger and bigger sound. There’s no rules anymore.
How do explain these changes?
We realised how we want to sound and learned some tehniques for that.
What are topics you treat in your songs?
A finnish man in the cosmic eternity =)
What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
Few new songs under the working titles of “Makyoh” and “Old Grinder”
Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Both have good sides. It has to be a wonderful gig to have such a good vibes that you can get in the studio when you record something new and fantastic.
A good gig still beats up lazy and complicated studio work.
During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
At the rehearsal, everybody gives their best shot and finally we create something out of everybodys reach.
A stupid question but… what is among all the songs you’ve been listening in your life the BEST song?
I don’t know the best song, but there was a time when I couldn’t listen Tori Amos’ song called “The Cooling” without crying.
What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
Excellent tool doing things - good and bad.
Do you have a website?
Yes, http://www.rednumbertwo.com
What are your projects for the band?
Recording the first full-lenght album this year.
What “image” do you have of French music?
Air and Phoenix are excellent…I don’t know any other bands from there…
Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
Air : Vagabond (excellent, excellent song!)
March 20th, 2007
When and how was your band created?
It was originally started 1999 in Riihimäki - which is a small town about 60 kilometres up north from Helsinki - when our singer-guitarist Okko asked Tomi, guitarist as well, to kick out some jams with him. Okko had previously played in a punk band and wanted to do something different, to create beautiful pop music instead of noisy punk rock
There were some difficulties in finding a right guy to play drums and it wasn’t until late 2002 when the band really came together once the drummer Sampo joined the group. Anyway, the final spice to the soup was added in late 2004 when a tall engineer named Matti Olavi Töyli joined the band to play clarinet, saxophone and a little synth named “Nautilus”.
Where is the name of the band coming from?
It’s a bit boring answer, but it doesn’t really have any special meaning, I suppose it just sounds fascinating. Apparently it was Okko who came up with. There were some bad suggestions before, like “Justin’s Case” and “Purple Sunday” for instance.
As one can imagine, over the years many people have said that it’s too long, but we think that the name actually describes the band’s sound quite well. And who cares about people’s opinions anyway. Look how well Creedence Clearwater Revival has done ! And if you really really like to, you can always use the shorter version of our name (our CCR version) UwSSoc.
What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life /work?
Apparently there are only three bands that we all like: Pink Floyd, The Flaming Lips and 22-Pistepirkko, but since there’s no easy way to do this, I’ll just name a bunch of good ones that most of us enjoy: The Beatles, Radiohead, The Doors, Sonic Youth, Björk, Deus, Air, Nick Drake, Jeff Buckley, Primal Scream, Johnny Cash, Talking Heads, Magenta Skycode, Rubik, Kastor, Nirvana, The Velvet Underground, Sigur Ros, David Bowie, The Cure.
What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
Positive: There are not too many bands, at least good ones, in Finland, so it might be comparatively easy to receive attention once things start happening. Another nice thing about the small circle is that you get to know a lot of new cool people easily when you tour with other bands etc.
Negative: There are only very few good places to play gigs. And this is important: people listen way too much heavy music, which means: 1) that there must be something wrong in our collective unconsciousness 2) summer festivals are filled with bands all dressed in black 3) people end up picking the wrong records from the record stores: instead of buying one of ours
How could you define your style of music?
Progressive pop. Art punk. Prog-rock. Folk pop. Ambient heavy indie! Emotional chill-out music. Underwater sleeping sounds. Whatever you like! We’re not indie puritans, we make music for everybody.
During the years how has your musical style changed?
It has changed a lot. I would say there have been at least 4-5 different phases:
1) straight American influenced pop/rock guitar music, a bit melancholy
2) acoustic phase, stripped down folk music
3) prog-rock phase, that’s when the weird c-parts started to appear!
4) indie-rock phase, everything combined
5) NOW, underwater-indie-progressive-folk-ambient-art-punk-pop
How do you explain these changes?
Listening to too much David Bowie can do that I guess.
What are topics you treat in your songs?
That should be a question for Okko to answer, but I remember that a journalist asked this same thing once, very cleverly. He asked Okko that which word would describe his lyrics the best: underwater, sleeping or society. The obvious answer was sleeping. There’s actually a song called “Dream Song” in our first ep.
What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
My personal favourite is perhaps “-P” at the moment, it’s a long progressive song that evolves very slowly and once it explodes it’s almost like religious experience.
Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Definitely live. If you play rock music and you don’t enjoy your presence on the stage, you’re in the wrong business.
During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
It’s the first time when everyone gets that kind of “THAT’S IT!” -feeling. It might come after 20 minutes or it might take 4 months. Some songs never get to that phase. But they are the bad ones, so they’re meaningless anyway.
A stupid question but. what is among all the songs you’ve been listening in your life the BEST song?
Life On Mars by David Bowie. Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles. I Was Made To Love Magic by Nick Drake. Those three came to my mind first.
What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
I absolutely love it. It has helped us a lot. Myspace is the best forum to get to know new, totally unknown bands from all over the world.
Do you have a website?
Sure. It’s www.uwssoc.net
Our Myspace is www.myspace.com/uwssoc
What are your projects for the band?
Do you mean goals? To make good music. Make people happy. See new places.
But first of all, make good and timeless records that sound good even when you’re 80.
What “image” do you have of French music?
It´s a shame to admit, the image I have is kind of stereotypical. It’s sort of like this. “Edith Piaf singing about her unlucky love in the 1950s”. But surely there are many great contemporary French bands as well, Air being the most obvious one to mention. I should get to know Phoenix as well.
Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
It has got to be Je Ne Regrette Rien by Edith Piaf.
March 20th, 2007
 When and how was your band created?
Zack and I (The Muff) founded the band about 4-5 years ago, but we did’nt get serious about it untill Mr.Tikka, who is my brother joined on drums in 2003.
Where is the name of the band coming from?
Well we wanted a name like KISS, a name that you remember and like, and everyone wants to get naked…right?
What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
Here it comes…..aaahhhh: KISS, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Blues Brothers, Van Halen, Black Crows, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Isaac Hayes, Rush, Bon Jovi, Goo Goo Dolls, Thin Lizzy, Billy Joel, Cheap Trick, Stevie Wonder, The Hellacopters, Alice Cooper, Backyard Babies, T.Rex, Queen, Mötley Crüe, Rainbow, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Hanoi Rocks, Sam & Dave, Def Leppard, Police, The Who, DLR, James Brown.
What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
Well…hmmm let me ponder………The crowds are nuts and everyone is crazy, but I guess that’s the case everywere. Ok I’ll try again, It’s great!!! The negative side: narow minded people!
How could you define your style of music?
We call it Broadway rock, and I’m proud to anounce that we are the only Broadwayrock band in the world!!! Big guitars, bigger drums, confetti, a little smoke, ripped t-shirts, lights, sweat, choir robes, megaphones and a positive mind, hip hip hurraaa!!!
During the years how has your musical style changed?
YES! we’ve found the Naked sound with this album(Let’s Get Naked… And Start A Revolution)
How do explain these changes?
Well at a point we stopped sounding Crap! and became something unexplainable!!! Now how’s that for an awnser.DAN WEEKS?
What are topics you treat in your songs?
Life basiclly and everything that comes with it, the good and the ugly.
What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
Well I like them all obviously, but I have special place in my heart for “High On Blue Love” I wrote it on my sofa when I woke up hung over from beer and viagra:) without a guitar, the melody just popped into my head.It whent to #5 in the single chart in Finland. Then I like doing Revolution live, that’s great. It whent to #4 in the charts.We shot a cool video in london for it and got arrested!
Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Live, that’s what a band should do.But I don’t mind the studio!
During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
The moment? writing a good song dude! I hate forsing them out of me for hours and hours, the best ones come easily.
A stupid question but… what is among all the songs you’ve been listening in your life the BEST song?
The list is endless and changes all the time but on of the best is bohemian rhapsody by Queen, I like dancing in the moonlight by Thin Lizzy as well:)
What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
It’s great! I’m all for it!!! go go go! check out www.nakedonline.net and www.myspace.com/nakedofficial
What are your projects ?
NAKED!!! that’s all I do 
What “image” do you have of French music?
Slim to none, I know that K Maro rapper dude ha haaa. But nothing else comes to mind right now!
Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
Edit phiaf???? She sounded awsome
January 18th, 2007
 When and how was your band created?
We had a group called Maximum Liver Explosion that already included 4/6 Moses. It kinda worked as the Big Bang to creation of the whole new world of Moses Hazy…Well that was pompous.. But anyway the band was formed in Tornio, a smalltown in Northern Finland, `bout two years ago. It just happened to be the place where the brains of this six-headed dog met.
Where is the name of the band coming from?
Well that`s a long & old story. And we actually made a promise that we’d never ever tell it to anybody. But let`s just say that “Moses” alludes to lust we`re creating on our gigs and “Hazy” is for.. I guess it`s for whatever you want it to be for.
What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
There are plenty of ´em. Just to mention a few of my own..mmphh.. Pink Floyd, the band that made my life, and Neil Young, the man that made my life! You want a list? You got it: Wesley Willis, Roky Erickson, Bruce Springsteen, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Hellacopters, Iggy Pop, Jimi Hendrix, King Crimson, Kingston Wall, Led Zeppelin, Lou Reed, MC5, Neil Young, Rolling stones, The Clash, The Doors, The Stooges, the Who, Wigwam……..There`s no end coming for that and doesn`t everything effect on everything..? So forget about it. -The greatest thing in music, from the view of a listener, is that you never stop finding good music..That´s why it`s the best hobby,I mean lifestyle, ever. And Moses Hazy is all about music diggers, Rock&Roll&Blues&Jazz&Soul&Funk&Progressive®gae&Ska&Psychedelic…. ..So let`s just say I/we dig good music.
What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
I`d like to answer on this one as a musician from NORTHERN Finland.
Positive: You haven`t got many choices, there is nothing to do here but to get high with the music. And you find easily beautiful landscapes and peace & quiet `round here. Well not for long, I think, thanks for Eurocitys, IKEAS and all the others satans little helpers…
Negative: The lack of places to rock. In Northern Finland there ain`t too many bars nor other places to arrange gigs. And it`s quit long way to drive to southern cities and back, expecially for one bloody concert which you don`t even get paid, goddam.
But generally there is a lot of great music in Finland and there are many people with good responsive attitude on all that weird shit there`s made.
How could you define your style of music?
Rock. I usually leave the defining for you journalists.. But it`s a kinda Rock´n´Roll without any limits. You can hear a lot of different styles of music in it..Check out the list above!
During the years how has your musical style changed?
Well we started playing Kiss and when we wrote our first own songs for M.L.E. it was all about actionrock, but it sure has changed a lot. and here we are now.
How do explain these changes?
I usually don`t. No, One reason for sure is the instruments we have, like saxophone, trumpet & piano. The other is that we`re listening so many kinds of music. And I guess we knew from the beginning that you can´t draw any limits for this group of maniacs.
What are topics you treat in your songs?
Life. Stuff. You may find some opinions ´bout things in´em because there are opinions, `bout things. But there are also lots of meaningless stories and from each song you get on the average 15% of your daily humdrum-psychedely needed.
What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
It changes often depending on the last gig or if we´ve just recorded something. ´Guess right now my favourit song is..mbgh.. Play That Damn Guitar from our soon-to-be-released album The Incredible Flow Of Life Show. And the reason is that I was yesterday in studio with a couple of beauties recording female backing vocals on that one.
Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Absolutely Live! I think that rock`and´roll albums should be mostly promotion to invite people to the gigs. And our studiowork haven`t started working as good as the liveperformances.
During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
Of course the moment when you for the first time think that the song is done now; And you see that it`s good. It could be alone with guitar as you finish the lyrics or with the whole band when everything just clicks. And when ever the basic form of the song changes to something totally different.
A stupid question but… what is among all the songs you’ve been listening in your life the BEST song?
I really can`t answer seriously to this one.. So I just say Wesley Willis´ Arnold Swartcgchzenegger (how do you spell it anyway?).. Which is actually a great song. And there ain`t no stupid questions, just stupid answers. And you can bet your testicles I`m full of ´em.
What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
It`s a great thing for young unknown bands like us to spread their music all around the world. Of course in some cases it takes away the support from the artist but it`s the blues of today, isn`t it? `Cause in the end Internet is not half as bad thief compered to what record companies have been and still are. And it`s gigs you should get paid for…And I really can`t feel too bad for Metallica.
What are your projects ?
Like I told we´re now finnishing our debyt album and before the summer we`re about to start recording our next album which is kind of a re-recorded collection from our EP´s. And we´ve been planning a summer holiday by the Kuivajoki (Dry River) after June filled with gigs. The holiday includes the recording sessions of our third album, a country/roots-stylish LP, in an old countryhouse. and for sure, gigs gigs gigs and more gigs. So we`re a bit busy with the “Mo´s Trilogy 2006″, as you see.
What “image” do you have of French music?
Few years ago I was spending some time in some smalltown near Brest and cruising `round western parts of France with my local friends. they had a great reggae-band Makaks Mekaniks, don`t know if I spell it right. And I also heard many great funky ska-bands there, I guess it`s quite popular in France..? Ceux Qui Marchent Debut (?) was also great band live and on record. I saw so many great gigs but remember not as many names of bands.. But of course Edith Piaf, Serge Gainsbourg, Francois Corneloup and Bela Fleck & Flecktones etc..etc.. Also we`ve had one great half frenchman playing with us, Marc “fast finger”
Gondallier De Tugny, who played banjo in one of our EP´s.
Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
Makas Mekaniks: Aualpe tout la nére (?)
C´est bon, comme ça.
January 18th, 2007
 When and how was your band created?
We started Dive in 2003. We did two demos shortly after that and now we are working on an ep and an album, which will hopefully be released later this year.
Where is the name of the band coming from?
Dive is about looking inside of ourselves, about the things we’re keeping under the surface.
What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
Joy Division, Depeche Mode, The Smiths and Kate Bush are main influences for myself. The boys are into Ride, Swervedriver and other noisy indie hulabaloo.
What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
We are in the great position because we have found the right people to work with. They are hard working and they believe in the same things that we do. It took time but now we are mainly happy.
How could you define your style of music?
Today I would call it sophisticated new wave. Tomorrow something else.
During the years how has your musical style changed?
When we starded, our music was more or less punk music. I still love the attitude that punk bands have and it?s good to see them live. But I like to do more melodic stuff and songs that touches our audience. In the beginning it was just rage.
How do explain these changes?
It’s the way we always wanted to go, but we didn?t first know how. Now it’s all here. It feels very nice.
What are topics you treat in your songs?
They are mostly sad love songs. We are now working on new tunes that are much happier. But even in our darkest songs there is a glow of light somewhere.
What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
Probably some of the new ones; Apart or Shiver. They just work so well. Songs you can dance to.
Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
I’ll choose gigs. We are blessed to have such a lovely audience every night. I can’t see doing this without playing gigs to our fans. I love to talk with them after the shows as well.
During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
I prefer the beginning and the end. In the beginning I?m alone with the song and it takes me to another places. I’ll always try to cacht a certain mood to each song. Then we try the song with the boys and if and when it starts to work, it is incredibly touching.
A stupid question but… what is among all the songs you’ve been listening in your life the BEST song?
It must be Kate Bush with Hounds Of Love. I love the mood and the intensity on Kate’s vocals.
What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
As we are an indieband from Finland it?s a nice way to promote our music. That’s why we have fans in the States and UK. And who knows maybe in France too!
What are your projects ?
I’ll try to make Dive as good as I can. That’s my project.
What “image” do you have of French music?
I’ll have to admit that I don?t know french music that much. I read sometime ago the biography of Edith Piaf.
Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
Any of Edith Piaf’s songs. Perhaps “L’hymne à l’Amour”. We used to listen to it with my father when I was a kid.
January 18th, 2007
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