HEY! I’m
reporting from the heat of our Spring Tour. It’s been fuckin’ hectic as hell
but this is what I asked, this is what I got. Right now I’m at Kuopio relaxing,
snowboarding in sunny Tahko for the first time, eating like a pig and spendin’
Easter after three gigs during the last weekend… Well it supposed to be three
but I did let my vocal cords rest for a few days, so Mike was singing in Yki
Bar and Juce played the second guitar. I stayed completely silent until
Wednesday when we were supposed to meet AC Oulu’s chief in Rusko. Earlier we’d
met Jarkko Halunen in Rockpolis about us playing in Qstock but now we made an
agreement to write a song for the soccer club. Let’s see what happens!
On Good
Friday we played again in Winger. This time we did the check right before we
supposed to play and the place was packed just before we started. The usual
gang was there but also Johnny Tattoo, Pete The (ex) Goalie and last but not
least, Janne Niinimaa who is nowadays taking part in Huippujengi tv show.
Actually we left early with Miia, Niko and Mikael Huikari to Subway coz’ I’d
the next show the upcoming day. The first plan was to eat in just-opened Park
Buffet in Rotuaari but we just grabbed the breads and called a ride home.
While we
were drivin’ near the railway station, a fuckin’ drunken guy was CRAWLING on
the crosswalk. We almost hit him but pulled the side and lift the guy up.
Fortunately he was almost at his home so I guess he did make it back. About
6:30 pm we were in front of the office carrying our stuff to Juce’s pickup for
Bluesmoon show in Raahe. The soundcheck was done in record time and I was
drinkin’ beer with Mike while the girls were pickin’ our pizzas and Juce was
tuning the guitars. After a couple of hours we’d played a good one with Mike &
Katy and a pretty short set of songs with Nti Kaleva & The Mistake and
ridin’ back to Oulu in the middle of the night.
It’s been
six years now since we first hooked up with Miia. I arranged a little surprise
trip to Helsinki for our anniversary weekend. I had my first whiskey of the day
early in the morning after stoppin’ in Alko Kruununhaka. I’d booked a table
from Restaurant Ask which is awarded with a Michelin Star so we ate a
four-course, royal meal made of Carrot & Spelt, Pike Perch & Onion,
Celeriac & Beef, Elderflower & Strawberry with a ten year cured Switch
cheese and four Ice Marys, hahaha wicked!
After
eating we checked into Hotel Kämp on Esplanad for some gym training, luxury
bathing, photoshoots and eating in Brasserie Kämp. On Friday we mostly just
chilled but next afternoon we found ourselves from the sunny terrace of The
Riff. Straight away we walked to Sports Academy for some snacks, beers and
hockey. After that it was time to hit The Arena to watch Helenius’ Silver Title
Heavyweight Boxing Match. That didn’t end up too well but after accidentally
running into my cousin’ Tommy, the night went on in Bar Backstage where Stala
was playing Kiss with his cover band, hahaha awesome.
We stopped
in Subway to grab some breads and for one second thought about going into We
Got Beef Nightclub. It was already 3am so it was time to get some sleep. During
the next day we tried cocktails in the best bar in town – 100 Dogs. FUCK IT*S
AWESOME!! The day went on in Casino Sportsbar Helsinki by watching Formula One
and eating burgers. We literally ran to Airport Train just to realize that the
flight would be delayed with at least an hour.
Just before
our tour blasted, we arranged a music video meeting with Pohjola Productions.
We’d heard some good stuff about this company from the guys of Clark Kent Job.
They did a good video and we wanted to smell some new flowers after making our
first three videos with Saha Prod. Well, all went well and we shared some ideas
with Ville and it’s on – the shootings will take place in April.
Right after
that I’d asked Miia Sofia to snap some photos for our album cover art so we
hopped on Mustang and drove almost straight to Hiukkavaara. Actually I’d
planned something between Guns’ Appetite back cover and mystical black n white
and I think we did quite fine. Also asked Miia to take some pictures us playing
there in our training house so we used those photos as well.
The next
week I actually wanted to chill so first we headed to Kuopio for some
snowboarding sessions. All went well till’ I tried backflip for the first time
in my life and that didn’t end so well… I fuckin’ landed straight over my head
and continued like nothin’ happened. After hitting a slope bar I released that
something just wasn’t right. Probably I suffered a small concussion coz’ I felt
a bit dizzy. So we drove back to Kelloniemi and that was it for the
“snowboarding week”…
In the
middle of the night I woke up for some sirens and blue lights. As I peeked from
the window there was a bloody man on stretcher and some girl crying
hysterically. Cops led their both to ambulance and drove away. Next morning I
red that someone had been stabbed because he had swaggered about his money in
some bar and had dragged some strangers to his home. Well the guy wasn’t that
wealth after all which had angered the visitors. Spooky…
I caught
some fuckin’ flu just before the tour was supposed to start and Wegster did as
well so we we’re off for almost a week just before gigging. I got up from the
bed and headed straight to Laanila with my bass cabinet & head. Had matched
a jam session with my old bandmates Johnny-Boy and Patu so we gathered there in
the basement and started playing. It was good so we asked Matt Nitro to join as
well so now we’ve been making some new songs and also jammed some covers. Let’s
see what happens!
I’d bought
tickets to CHL Final for me and Miia. Right before the match I had to buy some
new jewelry so a quick stop in Romeo&Julia before hittin’ Energy Arena. I
“accidentally” spent over 100 euros to some new silver rings but what-the-heck,
we live only once! From the Arena I bought a new club jacket and ordered a CHL
fan shirt but we still had some time to grab a few beers before Lauri Salovaara
and Amanda Harkimo started to blast the opening ceremony of the hockey match.
The game was a total, well-arranged sold-out-show though our team lost the
match with one goal.
Our tour
started from Hevimesta, where we warmed up Santa Cruz & Block Buster. Our
gig was almost delayed coz’ we sharpened the check till’ the final point and
also brought all our own stuff but after all we started right on time. During
the final part of our show, the place was already full. Matt & Jay carried
our equipment back to Hiukkavaara and after that we partied in the bar till’
the mornin’ light. Cruz and Buster hopped in their tour bus in front of the
place and drove straight to Levi to continue their tour. Wicked!
About that
new band of ours. The idea was launched during one Friday when Johnny sent me a
WhatsApp message about that new project including a couple of demo songs,
pretty much like the old Cult songs. I immediately liked those and asked guys
to drink some beer with me and to share some ideas. Unfortunately Jonathan was
already in Helsinki, leaving to Stockholm by a cruise ship but Patu was with me
so we drove to my penthouse and started sippin’ beer and vodka.
Miia and
Laura came in later with a fuckin’ Bengal cat who stayed with us that weekend.
The night went on in Alppila Stalls with Bode & Patu, quick visit to Pera
and I was off back to centrum for some partying in Jumpru Pub with the girls.
The place was again fuckin’ full as hell but not that bad as I remembered.
After a Subway stop we were back home just before 4am.
The tour
continued straight to Katrilli on Friday. For the first time in my fuckin’ life
I had some serious problems with my vocal cords. I realized that right before
sound check as we tried to play and sing something with Mike. I’d been training
like a maniac from the beginning of Feb and we made an agreement with the guys
that we’d play the rehearsals as they were real gigs. Also we fuckin’ sang the
whole week to get our background vocal to sound perfect so my voice was totally
lost.
Fortunately
we offered to play a couple of sets with Nti Kaleva & The Mistake instead
of Modern Day Cowboys set so I left my mic stand home and just played bass
guitar. And stayed quiet, not smoked a one cigarette. After the show and a beer
we drove back home with Miia and gave a ride to Larry coz’ he wanted to
continue the party in centrum.
Next
morning I felt better so we met in Katrilli to eat some pizzas and to carry our
stuff. I drove straight to Hiukkavaara and back to Caio for the next sound
check. It took some time but we were back in my place to watch hockey with Patu
about 19.30. The whole band gathered to my place as they did before the gig in
Hevimesta and Mickey got his hair backcombed by Miia.
I jumped to
Wexx’s trunk as we drove to Caio to start our gig on time. My old friend Hese
also came by to watch our show and it was a blast, again! I was takin’ already
my shirt off in the dressing room when the crew started to shout “we want
more”… Back to stage to play Stoned as an encore. The parties went on in
Amarillo until the last call with the whole band.
The next
one took place in Sticky Wingers. We’d made a sound check with Mike right
before the place opened so he changed the clothes and jammed with me in our
penthouse until it was time to get on stage. Matt, Tiger, Tommy, Miia, Ida, Jay
and Larry also came by but we were back in bed to get some rest before the next
show in same place at the next day.
During the
afternoon I went to jam some acoustics with the GHS boys and right after that I
picked Mike, Annu and Miia up for some burgers in Sticky and later Deadpool in
Plaza. The movie was surprisingly pretty good so it gave us a boost to play as
well, hahaha. After the second show we did put on a super party. Cat was there
but Jay faded after a couple of cigarettes coz’ he wanted to head gym early in
the next morning. Nicolaus came to say us hi and we fuckin’ danced in Ilona
Nightclub till’ the morning.
International
Women’s Day came from the bushes but I was awake in the mornin’ and did head
straight to Ticketmaster to buy tickets for Steel Panther show in Helsinki.
Those with red roses of course surprised my girlfriend good! The next week’s
show in Café & Bar Kello was cancelled and re-arranged to Yki Bar coz’ the
bar had some difficulties and that’s just fine!
Well we
continued training hard and played a Tuesday night show in Caio again – this
time acoustic ones. The set was a success, it was also nice to chat with
Nitro’s ex-girlfriend after a long time. We ate quickly and hopped to Katy’s
car with Mike, Miia & Annu to head 45 Special for after parties. Panama
Rayo was there with the endless choice of red wines, Nitro and Ida hanged out
with us till’ the final call again.
I skipped
the office day the upcoming morning, the reason for that was fact that we had
to train a bunch of fuckin’ covers until Saturday. Especially Jay had his hands
full because there was about 7 new songs for him to train. Rehearsals reached
the midnight and everyone was snarky the day after that – personally I flipped
after guys forgot to leave the front door open. Fortunately I usually stop
being angry super fast so we continued and I headed to Myllyoja for some Babel
pizzas, boxing and hockey with my parents & gf.
About 1pm
next day I stopped my morning bass practices and headed back to Hiukkavaara.
Timmy Lover was there checkin’ our equipment and earlier Nitro and Mickey had
stopped in Kullas to buy some cables for our deep cabinets and audio crossover.
The check lasted a couple of hours this time but we we’re able to make it back
right before the second game of hockey playoffs started, haha!
Jay and
Matt came by but left immediately to bring another microphone to Alppimaja –
Nitro accidentally broke the older one during the check but what-the-heck, shit
happens. After a couple of punch shots we started blastin’. I’d promised Ana to
join me as a lead singer for Billy Idol’s Rebel Yell which was the
second-to-last-song of our set. After party went on, Wexx was already drunk as
hell when Tiger left to catch Margarita from train station and myself ordered
the ride back home because I really had to save my vocal cords for this week’s
gigs. Here’s the traditional list of entertainment I’ve watched recently:
99 Rooms
(It’s a great drama about a real estate imposer and his young assistant who
loses his home and tries to feed his family by evicting families from their
houses. The ending scene leaves lots of question marks there hangin’ so
eventually this is pretty good one – worth of watching!)
Spectre
(Again a bond movie which doesn’t offer anything new but keeps a certain level
why people stay with the series a year after year. High budget, high staff and
high stunts – this one is about Bond’s evil brother appearing and 007 tracking
down a mysterious cult. The ending scene is almost too spectacular for me –
a’la Batman in Gotham – but of course it’s yet entertaining…)
Backcountry
(I’ve always into these adventure hiking movies – not the horror ones but these
with some thrilling point of view. There’s a couple spending a weekend in a
hiking trail but they intentionally leave maps and phones in their car just to
spend the days with each other’s. Unfortunately they get lost and meet a
mystery hiking guide who seems to be a bit annoying and threatening. After all
a grey bear attacks them and the ending scene is yet dramatic but still a bit
puzzling. Surprisingly awesome!)
Simple Plan
(Billy Bob Thornton, Bridget Fonda and Bill Paxton starring one of the best
thrillers of 90’s about the group of hunters who find the plane full of money,
pilot shot to dead. They’re trying to keep the bag but the things are getting
more and more complicated as they’re trying to hide the secret. Eventually
there’s of course some high-criminals after their asses.)
Everest
(I’ve always liked the movies about challenging the mountains and about extreme
conditions & sports. This is the newest one about 90’s climbers trying to
reach Mount Everest. Enough said coz’ the whole movie is just about that but
it’s of course based on a true story and that fact stays aboard through the
film which makes this kinda special…)
Vinyl (Most
definitely the best TV series of this time, it’s a shame that it’s so freakin’
short… It’s about a label boss of 70’s trying to sign bands like Zeppelin,
Slade, Abba and so on. There’s a lot of humour but also some interesting stuff
about the music world of the era. Rockin’ & sure worth of watching!)
Straight
Outta Compton (A couple of friends were dissing this but it’s not just about
the labels fuckin’ NWA guys, it’s also a well-made music drama and brings some
personality to all characters. The sad ending between Eazy-E and DRE was caught
brilliantly and I was almost thrilled how effective the soundtrack was there
just rollin’ at the background of the film. Maybe one of the best movies of
2015, if not even the best!)
Brick (It’s
a modern film noir and DEFINITELY one of the best atmospheric movies I’ve EVER
watched! Can’t reveal you more but there’s a college kid who tries to find his
missing ex-girlfriend. It mixes the feelings from 50’s but also from 80’s and
early 90’s… Just watch this, and watch it a couple of times and you’ll start to
realize some clues that you haven’t noticed the first time you’ve watched
this.)
Room (After
being kidnapped 7 years ago, a woman has raised his child in a locked-up room,
gettin’ raped every evening but still full of hopes. The first part of the
movie is about getting out from the room and the other part about surviving in
the real world. It’s painful to watch but well-made drama movie!)
Unbroken
(It’s about a group of prisoners caught to Japanese prison camp. Maybe one of
the best films about World War prisoner stuff which kinda creepy in a good-way,
not just about tortures and blood. And this was even based on a true story. If
you’re about a well-made war drama – recommendings!)
Wild Tales
(Maybe the best Latin movie I’ve ever seen. The theme here is fuckin’ REVENGE
and it contains few independent stories about different kinds of revenges and
basically how to handle it. The story builds up pretty wisely and the ending
scene is dramatic but yet so relieving. Seriously – you gotta watch this!)
Lucy (Haha,
this movies is been knocked out by almost everyone but it’s so full of gasoline
that I actually liked it! It’s an action movie and it fuckin’ BOWS to 80’s… You
know a girl’s is injected with a new drug but accidentally they give her the
boost of being almost a god. So she goes for a revenge to kill her kidnappers
but also tries to find out her abilities and how to use them by the help of an
old university professor played by Morgan Freeman. Why’s is he always a part of
these “God” movies, hahaha?)
Kilo Two
Bravo (A group of soldiers caught up on the mine field in Kajaki, Afghanistan.
The bombs are blowing their legs’ off time after time and the evacuate mission
seems to be impossible. It’s all about catching the moment, not any typical
combat-after combat-war-stuff. That’s why it makes the cut, like I’ve said
before – they make helluva good war movies in 2010’s after the break of two
decades.)
Bridge Of
Spies (Enough said that this was the best movie of last year but so be it! Tom
Hanks does it again as an attorney trying to defend a Russian spy during The
Cold War of 60’s. It maintains the spirit of old spy movies but re-arranges the
shooting techniques and stuff for 2010’s so it’s super fun to watch. Though
this one is almost 2 hours 30 minutes long, not once you’d check your watch…)
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas # Tiger L.A. # Matt Nitro # Jay Mickey |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas # Tiger L.A. |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas # Modern Day Cowboys |
 |
| # Groupie High School # Matt Nitro # Wegster |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas # Mike Rockberry |
 |
| # Jay Mickey # Groupie High School |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas |
 |
| # Groupie High School # Matt Nitro # Tiger L.A. |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas |
 |
| # Wegster # Groupie High School |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas |
 |
| # Tiger L.A. # Wegster # Groupie High School |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas |
 |
| # Jay Mickey # Matt Nitro # Groupie High School |
 |
| # Vinny's Playground # Vinny Olavi |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas # Jay Mickey |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas # Jay Mickey # Wegster # Matt Nitro |
 |
| # Tiger L.A. # Wegster # Groupie High School |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas # Miia Sofia |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas |
 |
| # Wegster # Groupie High School |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas # Jay Mickey # Matt Nitro |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas # Matt Nitro |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas # Tiger L.A. |
 |
| # Tiger L.A. # Matt Nitro |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas # Miia Sofia |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas # Miia Sofia |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas # Katy Pixx |
 |
| # Vinny Olavi # Groupie High School # Vincenzo Olavi # GHS Racing #
Knockout Cocktail # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # nti Kaleva
& the Mistake # Los Gran Artistas # Miia Sofia |
