sunnuntai 23. lokakuuta 2016

El Jefe of Finnish Synthwave Electro Music



HOWDY FUCKIN* HOW, back with some crazy-ass stories. Just got home from our mini-tour with Sinful Society and Softcore Suicide, great rock bands from Turku. The week did start with a show in Caio 2.0. and we got there right on time when Mikael was setting up his equipment for the night’s Bar Quiz and when we got back for soundcheck after pizzas in Babel, the show hadn’t even started yet. So the check delayed and so did the shows coz’ our colleagues managed to start loading their stuff from a HUGE fuckin’ tour bus almost two hours late.

Softcore Suicide rocked the stage from 11pm which was already our onstage time. Doesn’t matter – it’s only rock n’ roll! Both bands before us kicked ass so the bar was set pretty high but still we managed to explode everyone’s mind by rushing around the stage. Good one! Got back home with our trusted driver who still drove back Caio to pick Smippe and Katri up. The tour bus was still standing there coz’ the Turku guys had called a cab to their Forenom Hotel.

The Friday noon we just stayed in bed with my gf and headed to pick a trailer, drum head and our stuff from Caio in afternoon. It was the rush hour and witnessed a chase there on highway… Some guy drove like Tommy Vercetti, trying to lose the cop cars behind him. Jay behind the steering wheel, quite full moon on the sky and the darkness of Lapland’s wilderlands amazed as GHS landed Rollo a bit late this time. Fuckin’ guys turned the air condition on and I had to borrow Wexx’s jacket. Paha Kurki was a small but REALLY intimate and cool place to play and got onstage almost in time.

Daniel Borgsten did his magic and we were fully satisfied with sounds, jumped there on the tables and could see a smile on everyone’s face. The best feeling in the world! Changed our clothes in a tour bus and witnessed two awesome shows with a few beers. The bartender handed a Jaloviina bottle when GHS left the building – I drank it coz’ of my flu and fell asleep, got up when our car was already on the highway of Oulu. Ate, fell asleep again and got up in the morning for shower, drew the yesterday’s clothes on me.

Freakin’ car was running out of battery so managed just to jam a few songs before loading our equipment in the hall of Raatti Stadion. Played five acoustic songs, ate some bad-ass reindeer and potato casserole with some beers and headed to Kajaani after a quick stop at Hiukkavaara and Vaala S-Market-Alko-combo. Guesthouse Julia’s hostess, an old Russian lady led us to the rooms which I shared with Smippe Youngblood. Felt a bit tired but still could get no sleep. Were in front of Peevee Bar in the same time as did Turku boys. After loading they served tasteful burgers and I began to sip some Vodka Batteries to boost the final show of the tour.

I prefer that show the best of the current tour, everyone gave their best and we didn’t even had any set list. Just played what came in mind. Some girls squeezed to the backstage but when they started to drank our booze, they were kicked out hahaha. It was already 2pm when we were done with our show, TIME FOR SOME AFTER PARTY! Drank in the tour bus and smoked some fat-asses there outside the venue and packed in a taxi back to our guesthouse. Just sat there on the floor of Jay Mickey’s, Matt Nitro’s and Wegster’s room chit-chatting till 6am – also Paroni Von Nikula, lead vocalist of Softcore Suicide joined us – fun and a loyal guy, nice company for sure!

Sunday noon arrived, our car was again out of battery – a cab cruised by and we bought some extra charge to drove back Oulu. In Vaala, Jay introduced us his home hoodz and that was a final stop before gettin’ back home. Your probably asking about Smippe, right?! Well as I told, Tiger L.A. did left the band after our show in 45 Special and one night we were playing in Hiukkavaara when saw this young dude from Ventura Highway & Blue Ceremony walking there in the yard with a guitar case. Asked Matt and Jay, how about throwing a message in Facebook and Sammy immediately answered that he would be interested but still playing in Alex Cast’s band, he would just cover for a few gigs.

Jammed together a week and as we were in Porvoo Market Night with Miia, Sam asked if he’d join the band and quit his other projects. Immediately everyone delighted and the HUGE problem was solved in a short period of time, thank god! Smippe’s also a good singer and got his baptism of fire in Winger as we shooted some acoustic ones again. The boy did got a bit drunk after the show in Amarillo but hey – loving him to death – the missing puzzle piece in the band.

About Porvoo… I was curious to party in my first Soundwall ever so I booked hotels and loaded our bags to Mustang – hit it! Road trip went on over Rolls Kurikka with a Panini stop and all the way to the swamp crave of Saari in South Ostrobotnia. Arrived to our pretty little boutique hotel Pariisin Ville, ate a reindeer pasta at mighty Zum Beispiel when Sammy did let us know his decision to join GHS. All the bars were fully crowded that fuckin’ night, got into our room and started readin’ about Ferm’s Paradox. That is deep but I’ve been fascinated about cosmos and stuff lately. Next morning did a walk over a small but so cozy town, old one as well before drivin’ to Bodom lighten up an early afternoon cigarette. They’d promised to keep a parking lot near Hotel Katajanokka but that didn’t quite match. So after a lil’ circle-cruizin’ we got into our jailhouse hotel room, opened a red wine bottle from the fridge and soon we were drinkin’ Captain Morgans’ in Riff as a pre-party for fuckin’ Finnish Wrestling Night in President Nightclub. Drank some more and did accidentally hook up with one of my classmates in college, Arttu, who is nowadays an actor.

We’d settled to meet Lashana, Lotta and Jason on the terrace of On The Rocks but it was raining like hell so everyone came some 30 minutes late for the drinkin’ session under the terrace umbrellas. Drove to Vallila by a cab, smoked one fat-ass, boosted with some speed and got knocked out. As I regain consciousness Miia had asked the doorman to call an ambulance. Realized haven’t ate anything after a breakfast in Ville so the ambulance guys gave me some Jaffa and sent me back in, hahaha. Megahammer threw an excellent set of songs as we partied our heads off there as well did Irving Force – eventhough some of the songs were too nightclubish rubbish for me. This time Miia had boosted her night with some white wine so it was my time to take care of her, sat there on the back room and just chilled with some music videos and beers. Matt Nitro kept me company while my darling was sleeping. Woke up, took a cab to Bar Backstage, met Jonna, Olga, Atte and the other guys of Scars Remind but faded for a lil’ walk over Punavuori Subway all the way to Skatta.

In the morning were already seeking for Tulilahti crime scene on time and visited Valamo and Lintula abbeys, few relaxing days in Kuopio ahead. Went fishing, watched some movies, tested our new Beretta pistol and visited Record Store X to pick up some cd’s, this time John Carpenter’s Lost Theme II and Kavinsky’s Outrun. On Tuesday Groupie High School trained again because we had our first wired gig with this group ahead on Sat with our friends Rosy Dream. Loaded our stuff and got to do soundcheck first. Adalar Pizzeria downstairs served good ones, drank some beers backstage and rushed onstage finally around 23:00. Also Rosy Dream blasted and before 4am closed the fuckin’ door of our training house with Smippe, drove him & Katri home, returned our trailer to Saarela where watched the stars a moment, dropped by the Subway just before closing time 5am.

Also Juce K did join GHS for a week to cover Tiger after the final show. We drank beer and trained the songs for our show at The Night Of Art 2016 on Rotuaari. Wexx got into hospital because of pneumonia so we were runnin’ out of guitar players. Anyway trained in my penthouse for a moment and loaded our stuff human bustle around us and started playing. Walked to the marketplace and back to Rummers’ with Jay Mickey, drank a few, chatted with Nikolaus Tiiro and headed home to hook up Miia in our corner store for some tortilla ingredients and the season start matchup between Kärpät and some German team. Next day we’d supposed to play in Winger but one of us was in rehab so it was obvious that it’d just be me and Jay. Headed to Hiukkavaara, trained for few hours and it actually sounded pretty good so the gig was successful and the party went on in Huikka till the morning.

Fuck it, I had to run to Jyväskylä for Euro Conference. Stayed in Paviljonki which is one the finest hotels in Finland. First night just trained there in the gym, got into a sauna and just red. Next night stated drinking in the lobby with my colleagues, Jay Cocaine picked me up and we had some Hoegaardens’  in Hemingways’ and right after that in Lutakko Rock Venue. Met Miia in Subway and walked back to our hotel after a lil’ romantic chilling in the harbor. Next day we circled in stores, bought some cool indian jewellery from Bijoy Brigitte, Hanoi Rock’s photo book & Yaffa’s biography from the bookstore and tried to find a decent pub; Vakiopaine, Sohwi & Vihreä Haltijatar – all closed! Katse was fully crowded so walked in to Harry’s British Bar and again some Hoegaarden coming up!

After few big ones ate pizzas in Trattoria Aukio and headed back home to celebrate Venice Fest 2016. Unfortunately it was still raining like in London and Pikisaari Swing Picnic got moved to inner rooms so I decided to skip this year, second happening had to skip during the same day – Toivola’s Old Yard in Jyväskylä organized some Stone Aged parties and lectures but the storm was raging so had to walk back. Next morning did my morning exercise to Move Oulu Nallikari – good news for the organizers this time; the endless storm had stopped. Mediterranean Market brought people to Oulu’s Marketplace but stayed inside instead and went to Plaza for Bodom Movie. Fuckin’ god how bad that was! Probably the worst horror movie EVER, and I’ve seen a lot! It was actually Finnish one which made it even worse.

I’ve been worried about my legos after years of partying and smokin’ so booked a visit to ProTerveys Dentists in Linnanmaa, fortunately it wasn’t that bad and got out after paying 700 euros and with a couple of new teeth. The new ones in mouth did shoot our new photos for Kaleva album cover by Miia in Kaukovainio and the actual music video on the roof of Siilo. They had helicopters and stuff so I guess there’s something interesting comin’ up! Also packed in Studio Kynsilehto, next to Saha Prod building for the first photo sessions of new Groupie High School line-up. Katri did the best job and Petri Lampela rolled a new logo for the band which is already printed to Jay’s bass drum. Funny thing accidentally happened during the shootings, I had my new Beretta with me because wanted it as a prop for someone so when we were having cigarettes outside after make-ups, heard a gunshot inside. Wegster had tested the gun and of course it was loaded, I always keep it loaded in the closet of my bedside table... Fortunately now one got hit, the background sheet took the bullet and it actually took another hit when I fell down from the chair frame of Nitro, coz' he suddenly got up and I was staring my phone atm... Pure Spinal Tap!

Haven’t ever seen Steel Panther live so I booked flights to Helsinki and found myself from Eira in Sandro which is one of the best vegetarian places in the country. Walked to Glounge Skybar for drinks because Pompier was already closing the doors and this mighty lunch restaurant was runnin’ out of food already before 14:00. Atte Laru came to pick us up and after a short stop in Alko we were drinkin’ beer and partying with the Scars Remind guys and Jonna in Koskela. Circus was fully packed as the gig started. Did change some words with Arde of Temple Balls and headed upstairs to dancin’ on tables. As the awesome gig was over did realize that I’d lost my fuckin’ favorite leopard scarf so had to have couple of beers still in Backstage and then take a cab back. In the early morning we still trained some freakin’ wrestling moves there and passed out. Had the worst hangover ever next morning but still managed to get the plane back and to play a gig with the guys in Winger.

We’ve been trying to do more stuff with the band and that’s why Sammy arranged the demo night in their place in Myllyoja. They’d made some soya tortilla chips in oven and we brought few doughnuts and we ate like royals before playing. Next day shopped some sheets, led lights and electronics from SP with Nitro and asked all our friends to join our penthouse party next day. Mika Pohjola came by to set up the mixer table and we drank till the night before huge fest in my place, the band guys plus Hanky Man, Lauri, Miia, Katri, Heidi, Mike & Annu walked to Hevimesta for Mötley Crue cover songs by Liverbox. Also hooked up with Hair Hanky & Larry on the bar counter and was totally wasted. AWESOME!!  

Saha Prod did shoot our new video for Liquid Lunch on Friday. Started droppin’ beer after my afternoon workout and got to Residence Koiteli by the best ride with Miia, Larry & Mikael. Production group was already there and they did great job. Chatted with Riina after a long time and danced the night away in living room, haha also rolled there on the beach with my gf coz’ we were too wasted to get up after watching stars on the sky. Next day managed to get up the bed and for the weddings of Laura & Jukka in Dom, old chapel at Isokatu and finally in Sas. Played a couple of songs with Mike and ate big burgers with a bottle of white wine. Congrats one more time, the best couple in the world!

SAMOROST 3 (Have to say that they’ve been doing an awesome job at Amanita Design, the graphics are epic and this one even beats Machinarium but the only annoying thing (again) is the difficulty to understand what to do next – doesn’t matter – still the best point-and-click-game of the year.)

ARQ (Trapped in a lab and a time loop, a couple is trying to get out alive. But they realize that something in this chaotic, post-nuclear war-world is returning them back in time after three hours of continuing. Can’t tell you more, good actors and well-made film of 2010’s!)

RUSSIAN GUEST (Taavi Soininvaara brings the best of Finnish detective novels on the table. It’s still plausible though the prime minister dies and stuff. Also takes a good point of view about the politics these days and also about the connections between Finland and Russia today. MASSIVE – but interesting book!)

TRIALS OF THE BLOOD DRAGON (Continues the march of retrowave conquering the world! Far Cry had an own one with the 80’s graphics and world but Trials is far more interesting. BUT – the fuckin’ game includes lots of bugs and starts to get recursive in short period of time.)

XOXO (Okay first of all – it’s a fuckin’ teen movie. But it’s kinda good one! A young electro artist catches a slot from a huge house music festival and the other roles are divided… there’s a hippie couple and a manager and as you probably know already in this point – the party WILL get outta hands. All right, it’s a shitty movie for Christ sake but I watched this in a hangover so give me a fuckin’ break!)

UNKLE (Did open this classic British electro artist’s album Psyence Fiction after a long time and FUCK YEAH it did work as a magic! Bloodstain and Unreal are the most epic songs but the main point is probably this impossible-to-copy atmosphere and sounds of the late 90’s. It’s said as a trip hop and yeah okay but it’s still electro painting for me. Great band and a great album! Like Kavinsky’s Outrun but 90’s! By the way found some similarities with Carpenter’s Lost Themes II with this one.)

CODE & COSMOS (Both of these are the best documentaries of the year FOR SURE. Cosmos is maybe interesting but that’s just because I’m not that into math but star science. Cosmos takes you to a trip through the whole universe and lightens your mind up, as Code’s based on the mathematic codes ruling the whole Cosmos. Fucks your mind but brings you to the point – you’re just a little rat shit in this fuckin’ HUGE universe!)

CONTACT & CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (They’re both classics but somehow I’m not into this Spielberg’s that much. Contact is much more reliable and atmospheric even though it’s not that much full of action than this 70’s movie is. Also Spielberg tries to bring too many main characters on the table when Contact is more of Jodie Foster adventuring the Cosmos. That’s why liked this 90’s movie much much more!)

AQUARIUS (Another awesome series of Netflix, David Duchovny does again GREAT job as a detective trying to catch young Charles Manson and his hippie cult. Got me going into that hip world so deep, hahaha. It’s a nice capturing about the spirit of 60’s in L.A. and in whole USA of the era. This one really rockin’!)

ONLY THE DEAD (Maybe the best war documentary of all time and I mean this! Michael Ware worked for CNN and did dive into Iraq War to travel with Americans and British troops for the video. The ending scene is most terrifying… They just leave a prison to death eventhough there’s lots of people around him just smokin’ cigs and talking together. And Ware also catches the point of view of rebels as well. He was one the first among Al-Qaeda to shoot with a camera.

I:DA (It’s about a woman waking up, unable to remember her name in a small French village. Realizes he’s a wife a rich painter and gets back home to Netherlands. Well – there’s a reason why she’s left alone to die and the relationship isn’t that full of sunshine as it first seems to be. Kinda similar with Jason Bourne but maybe more intense and made with a better taste.)

LITTLE GIRL BLUE (Like you’ve probably realized, I’m into road and noir movies and stuff, this one’s about Janis Joplin and made as a black and white road movie about a talented but shy young girl, trying to figure out her future in this changing country. Every rock n’ roller in the world should watch and think about this!)

STRANGER THINGS (SUPERB JOB, Netflix! Original Series and the best in years, great child actors and awesome atmosphere like in Twin Peaks but better! Music, sounds, actors, plot… they all make sense. And even those unnatural happenings are made with a good taste. Everyone should watch this!)

THE PRISON OF ISIS (The first book of this crazy Syrian war and about Jedish girl gettin’ captured by Daesh. It doesn’t try to change your point of views, just tells the story and it isn’t light. The ending is happy but still tragic. Well written, hard to read – my recommendings for sure!)

LOVE MEDICINE (Well written novel about few generations of American Indians and their bad conditions in reservations. I think this as a road movie of poor people. Louise Erdrich’s writing style is kind of spiritual and painting, that’s why loved this lot! Makes you think – white man came across the sea, brought us pain and misery…)

SORJONEN (They’ve been filming lots of good Finnish series for years BUT none of those bad-ass noir series. Kuusniemi & Virtanen as the main characters it’s just natural that it happens in Lappeenranta – the dark city near the Russian border. Just complete awesomeness and atmosphere in the middle of action – Sorjonen moves in from Helsinki, is talented in profiling and gets the things going.)

# Groupie High School # Smippe Youngblood

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Katy Pixx

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Miia Sofia

# Groupie High School # Matt Nitro

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # 45 Special

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Matt Nitro

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Miia Sofia

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Matt Nitro # Jay Mickey

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Matt Nitro

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # The Riff

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Vanha Porvoo

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Pariisin Ville

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Miia Sofia

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Hotel Katajanokka

# Groupie High School #Smippe Youngblood

# Groupie High School # Matt Nitro # 45 Special

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Toppilan Siilot # Nti Kaleva & The Mistake # Mike Rockberry # Katy Pixx # Laura Kaleva

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Jay Mickey

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Katy Pixx # Mike Rockberry # Toppilan Siilot # Nti Kaleva & The Mistake

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Glounge Skybar

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Mike Rockberry # Toppilan Siilot

# Groupie High School # Smippe Youngblood

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Hotel Katajanokka

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Toppilan Siilot

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing

# Groupie High School # Matt Nitro # Smippe Youngblood # Winger Bar

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Matt Nitro

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Pariisin Ville

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Caio 2.0.

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Smippe Youngblood # Matt Nitro # Hevimesta

# Groupie High School # Wegster # Jay Mickey

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Katy Pixx # Smippe Youngblood

# Groupie High School # Matt Nitro # Smippe Youngblood

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Matt Nitro # Peevee Bar

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Miia Sofia # Mikael Huikari # Liquid Lunch # Saha Prod

# Groupie High School # Vinny Olavi # Vincenzo Olavi # Vinny's Playground # Modern Day Cowboys # GHS Racing # Matt Nitro # Wegster # Jay Mickey # Smippe Youngblood