Us sparkar rumpa - lite som ett The Strokes, före genombrottet

 The Ark gjorde en toppenspelning på sensommaren  på Allas i Helsingfors, riktigt j-a bra, verkligen. Ola Salo berömde från scenen det förband de hade haft dagen innan i Åbo. Fantastiskt bra, enligt Salo, som lovprisade Us och rekommenderade Ark-publiken att gå och se Us live.

Ganska unikt utspel, faktiskt, så en god vän som jag såg konserten med och jag köpte nästan omgående biljetter till följande Us-konsert. Det var i fredags det, på Dubrovnik i Helsingfors. En rätt liten klubbscen, slutsålt förstås, och ett otroligt drag från start till finish. De spelade dryga timmen i uppskruvat tempo med några ballader insprängda och ständiga tempoväxlingar. Så här, ungefär, lät det väl och såg ut med The Strokes före de blev världskända. Då de ännu gav järnet på små klubbscener i hemstan. Eller som en hel del andra alternativa toppband, före det stora genombrottet. Oklart om Us nånsin får ett stort genombrott, men från Dubrovnik bar det av till flygfältet och sedan Japan, enligt karismatiske bandledaren Teo Hirvonen, main singer och gitarrist i Us. Två album har de redan gett ut, båda ambitiöst inspelade i England. Efter konserten köpte jag debuten Underground Renaissance och kompisen köpte deras senaste album.

Behöver väl inte säga att de var bra live? För det var de, riktigt, riktigt jättebra. Albumet är också bra, med höjdare som While you danced och Hop on a cloud. Men ännu bättre låter de live, och framförde förutom fina egna spår också två sagolikt bra covers. Hold On, I’m Coming, livesoulklassikern med Sam & Dave gjorde också Us till en testosterondrypande svettig långkörare, i egen stil. Och tidiga Hurriganes-hiten Say Mama var helt sagolikt bra. Live bjöd Us på tungt malande riff och snygga, läckra gitarrsolon, hjärtskärande briljant munspel och ett himla tryck i lokalen. Alternativrock, punkig blues, indiesoul, stökpop, kalla det vad ni vill. Lite av allt det där, alltid levererat med fullt ös och med fulla hjärtan. Räckte bra med dryga timmen av total energiurladdning, mycket mera hade varken publik eller band orkat med. Explosiv kortdistans snarare än ett rock-maratonlopp. Kom att tänka på hur det kanske kändes när Ramones spelade upp. Svettigt och ärligt. 

Det enda minuset är väl egentligen bandnamnet. Jag menar, Us? Vadå Us? Det är verkligen inget namn man minns och romantiserar kring. Desto konstigare att de är så bra på albumstitlar istället, som Underground Renaissance. Men så kallar man sig Us. Sorry, men typsnittet på Us gör dessutom det om möjligt ännu värre. Tyvärr gör det bandets t-shirts fula, så jag köpte ingen i fredags. Min kompis gjorde däremot det, så smaken är delad. Men musiken, och det vågar jag påstå, tyckte precis alla som var på plats i slutsålda Dubrovnik om. Inget snack. Bandnamnet kanske suger, men bandet själv låter otroligt bra live, och på skiva. Vi lär höra mera om Us. Första intrycket och betyget är med beröm godkänt. Fortsätter de så här så blir det kanske snart en t-shirt i alla fall. 

Helsinki band Us was whole-heartedly recommended by The Ark’s singer Ola Salo when Ark performed in Helsinki late this Summer. Me and a good friend bought tickets to Us’ next gig in Helsinki, last Friday at clubscene Dubrovnik. Sold out gig in a small venue, and Us certainly showed their qualities live. A tempo-driven concert, full speed ahead for roughly an hour, and afterwards Us continued to the airport and a flight to Japan, according to charismatic band leader Teo Hirvonen. 

The atmosphere and vibe at Dubrovnik, up close watching Us perform with energy and, yes, brilliance, made me think that it probably looked and sounded something like this when The Strokes performed, locally, at club venues, before the big breakthrough. Just magnificent. I bought the debut-album Underground Renaissance at the venue, my friend bought their latest, second, album. Great records, but even greater live, both their own strong songs and two magnificent covers, the Sam & Dave classic Hold On, I’m Coming and early Hurriganes-hit Say Mama. Great guitar riffs and solos, by both guitarists, wonderful harmonica solos, convincing in every way. 

Only minus is the band name. Us is not a name you remember or romanticize. They make great album titles and great songs, but not a great band name, sorry. However, they are so good, especially live, that you even might remember the name, Us. The music you will not forget so easily. That’s for sure. It truly is that good.

Fina sensommarfynd i Tammerfors - eller what I found in Tampere

Sex utmärkta sensommarfynd från när jag senast besökte ”Manse”, Finlands Manchester, Tammerfors. En trevlig, vänlig och fin musikstad, med utmärkta skivbörsar och djupa rötter i genuint rock-bevattnad kulturjord.

Bob Dylan: Springtime in New York - The Bootleg Series Vol. 16 1980-1985 (2 CD). Från tiden kring Shot Of Love-Infidels-Empire Burlesque, alltså. En undervärderad period. Har alltid gillat Infidels. Och det här är en period man inte tröttnat på att lyssna på, den är inte så överexploaterad som Dylans underbara klassiska period. Det finns en dyr 4 CD deluxe version som säkert är strålande, men det här är en otroligt bra och prisvärd dubbel-cd med tidigare outgivet material och versioner. Inklusive strålande versioner av Jokerman och Tight Connection To My Heart och många fler. Rekommenderas!

Air: 10 000 Hz Legend (20th Anniversary, 2 CD + Blueray Audio). Airs andra album är nästan i nivå med den legendariska debuten. Här förstärkt med en bonus-CD live-versioner. Originalalbumet är utmärkt remastrat och ljudbilden därför gnistrande klar. Personliga favoriten How Does It Make You Feel? har inte låtit bättre. Livespåren är ett bra komplement, för Air låter bra live, och äkta, som kan noteras av en charmig liten miss i inledningsspårets början på bonus-CD:n. Överkursen är en imponerande atmos-mix på blueray som också ingår här.

 

Dead Kennedys: Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables (Special 25th Anniversary Edition, CD + DVD. En över 50 mins lång dokumentär med några tidiga liveversioner är förstås lockande som bonus till DK:s debutalbum. Själva albumet är remastrat och låter ännu bättre än tidigare. Dokumentären erbjuder också mycket bakgrundsinformation om de tidiga åren och om hur albumet kom till, med klassiker som Holiday In Cambodia, ironiska Kill The Poor och California Uber Alles (som senare gjordes om i en makalös, definitiv version som We’ve Got Bigger Problems Now). Ett fint 25-årspaket av en ikonisk punkklassiker.

Protestera: Pengarna Eller Livet (CD). Protestera var ett för mig okänt band före jag fick den här CD:n i min hand (för en euro på X). Men det är attitydstark, aggressiv anarkopunk, som också håller rätt bra. Särskilt imponerande är den avslutande instrumentala Ådalen, som avslutas med en oväntad Chaplin-sampling från Diktatorn. Helt klart intressant, och mycket väl värd euron jag betalade.

Motörhead: Everything Louder Than Everyone Else (2 CD). Starkt, frenetiskt, intensivt och tungt live-album, inspelat i Hamburg 1998 med trion Lemmy, Micky Dee och Phil Campbell. Helgjuten insats av trion, där Micky Dees trumspel, särskilt med bastrummorna, imponerar, och även Campbell och legenden Lemmy levererar. Raka rör, rock’n’roll, Motörhead sparkar rumpa, inget knussel. No Sleep ’til Hammersmith med originaltrion är förstås det definitiva live-albumet, men här visar även denna trio att de minsann inte behöver skämmas. Utmärkt album, utmärkt konsert, utmärkt band.

Charged G.B.H.: City Baby Attacked By Rats/City Babys Revenge (2 CD). G.B.H. var ett bra band i den andra punkvågen, men är för mig främst känt för sina två fina tidiga singlar (särskilt klassikern Sick Boy), och den definitiva favoritsingeln Give Me Fire/Man-trap. Outstanding. Singlarna finns också med som bonusspår här, likaså flertalet andra låtar, utöver de båda City Baby-albumen. Det första är mycket bra, och det har jag haft sen det kom ut. Det senare hade jag nog aldrig tidigare hört i sin helhet, men det får också godkänt. Schysst helhet.

Au Revoir, Eppu Normaali

Finnish rock legends Eppu Normaali called it a day on Saturday and did their very last, farewell concert on home turf, Ratina stadion in Tampere. The biggest and most famous of the so called Manse Rock (Tampere Rock) bands and movement, that brought original rock lyrics in Finnish to the rock audiences in Finland. The Tampere region was an epicenter for the Finnish rock bands that clustered there and originated from there. Juice Leskinen, Popeda and Eppu Normaali formed the Big Three.

And now that era is bygone. On Saturday Eppu Normaali played their last concert (and the last three, from Thursday to Saturday) in Manse Rock hometown Tampere (even though the band originate from nearby municipality Ylöjärvi). Around 100.000 saw Eput during these three sold-out concerts, that music-wise were considered smashing and great and highly emotional. The arrangements, however, not so good, with insanely long waiting time in queues for everything, understaffed services, some failing technique and high prices overall. But the live music, obviously, was great. And in the end that’s what counts most. 

And that’s an ending that these successful veterans of Finnish-language rock really deserved.

I was actually in Tampere on Friday, and I will review the records I bought there in my next blog text. I did not see the concert though, as no tickets were available, at least at realistic prices, and I had to leave in the late evening anyway, but I was outside Ratina and I actually bought a t-shirt from the official eppu-shop outside the arena. Had to queue for 45 mins, though, with some nice unknown company to chat to while waiting, and afterwards the queue was even longer. The same goes for them that already had bought tickets but then had to change them to bracelets, to a concert arena from where you could not leave and enter again. Totally idiotic, most people seems to think. Me too.

So, no concert, but I experienced that the city of Tampere got all in celebrating Eppu Normaali, their 50 year career and the end of the line shows. That’s actually cool. Everybody talked about Eput everywhere in Tampere, on the streets, in shops, in restaurants, in parks and about every second or third person you met on the streets had an eppu t-shirt on, or something celebrating Eput. There were many signs about this celebratory Finnish rock week in Tampere and for example a giant screen by the Tampere stream where Eppu Normaali songs were played non-stop, with lyrics on the screen. Some could have their karaoke moment there. In levykauppa X the queues were long too, as hordes of people chose to buy (mostly) Eppu t-shirts and other, often Eppu-related, products. 

Yes, it was Eppu Normaali’s city this weekend.

Juice Leskinen, the great wordsmith died already in 2006, and a concert reminiscing the late legendary singer of Popeda, Pate Mustajärvi, who died late last year, was held earlier this Summer, on July 12th. 

And now Eppu Normaali said goodbye, as a working band, live on stage. They have called it a day and will not perform live again (for now at least).

This truly therefore is the end of an era of Finnish rock music and of a Tampere-based national rock movement. Manse Rock was the center of Finnish-language rock for a generation (even though other great bands came from other cities and places). It is hard to think a band will have the same appeal over many generations as Eput have had, and continued to have up until their last concert, in a 50 year career. Respect.

Sad to have missed a historic concert, even though I never was a huge fan, when younger I prefered Pelle Miljoona OY (from Helsinki). However, it was nice to feel the vibe in Tampere during this extraordinary week. Eppu Normaali was an institution in Finnish rock, and truly deserved to be celebrated. Songs like Kitara taivas ja tähdet, Vuonna 85 and Murheellisten laulujen maa, just to name three, really are part of the Finnish musical soul and landscape. So, respect.

And at least I got some good music, on LP, CD, C-cassette and DVD, and a fine Eppu Normaali Peace and Love 1976-2026 t-shirt, with me from Tampere. 

A nice, friendly and truly music-connected city. 

Rainy weekend music

Extreme weather was forecast for last weekend in southern Finland. Well, in most of Finland. Could rain more in one day than during a full usual month of July, they forecasted. Unreal. Climate change can be felt everywhere, all over Europe and the wider world. 

People die this summer of extreme heat in Europe. And even in still quite cool Finland we have had extreme showers of rain.

So, my plan was to stay indoors most of last weekend. And for that I was prepared. Music-wise at least. Bought some great albums to enjoy inside if it would rain. And walked 12,7 km on Thursday and 11 km on Friday, great, as much shorter walks were expected during last weekend. 

The weather, however, was ok, except on Saturday evening and night. So outdoor activities were both possible and enjoyable on Sunday and on Saturday at least up until early evening. Needless to say, to listen to the newly-bought ”heavy rain weekend” records therefore took a few more days.

This was my rainy weekend music (last weekend):

Miles Davis: Miles at the Fillmore (4 CD), the bootleg series vol. 3.  

Oktober: En ny tid är här (CD). 

Oktober: 2:a oktober (CD).

Jaco Pastorius: Invitation (CD). Live in Japan.

Gil Scott-Heron: Reflections (LP).

The Rock Steady Crew: (Hey You) The Rock Steady Crew (12”).

Plus Mixtape-CD by DJ Street Kobra & Kroco-Roc, bonus with Madventures debut-movie DVD Monte Rosso.

Yes, a jazzier brew than usual and with some artists I really respect. Miles, of course, and I have - of course - all his legendary Columbia-boxes, and then some. This 4 CD box includes four full concerts plus over 30 mins bonus extras. Marvellous music, brilliantly performed live. First cut on the first disc is a blasting version of Directions that really sets the tone. Genius. And price-worthy, just over 20 euro on CD, a bargain.

Jaco Pastorius is in turn one of the greatest bass players ever and the bass players’ equivalent to Jimi Hendrix on guitar. Invitation is a very fine live-album, recorded on tour in Japan. Jaco and band are in well-spirited form here. Wonderful performance.

Oktober is a classic early Swedish progg-rock band. Their first album is one of the very first rock albums with lyrics  in Swedish (Pugh was first, though). November’s first is very expensive on vinyl and this was actually the first time I have even seen their two early albums on CD. The debut-album is a legendary, well-performed Swedish classic and 2:a November is also a very fine album by this highly gifted trio, but perhaps not quite as good as the debut. Both albums are definitely worth listening to.

Gil Scott-Heron is no less than fantastic on this album filled with pointed social commentaries, performed in strong proto-rap style, set to funky beats or just to thrilling piano. Reflections is an excellent album. And legend Gil Scott-Heron is an influential inspiration to many aspiring rap, hiphop, soul, funk or (social) spoken word artists.

The Rock Steady Crew was a famous early breakdance crew that also performed a hit single, the one naming them. Quite catchy, actually, and here in it’s extended version. The bigger the better.

And last, Finnish Madventures debut movie on DVD that came with a mixtape-CD by DJ Street Kobra & Kroco-Roc as bonus. Had no expectations about this one, just some curiosity, but, actually, it was better than I imagined. A fine mix of original sounds connected to the film, and some old school Finnish schlager-iskelmä cuts and then some. Not superb, but, yes, quite interesting and fun.

Quite a list, huh? 

Enjoyed every minute listening to these albums. And yes, they work well in sunshine or night darkness too.

Paleface rulaa - Paleface rules

I have enjoyed reading Miska Rantanens biography of Finnish rap legend and icon Paleface these last weeks. A hiphop pioneer that started out rappin’ in English on his first albums and then successfully switched to Finnish, which proved a masterstroke. Paleface rappin’ in Finnish is undoubtedly his best works, especially when taking a stand on social and political issues. 

I have earlier in this blog reviewed his classic debut album in Finnish, Helsinki-Shangri-La, which is a great place to start if you wanna check out Paleface’s output. Not the only highlight of course, but, perhaps, the brightest shining. He is a superb lyricist and always has stressed the importance of reading to younger rappers. So unbelievably true. And Paleface lives like he preaches, with a very extensive knowledge of written sources.

This biography is very open and informative not only about the artist but also about the person Paleface, and he shares both high and low points in his life with the reader. It makes for interesting reading, but also means it is quite a long read before we touch on Paleface’s later and more current career stage. For the casual reader it can be a little overwhelming and detailed about his upbringing, but hardcore fans will be thrilled over his openness, and also about the honest recollections of darker periods in his life.

I find the read interesting and inspiring, and Paleface in person also exemplifies how you can turn the page and become an inspiration and genuine role-model to others. His experiences as educator should not be over-looked here. In Finland, hiphop-pedagogy is almost completely unknown in education and at universities, in stark contrast to it’s role in the U.S. and Sweden during the 2000’s and 2010’s. Paleface is one of very few that has brought forward how the fifth element of hiphop, learning, can be included in actual curriculums. I have for years argued for the use of hiphop pedagogy, and popular culture overall in education, and for its inclusion in curriculums and teaching, so it is good to read about Paleface’s experiences, even though the topic could have been elaborated on slightly more.

The book title, however, is Paleface - Protestilaulaja (Protest singer) and that is a well-suited title. He is a highly skilled social and political commentator with strong bottom-up perspectives and views. His heart is undoubtedly situated to the left and sinister right wing politics in Finland has long been a source of lyrical inspiration to Paleface. And it has also resulted in some very strongly pointed lyrics, backed by great beats. The versatility of Karri ”Paleface” Miettinen is also evidenced in his impressive use of traditional Finnish folk song- inspired melodies and acoustic raps. The title cut Helsinki-Shangri-La is a brilliant example of his skills as protest rapper and minimalistic soundscape creator. Equally skilled rappin’ in both English and Finnish, he still comes across stronger in Finnish, as his rhymes are edgier and there are also more pointed personal reflections on Finnish society in Finnish. However, his earlier English-language albums are certainly worth checking out, as are his collaborations with other artists. 

And the versatile artist Paleface will probably continue to surprise, like performing Finnish-American First World War-era songs as part of the acoustic group Laulava Unioni. And superbly rappin’ on single Vaalirahakynytys with great Hammond-heavy instrumental jazz duo Nieminen & Litmanen. And performing with the Kamus quartet at Rauma Festivo chamber music festival. Or, as the biography reveals, one of his current (at least at the time of book release) projects to translate Swedish legendary bard Cornelis Vreswijks superb songs to Finnish. This is also expected to result in a series of concerts and recordings. Could we one day even hope for an album where Paleface performs Cornelis-lyrics to a modern hiphop beat? Paleface emphasize that he would love to do something together with Ricky-Tick Big Band and the group Julkinen Sana again. Let’s hope for that too. And his versatility also include writing in other forms than rap or music. Even a novel is not a far-fetched goal.

The last word is not yet said in the story of Paleface. Miska Rantanens biography, that leans heavily on the open-hearted information by the man himself, gives the reader a good and wide background of the story thus far. No one but Karri Miettinen will know where the story goes from here.

Midsummer Day Mix 2026

Midsommardagen övergick från sol och värme till dis och frisk vind, men fortfarande njutbart väder. Tidiga setet cruisade i solvärme, sena setet under mera moln och sommarvindar. Vi levde med det. Njut.

Midsummer Day went from sunny heat to cloudy breeze, but still enjoyable weather. The early set cruised along under sunny skies, the late set in cloudier and windier but still pleasant summer weather. We lived it. Enjoy.

EARLY MIDSUMMER DAY MIX 2026

Eine Stadt Wird Bund Intro/Eine Stadt Wird Bund

Es Ist Jazz/Jazzkamine

The Grosser (Live at Brotstock 2023)/Fettes Brot

Brilliant Mind (7”)/Furniture

Va Inte Född Att Följa Efter/Håkan Hellström

Land/Joakim Berg

Take On Me (40th Anniversary Extended Version)/A-Ha

The Denyos/Denyo feat Intro by Eizi Eiz 

Päästä Parhaasta/Mikrofonistit & Ritarikunta & David Isotaaki

Two Tribes (Radio One Session)/Frankie Goes To Hollywood

Radio Wars/Die Unbekannten

Mä En Haluu Sotaa/Suurkaupungin Haitat

Lähtekää Jo Amerikkalaiset/Meripioneerit

Kukkahattudädi/Paleface

Pipeline (1983 Construction Time Again Session)/Depeche Mode

Shadoogie/Hurriganes

Hamburg, Meine Fussballperle (Live)/Lotto King Karl & Die Barmbek Dream Boys

Vorhang Auf/Anajo

Ego Tripping At The Gates Of Hell (Live)/The Flaming Lips

Music/F.R. David

LATE MIDSUMMER DAY MIX 2026

Alla Drömmar Är Uppfyllda/Håkan Hellström

Live Tonight/Sleaford Mods

Wann Strahlst Dub/Erobique & Palminger

Läksin Minä Kesäyönä Diskoon/Nieminen & Litmanen

Esperanto (Live)/FK Allstars

Klassikkomatskuu/Ritarikunta

Das Leben Ist Ein Geschenk/Thomas D feat Gu

Den Sjunde Vågen/Joakim Berg

Kenen Joukoissa Seisot/Aulikki Oksanen

Vaalirahakynytys/Nieminen & Litmanen feat Paleface

When The President Talks To God/Bright Eyes

Nie Wieder Krieg/Thomas D

The Future For Nazi Jazz/La Boom

Tag Am Meer (Unplugged Live)/Die Fantastischen Vier

A Lifelong Thing feat Sekou The Ambassador (7”)/FK Allstars

Was Wäre Wenn…? (Florizzee’s Remix)/Ferris MC

Was Ist Eigentlich Mit Frank?/Lotto King Karl & Die Barmbek Dream Boys

Talisman (Live)/Air

Take On Me (2017 MTV Unplugged)/A-Ha

Midsummer Eve Mix 2026 - Midsommar Mix

I hope you all have a wonderful Midsummer weekend. My midsummer post is late this year, today instead of on the Eve, due to a technical problem with Blogger, but that is fixed now. This year’s Midsummer Eve Mix is also divided into two sets, approx 77-79 mins long, and the same goes for the Midsummer Day Early Mix and Midsummer Day Late Mix.

So here, first, is what was on the playlist sets on the sunny Midsummer Eve 2026. Enjoy!

Hoppas ni alla har en härlig midsommar weekend. Min midsommar-postning är sen i år, först idag istället för på aftonen, på grund av ett tekniskt problem med Blogger, men det är fixat nu. I år är midsommarens aftonmix dessutom uppdelad i två set, vardera ca 77-79 minuter, och det samma gäller (midsommar)dagens mix, en tidig och en sen. Så här, först, är vad som låg på playlistens tidiga och sena set den soliga Midsommaraftonen 2026. Njut!

MIDSUMMER EVE - MIDSOMMARAFTON 2026

SET ONE: EARLY MIDSUMMER EVE MIX 

Fridays For The Future/Rebekka Karijord & Jon Ekstrand

Welcome To The Pleasure Dome (Alternative To Reality 12” Mix) (Intro Edit)/Frankie Goes To Hollywood

Vom Ich Zum Wir Zum Wir Zur Einheit/Thomas D

Husen Härute (Live)/Hurula

Kaupunkilapset/Kymppilinja

I (Edit)/Kendrick Lamar

This Is/Jurassic 5

Freedom/Jurassic 5

B.B. King/Denyo

Helsinki-Shangri-La/Paleface feat Felix Zenger

Maanpetturi (Tiedemies Remix 1) (12”)/Julma Henri & Ystävät

Tillsammans (10”)/KSMB

Kansainvälinen/Yötyöväen Orkesteri

Oppimisen Ylistys (Remix)/Agit-Prop

Tempelhofer Junge/Bushido

Ahnma feat Gruz & Gentleman//Beginner

Zu Geil Fur Diese Weld/Die Fantastischen Vier

Päärata (12”)/Sere & Silkinpehmee

Reggae Fi Peach/Linton Kwesi Johnson

Maariankatu Dub/Ritarikunta

Come And Get Your Love/Redbone

Waiting For The Great Leap Forward/Billy Bragg

SET TWO: LATE MIDSUMMER EVE MIX 2026

Overcome (The Recapitulation)/RX Bandits

All You Fascists Bound To Lose/Ghetto 84

Bad Days (Edited Version) (10”)/ The Flaming Lips

Kallio Rocksteady/Nieminen & Litmanen

Cowboy Take Me Away/Dixie Chicks

Get Up (Live)/FK Allstars

Paha Maa/ Kymppilinja feat Paperi-T

Mustan Sotamiehen Laulu/Meripioneerit

Still Summer/Jamie XX

Ultraviolett/Joakim Berg

Nåt Som Verkligen Är Bra/Lars Winnerbäck

Auf Wiedersehen/Thomas D

Stjärnorna (Unplugged Live)/Mando Diao

Djungelfeber/Bernt Dahlbäck

At The River/Groove Armada

Ständige Veränderung/Thomas D feat Jack McBannon

Columbus (Krister Linder Remix) (CD-s)/Kent

I Min Lilla, Lilla Värld Av Blommor/Karin Falck