The icehockey hall was full of sweaty rebellion during Friday night’s Töminä!The melodic punkrock offered by Flippin’ Beans lead the way to a bit lighter moods. As the festival guide promised, the group serves as an example of premium quality American punk. Thanks to their intensive touring and gigging, the band were quite popular in Töminä. As a whole, the set seemed a bit dull, but this was compensated by very catchy choruses.

Despite of their a bit silly name, Aivolävistys (”Brain piercing”) proved themselves on stage. While their songs are quite ordinary punk, many of them had a hint of that magical “something” which makes the difference between a thirteen-in-a-dozen and a real band. What is lost in originality is compensated by sheer energy. Occasionally the vocals reminded of ‘77 punk, even though the band doesn’t belong there music-wise. Goodie.

Around the halfway of the evening Ratface took over the stage. The band combines american hardcore with unbelievable stage presence. Apparently the merry people at Töminä were members of the ratpack, as one was able to witness a circlepit and windmills just like in the big world. My respect to the vocalist for reminding about the proper way of behaving in the pit, the point isn’t in violence, but in having fun. Currently the best place for Ratpack would be a slightly smaller space, until they reach the fame and fortune of their role models and are able to fill stadiums.

No Shame, the messengers of “lovepunk” are hardly a strange name for the good people of Töminä. Thanks to their grassroot marketing par excellence and extensive touring, the band has managed to reach their fans without major label marketing forces. A guaranteed show from a good live band.

This year’s Töminä once again proved Finland is full of excellent underground artists, we’ll meet again next year!

Text: Juha Ekholm
Photos: Eetu Mononen

Tämä artikkeli on julkaistu sunnuntaina 15. heinäkuuta 2007 kello 21.29 ja sen aiheena onIn English.