Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät: The ABCs of punk
The ugly stepchild of Finnish punk scene opened Metelli Stage the punk way.
Punk bands with the confidence to take on the Eurovision Song Contest are few and far between, but Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät is one of them: These punk boys had the guts to do it and then some. Even though the band only reached the semifinals in Vienna, it should already be enough to earn them a place in the punk hall of fame. The Metelli Stage is a slightly smaller venue compared to the international arenas the band is used to by now, true, but that fact didn’t seem to hold back the boy’s overwhelming punk energy at all. Their trademark raw, real attitude that resonates strongly with the rock n’ rollin’ hearts of the crowd was all there.
For the love of the sport. Photo: Lauri Kosonen
The diversity of ages and styles of people of all sexes that showed up for the gig also deserves and honorary mention: Present and accounted for were the spiky haired punks and long-maned headbangers mixing with the pensioners fresh from their Saturday morning breakfast.
”This is Rock n’ Roll! Good day Joensuu! Ilosaarirock 2015!” was the opening line by Kari Aalto, the band’s lead singer as he kicked off the intense show. And it went from there: already during the second song of the set, called Naapurissa asuu nainen (A woman lives next door) a few pumping fists and moshing hair could be seen in the electrified crowd.
Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät’s punk rock performances are always served uncooked and ungarnished, in their purest, ascetically raw form. No wonder the band is one of the hottest household names these days. Even with all the attention they are getting, the boys haven’t forgotten their roots or the history and culture of their genre: They offer any audience a true punk experience with no strings attached.
After having already downed a bottle and a half of water Kari demands more to be brought on stage. No wonder, either, for the temperature in the black tent is rising to a fewer pitch with the audience really getting into the groove and stomping their feet to the frantic beat. No amount of heat could slow down this band though, and a mosh pit can be seen stirring up in the crowd during the more intense sections. ”It’s like a freaking sauna up here on stage! Thanks a f***ing lot!” shouts Sami Helle, the bassist, to address the organizers and spice up the mood even further.
Another highlight of the gig was the guitar vs. bass duel between Pertti and Sami during the anti-establishment song Mä vihaan maailmaa (I hate the world). Say what you will about the lack of complexity in the groups material, but the boys really know how to coax their instruments into a damn fine performance.
Kari came back for the encore in the traditional outfit most fitting for a Finnish man of rock credibility enjoying a Finnish summer: Topless. The show got an ending worthy of the world’s rock arenas as the lead man was inspired to lie down on his back in the middle of the stage with his fists raised high. The boys gave it their all and the people loved every minute of it. Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät came and conquered, as they hit the crowd with a massive jolt of punk energy and it’s hard to imagine a better opening act for a Saturday at the Metelli Stage.
Drummer Toni Välitalo entertained the crowd with his skills. Photo: Lauri Kosonen
”See you next time!” Sami barks into the mic as he leaves the stage. The drummer Toni Välitalo stays behind even after the roadies start clearing the stage to give the dispersing crowd one last message: ”Remember to drink too much and throw up!” Now there’s some unapologetic, hard core punk attitude for you right there!
Text: Lauri Hämäläinen
Photo: Lauri Kosonen
Translation: Reko Laurilehto
