Fine Finn-Ish [Singapore]

When LIME met Finnish goth band, THE RASMUS, in Kuala Lumpur for an exclusive interview and a kick-ass showcase, we have only one question on our mind: How do they blend their eyeshadow just right?
It is hard to imagine that I would ever go ga-ga over a chance to meet The Rasmus in Kuala Lumpur. What would a girly girl like me be doing headbanging to Finland’s biggest rock band with my newly conditioned hair?
The Singapore contingent were ushered to the hotel suite (I think they stayed at the Concorde…) half an hour after we skipped off the tour bus, barely enough time for a make-up touchup. I hear that bass guitarist Eero was spotted meditating and teaching yoga to two cross-legged fans in the hotel lobby. Later, when the almighty rockers finally showed up (in nothing a shade lighter than black – yawn), I did a mental headcount and true enough, Eero was MIA. The remaining members – vocalist, Lauri, drummer, Aki and lead guitarist, Pauli – apologize for Eero’s absence, “He’s still sleeping, we were out till late last night.”
Perhaps he was the most vocal, or maybe ‘cos he had on meticulously applied makeup, but I couldn’t help noticing Lauri. In between chomping on cheese sandwiches and swigs of Coke, he talks about last night’s activities and Kuala Lumpur chicks. Aki and Pauli join in when the conversation swings to their debut album, Peep in 1996 and about being in a band for seven years.
Before I know it, the next reporter is waiting for her turn. I pinch just a minute more for a personal autograph. “Please sign this for my sister, Amanda. She’s a really big fan but she’s in Singapore and can’t meet you guys.” One last glance at Lauri. Just how does he blend his eye colours? Darn, if only I had five more minutes! As I walked out of the door, Pauli and Aki call out, “Will you be at the showcase tomorrow?” Sure! “What about Ar-mun-daar?” Aww.. despite the scary make-up and music, they’re really a sweet bunch of fellas.

Your album title Dead Letters means “a letter that has never been delivered because the person to whom it was written to couldn’t be found.” Ever wondered if anyone has sent you a dead letter?
Lauri: Hmmm, I’ve actually never thought about that. I’m sure there are thousands of dead letters that fans have tried to send us. Sometimes they just write “The Rasmus, Finland” and it comes to the office, somehow. There’s a lot of lost information in the mail and its quite romantic to know that someone has sent you an apology or love letter but you’ve never received it.
Aki: We don’t know, there might even be a dead letter for Pauli or myself in Dead Letters. Lauri could have been thinking about any one of us when he wrote the lyrics.

I’ve read that at 16, you boys felt the Finnish music scene sucked. What have you done for it?
Lauri: There has always been a lot of music sung in Finnish but we’re the only band who tried to break out of Finland and sing in English. We had a lot of self-confidence in the beginning, maybe too much even and the people around us didn’t really have trust in us. And I was like “F*** you, we will do it!” For many years we have been playing music and making albums and finally the word has spread. It’s become really big because we are now finally getting where we wanted to go.
Aki: We’re spreading Finnish music and we are opening doors for new bands coming to Asia or Europe.

Your band and music have a dark, somber feel to things. What is your idea of having fun?
Lauri: We took the day off and had some fun yesterday in Kuala Lumpur. We had a couple of beers by the pool, had dinner then went off to see the clubs. It was really nice to start the whole trip relaxed.
Aki: I think what we enjoy the most is being on stage, just four of us guys playing our music.

In the UK, rockers like Mike Jagger and Paul McCartney top the wealthiest list in showbiz. As rockers yourself, do you think you can top Finland’s list?
Pauli: I hope so. (Laughs) But money is not the thing for us, it’s more about lifestyle. I would like to continue this band thing till the end of my life than to have overnight success and make millions of money.

Who is right at the top of Finland’s wealthiest list right now?
Pauli: The Nokia people.
Aki: Do you have a Nokia phone?

Nope, I use a Sony Ericsson.
Pauli: (Gasp) Swedish!

Are there any wrong perceptions people have of The Rasmus because of your goth image?
Lauri: I don’t know, if people have seen us performing live they change their minds. When people listen to our albums or watch our videos, they think we are very serious. But during our performances, they see a positive sadness and a lot of energy in the audience.

Name three essentials a rocker must have.
Aki: The mobile phone is really important. We travel so much and we need to call our friends.
Lauri: Condoms!
Pauli: A toothbrush!

Do you wear eye-liner on your days off?
Lauri: It’s like having your favourite clothes, you feel good when you have it on. I’m the only one who uses make-up.

The opening track of Dead Letters is “First Day Of My Life” and the album ends with “Funeral Song”. Is this album reflective of your life journey?
Lauri: Yes, there is one part of our lives captured on this album and it has this story line to it. It’s actually quite interesting to listen to our old albums, it has our history captured on it. I write all the songs so a lot of them are from my perspective.

Has anything memorable happened which gave you a new “First Day Of My Life”?
Pauli: Well, to me everyday is the start of a new day. Like yesterday was the first day we came to Kuala Lumpur, so woo-hoo!

We hear “Guilty” is your next single. Who has the softest conscience among you guys?
Lauri: I think we are all guilty and we all have hidden skeletons.
Aki: Our bass player, Eero stopped drinking seven years ago and now he practices Sahaja Yoga and lives a very peaceful life. Maybe he has things on the table that he wanted cleared.

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