We found out [Slovakia]

Rock brothers

Finnish rockers had a list of special demands, then, after arriving to Slovakia, they behaved very lovely, talkative musicians who couldn’t resist swimming in Senec lakes.

Music festival Senec Fest started its first year very successfully, not only audience was relished but also the musicians who performed here. The biggest star of the festival was the performance of the finnish band The Rasmus who are famous for their smash hit “In the shadows”.
Even though this quaternion, Lauri Ylönen – singer, Pauli Rantasalmi – guitar, Eero Heinonen – bass and Aki Hakala – drums, exists already for 12 years and they released already six albums, the main breakthrough in their carrier was two years ago.
Their success was started by the single “In the shadows” from their fifth album “Dead Letters” which smashed music charts all over the wolrd. It ended on the first position of the most played videos on musical channel MTV and the whole album belonged to the ten best selling albums in eleven countries all over the world.
Last year The Rasmus released their sixth album “Hide from the sun” with which they proved that they are no one-hit-wonder. With bands HIM or Apocalyptica, they are clear proof that Finland is reliable source of quality rock and also metal production.
The stay of the northern rockers in Slovakia was secured by safety measures, to them belonged even a list of special demands not only for food and accommodation but even for contact with media. It seemed that the band wants to have a rest from the journalists. Everyone was even more glad that it was just a rumour.
Before The Rasmus started their show on stage, they made many interviews for media, they sailed on the boat over Senec lakes and after the gig they swam in them. We asked Pauli (guitarist) and Eero (bass) few questions.

You are friends from childhood whose dream came true. You found a band and reached huge success. Do you have some “band” dream which haven’t became true yet?
We are happy that we managed to release our albums outside Finland. We have success, we play all around the world, this should be enough for us but we would like to breakthrough in America, the country of Rock ‘n’ roll. We think that some of the European bands are better than American ones (laughter). It is our big dream but becoming true doesn’t depend only on us. American audience is specific, it has its own attitude, individual way of sensation about everything around you.

For European bands it’s more difficult in the USA, but in March this year James Hetfield (Metallica singer) compliment you personally.
It was great feeling. With Metallica we performed three times in ZAF and James Hetfield came to us after our show. He said about our music very pleasant words, he even wanted to buy our album in America, but he couldn’t find it. So we gave him one (laughter). We appreciate his opinion, even Metallica was and is our idol. Because of them we started to make music. It is stimulative when some famous and successful band notice a newcomer.

That’s also why you have unknown support bands on your tour?
Yes, we listen to lots of CDs, not only finnish bands. We try to find young musicians in every country where we have a gig and when it’s possible, we pick some to support us. Also our band started like this.

So you are interested in Slovakian bands?
Of course. Even tonight we’re gonna see some Slovakian bands.

After 12 years of playing in the band you are still friends, full of energy and enthusiasm, no argues?
Among us it works pretty well, we are almost like brothers. Just today during the lunch we agreed on how beautiful week was it. We were in Romania, now we are here in Slovakia, gonna leave for Hungary, it’s amazing to get to know new countries. We try to see at least a bit of the country where we currently play. We are interested not only in historical monuments but also in people who live here, what music they listen to. On the other hand when we are too long on tour, we hurry to go home, to our beloved ones.

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