Vive Le Rock visited Stupido Records 30th Anniversary party at Tavastia Club, Helsinki in late April to find out what makes this great Finnish record label tick.
Stupido Records was founded in 1988, and since then their empire has grown to include a record shop, a mail order service and a publishing company. They've signed 37 legendary Finnish bands including Pelle Miljoona (pictured), Waltari, Tumppi Varonen (from Problems and Pelle Miljoona) and Villu Tamme / J.M.K.E.
This event was over two days and various Stupido Records artists performed, including Finnish punk rock legends like Pelle Miljoona (Pelle Miljoona - singing and drums, Tumppi Varonen, Veli-Pekka 'Puka' Oinonen - guitar). Pelle Miljoona is a pioneer in the Finnish punk rock scene. He recorded his first album in 1977 and the band line-up has changed over the years, hence most recognised names who played for the band over the years are Hanoi Rocks legends Andy McCoy on guitar and Sam Yaffa on bass.
On the night Pelle Miljoona played his hits like 'Moottoritie On Kuuma' ('The Freeway Is Hot'), 'Tahdon Rakastella Sinua' ('I Want To Make Love To You').
Tumppi Varonen & Problems (Tumppi Varonen - singing, Heikki Hiekkasalmi - bass, Saska Ketonen - drums, Petri Peevo - guitar). Tumppi Vuorinen is a musician, writer and former municipal politician. Varonen made his first recording for Problems in the late 1970s. Since then, he has been playing on and off with Problems and Pelle Miljona's bands. Tumppi Varonen & Problems played 'Katupoikia' ('Street Boys'), 'Tiina On Punkkari' ('Tina Is Punk') and the new single 'Ihan Sama' ('What Ever').
Pää Kii is a punk band founded in 2012. Soundi and Rumba magazines chose the band's first album to be their 2012 album of the year. Pää Kii has also has been awarded in the Femma and Emma Gala. (Teemu Bergman – singing and guitar, Antti Leppäniemi – guitar, Vekku Vartiainen - bass, Heikki Laaksomies – drums) They played 'Paskahousun Paluu' ('Return Of The Shitpants'), 'Apinoiden Planeetalla' ('Planet Of Apes') and 'Sweet Home Kouvola'.
Pää Kii
All bands were really energetic and Stupido records can be proud of their long success in the music business as a independent record label.
For more information visit www.stupido.fi
Photos by Jari Flinck https://www.instagram.com/jariflinck.photography/
Text by Kati Brugnoli www.katibrugnoli.com