Interview with PK from 22 Piste Pirkku

LAMETTA: Please introduce yourself!
PK: Yes, my name is PK. I am from 22 Piste Pirkku. I do singing and I play the guitar.
LAMETTA: Thank you. Our radio programme LAMETTA is a quite unconventional programme and that's why I would like to ask a you a maybe unconventional question and that is: What did you always see when you were a little boy and you watched outside your window?
PK: I saw a lake and I saw a field, because I am from the countryside. I am a country boy. Those were the things or, if I took a look from another window, there was a forest, of course. So basically those things.
LAMETTA: So you were completely surrounded by nature...
PK: Yes, more or less and some neighbours also. That was good.
LAMETTA: And you grew up in that small village with your brother and you friend who are the band members and...
PK: As a matter of fact, the drummer is from the neighbour village and I met him in High school. I was around 14 or 15. So then he joined us.
LAMETTA: So you have already started before with 22 Piste Pirkku...
PK: Yes, because we had a first band and Espe, who is from the neighbour village, he wasn't playing in that band at first, but he was kind of hanging around all the time. Then we were kind of unhappy with our drummer and we told Espe. As a matter of fact it was a nasty trick, we had a nasty thing to do, because we some kind of a break with the first band and we didn't like the drummer. So we gave his drum set to Espe and said: Please, do some rehearsing, you are in the band now. Espe went: "Am I?" We said: "Yes, you are. Go ahead." And then he joined and that was '79 or something. Long time ago!
LAMETTA: Yes, long time ago. You already described how you found together and I found a quote from Asko and that's from '79 and he said about your band: "We don't have any ideological intentions whatsoever. We are just the hardest rock'n roll band in the world."
PK laughs: Asko said so, o.k., well, we kind of were, mister big mouth, but in a way it was and it is correct, because our aim was and still is to play music. And basically that's that and because music is so powerful. It's a really big thing, it can heal people, it can hurt people, it can do many kinds of things, so, basically that's that. I think that's why he said so.
LAMETTA to Asko: Hello!
PK: We are just talking about what you said a long time ago.
Asko: What? Repeat it!
LAMETTA: You said in 1979: "We don't have any ideological intentions whatsoever. We are just the hardest rock'n roll band in the world."
Asko to PK: I think that it was you who said it!
PK: No, it wasn't me!
Asko: Don't put it into my mouth brother! Guitar players say that kind of things! (laughs)
LAMETTA: So as you just said, the first part of the quote is definitly true, but are you still the hardest rock'n roll band in the world?
Both: No, not really.
PK: Perhaps every now and then.
Asko: No..
LAMETTA: No, not really...
Asko: I think that rock must be harder than we are.
PK: Yes, that's true.
LAMETTA: Well, but people who know you know that you started with quite hard music with garage rock, punk, rock 'n roll and things like that and now there is a change in moods, because your latest record, The Rally of Love, is in a different style and catches a different atmosphere...is it true?
Asko: Yes, because people change, when you have got a different studios and different kinds of producers and different kinds of songs. It comes like this, And next time we go to some other place, we have different kinds of songs and then it might be completely different. And that's why we are really happy about that change. The Rally of Love was summer...PK: 2000. Asko: 2000 and we felt like that in those days, And now when we played those songs live, every now and then, they are even more softer and more you know, easy going, but sometimes we really grasp them, so it was like that those days!
LAMETTA: I mean that's also very typical of you that you are a band that is open to changes and you capture these moods and changes
Asko: Yes, we try that...
LAMETTA: So you were not too, well, let's say proud or whatever to do a kind of pop music now?
PK and Asko: No, no , no. Asko: We like pop music. It's good to listen to.
PK: Of course it depends on the pop music, but general speaking, it is beautiful! I like the idea of pop music, but as I said, some of the pop music is horrible crap. Asko: But that's ... PK: Yes, exactly. Asko: Garage Rock I should like, everybody thinks so... PK: ...sounds like shit and some of it sounds so beautiful. So basically, like in every art form there is good stuff and there is bad stuff, so it's normal.
LAMETTA: Well, so you kind of changed, or the mood in your band changed from - if I can say it - from rebellion or from the hard stuff to more poetic moods?
PK: Yes, perhaps, yes,yes, because, I don't know is it because we are not teenagers any more, might be that we are boring old farts (laughs) no, it's not so, but, the older you get in a way, every now and then at least you start to understand that there are so different kinds of levels in music or in life, or generally speaking everywhere and in a way you start to understand the power of differences. For example once again I started to talk about music, but if you want to move people, it doesn't have to be hard all the time. Because it can be extremely powerful if you play some simole, beautiful, well, let's call it pop songs or whatever, it can move people, it moves us, it moves people, so, basically anything goes and I like that, because life is much more interesting then.
LAMETTA: I mean critics love you for your talent to capture atmospheres and, well, they say that your music, and I think so as well, is very visual, there is a high visual quality to your songs and well, I also read about you that you produced the soundtrack to the movie Downhill City. I am afraid I didn't see it, but what I'd really like to know, since your music has this visual quality, have you got further plans to make soundtracks like that?
PK: It would be really nice. We're just waiting for the offer, because it's not us who is deciding, o.k. we are gonna do the soundtrack for that film, but it would be really nice. And talking about the visual effects in our music: I know one reason for it. The reason is that when we are composing songs we are talking about.....äh ... someone is starting to talk about.. o.k. guys, let's imagine the situation it is dark and a car is driving there and the moon is rising and bla bla bla, kind of the things happening, let's try to create that kind of a song and how we should play if we are trying to do that. So it's kind of a composing tour to us, try to imagine situations, try to imagine pictures and stuff like that. I think it's handy.
LAMETTA: About the working process in your band: Is it like this that everybody does everything ?
PK: Yes, more or less. And then we put those ideas together, we do whatever is needed or whatever we are able to do and then the songs come out.
LAMETTA: So everybody is writing the lyrics and everybody is responsible for the music..
PK: Yes.
LAMETTA: Wow, this is quite special and in most bands it doesn't work like that.
PK: Yes, it's true, I agree, but in way that is the explanation why we are still together after 20 years.
LAMETTA: That's right! Before we've already talked about being on a tour. You came from Scandinavia and tonight is the first gig in Germany, in Hamburg, what I wonder is, what does it mean to you to perform live on stage?
PK: It means a lot. It's really nice. Because if your show is going well - and I am not talking about how good we are playing, I am talking about general feelings -you can have things that are so super ... how should I say that... they can be extremely fun, they can be extremely you know entertaining, they can be so deep, because when you see people smiling or dancing or reacting somehow and we are responsing, I like the situation that you are performing for the people, and people are reacting how they are reacting. It is kind of a really really simple set up, it is challenging, it is good fun, we are musicians, we should play those songs for the people. I like that, it's reallly nice. Of course it can also be a nightmare, if you have a bad show - I still don't like it. It makes me so angry, unhappy, they are not nice, but at the same time they are in a way needed, because every now and then you got to get some kind of a - how should I say it - remind, hey dude, there is a mistake, try to do something about it. So even those bad shows they are o.k., but I don't like them!
LAMETTA: Everybody understands that! Well, after having been for a long time in the studio, I guess it's quite hard to face the public and to perform live...
PK: Yes, but it is not hard to face the public . What is hard is that you have got to find your, how should I say, performing side of yourself, because if you have been spending a lot of time in the studio, it is a totally different thing, even that you are messing around with the music , but you are doing whatever in the studio. But when you are performing, you have to concentrate somehow, it's not the same thing you have to find out how to play, how not to play, how to act on the stage, how to play as a band, so it's a different world. Pretty much, but I like, as I said, I like to play to people.
LAMETTA: So would you consider yourself as a live band?
PK: Yes, absolutely.
LAMETTA: It's necessary for you to get new inspiration and to go on and to develop yourself ...
PK: ...and also meet the people!
LAMETTA: Mmh, yeah...
PK: ...because without them there is no 22 Piste Pirkku in a way.
LAMETTA: That's right and I noticed on you touring plan that there are a lot of concers in Germany this time, why did you do that?
PK: Well, there are practical reasons for that, since our European record label is a German label and Germany is a big country, there are many places to play...quite many, so that's why!
LAMETTA: O.k.
PK: And why not? Since we are here, let's play some shows!
LAMETTA: Well, apart from touring and working in the studio and catching new pictures, what else are you doing? Are there any other projects besides 22 Piste Pirkku?
PK. Not really, not really. Of course, people have their private life which has nothing to do with the band.
LAMETTA: So you don't play in other bands ...
PK: Oh no no no. It would be nice to work... yes, o.k. we do that, because in Finland and outside of Finland many bands come to talk to us and say: Would you like to produce our album? Or: Can you help us with our recordings or with our songs? Nowadays they are sending records to us and we are listening to them and we are giving feedback, what is our opinion, what is the good thing, what is the bad thing and we are sharing the things that we know. Because I remember when we started there were some people who were helping us, so I think it's realls o.k. if you now something, you can always say: He, are you aware of this? Are you aware ot that? Have you been thinking about this? So in that way we are working with someone else, but basically that's all. But at the same time we are taking care of our company which is called Bare Bone Business, the three of us is the company, so we have things to do.
LAMETTA: A lot to do! What about music videos?
PK: Yes, they are needed..
LAMETTA: Do you like them?
PK: It depends on the video. Personally it's not my cup of tea. Asko is usually responsible for our video things, together with some other people, but , yes, they are o.k., but in a way it means that... it's after recordings you've got to do the video, and if you are willing to make it good, you got to have some money. And of course, you should have some kind of idea. So basically I like them, but I am not the one who is taking care of it.
LAMETTA: Well, you mentioned that you want to make it good, that's also something that Piste Pirkku is famous for, for really making high quality albums and also concerts, and it's almost a kind of obsession that you three like to produce perfect products...
PK: Yes, as good as we can, yes, I remember when we made our first album, it was '84 and it wasn't good.We made all the mistakes. And then we decided, o.k. this was the last time, because in a way it is really simple: If we make a bad album, who is suffering? We are suffering! The record companies are surviving, the booking agencies are surviving, everybody else is surviving, not us, if we come up with a bad album. And also we want to be proud of our work. I am not saying we are brilliant, it's a matter of taste. But I wanna be proud of our music, I wanna be proud of our albums. So when I am old, I don't wanna be ashamed of them, so in a way it is as simple as that.
LAMETTA: Very good!
PK: I think so, too.
LAMETTA: Are there any other "obsessions" among your band members which influence your music or the work or apart from that aim to produce perfect or good work?
PK: Perhaps there is that kind of a obsession that since we are three different kinds of persons, and as we were talking earlier everybody is composing and doing things. So to keep the band alive and to create a kind of supportive atmosphere around, we have to make that kind of compromises, we have to learn to deal with each others. We have to respect each other, o.k. even if I am not totally happy about your idea, I go for it. So, that is our obsession that as long as we are as a band together, we have to take care of us as a private human beings.
LAMETTA: And it seems to work at least for more than 20 years!
PK: Yes, that's true. And every now and then it is extremely hard, but that's not new, it's normal life in a way. That's as I said you've got to take care of your relationships, you have to work with them...
LAMETTA: Well, now this new album appeared to me to be a kind of opening up to a new field of music and did you ever think of, kind of going back to former forms, for example like producing songs in Finnish?
PK: No, not in Finnish!
L: Your first album was in Finnish, wasn't it?
PK: Yes, it was. No, I think we are not gonna do that. But like Asko was saying, let's say 5 minutes ago, of course we are thinking all the time about the possibilities of the future, what kind of record we are going to make next. It depends on our feelings, what we are after. It can be whatever.
LAMETTA: But it won't be Finnish?
PK: No, it won't be Finnish, at least I am not gonna sing any Finnish!
LAMETTA: Well, o.k. Yeah, thanks very much for this really interesting information and attitudes and so on.
ID plus announcement of a song

LAMETTA: I forgot one question, but later...
PK announces the song "Carwash" after a while

LAMETTA: Last question: Is there a band that we should never ever play in our show?
PK: I don't like that Nazi-Punk movement, all those Nazi-Punk bands, they sucks!