 Few countries can match Finland when it comes to this place’s density of heavy metal bands as measured by the population. Whenever you get to know a person between 15 and 40 interested in this kind of music it’s quite likely that they play in at least one band. Jasmina Schreck begins a new series on 65 DN and take a look at the numerousness of heavy-orientated bands Oulu and its surroundings has to offer.
Downstone break the first ground. About two weeks ago they could be seen playing at 45 Special, after Timo Rautiainen’s concert. Approximately 40 people found their way to the club’s undercroft-like basement. The music is melodic yet relatively heavy. Most stay at the tables, which the area in front of the stage is flanked by, or huddle at the opposite wall. A drunk man stumbles onto the scene, using the room in the front for his dancing attempts and spilling some of his red wine. However, quite a few seem to know the band and their songs, and the number of people is not too bad for a Sunday evening around midnight. Downstone was formed in 2005, originally put together as a side project by Markku Kerosalo (bass) and Ville Markkanen (drums), who were playing in a band called May I Cry. After that, they found two guitarists Kai Kinnunen and Tommi Viirret as well as a singer Valtteri Virolainen and the side project had turned into a real band. The two founding members left but then Tapani Puurunen as a bass player and drummer Juha Alatalo eventually came along and completed the current Downstone line-up. The band’s music is mostly about rock and metal, as guitarist Tommi explains: “We’re kind of a heavy metal band that combines elements from metal music with a little bit rock. Also we try to get a little bit feeling into it so it’s not go on the rampage all the time. There are a couple of slow songs also. I guess we try to be as many-sided as possible. But still heavy and metal is pretty close to the heart.” Influences within the band stretch from music from the 80s, like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden or King Diamond to 70s rock and 90s grunge like Pearl Jam. “But lately it’s gone to a little heavier side in my case. Swedish metal is now the big thing for me. Katatonia, In Flames… all these kinds of stuff” adds Tommi. Downstone have been playing mostly in Oulu so far. The gigs at Sankarirock in Club Teatria about a year ago as well as at Vulcanalia last autumn linger in Tommi’s and Juha’s memory. Even though the Vulcanalia gig could draw more, approximately 1000, people to the concert also the band’s first acoustic gig at Amarillo, where I interview them, belongs to the highlights of Downstone’s past concerts. “Here it was like 500 people so this was packed! It’s always nice to play when there’s a lot of people.” At the beginning of April the band got the chance to perform twice in Helsinki, those gigs also went really well according to Tommi. “ The first one was a little bit different because back here in Oulu the crowd is a little bit bigger. During the first gig in Helsinki there were only a few guys listening. I think that was actually good rehearsal for the next one on Friday in Manala, where Charon and Noumena were also playing, quite big bands in Finland. So there were quite many people. Also we made good contacts with other musicians, and also a couple of record companies were represented over there.” Drummer Juha agrees on that and adds that “the good result was also that we kind of won the audience.”
A topic which is often touched upon when talking about Helsinki is the city’s alleged self-sufficiency concerning concerts and bands, which is said to make it difficult for bands from outside the capital’s area to be successful there. Tommi isn’t so sure about that. “I don’t actually think so. I think it’s the same thing everywhere you go. If you’re not known the thing is to get the people to the gig ‘cause then the word goes around.” After a while he concedes “Maybe they are a little bit self-sufficient. But I guess it’s because there’s so many bands in Helsinki. Actually we had to wait half a year just to get a gig over there. I understand it from that side but other than that I don’t think that it’s that different. I think it’s as difficult for a Helsinki band to come over here and win the audience.” When living in Oulu for some time it’s perceivable that you often meet the same people again and again. This also reflects in the local music scene. “Everyone knows each other. And it’s not only metal music. In Oulu there are many really good bands. Musicians just know each other. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing metal or pop or R’n’B, Rap, whatever. So - it’s a small town.” Because the circle of musicians is quite tight in this area the band had to adopt other means when looking for a new guitarist. Kai Kinnunen was found through an internet search. But also the sale of CDs at gigs can be tricky in a small town. So far, Downstone have released a self-titled EP as well as a live album, which was recorded at last year’s Sankarirock. The live album, which is entitled “aLive”, can solely be purchased at Oulu’s Levykauppa Äx and Musiikki Kullas. Apart from that the band tries to get it out at the gigs. This, however, proved not very successful at shows in Oulu. “We tried to sell it also at a couple of gigs here but nobody is buying it anymore because everyone has it already” laughs Tommi.
An attempt to join forces within the metal scene in a certain area was made with the project Heavy Pohjanmaa. This is a community that combines metal bands in Ostrobothnia. Most of the bands are from Seinäjoki and around, Downstone is the only band from Oulu that is part of it. Tommi explains it in more detail. “The community’s purpose is to improve the cooperation between the bands so they can do stuff together. It’s always easier when there is many people around trying to get gigs, getting new contacts and going around.” Next up for Downstone are three more acoustic gigs in Oulu (26th April at Hevimesta, 2nd-3rd May at Gloria). Also, there are plans to release new music in the near future. Tommi is hopeful but knows about the difficulties. “We’re trying to get it sold all around, we’ll see how it works but it’s not easy. Music business is not easy.”
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