Released in early 1980, this is the only studio album by this early Finnish Ramones-influenced new wave punk band. The Svart reissue of this rarity has been remastered for vinyl from the original master tapes, and the package features a 16 page booklet with random interviews and pictures from the era.
Ypö-Viis was formed in Karhula in summer 1977. Originally the band was five-piece, but as they changed their style to new wave, the organ player and second guitarist were dropped off. The remaining trio was Miika Söderholm: bass & vocals, Mikko Holmström: guitar and Rabbe Johansson: drums. In the early days they only gigged locally (today Karhula is part of Kotka). The self-financed one-sided single (or is it an EP?) Energia on A ja O/Kotka palaa was released in late 1978. 200 copes were pressed, costing them 600 Finnish marks. The recording sounds really crappy, but the songs are pretty good. Energia is their own composition and the flipside is a cover version of The Clash's London's burning. The next step was to found a record company of their own, called Karva-Levyt. The new label's first release was naturally Ypö-Viis' next single Mari pogoaa/Mikkitelineestä on puolet minun, released in spring 1979. The A side is a catchy pop song, and the single was even seen on Suosikki's top sales charts! In spring they were also featured on Hilse compilation LP with their song Pelkään pimeää. That song was recorded with a new lineup, as Jari Räsänen had joined the band on bass, allowing Söderholm to concentrate on vocals, and occasionally on rhythm guitar. Pelkään pimeää is one of the best tracks on the album, a pop song of course.
Then they signed a deal with a bigger label, Poko Rekords, and logically the first Poko release was called Me myytiin itsemme ('We have sold out'), b/w Kaupunki muistaa nuoria, released in fall 1979. The songs are good, and the most notable change is the improvement on the sound department. Despite the new recording deal they didn't bury Karva-Levyt (later releases on the label include singles by Pupukuusikko, Tommy & Teenagers and Zoint (pre-Saigon)), but released their first album Karhulan poikii live in late 1979. The LP is extremely fun, in fact it may just be the best live album that has been made in Finland. Covers include songs by The Clash and Sham 69. The band kept themselves busy as they were already recording a studio album in November. Unfortunately Halpaa lystiä LP is a disappointment. Kuvien kauniit naiset was also released as a single, with Ujona discossa (not on album) on the B side. Both the single and the album are boring. Two songs, Tänään kotona, the B side's opening track, and the following Ystävät kautta maan, are worth listening to more than once. The album was released in early 1980. In 1979 Söderholm also made a guest appearance as a backup singer on Kollaa Kestää's Jäähyväiset aseille LP. Fortunately Ypö-Viis' story didn't end there, instead in spring 1980 they made by far their best release, the single Hyvästi masentava maanantai/Rakkauskirjeet. The B side is sung by Räsänen. Both are catchy tunes, and everything looked good again. Then they visited a Turku studio to record songs (Steppaava hirvi and Muistoissani aina) for a future compilation (Eppu Normaali was supposed to be on it too), to be released on Karva-Levyt, but due to lack of bands and material the compilation was never released. However, despite the bright outlook, things weren't that good after all. Holmström quit the band in favour of his studies, and he was replaced by Pekka Stirkkinen. On their last single Keskiolut takaisin Alkoon/Kaunis poika Stirkkinen played both guitar and bass, because Räsänen was performing his compulsory military service at the time. Both songs are great, especially the latter. The band, or Söderholm and Stirkkinen to be exact, made a tour in Lapland with a temporary replacement drummer (Johansson was too busy with his school exams to join them), after which the band broke up. It's a good thing the last recordings were among their best. text by Vesa Vahtera, translation by Jarkko Kuivanen.
Available at https://blitzrecords.bigcartel.com/
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