samo714's Blog

The 69 Eyes is a Finnish band from Helsinki that formed in 1989. They have just started to get some well deserved recognition here in the states and just finished their first U.S. tour in support of their new album “Angels”.  They started out as a garage rock/ sleaze band that has earned them the nickname of Helsinki sleaze, but has now evolved into a hybrid sleaze/gothic band which has earned them the new nickname of Helsinki vampires.

Many great bands have influenced them, and it’s noticeable. It’s almost as though they picked and choose great qualities from other bands and adapted it all into what you hear upon their music. From the deep bass vocals that are reminiscent to Elvis, Jim Morrison, and another Finnish native Ville Valo, to Jussi’s drumming style which is similar to Rikki Rockett from the band Poison. The guitar work has also changed in time from being very loud and bombastic in the early days, to taking the approach of less is more. Even though their sound came from many different styles from other artist, they still are able to remain fresh, unique, and able to distinguish themselves from other bands, and from the influences they drew upon.

 

I discovered this band less then a year ago, at a Cradle of Filth concert at the Anaheim House of Blues. The 69 Eyes and 3 Inches of Blood were the opening act for the night. Well I didn’t know what to expect from them. They had a punk/biker look to them, and with a name like The 69 Eyes, I expected them to be more of a punk band. But I was surprised that they sounded more like an 80’s sleaze band in the vein of L.A. Guns and Guns & Roses but with a gothic overtone. So I was just hooked on them from that day on.

 

One thing that I have notice about this band is that anyone can really enjoy this group. They aren’t hard on the ears, due to the lead singer not being much of a screamer, but an actual vocalist who lyrics are easily understandable.  The music itself can be very punky with songs like “Lost Boys” or “Los Angeles”, to sweet ballads like “Star of Fate”, “Only You Can Save Me” and “Still Waters Run Deep”.  It’s odd how their lyrics are just as random as their music. They mostly tend to write about their major influences from movies like the “The Crow” or “The Lost Boys”, to typical rocker subjects that deal with sex and drugs, and then they can write simple, elegant, poetic ballads.

 

“Every time I hear you breath, in the still night next to me, and your innocent heart to beat, I feel so complete, because let me listen to you gently breath, no words do we need, let your innocent heart to speak, still waters run deep”- Still Waters Run Deep

 

from left to right- Timo-Timo (guitar), Bazie (guitar), Jyrki 69 aka Jyriki Pekka Emil Linnankivi (vocalist), Jussi 69 (drums), and Archie (bass)

So I hope you check them out, and enjoy them as much as I have. here are a few links to youtube to check out some videos from the band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5rh969E9oA for the video "devils"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4oRM6tC8PQ for the video "The Lost Boys"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lS17O9nKGk for the video "Perfect Skin"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh0ZY_95smw for the video "never say die"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TLYDF00Jts for the video "Dance D' Amor"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwnIbuSfOtw live performance of "Still Waters Run Deep"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl3Z_VMnEJs live performance of "Los Angeles" bootleg, but captures the energy of the live show.

 

just as a fun fact- the lead singer has a master degree in analytical chemistry, and is also a UNICEF good will ambassador for Finland. He has started a campaign in trying to help stop child trafficking and sex explortation of children in west africa. so that's pretty amazing.