Laja
Terveet Kadet
By Marianne Behm
(SugarBuzz Finland)
Photos by Sakari Behm
SugarBuzz Magazine
Terveet Kadet (TK) are a legendary Finnish hardcore band. They’ve had a major influence on bands from all over the world, especially in Brazil. The legend started over 30 years ago in Tornio (a small town in northern Finland), when Laja (the only original member since then) formed a Discharge-influenced hardcore band with a few friends of his.
Now we’ll hear from Laja about the band’s history and its future.
Hey Laja! How have you been?
Well, it’s summer here in Oulu, Finland. Lazy days, work and family etc...
You're one of the oldest Hardcore groups and you're still going strong!
Yeah, we started this band in the early 1980's in Tornio town, (north of Finland). We have more gigs now than in those early days. We have tours here in Finland, Europe and maybe later this summer in England and Russia. We’re expecting also a new 10-track EP or mini LP.
What keeps you guys going?
Music, meeting people, having fun. Maybe when you’ve done music and all these things for so many years, it's in your blood!
Where did you meet your original band mates and how did you end up forming a hardcore band?
We lived in the early years in Tornio town. Now only Peedro, the drummer, lives there… the rest of us old ones live here in Oulu. Anyway in early 80's Peedro and ex members Tiimo (guitars), Piasky (bass) and I formed our ‘silly little band’ with the feeling of old heavy, punk and hardcore. We had nothin’ to do, we were bored… you know these reasons.
Who were your influences?
Discharge, Black Flag and old Black Sabbath mostly and of course Iggy and the Stooges.
Is there a story behind your band name Terveet Kadet (means Healthy Hands)?
About the name… it goes back to the lazy days in Tornio along with social help. In the early days here in Finland we had even more silly names, but I like the old ones… 60's garage stuff etc.
You turned 50 last year .. do you feel that you're that same rebellious punk rock guy that you were as a young man? How have the years changed you and your attitude?
Yeah, I’m an old ‘shit’ eh! Anyway my feelings are now even deeper. I’m still same person, including my attitude.
You are the only original member left, and your line-up has changed several times. Can you tell us something about the band member changes over the years?
Yeah, maybe I’m the spirit of TK, but these boys are the music... now Lene on bass - he played with me in the early 90’s and Peedro came back couple of years ago. Ilari on guitars is the new one. He has played in this band for a couple of years. Maybe this is the last TK line-up, OK… maybe when I’m 55 I'll call it quits.
How does the current band compare to the original group?
Well, back to the 90’s.. TK were more metallic HC with long hair etc. Maike and Tilli left the band early in 2000 but now we are more hardcore again because Peedro joined to us, and he knows only these old tunes, eh! Our new record is good old TK stuff!
You've reached a kind of Hardcore cult status -- how does that feel? How would you describe your fan base compared with the fans of the original group?
Current ...that’s very fine, yeah we’ve played and recorded so many years…. now it’s our turn again.
I agree !
Well, we have come a long way since you started in January 1980. That was a time still influenced by the "Cold War" . Do you feel it's easier to express yourself with lyrics, etc, now? When you are writing lyrics, do you feel that you must think twice or be careful about what you write? ...
Well, the war still continues and is even worse for all those idiots...but you must fight back, fight with the music and attitude...you may be able to change something.
What does liberty or freedom of speech mean to you and your band? Do you feel that hardcore and punk rock are more "acceptable" to society today?
It’s now easier to do something with the internet etc. Who really cares? Punk rock concerts, etc. are sold out!!
Which one is more important: the message or the music? Or both?
Both...of course ... music has the power and you have the message.... if you have one.
What makes your music style different from other HC bands? You are known for 30 second songs.
We have these fast ones, but slow tunes too…I don’t know, we are TK!
You've been touring a lot and you've released so many records over the years. Are there any favorite records or events that bring special memories to your mind? Any tours that are particularly memorable to you? Have you had any "disasters" while performing, like loosing electrical power, problems with the stage or audio equipment?
Well, our best are ‘Aareton Joulu’ EP (1982), ‘Sign of the Cross’ CD...(90's) and of course this new ‘Ihmisen Poika On Pedon Poika’.
Maybe this -82 recorded EP is a so-called classic. The first time we went to a real studio, we were very nervous. It took only eight hours to do that stuff, but we made good songs ... it was easy to do.
We’ve had good and not so good gigs here and there…there’re so many. Well, the last ones are the best ones...so maybe our trip to England was the best (or worse?). During the early years in the Kemi town we had some problems with stage stuff and etc. The equipment wasn’t very good and the guys didn’t like that, so we just made our gig then to the back stage very quickly and got lost...
What are your current plans for your band for the future?
We’d like to get few good records out and have some good gigs… like always!
Okay! How do you keep contacts with your fans? I'm sure it's easier now when most of the people have an internet connection.
..Yeah, that’s true, and am happy to see them on our gigs too.
You are also known for your comic books. How did you end up drawing comics?
It’s my hobby (like music). When you have free time you can do what you like…and like drawing. I must say it’s now more difficult because I’m too lazy eh, and I must give time to the kids and the family too and of course to these xbox games etc..
Thank you and have a wonderful summer.
Thanx and bye!
http://personal.inet.fi/koti/hagelberg/terveetkadet/