Disco Ensemble (FIN)

Yeah, so most people who know me have heard me talking about Disco Ensemble at some stage over the past few months, but I’m going to do it again, just to drive you all nuts. Those of you that know me, know that I am not into this type of music normally, so in order for me to be listening to it, let alone endorsing it, is really something! That’s because they really damn good. Period.

I met their manager Juha Kyrrö (Fullsteam Agency) at the Europavox convention in France last June, and was dragged along (albeit reluctantly) to see the showcase by Henna at the Finnish Music export office. The thought of putting myself through the show was enough to make my ears bleed, but I am damn glad I did. If I had heard their record being played on the radio, I probably would have found something else to go to instead. But what I witnessed on stage at their show is something that lacks with so many bands, and something that is near impossible to capture in the studio…raw, unadulterated, full on, in your face, sex appeal. Not alone do the dudes ooze this from every pore in their collective bodies, but their show is so seriously high octane, and takes you to such dizzying musical heights that you are left fumbling and drooling afterwards, in a stunned ‘what the fuck just happened there?’ kinda way. This, plus the compulsory whiplash (induced by copious amounts of headbanging), meant that little old me was left rather surprised by the events that had just taken place, nursing a neck injury, and all the more knowledgeable for having learned how to make ‘devil horns’ from one of the nutters in the audience. Energy is something these boys have alot of on stage, honesty and modesty too. So, when the singer took centre stage at the end of the night and told the audience that they had been an amazing crowd, you knew it was genuine, and that it came from the heart. He was touched, and so were we!

After the show, a journalist I was standing next to commented ‘‘with hairy heads and heavy hearts, Disco Ensemble kick in the door, buy you a drink, knock you down and at the end of the night, carry you safely home’. I second that. I’ve since seen them live again (last month at the Musikki & Media convention / Lost In Music festival, and yes, I did my bit for frock rock!), and they were just as good as the first time I saw them, dare I say, even better?

The vid for my favourite song (‘Headphones’) wasn’t available on youtube, so I have these two lovely ones for you instead…

Disco Ensemble – ‘We Might Fall Apart’

Disco Ensemble – ‘Drop Dead, Casanova’

The blurb…
Living in Ulvila (a small town of 12.000 residents in the west coast of Finland, close to the city of Pori), grade school classmates Jussi Ylikoski and Mikko Hakila started playing together at the age of 12. The dynamic duo learned their instruments by playing Metallica and AC/DC songs in Hakila’s parents’ shed or outdoors. Having incorporated a bass player and a singer, the group played their first live gigs in 1997. After a while, they chose to be called DisCo. The name was born out of tongue-in-cheek idea of people thinking that they’re going to a regular disco but end up at a punk gig.

Digging bands like Refused and Snapcase, DisCo. got to play in the local punk shows, mostly in the cellar of a semi-legendary squat/culture centre Annis in Pori. Around the year 2000, Miikka Koivisto, the vocalist of another local band, was asked to join DisCo. to play second guitar and eventually sing. Being a fan of the group he agreed instantly. Around this time, a pop band also called Disco emerged. Our quartet added the word “Ensemble” into their name to avoid awkward mix-ups.

After the release of Ghosttown Effect EP. (2001) the boys started to work with a D.I.Y. agent Juha Kyyrö, who eventually signed the band for his newly-founded Fullsteam Records. Mikko, Jussi and Miikka all moved to Helsinki to study. Helsinki-born Lasse Lindfors was found for the bass. Lasse had plenty of experience as he had played with

In 2003, the debut album “Viper Ethics” received rave reviews and gained Disco Ensemble a pole position amongst the indie/punk crowd. Splitting the time between studies and rock’n'roll became harder and harder as the band continued to play tons of club shows and festivals in Finland and embarked on their first European tour.

The sophomore album First Aid Kit (2005) gave D.E. an even bigger push up the ladder. The record hit the 9th spot in the official Finnish album chart and the foursome were now considered to be the most popular alternative rock act in Finland. Boasted to become the next big Finnish rock export, D.E. stepped on the main stages of the biggest festivals on their home turf, earned slots in Roskilde, Hultsfred, Rock am Ring/Park and Glastonbury, to name but a few, and toured clubs relentlessly around Europe and the UK. The buzz around the band led to an international record deal with

In the spring of 2008 D.E. release their third full-length album titled “Magic Recoveries”. Produced by PelleGunnerfeldtRobocop Kraus), the record shows the band flourishing, stretching their abilities as song writers and performers. Finding a perfect balance between fury and grace, “Magic Recoveries” is a confident assortment of innovative rock’n'roll, celebrating primal inspiration as the ultimate outlet in a confusing world. numerous groups, and was a miraculously good fit. Vertigo/Universal, who released “First Aid Kit” in over 20 countries. The guys suddenly noticed that a vague dream had become reality and a dear hobby had turned into full-day mayhem. (The Hives, Refused, The Robocop Kraus), the record shows the band flourishing, stretching their abilities as song writers and performers. Finding a perfect balance between fury and grace, “Magic Recoveries” is a confident assortment of innovative rock’n'roll, celebrating primal inspiration as the ultimate outlet in a confusing world.

Here’s a preview for their DVD ‘Video Vortex’

Here’s hoping that 2009 is their break-through year in the mainstream market, because man, they deserve it! For further info on the band, visit their myspace profile or website.