Doomed Confessionary: Lassi & Marcus (Som Är Död)
Photos by Jaakko Höykinpuro | Valokuvaaja
Som Är Död is a fresh four-piece band from Seinäjoki and Tampere, Finland that delivers sonic palette of noise, action, grunge, alternative and something abrubtly twisting with vigour and confidence. It is a well oiled machine which parts complete each other.
Throughout the years, bands have been formed as jokes, temporary things, as a way to the stars and as an expression of art. Som Är Död was formed to channel the vitality in rock music and the power it delivers. The group is finalizing their debut EP »Warmth Of The Sun«, to be released on October 15th, 2024, and writing material for a full-length album.
The members have a past and present history with these bands: Malamujer, Magic Meredith, Supreme Havoc, Julia’s Window, Silverdomes, Gangrened and Smokesuit.
Som Är Död are Jiri Mustajärvi (drums), Kimmo Kaunisharju (guitar), Lassi Männikkö (bass) and Marcus Hietanen (vocals).
Can you say a few words about your band?
We are four friends who decided to fuck up our friendships by forming a band and start arguing about schedules and killer riffs.
Our paths have crisscrossed previously by playing together in various bands. Marcus with Kimmo, Kimmo with Lassi, Lassi with Jiri, Jiri with Marcus. So it got too confusing and here we are. Still confusing but with less variables.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
There have been no challenges for us. Everything has been smooth sailing since day one. The rock-gods were smiling one day and it happened to coincide with our first rehersals. The sky opened up and a bright light shone down from the heavens, almost reaching our basement. Better luck next time.
What can you be most proud of so far?
We whipped up a pretty sweet and creamy five song EP with almost no effort and basically zero divorces.
What was your biggest regret?
Last year and the year before that had no regrets. The following two years will have two, three at most.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
We are not sure if the world will crack the first time we play live so we have been adding a lot of padding and softening materials to our live bass sound so the damage will be contained. We are considering helmets but in a cool way.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
I think we all agree that it is our upcoming release that will turn heads and stomachs this year. ‘We’ are mostly imaginary friends and dead relatives.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
An assortment of songs from Haystack and Nirvana’s »Bleach« album.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
“Get better musicians than you in the band and life is easier.” – Pedro Hietanen (legendary Finnish entertainer, no relation to our singer)
What are your guilty pleasures?
Occasional baths with loudspeakers full of Monster Magnet and fistfuls of chocolate on the side.
Can you say something more about current music scene in Seinäjoki / Tampere?
For a small city, Seinäjoki is a bubbling place musicwise but the same challenges apply as anywhere. Selective venues, few rehersal spaces, funding etc. Tampere has been a center for rock music in Finland for years so we mention that because our guitarist lives there.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We are gonna put all our eggs in one basket and watch them burn while we play two shows this year: 9th November Bar 15, Seinäjoki and 15th November Monkey Island, Alavus. No time to die like the future.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
We are gonna collect new and better eggs and make music we like. Baskets will be optional.
How can people best support your band?
Support EVERY band you like by buying music and merch directly from them if possible.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, diversify your bonds and try to be happy.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well