Zombies, Psychos & Dead Girls Coming to a Bar Near You!

Fans of all things psychobilly will be rubbing their hands together in delight while inspecting the gig lineup for several venues around town for the next couple of months. And hell, there's good reason, with great shows arriving to bedazzle folk from at least January to April.

This year kicked off with a wicked bunch of bands at Yabba Dabba Do at Loose last Saturday. Having seen both Gun Molls and Gangsters and Atom Notes at Hela-torstai klubi some months ago (and written a note about it here), i won't go into that in too much detail. Let it be said, though, that the Atom Notes' playing was as furious as ever, and that Mika on the guitar was still as dashing as ever. My personal highlight, however, was seeing The Patsy Walkers. The ladies haven't played gigs in what seems like ages, so in their absence i've had to content myself with renditions of 'Wolfman' in the shower (occasionally elsewhere, too). Needless to say, i was thrilled to hear they were going to be back on stage. Also, this gave me the opportunity to rifle through my wardrobe to find the Patsy Walkers band shirt i had discovered at Hietsu kirppis last summer, and promised both myself and the girl selling it that as soon as the band took to the stage again, the shirt and i would be in front row. Which we were. Compliments for choice of clothing were received from both band members and jealous fans. Sweet.

Onwards into the year, February gets to a lovely start with Blues Trash Cabaret at Loose, featuring Russian surf and b-movie inspired band Messer Chups. After seeing them at Tavastia's Psychorama last summer, i took a serious fancy to the Chups. Movie-sample saturated instrumental music and a stage presence that comes across as fabulously indifferent somehow manage to root you to the spot and forget about that third pint you were going for. Or maybe its the enchanting Zombiegirl on bass. In any case, this is the life-soundtrack of choice i'd prefer to have play in my head. Not kidding, definitely one to see.

Zombie Noise festival sweeps over Nosturi on February 20, bringing to town old school psychos, Mad Sin. These dudes are old but notoriously tireless, and if one is in the mood for sweat, spit, and a whole lotta man, this is the place to be. Other festival bands include French psychobilly group, the Astro Zombies, and domestic talent Relentless. And for a host of more homegrown talent, one needs only to head down the stairs to Alakerta, where the T-bird gang, The Bullet Biters and The Black Magic Six take the stage. 

And last but definitely not least, Nekromantix. Ah. This is a band i've never seen live, but have always wanted to. Which will go some way in explaining why i'll be screaming like a little boy in the front row when i hear the chorus to Dead Girls Don't Cry. <3






6.2.Blues Trash Cabaret, Bar Loose
20.2 Zombie Noise Festival, Nosturi
1.4 Nekromantix, Nosturi

Thursday's head start.

Since i'm currently not up to my eyeballs in a work project that threatens to take over my life and free time, i find that Thursday is a perfectly acceptable day for kicking off the weekend. Fortunately, i have friends who seem to agree. And so on Thursday evening i found myself biking through wickedly cold streets towards the blaring music and jovial ruckus of Helatorstai-klubi at Henry's pub. These Thursday nights are becoming a favorite of mine, and for good reason. Entrance is free, and the coat check is operated on a 'pay if you feel like it' basis. Beer and cider will only set you back 3.5 euros a pint, which is good news for students, cheapskates and those who can spare time from their work projects to indulge in a pint or several.


While all of the above make for a good night, it's the bands that really kick ass. Clambering on to the corner stage in their high heels, pearls and dinky hats (bar from Jay Maggis, the gangster on base), Gun Molls and Gangsters play punk rock that both sounds and looks good. I for one would like to see more ladies in vintage frocks and perfect 50s up do's playing guitar on tables. 


Taking the stage after the rocking villains was the Atom Notes. The five man band looked as if it might rock right off the tiny stage due to the enthusiastic showmanship of its three guitarists. Nothing wrong with that, and hell, the punk 'n' roll is good. No surprise there, as the band features members from the likes of Manifesto Jukebox, Endstand, Last Calls, Abduktio, Deathbed and Cold Call. This could become a regular weekend starter for me, regardless of future work-to-eyeball ratio.