If you've ever gone to a punk show, then obviously you've seen the vast amount of patches, band shirts, painted logos on jackets of the 'punx' etc. Growing up over the years, i always took notice of these things as it seemed like a great way to find out all these unknown bands or get a clue on what i should be listening to. Most of the time, i found out about some pretty cool groups, sometimes not, but when you keep seeing the same band name over and over again on people who's musical tastes you respect, then you must think that they're hip to something that you aren't. It was a couple years ago that i started to notice a select few people branding themselves with Lama patches and pins and given the people who were doing so, i decided that this was probably a band i needed to check out.
From the moment i started listening to that first single of their's, i was speechless. This was THEE band, this was punk rock in it's truest form...even if i didn't quite know what these angry young finnish lads were yelling about. I proceeded to download everything i could by them and the 4 Lama singles and lp essentially became my new soundtrack on my ipod when i left the house and on my computer when i couldn't be bothered to flip the record on my turntable. The scream at the beginning of Totuus Loytyy Kaurapuurosta packs such a punch that you're totally out of it by the time the drummer starts beating the living shit out of hit kit and the guitars and bass carry you into some of the most tuneful / primitive straight Finnish punk that doesn't get to thrash speed. It's dirty, but between the melody and gang vocals on the chorus, you just know that these boys are doing something on the next level, especially for their time. But it doesn't stop there, because from song to song, record to record, year to year Lama continues to blow everyone else and everything out of the water. But the one thing that i really love about the band and the one thing that keeps me hooked on these songs is just how much variety and cool shit they throw into the writing pot for songs. There's so many cool stops/starts, weird little drum fills, bass lines, vocal patterns, guitar work etc. and it all just fits together to work and deliver like no other band can. I can't believe for a second that someone who knows a thing or two about punk would disagree with any of these.
If you look at most high end collectors want lists (especially in north america) you'll notice that a large number of folks are understandably looking for these records. Like most records that were released in places like Europe and Japan, the chances of finding these in a local shop are slim to nil, so if you really want to track this stuff down you either need to find yourself someone in the home country of the band OR wait for your want list items to make it onto eBag and bite the bullet on shelling out the cash. Unfortunately, while most records at least make one or two appearances on the online market a year, the Lama singles and lp are still pretty uncommon and hardly ever show up for auction, thus making these records even that much trickier to acquire. I know this because the 4 singles and lp have been at the top of my want list for quite sometime now and after seeking them out for a few years and sending out countless emails, i finally had a stroke of dumb luck with a fellow from Finland (who sold me this particular single) and a guy from Japan (who sold me the just as fine 2nd single, Nimeton, also released on Johanna). It just goes to show you that with a little persistence, your efforts do pay off in the end and i can certainly say that these are without a doubt among my favorites of my collection. The thin pocket sleeves and crewd artwork accompany the music so well. Plus, i always make sure that my stereo is cranked to 11 while listening. There's just no other way.
I'll cap things off by saying that if you haven't heard some of these tunes, my good chum Peter at http://www.kbdrecords.com/ has the songs from the first 3 singles posted for your listening pleasure. Also, i'm still in need of the 3rd and 4th singles so if you can lend a hand, get in touch. PASKAA PASKAA PASKAA!
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