 |
ApulantaFinnish rock band
Country:
 Finland |
Content:
Biography of Apulanta
The Finnish rock band Apulanta was formed in 1991 when its members were still teenagers, aged 15-17. Initially exploring different genres of rock music such as punk, ska, and metal, Apulanta eventually developed their own style that is well-suited for radio charts, although the band continues to experiment with new sounds. Their recent songs often combine melodic and catchy choruses with heavy guitar riffs. Despite primarily writing songs in their native language, Apulanta has gained popularity in Europe, with reviews praising their music even if the listeners don't understand the lyrics.
The Breakthrough
Apulanta's breakthrough came in 1996 with the release of the song "Mitä kuuluu" from their mini-album "Hajonnut" and the single "Anna mulle piiskaa". Both tracks quickly topped the Finnish charts, establishing the band as one of the most successful rock groups in Finland. The single "Teit meistä kauniin" is considered one of the best-selling singles in Finnish music history, and their 2006 release "Koneeseen kadonnut" was exceptionally successful. Over the years, Apulanta has released 10 studio albums, with 8 reaching the top of the Finnish charts, as well as 28 singles and EPs, 16 of which reached the top of the charts.
Awards and Recognition
Despite their commercial success, Apulanta has not received any Finnish music awards such as the Grammy due to their record label, "Levy-yhtiö," not being a member of ÄKT, the local branch of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). However, their DVD "Kesäaine" was nominated for the "Best Music DVD" category at the 2006 Emma Awards. The band's music is known for its energetic performances, and they have held numerous themed concerts wearing costumes and setting up corresponding stage decorations. Some of these performances have been quite shocking, such as lead vocalist and guitarist Toni Wirtanen wearing women's lingerie and Tuukka Temonen wearing polyvinyl chloride pants.
Current Lineup and Recent Album
As of now, Apulanta consists of the original members Toni Wirtanen (lead vocalist and guitarist) and Simo Santapukki (drummer), along with bassist Sami Lehtinen, replacing the previous bassist Tuukka Temonen. The band is known for their unusual relationship with their fans. They have fulfilled fan requests, such as performing a cover version of "Blitzkrieg Bop" by The Ramones, and lead vocalist Wirtanen once distributed ice cream to fans before a concert in Helsinki. In 2006, they even allowed a fan from the United States to work on their tour as the fan saw it as a great addition to their college application. Apulanta's latest album, "Kuutio (Kuinka Aurinko Voitettiin)", their tenth release, was launched in November 2008.
