Filed under: Finland
MELLAKKA-Ei (Ei Ei levyt records) 1984
Mellakka was formed in a small Finnish coast/industrial town called Rauma in year 1983. At that time the future members of the band were spending time together listening punk rock. Bands like the Ramones, Sex Pistols, U.k. Subs and Lama were the first big names, but the final kick for forming a punk band, came, when the guys got a hold of discharge’s Hear Nothing See nothing Say nothin LP and WHy? Ep. That was the time when the first Propaganda compilation album was released too, the new finnish HC punk bands on that record, like Riistetyt, Kaaos, Terveet Kadet all sounded awesome. After getting their hands on some equipments, the guys started to practise in Jappe’s parents garage. After practising for a while, the band was named Mellakka, and the first real line up was Pete-voc, Kapulainen-bass, Janne-guitar, Jappe-drums.
The band was ready to make its first gigs, and did, but quite soon the vocalist Pete left the band, and joined the other HC band in Rauma punk scene, Pohjasakka, as an bass player. In the meantime, Jappe met yet an other bass player called Holkka. Kapulainen was ready to sing and Holkka naturally took the job of playing the bass. This change seemed to work, and the band sounded much better than before. Soon Mellakka had enough new songs and it was time to visit the studio. The first EI ep, was published in autumn ‘84 by the guys themselves. The musical influences of the band can be spotted on the record. There was some disappoinments after finishing the ep, it didnt sound no where near as great as Hear nothing, but at the end of the day the guys had to be more than pleased with the result. The line-up for the EI ep was Kapulainen-voc, Janne-guitar, Jappe-drums, Holkka- bass. The guitarist Janne left the band right after the EP was released. Luckily there was a help near by. A guitarist named Perttula, was digging the Ei ep, hard, and was more than happy to join the group.
The band continued to practise, made some new songs. Soon it was time to hit the studio for the second time. ITSENAISYYSPAIVA EP January ‘85 was made for Rat Poison records run by Mr P. Jarvelainen. Rat Poison published other punk/hc music too at that time, bands like Kuolleet Kukat. After visiting one praccy session and hearing the new songs, Jarvelainen reserved new studio time for the band. Only 2 weeks before that, the singer Kapulainen had enough, threw the mic to the floor saying “FYA, i never gonna sing a goddamn note again”, and just like that, it was over for him. Gotta respect that. Well anyways, the band was in trouble, new singers didnt grow on trees as they say. In desperation the guys even called to Mike Poison, who is/was known for singing for the great hc-band called DESTRUCKTIONS. He promised to visit to the studio, to see what can be done, but didnt sound TOO excited…It was getting clearer and clearer that only one man can do this job… From JAPPE and PERTTULA, 2004
********read more about their history HERE
Another example of why Finnish hardcore rules. There where so many great bands from this era, it hard to keep up. I’m no expert when it comes to Finland or their music scene, but I know GREAT records when I hear them and these stand among the best. Both these 7″ plus some unreleased material just got issued on CD not too long ago and is worth your hard earned money- try HERE for more info.
Tracks
Oikeus valita
Traditio
Ei oi keutta
Ei valtaa
Tuhoon tuomitty
Syullinen
MELLAKKA-Itsenaisyyspaiva (Rat Poison) 1985
Tracks
Kiitollinen kansalainen
R.i.p.
Musta valtakunta
Kirous
Itsenaisyyspaiva
What is it about the fierce sounds of MELLAKKA that makes a couple young ladies go crazy while witnessing the band live??? Check out the picture below!
Posted by: SurlyOldPunk
They’re surely among the greatest finnish bands from that era no doubt! Nice to know a bit more about their history.
Brazilian scene from the 80’s were very influenced and inspired by finninsh bands as sure as finnish punks used to appreciate brazilian bands too.
Old times won’t get back, but that spirit remains…
Great posts, congratulations to SurlyOld!!!
Love that pic of the 2 chicks making out! Thanks for including it!
That picture is fucking amazing. :-) music not too shabby either.
Great band/records… but who doesn’t know Mellakka here ?
Great post, this band sounds great.
fucking finnish punx!!!
I have a first pressing of the Ei… EP up on eBay ending in less than 12 hours. Currently at $50:
eBay item #180081753825
fucking brilliant stuff…. among my favorite finnnish bands… which include appendix and tampere ss as well
fuken sick ass shit…… we need more bands like this