Hey guys, this is MirceONE and here is a short interview with Laki & Järjestys, the singer Jussi took some time to answer few of our questions. Oi from Finland.
1. Hey guys how are you?
Jussi: We’re fine, thank you. It’s been a nice summer and hot weather still continues. So gotta love it.
2. Congrats for the new material, tell me few things about it.
Jussi: Compared to our first EP songs have gotten a bit more 77’ punk rock vibes but the basis is still stiff Oi! Punk.
Our original idea was to record the album by ourselves and ask our friend to engineer and mix it but then we decided to book the studio and we are very satisfied with how everything went. The recording session was pretty easy and the album sounds perfect.
3. I know that you guys play before in different bands, what is the story of Laki & Järjestys?
Jussi: The roots of Laki & Järjestys extend to the times of more than 10 years ago. We had a project band and we played Oi! for several years. The line-up was more or less the same as this current. Two of the songs in our first EP, Idiootit and Reilua Peliä, were made on those days. Only lyrics were updated. Why did things fade away ten years ago? I moved to Helsinki and we all were busy with other things.
In January 2020 I was hanging in Tavastia, the legendary rock-club in Helsinki, when I got this idea about starting a new band. I went there to see the band Ne Luumäet. It was a Ramones-styled punk band which was a very famous band in Finland in late 80’s and early 90’s. I grew up listening to such bands as Ne Luumäet. They broke up in mid 90’s but since then they’ve played some gigs every once in a while. This gig was supposed to be their last act as a band and Tavastia gig was sold out. I was standing in the crowd and while Luumäet was playing their song “Laki ja järjestys” I said to my friends “Hey listen, this would be the great name for the Oi! band, right?”. Friends agreed. And a couple of days later I asked Pasi, Pietu and Topi to join the band. They all showed the green light. Our first impression was to play stuff like Blitz and all other old-school Oi! bands from Britton.
4. To be honest i do not know many Oi/street punk bands in Finland, tell us few words about the scene over there.
Jussi: Skinhead scene in Finland is small but strong. Unfortunately shaved head and a pair of Marten boots are linked to incidents which took place in the mid 90’s. The group of Neo-Nazis started to call them as skinheads and it caused that the mainstream started to think the word “skinhead” means absolutely that you are beating up immigrants and so on…
About the bands, I’m not sure if there are any other active Oi! bands than Laki & Järjestys and Hats & Caps. Those lads are our very good friends.
5. What are the themes that the band is singing and what is the message?
Jussi: The lyrics deal with unashamed patriotism, the plight of the working class and the deceit of the ruling class, the harsh realities of the streets and people who’ve down on their luck since day one.
I want to underline that we don’t have any political agenda in our songs or as a band. But on the other hand, we don’t mind saying things which might be politically incorrect and most of our songs contain some provocative nuances.
6. Are you guys plan a tour or something small to promote the album? festivals or something similar?
Jussi: Our “tour” starts before the end of August 2022 and we have confirmed gigs in the calendar till the end of January 2023. All those in Finland but we are interested to play abroad. Some negotiations on-going already for the summer 2023.
7. Few words about your influences as a band
Jussi: The biggest musical influences are old Oi! and skinhead bands from England. The first, original idea was to start up the band who would sound like Blitz.
8. A favorite top 10 of your bands ever?
Jussi: I try to make a list of important bands for all four of us, not just my opinion. Cock Sparrer, Blitz, Business, Sex Pistols, Clash, Condemned 84, L.A.M.F., Ratsia, early Klamydia and Exploited, Ramones… And many, many more.
9. Talking about music, name the band that you will want to do a split ep?
Jussi: The Rolling Stones, hah!
10. Where can people follow you or listen/buy your music?
Jussi: Please follow us on Instagram (instagram.com/lakijajarjestys) and Facebook (facebook.com/lakijajarjestys). Our records are widely distributed to distros and stores world-wide but a very easy way to order it is to get it directly from the label Hell’s Tone Records (www.hellstonerecords.com).
Our both releases can be also found from all common streaming platforms. Spotify, Youtube, Apple Music, TikTok, iTunes, Amazon Music…
11. A few words for our few online readers
Jussi: Keep the faith and listen to our new album loud and share the word to everyone.
12. Thank you and hope to see you live soon somewhere. Last things i leave them with you guys. Thanks
Jussi: Thank you for the interview. These kinds of things are very important to us. We hope to see you also.
Thanks to Jussi and Vesku. MirceONE mptyzine – August 2022
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