Calle: The band started in 2002. How did you guys meet?
Sam: Well...me and Juha played in another band in that time and wanted to start a project band with some cover songs and some stuff that wasn't fitting in with the “main” band. Juha brought Miki along and that was basically the start of it. We knew Annabella earlier and noticed that she was “between” bands and we asked her to join the Vanity team. Jussi actually came to see our show in 2007. He was free and we needed someone suitable to replace our temporary gig axe man. A long story short....really short.
Calle: What got you into music in the first place?
Sam: I was about 10 years old when I heard a Finnish rock band called Hurriganes...the song I think was actually “Get on”. Then I knew what I wanted to do.
Miki: For me it was probably Mötley Crüe and Shout At The Devil album – with a gatefold sleeve. Oooohhhhh yeeeaahhh!
Jussi: In our hood it was music or sports. Luckily I teamed up with right guys then.
Bandit: My big sister´s vinyls.
Calle: Who are your biggest influences?
Sam: There is a whole bunch of influences. Lots of names from the 60's to the 80's. Can't really name anyone specific since if I start bringing the names the list would take a loooooonnng time...
Miki: Life. In all its forms. Good and bad. :)
Calle: Name 3 “older” bands and 3 “newer” bands you can recommend?
Miki: This is a hard one. Too hard for me... Anyone willing to help?
Jussi: I think we still need help..though I’m young I listen to old music..I just can say Guns. Someone please continue..
Sam: Ok. Old ones first...AC/DC, Black Sabbath (Dio years) and David Bowie in the time of Ziggy Stardust. And the the newer bands: Hardcore Superstar, Within Temptation and Vanity Ink.
Bandit: Chuck Berry, Stray Cats, Runaways vs Buckcherry, Backyard Babies and let´s name a gang of Italian friends of ours who share the same record company with us Cherry Lips.
Sam: Played in different bands trying to find the right combination of people. This could be it.
Miki: Pretty much same thing with me.
Jussi: Realizing with which kinda people I DON’T wanna play with.
Bandit: Exactly and searching for the guys who eventually joined Vanity Ink.
Calle: How would you describe your music to people who haven’t heard Vanity Ink yet?
Sam: Well...street rock with echoes of punk, pop and sometimes maybe a bit heavier tunes. Maybe this link is the best way to introduce Vanity Ink: http://www.myspace.com/vanityink
Bandit: Everyone should see us live because that´s what this band is all about. Everybody move everybody get hurt!
Sam: Some just loved it and some loved to hate it.
Miki: Well, the fans loved it... and some critics hated it. But that’s the way it goes. I don’t even wanna please critics.
Sam: I guess the Swedes do have an ear for good rock and roll music. And of course
Jussi: Nothing to add.
Calle: What can people expect from the new record?
Sam: Kick ass rock'n'roll with great melodies.
Miki: ‘Nuff said.
Calle: What are your own favorite songs from the new album?
Sam: Umm...hmm...tends to vary a bit but maybe “Smell The Party, Rolling Stones and Breathe” at the moment.
Miki: I have to say “Oh Sue”. Great story and a kick ass tune!
Jussi: “Versus”. That’s how it goes in here..All against all!
Bandit: I have to add “Everybodymoveeverybodygethurt” because it almost got dropped out of the album. Luckily it didn´t. And “Let´s Go Down”is one of my faves too.
Sam: Black Sabbath: Mob Rules. Great riff and melodies but really mean at the same time.
Miki: Maybe I would pick a song that was a huge hit. The money comes pouring in... :)
Jussi: Can’t say one song..but an album..Appetite for destruction by Guns N’ Roses. It’s just SO good, and yeah, I think it has sold pretty well as well?! ;)
Bandit: When I first heard the album By the Grace of God by the Hellacopters my first reaction was they stole all my riffs and ideas I had spared for future songs. Even though we´re not that garage but still. Those bastards!
Calle: Vanity Ink is from
Sam: Maybe this says all....I've been told that
Calle: What can people expect if they go see Vanity Ink live?
Sam: Good, energetic show, sweat...yes, blood....accidents happen, tears...no. This is fun stuff and we are not afraid to show it.
Jussi: Sex...it’s in the air..
Bandit: Everybodymoveeverybodygethurt. Get it or get out!
Sam: There has been some talk of coming to
Miki: Fingers crossed...
Jussi: Put ya Carlsbergs into the cold!
Bandit: Save some Tuborg for me thank you very much.
Calle: What’s the most fun memory from being on tour? Is their one special thing that stands out?
Miki: It’s impossible to name one thing... we’re having a blast all the time and pretty much anything can happen – and usually does.
Jussi: One morning in
Bandit: First he bakes huge turds and then he wakes up! Maybe our first visit to
Calle: If you get the chance to open for “big” rock band, who would you like that to be?
Sam: Hmm...AC/DC would be nice.
Miki: We play anywhere anytime with anyone.
Bandit: I´d like to kick Joan Jett´s ass!
Miki: Whaaatt? Did you say ´lick´? Me too!
Calle: If you could put together your dream band (not including members of Vanity Ink), who would be in it?
Bandit: Derek Albion Smalls,
Miki: And the exploding drummer!
Miki: senseless random behaviour
Sam: control alt delete
Annabella: yahoo more chaos / lady lost shoes
Juha: true rock’n’roll indian
Jussi: secondhand sleepyhead spritz
Sam: Doing the same but hopefully in bigger venues.
Bandit: Fuck, what if the beard starts to grow? For Annabella for instance.
Calle: What’s the best advice you can give to up-coming bands?
Sam: Let's be careful out there. But not too careful.
Miki: Use a condom.
Bandit: Buy longer guitar straps and never care about anyone´s opinion. Short straps just look stupid, that´s not even an opinion.
And now some questions outside Vanity Ink’s music:
Calle: What was the first CD/LP you ever purchased?
Sam: AC/DC: Fly On The Wall (probably)
Miki: Not sure; it’s either Iron Maiden: Piece of Mind, Motörhead: Iron Fist or Mötley Crüe: Shout at the Devil.
Jussi: Guns’n Roses: Appetite for destruction.
Bandit: Must have been some Dingo or Hanoi Rocks album.
Calle: What is the latest CD you bought?
Sam: Heaven And Hell: The Devil You Know
Miki: I don’t buy cds but the latest one I got is the new 69 Eyes album.
Jussi: It was a bunch of records I found from a second hand store..At least Roxette’s Look sharp and Joyride were there..
Bandit: Miki do buy cds by the way, he just wants to act like a true vinyl guru. The missing Stone Temple Pilots cds from a second hand store.
Miki: Bandit is wrong. I do NOT buy cds. People give them to me. And you should too!
Calle: What do you do when you’re not playing music?
Sam: I play with myself.
Miki: I’m in a bar.
Jussi: Laying low in an armchair.
Bandit: I´m most likely joining Miki.
Calle: What’s your favorite drink?
Sam: Jallukola (¼ cognac, ¾ bright spirits and some cola on top of that)
Miki: Free alcohol.
Jussi: Sweet companion of cranberry juice and vodka. Or cranberry long drink.
Bandit: The first of the day.
Calle: Do any of you have another education?
Sam: Yes, we do.
Jussi: Long terms in a school of life.
Calle: Name one thing that only Finnish people have or do?
Sam: Well, I must refer to a place called Sauna. Finns are the only that take off all of their clothes, go to a hot, steamy cabin and start hitting themselves with fresh birch branches. You could do this with your friends or with someone you just met.
Jussi: And if u wanna do it in the hardcore way, in a wintertime you make a hole into a frozen lake and take a plunge. Good for your heart they say.
Calle: If I say
Sam: Eh....Lars, sandwiches and Volbeat. Not sure which was first.
Miki: Danish Dynamite! Your great soccer team that won the European Championship in... was it 1992?
Jussi: Lars, Carlsberg and D-A-D. Not in particular order.
Calle: Do you have any last words for the fans?
Sam: Rock'n'roll is not a lifestyle. It's a bloodtype!
