Tuesday 30/09/03 Personal Aspect @ Night and Day Cafe, Manchester

On paper this band shouldn’t rock: Five classically trained Finnish musicians in the art of cello, violin and piano. On disc, they blow your head off and skin your preconceptions alive. On stage at the Night and Day, you can understand why I’m feeling a tiny bit apprehensive. The front man comes in the rather elfin form of Tumppi Hiedanniemi, wearing a cheeky “I know you’re gonna like me” grin and a twinkle in the eye that says “I’m going to eat your sweets when you’re not looking.” With a voice like an expensive flapjack bar, all husky grit lubricated by sun drenched honey smoothness, its perfectly equipped to handle the band’s rock/punk/grunge diversities.

After a steaming anthemic start with 'Hereafter', it cools into a powerfully soft vocal occasionally bursting at the seams and oozing out a guttural growl. But just when you are nice and relaxed, the chorus plucks you from the crowd, slaps you around the cheeks, hurls you into the wall before leaving you with barely enough time to compose yourself for the next one. Dripping with sweat and attitude, 'Say What You Say' is an ode to freaks and hair raising high notes as Hiedanniemi stands Jesus-like, arms aloft, inviting the band, the crowd, the bar staff and any stray dogs trotting past to damn well come and worship at this now designated alter of rock n roll! Creepy closer 'Let’s Sing' sees bassist Janne’s androgynously edgy vocal lodge itself in your spine, until brother Tumppi wrestles the microphone away, galloping off into a cascading chorus. Meanwhile, the remainder of the band proceed to be swallowed by their instruments, spat out at various points across the stage and collapse in an exhausted heap. While Scandinavian acts such as The Ravonettes, The Hives, The Cardigans and Royksopp have been breaking the market (and incredible standards set by A-ha and Aqua), Finland has been relatively quiet. Not any more.

Photo by Kati Nurmi