Biography
SUBURBAN TRIBE, mentored by bass player Janne Joutsenniemi, is a familiar force on the Finnish Rock scene and the national charts despite a reluctance to be pigeonholed into any specific genre. Joutsenniemi, a prominent figure having already made his name with STONE, has also carved out a parallel career as an in demand producer. Joutsenniemi united with AIRDASH guitarist Roope Sirén and drummer Alec Hirst-Gee in mid 1992 to hack out cover versions in a garage, this session acting as a catalyst for the band. Vocalist Ville Tuomi made up the numbers but that December Tuomi exited to head up KYYRIA and Jouni Markkanen took over his place. In later years Tuomi guested on AMORPHIS' 'Karellian Isthmus' and 'Tales From A Thousand Lakes' hit albums, taking his studio roll further when he was invited to join their touring entourage.
Zen Garden Records issued the debut SUBURBAN TRIBE (then billed as SUB-URBAN TRIBE) product, and the inaugual outing for the label, with the 'Primitive' album in February 1994. Second album 'Purity' followed in September 1995. A 1997 collaboration with well known Finnish musician DON HUONOT resulting in the single 'Sirkuksessa' ("In The Circus"). The accompanying promotional film clip for this song won SUBURBAN TRIBE the 'Best Rock Video' award that year.
The album 'Panorama' was promoted on the road with the onstage addition of H.I.M. keyboard player Emerson Burton (a.k.a. Janne Johannes Purttinen). The group then split from Zen Garden, the label delivering a farewell compilation including a clutch of cover versions including DAVID BOWIE's 'Life On Mars', the BEASTIE BOYS 'Sabotage', BLUES SECTION's 'Answer To Life' and THE DOORS 'Not To Touch The Earth'.
Spinefarm Records put out the 'Elektro 57' album in October 1998 but following touring into 1999 the group took a break. During this downtime both Jouni Markkanen and Emerson Burton, the latter hooking up with TORPEDO and subsequently H.I.M. once again, left the band
The group re-drafted singer Ville Tuomi and the self-titled October 2001 album gave SUBURBAN TRIBE its biggest success in the charts as the 'Frozen Ashes' single scaled the Finnish charts to the coveted number 1 position. Beforehand, SUBURBAN TRIBE toured Germany alongside OOMPH! In September. They capitalised on this success in Europe with a further German trek, this time flanking D.A.D. In downtime, Alec Hirst-Gee, in the role of lead singer, assembled a retro Thrash outfit DIVINE DECAY in union with HYBRID CHILDREN guitarist Paul, AM I BLOOD bass player Toni Grönros and H.I.M. credited drummer Pätkä (a.k.a. Juhana Rantala) to issue the 'Maximize The Misery' album.
January 2004's Nu-Metal edged 'Manimal' only saw a Scandinavian release, just falling short of the top spot in their homeland. For live work the group augmented their sound with the addition of second guitarist Euge Valovirta, a scene veteran holding ties to WALTARI, GODSPLAGUE, LULLACRY, THE BLACK LEAGUE, LENINGRAD COWBOYS and DRIVE.
During September 2004 Janne Joutsenniemi took to the road in Finland with LORDS OF THUNDER, a covers band comprising top flight Metal musicians such as Esa Holopainen and Santeri Kallio of AMORPHIS, Atte Sarkama from VERENPISARA plus Mikko Herranen of VELCRA and RUST. The industrious Alec Hirst-Gee also took on session bass duties briefly for THE SCOURGER.
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