Interviews

Interview with Timo.


Where was your most memorable concert; what made it memorable? Were there any memorable fans; if so, what made them so?

Have to mention two gigs: first one was supporting W.A.S.P in Tampere last autumn..we all are huge 80`s glam-hair-horror-metal fans, so warming up for Blackie and the boys simply was breath- takingly cool. The second one to remember was shortly after that W.A.S.P. –gig, in November 2004 at Club Arktika in St. Petersburg, Russia. We have a very intense following (for some mystic reason) in Russia and this particular gig was so perfect. Sold-out club (more people than Soulfly (yep, THAT Soulfly) did have one month earlier ) full of mad and enthusiastic fans..I think all rock bands should play a gig in Russia, so that they would know what a intimate and full-of-passion concert is like!

What’s the worst thing that happened to you while performing?

Hmmm…in Downfall era it`s just boring broken string, but in my early days with a punk-rock band called Public Enema, I had to leave the stage once `coz I felt a sudden desire to throw up…not because of any abuse of liquor but because of the sheer excitement! What a rockstar I am…


What made you want to join/ start up the band, Downfall? Were there any bands you've joined in the past that you regret ever joining?

I formed Downfall with our ex-drummer Kalle..we just wanted to start a band that would play heavy and aggressive music just the way we liked it to be. I have played bass and guitar sice I was twelve years old, so I think it`s just natural and logic progress to form bands along the way. No regrets whatsoever…all things I have done in my musical life have served some purpose. The basic thing is just the desire to play your own music.


What do you want people to gain from listening to your music?

It`s something I cannot decide or affect on…I hope that people would feel good listening to our songs…and I mean GOOD…excited, comfortable, reckless, wild, irresponsible and absolutely mad! Of course if they would gain a higher level of self-consciousness and inner purity, that would be fine…but I seriously doubt that..


Which Downfall song has had the most affect on you and the band? And is there a story behind it; if so what?

Have to say that “Dark Parade” would be that song…no story, nothing special. It`s just the song that justifies the existence of our debut album. Of course the situation has changed lately because of the new songs, but as they are not yet reachable for anybody outside the band, I refuse to say nothing more…you all have to wait and see!


Where do you see yourself and the band in 5 years from now?

Hopefully throwing gigs around the globe…more seriously, it would be great to gain a wider audience and be able to do this we love so much, playing LOUD music.


If you were not in this band, where and what do you think you'd be doing?

I`d be….me! Without the music, of course…and that is something totally else..Now, who wants to ask a question like that?And even worse…who wants to know the answer?

Use one word to describe yourself?

Unbelievablycomplexpersonwithanobsessiontomakemusic. (See, here in Finland we bind all words together in order to spare both space and time… )

What always gets you into trouble?

My build-in will to trust in everyone`s good purpose.


What cartoon character do you see yourself as?

Fred Flintstone.


Now something you wish to share with all your lady fans *wink*?

My opinions about the global politics and the state of the education in global scale… Since I don`t have any female fans, I don`t know how to treat `em…