DEAD LETTERS

THE NEW ALBUM BY THE RASMUS

With the band’s fifth album Dead Letters, The Rasmus from Helsinki, Finland have reached a new level of major success. First single off Dead Letters was major hit In the Shadows, released in early 2003 in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the Baltic countries. The single and the album went straight to #1 in Finland, and In the Shadows reached #2 in Sweden, becoming one of the most aired songs on the radio and MTV in Scandinavia. When Dead Letters was licensed to Motor Music/Universal in Berlin, things happened fast and in August the album climbed to #1 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, followed by touring and numerous promotion visits.

The Rasmus’ album Dead Letters is produced in Stockholm by Mikael Nord Andersson and Martin Hansen.

The music is best described as melodic and melancholic rock, with powerful guitars and a voice that is beautiful, powerful and soaring.

The previous album, Into, took The Rasmus to superstar status in Finland, with double platinum sales, and the band received four Finnish Grammy Awards. The singles F-F-F-Falling, Chill and Heartbreaker/Days (double a-side) were all major hits in the home country.

The Rasmus have toured all over Scandinavia several times, both on their own as well as supporting bands such as HIM and Roxette in major arenas.

Their previous album Into was released in several countries throughout Scandinavia, the Baltic States, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Greece and Italy.

More info on the website www.therasmus.com

                                                                                         DEAD LETTERS BIOGRAPHY 2003

"When you sit on a tour bus smelling like hell, telling the worst jokes and still feeling comfortable, you know you're in the right place - on tour with the Rasmus."

A cold winter day nine years ago The Rasmus stepped on stage together as a band for the very first time at their high school in Helsinki, the capitol of Finland. Now one of Finland's most respected bands, little did these guys know then that almost ten years later they would have sold gold and platinum records, received the Finnish Grammy Award in all major categories, topped the charts in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and have a following of hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic fans.

NEW ALBUM ‘DEAD LETTERS’

The first single off Dead Letters was major hit In the Shadows, released in early 2003 in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the Baltic countries. The single and the album went straight to #1 in Finland, and In the Shadows reached #2 in Sweden, becoming one of the most aired songs on the radio and MTV in Scandinavia. When Dead Letters was licensed to Motor Music/Universal in Berlin, things happened fast and in August the album climbed to #1 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, followed by touring and numerous promotion visits.

Each song on Dead Letters is a letter to somebody, Lauri explains. "It could be an apology, confession or cry out for help". The album was recorded at Nord Studios in Stockholm with producers Mikael Nord Anderson and Martin Hansen, who also worked with the band on the previous success album Into. Nord Studios is part of a studio complex housing movie and TV production, and The Rasmus had lunch with actors and crews everyday. The studio is packed with vintage technology, old amplifiers and tube compressors as well as instruments dating back from the times when movies did not yet have sound. During the making of Dead Letters, the band used the best from the old and the new technology, recording the basic tracks on analogue tapes and transferred to the computers for overdubs and treatments. "Martin and Micke made me smoke more cigarettes if my voice didn't sound rough enough" Laury says with a wink.

In between recording sessions the band members kept busy playing TV games such as Tony Hawk and Grand Theft Auto 2. At night, they often took the opportunity to check out the current rock scene of Stockholm and club Debaser became a second home for Lauri.

Scandinavian nature, with its silent, open, vast landscape and the infamous Nordic light was a significant source of inspiration for the band during the making of the album.

"When I get a chance to go out on the countryside, I love to just sit and watch the sun going down and listen to the silence, alone in a boat on a lake" says Lauri.

IN THE BEGINNING. . . .

The four high school friends made the conclusion that the music scene in Finland sucked – that is, the English language part of it - and needed a change or at least a fresh approach.

In 1996, The Rasmus made a strong debut with full length album Peep which rapidly sold gold. The timing was obviously right for this new generation of rock bands and The Rasmus took the listening audience and reviewers by storm. At the sprouting age of sixteen, the band had quickly reached their goal and the dream of rock stardom became a reality.

"We were really just kids let loose on a playground", singer Lauri remembers.  The band passed the gruelling limit of playing over a hundred gigs in one year's time. Shortly after, the band went back into the studio to record their second album Playboys. Once again selling gold, The Rasmus now had established themselves as a household name in Finland. They received their first Finnish Grammy (called Emma in Finnish) in the Best New Act category. The beat of success built momentum and The Rasmus got the opportunity to support shows with bands like Rancid, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Garbage in Finland. An extremely prolific and productive band, it only took until 1999 for The Rasmus' third album Hellofatester to be released and first single Liquid was voted Best Single of the Year by both critics and fans.

MAJOR BREAKTRHOUGH ON NEW RECORD LABEL

In 2001, The Rasmus definitely were ready for a major breakthrough.  Now signed to Playground Music Scandinavia of Stockholm, Sweden, the band had a huge hit with single F-F-F-Falling. "We were so nervous about that song”, the band remembers. “It was obviously a hit or a flop”. A flop it was not! Shooting straight to number one on the charts, the single sold platinum and became the biggest hit of the year in Finland. The album Into was released a couple months later and has sold over 70 000 copies to date, which is well over double platinum! The success lead to the band performing at every major music festival in Finland that year.

Up to this point, any international exposure had been minimal. With great story building in Finland,

The Rasmus went abroad to support acts like HIM, Roxette and Spanish rockband Dover in Germany, Scandinavia and Latvia. The band travelled Europe, made TV performances and interviews with the European music press and things started to happen. The band recorded a live acoustic show on Viva TV only to quickly head over to Finland for the Finnish Grammy Award show, performed one song and swept all the major categories in Best Band, Best Single (F-F-F-Falling), Best Rock/Pop Act and Album of the Year. The success was an actuality. The Rasmus went on to record Dead Letters.

THE BAND

Energetic, agitated and powerful are three words describing The Rasmus the best.  Lauri, whose voice is full of fire and soaring beauty, is a singer also acknowledged as one of the leading composers of Finland today.

"My lyrics are always personal and every word has a meaning that reminds me of something that's happened", he expresses.

An excellent guitarist, Pauli is also a recognized producer (Producer of the Year at the Finnish Grammy Award 2001) and has created number one hits for other Finnish bands like Killer and Kwan. "The best advice I've been given is that if you have knowledge, share it" Pauli says of his producing.

Drummer Aki used to be in charge of selling merchandise at the band's shows and joined The Rasmus  1999. "Pauli asked me to join after jamming together. Which is great, because I pretty much suck at everything else but playing the drums", Aki laughs sarcastically.

Eero plays the bass and is the most serene guy in the band. Finding strength in meditation and music, the soulful Rasmus member explains: "Sahaja yoga gives me a peace of mind".

The Rasmus play rock, but every song has a strong melody flavored with a catchy chorus. Dead Letters moves you with its raw yet warm sound. "The album is darker, moodier and dreamier than anything we've done before", Eero (bass) concludes.  

THE RASMUS BRIEF Q & A

Your first musical memory?

Lauri: My parents listened to The Beatles and Abba. As a youngster, my favorites were Mцtley Crue and Extreme (which I hate these days!)

Eero: James Brown's album Dead On The Heavy Funk. I used to listen to all my dad's vinyl records.

Aki: Finnish folk music programs that came on telly in the 80's.

Pauli: Playing Itsy bitsy spider on the guitar with my dad.

Things that ease your mind?

Lauri: Northern lights, ocean, diving, slow music. My life is usually very hectic, so I also like to travel alone to some faraway country.

Eero: Meditation, Sahaja yoga.

Aki: Being next to someone I love.

Pauli: Sleep.

A magical moment?

Lauri: Rainy nights in our tour bus. When I am tired or sad I find it almost magical.

Eero: At five am fishing with my brother on a calm lake.

Aki: When two people share pure love for one another. The moments when you feel that everything's ok.

Pauli: Gigs and writing new songs.

What is the best advice you have been given?

Lauri: Travel the world.

Eero: Be quiet and know yourself.

Aki: Good always wins over evil!

Pauli: If you have knowledge, share it!

The key to happiness?

Lauri: Diligence, humbleness and always thinking about other people’s feelings as well.

Eero: Knowing yourself and your problems.

Aki: Knowing yourself.

Pauli: Openness.

THE RASMUS HIGHLIGHTS:

·                  December 1994 - Rasmus form at school and play their first show.

·                  December 1995 - Release first single “1st.” on independent label, Teja G. Records.

·                  February 1996 - Sign to Warner Finland.

·                  May 1996 - Release first album “Peep”, which goes Gold.

·                  1996 - Play over 100 shows, including festivals in Finland, Russia and Estonia.

·                  May 1997 - Release single “Blue”, which goes Gold.

·                  August 1997 - Release second album “Playboys”, which goes also Gold.

·                  August 1997 – Appearance on multi band event at Helsinki Olympic Stadium to 40,000 people and a nationwide TV audience.

·                  1997 - Play over 100 shows including festivals and clubs supporting Rancid and Dog Eat Dog.

·                  1997 – Win Finnish Grammy Award as Best New Act of 1996.

·                  September 1998 - Release “Liquid” single – the video goes on MTV Nordic Top 40.

·                  December 1998 – “Liquid” voted best song of 1998 by critics and fans.

·                  February 1999 - Support Garbage at Helsinki Ice Hall to 4,000 people.

·                  April 1999 - Tour of 6 shows of Ice Halls headlining a multiple bill.

·                  1999 - Play over 80 shows and festivals in Finland.

·                  August 1999 – “Liquid” wins award at Finnish Music Video Festival.

·                  October 1999 - Rasmus support Red Hot Chili Peppers for 2 shows at Helsinki Ice Hockey Stadium - capacity 12,000 per night.

•           April 2000 - Rasmus becomes The Rasmus and signs to Playground Music Scandinavia.
•           May 2000 – The new album is recorded in Stockholm.
•           December 2000 – January 2001 mixing in Stockholm.
•           February 2001 – The Rasmus release the single “F-F-F-Falling” in Finland. It stays Number 1 in the Finnish sales charts for three months, and sells Gold in May.
•           March 2001 – The Rasmus release the album “Into” in Finland. It goes Number One and sells Gold in May.
•           April 2001 – The Rasmus tour Sweden, Denmark, Norway and do TV and promotion.
•           May 2001 – The album Into is released in Denmark.
•           May, June, July, August 2001 – The Rasmus tour Finland and do EVERY festival there.
•           June 2001 – The single “Chill” is released all over Scandinavia. It goes straight to Number 2 in the Finnish Sales Charts.
•           August 2001 –The Rasmus play in Hamburg and Cologne.
•           August 2001 – The single “Madness” is released in Finland.
•           September 2001 – The album “Into” is released in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
•           October 2001 – The album “Into” is released in Sweden and Norway. The Rasmus tour with HIM in Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
•           November 2001 – “Into” released in Spain, France and Italy.
•           November 2001 – The Rasmus support Roxette on 5 dates in Estonia, Finland and Sweden.
•           February/March 2002 – two week tour in Germany with Spanish rock band Dover. Sold out – lots of good reviews.
•           March 2002 – The Rasmus win four Finnish Grammys. Best Group, Best pop/rock Album, Best Album and Best Song (F-F-F-Falling).
•           March 2002 – Showcase in hamburg for VIP media and radio. Raving response.
•           March 2002 – The single “Heartbreaker/Days” is released. It enters the charts at #2 and climbs to #1 after one week. Massive airplay.
•           June – December 2002 - Recordings for the new album "Dead Letters" done in Nord Studios, Stockholm.
•           January 2003 - The single "In The Shadows" is released January 10^th in Finland. It goes straight to #1 in the singles chart.
•           January 2003 - The movie Bad Boys (Pahat Pojat) opens in Finland. The Rasmus contributes with the theme song "In The Shadows".
•           February 2003 – The album “Dead Letters” is released in Finland. Pre-sold in Gold quantaties.
•           June 2003 – The single In The Shadows sells Gold in Sweden
• August 2003 – In The Shadows and Dead Letters are both #1 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.