Live @ Nosturi / Helsinki, Finland
Once again... I MUST thank everybody who donated money. [PS. Once again... especially Shulim.]
I'll skip everything up until the show, etc. If you really want to know about my plane trips and the rest of my [very short] stay in Finland... you can just ask me :).
We arrive at the venue and from the outside it looks like some type of factory or something. I go inside and the main entrance is kind of ghetto :), but perfectly fine [By the by, the security guard didn't search me! Or any of the people I was with! That generally wouldn't fly in the states.] I look at the Apulanta merch table right away and think that the girl behind the table must be Tanja, but I'm not going to ask her about meeting Apulanta until a bit later... so I check in my sweatshirt and jacket and then we all head upstairs to the "core".
The place reminded me of a ridiculous mix of Roseland Ballroom and Irving Plaza, but more specifically Irving Plaza. It was almost identical to Irving Plaza except that it was a bit wider and shorter in length. It had a balcony, but the balcony didn't go all the way around like in Irving Plaza... it just went around from the left side to the back [like in Roseland].There was a bar at the back like in both Roseland and Irving.
Ratas is already on stage. They really weren't that bad. I may have enjoyed them more if I knew their songs, but I kind of felt like I just wasn't getting anything out of the music... like there just wasn't enough emotion [or talent :)], but there was a good beat and a couple songs I thought were worth staying for.
Leo was ridiculously correct when he said there would be a lot of [as they call] "punk babies" (Basically all the elementary, middle, and maybe early high school who show up and dress "punk" and then jump up and down... though jumping up and down is the protocol.) We decided maybe we should go to Tanja now, because earlier Leo said that they tend to get tired after the show etc.
So! We do! I tell Tanja it's me and she shakes my hand and tells me itäs nice to meet me and that she'd like to hook me up with Apulanta. She asks if I was there earlier when Toni (the lead singer) was handing out promised ice cream to fans [Haha :D] and I said no (because I was at Leo's place playing 4-player Superbomber Man). So she then says to hold on because she's going to call them. And [in Finnish] she says "The American boy is here..." :) Haha. She tells me that they're all scattered and around and that after the show would be better. She tells me I should wait by the backstage area, even though I won't be let in due to lack of backstage pass, but Toni should come "pick me up". I'm down 8).
Me and Leo cross that room to the otherside where there's this newspaper with this article about Apulanta and Leo is reading it and telling me about how Tuukka (ex-bassist) isn't in the band anymore, etc. Then , because I'm cold, I say we should go elsewhere and we go towards the stairs where there's that little sign that says "core" or whatev :) and there's this little opening before the staircase where there was this... metal... cart... type... thing... We lean it against these double doors and just chill as he reads the article. As we're talking Leo sees Sipe (drummer) walk by, so he says "Hey! That's Sipe if you want to go say hi!", which I do. So, we get up and he calls after Sipe and Sipe stops and looks at us and then I run up the steps and I say "Hey, I'm Elie, the fan who came all the way from America" and he tells me that he read my e-mail. I ask him if there's anything special on the set list and he tells me that they're playing Kalamiehen Toveri, which is cool as hell because they probably haven't played it since the tour for the release of Kolme. I ask him if Mato is on it because Leo said that they didn't play it at the other show (this show was the second of the tour) and Sipe says it isn't. I explained to him how I believe it's the first song I ever heard by them blah, blah, blah. He tells me that it's not on the set list, but he'll "ask Toni if he remembers how to play it". I should've told him that there's no way he could've forgotten it and that if it came down to it I was willing to get on stage and play the guitaring for it myself =). I continue to explain that I came all the way from the states (and am leaving the next morning) just to see them and blah, blah, blah. "In that case, we gotta play it. I'll talk to Toni" :D. I honestly don't remember much else of the conversation... if there was even much else... which is upsetting and disappointing. Um... he thanks me and stuff... I thank him... um... that's all I can really remember I suppose.
Me and Leo go back to our little corner and I start dancing (I'm not actually dancing, but I'm acting all excited and so forth) because I just met Sipe, the drummer of, basically, my favorite band... and he was really cool. Benni, Tommi, ja Annu found us and I tell them about my Sipe-encounter. (They then write, in Finnish, "Play Paranoid" or "Sing Paranoid" or whatever on my chest... because apparently everybody wants to hear Black Sabbath's Paranoid... not that I planned on ever taking my shirt off or showing it to anybody, haha.) After joking about whatever and chilling and having a good time... we head upstairs back to the "core".
Järjestyshäiriö was playing... um... I guess they had talent... but it doesn't mean the music is good just because it's hard to play. I didn't really like them... the music was alright, I suppose, but the attitude of the band was pretty... dumb... kind of like... "We're rockstars. We're awesome. Let's tear this place to shit!" (They actually said "We're going to tear this place to shit!"... though in Finnish). And they get off.
So, we're all chilling, waiting for Apulanta to come on stage. I was getting bored... even a bit tired... they played songs I recognized on the speakers (Green Day's American Idiot, Yellowcard's Ocean Avenue, and... I think they had a Sex Pistols' song). People are getting stoked... chanting... clapping their hands... whatev, homie LJ. And eventually...
The curtains drop... the smoke clears... Apulanta comes out! Woot! [Since I have the set list here in my hand... I can just tell you exactly what played 8) ] As me and Leo guessed... they opened up with Syöpä. It was pretty good. I was jumping. Rock on. They then went into Pahempi Toistaan (which is their current radio hit) and by the end of the song I was beginning ot worry because I was already getting achey and out of breath =). After that they kicked into a kick ass 003! Totally unexpected on my behalf. They then played Pala Siitä, which I only sort of recognized because I hadn't heard the song that much. After Pala they played Valon Juuri, which is also off the new album (003 was the only non-new-album song they played so far) and I had only heard it once or twice before the show, so I was just like eh... chillin'. After Valon they played mofo'in' Saasta! Which was sick! ...Silti Onnellinen, Usko, 009 (Mex-tex cowboy) [which was played slower than on the CD... which upset me... but I still loved the song], Vasten Mun Kasvojani (they're previous radio hit), Ei Tänään (which I didnät even recognize), Viivakoodit (yeah mofo!), Kalamiehen Toveri (how unexpected 8), and then... Reunallat [!!!]! That's all there is on the set list... but I'm way positive that they played more... so I'll look into that sometime (and maybe re-edit this post). After Reunallat they come back for the encore... which starts off Hiekka. Not my favorite song. Certainly not Leo's :). When it finishes... oh man... the moment Toni spoke a word in English I knew it was to me... "It was brought to our attention that we have a very special guest from very fucking far away. Across the sea. Is there anybody who can kind of relate to that? *my cousin picks me up* Is that good old mister from the good old US? Is that you, sir? Do you recognize yourself? Well, I kinda don't have a fucking clue who do I actually mean, but this one's to you if you know who you are..." *intro to Mato* Everybody went insane! ESPECIALLY me! It was amazing! I was going so crazy that I accidentally punched this girl (I felt bad and apologized in both English and Finnish)! Toni totally wrecked his 7-string on stage [and I thought broke some FX shaistaz]. And... I was just discussing with Tommi if this was indeed the last song... and I believe it is... they then played... dun dun dun... Mitä Kuuluu! AND YOU KNOW WHAT?! For once! They didn't end the show with Anna Mulle Piiskaa! I wasn't exactly bothered by it... so that's fine.
So... as Tanja told us to... we waited by the backstage entrance and just kept waiting. I was beginning to think that they may have forgotten and that I should go buy the Apulanta flag and possible Apulanta t-shirt, and while at it, tell Tanja that they forgot or something :), but Annu said she thinks we should keep waiting... so I did. The backstage entrance is near the entrance to the upper-level, bar, K-18 area. So... while waiting... Benni came out (not sober) with Leo's ex-band mates (less sober). So, I met the met the members that formed Medusa. I then told Leo that I think maybe we should go to Tanja because it's been nearly half an hour since the show ened [and Tanja said we should wait 15 min. or so and then head to the backstage entrance]. Leo tells the security guard the deal and he gets another security guard to go in and ask Apulanta if I can come in. He comes out and he basically motions to me that I'm free to go and I start walking... and nobody followed me... but I wanted my friends/family to come with me [so I asked them and they asked the security guards] and they did. I walk through a couple short corridors, up a flight of steps, and into the room where Apulanta and co. were just chilling.
Holy shit was it amazing. I immediately recognize all the band members, but I walk over to Toni first (even though he's at the farthest side of the room) because I had already met Sipe and [though I feel guilty to say it] I was (and guess I still am) still kind of treating Parta-Sami as the new guy and not exactly the real deal... but he is indeed a part of Apulanta and he's been their unofficial second guitarist for ever now. Toni thanks me, I thank Toni. He asks me if I enjoyed the show, I did. I tell him about how I got there and stuff and he responds with "And you're leaving tomorrow mornjing" "Yep" "You're harcore". Toni of Apulanta thinks I'm harcore 8). He tells me that I can help myself to some refreshments, so I get a bottle of water. I then tell Sipe that I noticed they didn't play Piiskaa and... I actually don't really remember how he responded to it aside from "Yeah..." Toni comes over to the refrigerator and he's like "This is what it means to be a Finnish rockstar. Empty coke things (referring to the thin carboard that bonds the coke cans), open and half empty cans... and little tomatoes" and he offers me tomatoes :). So I'm thinking... haha... The lead singer of Apulanta just offered me some little tomatoes... fuck yeah I want them . "But I suggest you wash them first" which I do. So I'm then eating little tomatoes and trying to throw some into Leo's mouth. Leo starts talking to Toni about whatever... and Parta-Sami is leaving so as he's on his way out of the room he's like "Hey thanks for coming" or something of the sort and I say "Thanks for playing" :). At some point while I was in this room Toni told me that he told Tanja that she was supposed to give me anything I wanted from the merch booth :D, but she didn't... so he was like "Oh? Well, we'll have to do something about that." Then Sipe is decides he should be on his way out and Leo reminds me that I wanted a picture with them... so Annu took a couple of pictures with me, Toni, and Sipe, which I think I'll be making into posters and hanging them on my wall =). I guess I could post them too if you guys are interested, but I highly doubt anybody is reading this entire post anyway... so you probably never even got to here... and don't even know about the picture with Apulanta... or the fact that I was backstage with them. Then I ask them if they have a copy of the set list so that I could bring it home with me and Sipe is says "Yeah, I think we have one over here" and Toni says "Follow me, there's one on the stage" or something along those lines... so I follow Toni =P, but still get the set list Sipe found. So... now I have 2 =).
We went on the stage and Toni found another set list and we were talking music, and concerts, and they asked me if I have a band of my own and I told them a teeny tiny bit of Alterior Motive. They told me that they felt honored and special that I came and that I made the effort, etc. and I told them that it was a great show and worth every penny, etc. We joked about me becoming a famous rockstar and playing huge shows. And they were like "And when we're old and you're famous, we'll e-mail you asking if you can pay for our tickets and let us come back stage"... and I was like "Yeah, and you'll come backstage with your canes and I'll offer you refreshments and little tomatoes =)".
Sipe decides he shall continue to be on his way and then Toni says that we should talk to Tanja about hooking em up with merch =), so I wait for him as he gets his jacket and as we're walking downstairs I remember that I want Apulanta to autograph my ticket. So, I tell Leo and he kind of grabs my ticket and chases Sipe... I didn't want to leave Toni because he said he'd walk down with me and then someone stopped him to say whatever... but at the same time I wanted to be the one who asked Sipe to sign my ticket and then watch him do it... so I chased after Leo and we borrowed a pen from the merch table and he signed my ticket. Then, I ran back to Toni (I don't remember if I asked him to sign my ticket then or later, but at some point during the night he does). Me and Toni go to the merch table and he basically tells Tanja to give me stuff =). She tells me that I can just take if I want like a flag... or a t-shirt... and Toni's like "Make it a couple t-shirts" =). So... I now have two set lists, an autographed ticket, an Apulanta flag, and two Apulanta/Kiila(their new album) t-shirts. One of the shirts says all the tour dates and the other one... is just... a new... red... shirt.
I get my jacket/sweatshirt and I sit on the counter. Toni comes over and we started talking about all kinds of stuff. This is actually, now that I remember, when he signs my ticket... because as he's signing it he asks me if I like the Misfists... and if there's anytime in my life where I'd like to able to say that I know The Misfists, that was it... but I tell him that I don't really know their stuff and he starts telling me about how The Misfists are the reason that he started Apulanta. He tells me to check their stuff out, which I will. I guess the rest of the conversation will take place out of chronological order. I ask him if he's seen Parta-Sama because I want to get him to autograph my ticket too and he looks around while saying "beard", because Parta-Sama has this rockin' beard =). (Eventually I do see Parta he signs my ticket and asks if I enjoyed the show and I tell him that it was amazing or something along those lines). I ask Toni about how long Apulanta's been around and he tells me all kinds of stuff. I can't remember if he said he was 15 and Sipe was 13 when they started... or if he was 13 and Sipe was like 11 when they started. That's crazy. He told me that they were releasing vinyls and EPs because that was the "punk" thing to do =). He was telling me about how he went to the army and they tried to keep Apulanta going... and they did... and that's how they record Attack Of The A.L. People, but it was really hard. I tell him about my shitty electric guitar and how I hate it and he tells me that if he had known a month or two earlier that he would've given me two of his. (How sick is that?) I said it was the thought that counts =). Now I'm remembering more bits and pieces of previous conversations... I was joking about them coming to The Sates... in the backstage room I told them that they had to come to the US "You bring the music, I'll bring the crowd" and Sipe said "It's a deal now. We bring the music, you bring the crowd" (which he said in seriousness... or it seemed anyhow). While downstairs on the counter Toni tells me that he would like to play shows in America. They've done it before. He said that they've played everywhere possible in Finland and they already have this big following... so one of us were saying they had to keep spreading the music and I said that they'd basically have to start from scratch if they want to be known in the US. I said they had to go back to no longer being the headlining band, etc. and stuff. He just says that he wants the experience and that it's the life for him and he can't imagine having the life of anything other than a rockstar and that he loves. Then... oh man... I still can't believe this took place... he basically says that they'd want to come down to The States and have me come out with them during like my spring or summer break and BE THEIR GUIDE! He basically wants me to tour with them! Holy shit, yo! That's fucking insane! My favorite band's lead singer telling me that he wants me to tour with them! (For sure I'm like "Definitely). He tells me to have someone help me sign up at their message board and send him messages and stuff. I'm stoked as hell to do so =). I tell him that I sent my friend Robyn Valas and that she says hello =). I ask him about Tuukka... he tells me the whole deal about Tuukka being more into how they looked to the media and their videos and whatever as opposed to actually caring about the music, etc.
I guess that's all there is to it. Sick show. Met the band. Free shit. I thank him, he thanks me. There was a hug goodbye. And I was out. Floating to the car.
Here's some foreign keys to further portray my delight öÖäÄÅ.
I'll skip everything up until the show, etc. If you really want to know about my plane trips and the rest of my [very short] stay in Finland... you can just ask me :).
We arrive at the venue and from the outside it looks like some type of factory or something. I go inside and the main entrance is kind of ghetto :), but perfectly fine [By the by, the security guard didn't search me! Or any of the people I was with! That generally wouldn't fly in the states.] I look at the Apulanta merch table right away and think that the girl behind the table must be Tanja, but I'm not going to ask her about meeting Apulanta until a bit later... so I check in my sweatshirt and jacket and then we all head upstairs to the "core".
The place reminded me of a ridiculous mix of Roseland Ballroom and Irving Plaza, but more specifically Irving Plaza. It was almost identical to Irving Plaza except that it was a bit wider and shorter in length. It had a balcony, but the balcony didn't go all the way around like in Irving Plaza... it just went around from the left side to the back [like in Roseland].There was a bar at the back like in both Roseland and Irving.
Ratas is already on stage. They really weren't that bad. I may have enjoyed them more if I knew their songs, but I kind of felt like I just wasn't getting anything out of the music... like there just wasn't enough emotion [or talent :)], but there was a good beat and a couple songs I thought were worth staying for.
Leo was ridiculously correct when he said there would be a lot of [as they call] "punk babies" (Basically all the elementary, middle, and maybe early high school who show up and dress "punk" and then jump up and down... though jumping up and down is the protocol.) We decided maybe we should go to Tanja now, because earlier Leo said that they tend to get tired after the show etc.
So! We do! I tell Tanja it's me and she shakes my hand and tells me itäs nice to meet me and that she'd like to hook me up with Apulanta. She asks if I was there earlier when Toni (the lead singer) was handing out promised ice cream to fans [Haha :D] and I said no (because I was at Leo's place playing 4-player Superbomber Man). So she then says to hold on because she's going to call them. And [in Finnish] she says "The American boy is here..." :) Haha. She tells me that they're all scattered and around and that after the show would be better. She tells me I should wait by the backstage area, even though I won't be let in due to lack of backstage pass, but Toni should come "pick me up". I'm down 8).
Me and Leo cross that room to the otherside where there's this newspaper with this article about Apulanta and Leo is reading it and telling me about how Tuukka (ex-bassist) isn't in the band anymore, etc. Then , because I'm cold, I say we should go elsewhere and we go towards the stairs where there's that little sign that says "core" or whatev :) and there's this little opening before the staircase where there was this... metal... cart... type... thing... We lean it against these double doors and just chill as he reads the article. As we're talking Leo sees Sipe (drummer) walk by, so he says "Hey! That's Sipe if you want to go say hi!", which I do. So, we get up and he calls after Sipe and Sipe stops and looks at us and then I run up the steps and I say "Hey, I'm Elie, the fan who came all the way from America" and he tells me that he read my e-mail. I ask him if there's anything special on the set list and he tells me that they're playing Kalamiehen Toveri, which is cool as hell because they probably haven't played it since the tour for the release of Kolme. I ask him if Mato is on it because Leo said that they didn't play it at the other show (this show was the second of the tour) and Sipe says it isn't. I explained to him how I believe it's the first song I ever heard by them blah, blah, blah. He tells me that it's not on the set list, but he'll "ask Toni if he remembers how to play it". I should've told him that there's no way he could've forgotten it and that if it came down to it I was willing to get on stage and play the guitaring for it myself =). I continue to explain that I came all the way from the states (and am leaving the next morning) just to see them and blah, blah, blah. "In that case, we gotta play it. I'll talk to Toni" :D. I honestly don't remember much else of the conversation... if there was even much else... which is upsetting and disappointing. Um... he thanks me and stuff... I thank him... um... that's all I can really remember I suppose.
Me and Leo go back to our little corner and I start dancing (I'm not actually dancing, but I'm acting all excited and so forth) because I just met Sipe, the drummer of, basically, my favorite band... and he was really cool. Benni, Tommi, ja Annu found us and I tell them about my Sipe-encounter. (They then write, in Finnish, "Play Paranoid" or "Sing Paranoid" or whatever on my chest... because apparently everybody wants to hear Black Sabbath's Paranoid... not that I planned on ever taking my shirt off or showing it to anybody, haha.) After joking about whatever and chilling and having a good time... we head upstairs back to the "core".
Järjestyshäiriö was playing... um... I guess they had talent... but it doesn't mean the music is good just because it's hard to play. I didn't really like them... the music was alright, I suppose, but the attitude of the band was pretty... dumb... kind of like... "We're rockstars. We're awesome. Let's tear this place to shit!" (They actually said "We're going to tear this place to shit!"... though in Finnish). And they get off.
So, we're all chilling, waiting for Apulanta to come on stage. I was getting bored... even a bit tired... they played songs I recognized on the speakers (Green Day's American Idiot, Yellowcard's Ocean Avenue, and... I think they had a Sex Pistols' song). People are getting stoked... chanting... clapping their hands... whatev, homie LJ. And eventually...
The curtains drop... the smoke clears... Apulanta comes out! Woot! [Since I have the set list here in my hand... I can just tell you exactly what played 8) ] As me and Leo guessed... they opened up with Syöpä. It was pretty good. I was jumping. Rock on. They then went into Pahempi Toistaan (which is their current radio hit) and by the end of the song I was beginning ot worry because I was already getting achey and out of breath =). After that they kicked into a kick ass 003! Totally unexpected on my behalf. They then played Pala Siitä, which I only sort of recognized because I hadn't heard the song that much. After Pala they played Valon Juuri, which is also off the new album (003 was the only non-new-album song they played so far) and I had only heard it once or twice before the show, so I was just like eh... chillin'. After Valon they played mofo'in' Saasta! Which was sick! ...Silti Onnellinen, Usko, 009 (Mex-tex cowboy) [which was played slower than on the CD... which upset me... but I still loved the song], Vasten Mun Kasvojani (they're previous radio hit), Ei Tänään (which I didnät even recognize), Viivakoodit (yeah mofo!), Kalamiehen Toveri (how unexpected 8), and then... Reunallat [!!!]! That's all there is on the set list... but I'm way positive that they played more... so I'll look into that sometime (and maybe re-edit this post). After Reunallat they come back for the encore... which starts off Hiekka. Not my favorite song. Certainly not Leo's :). When it finishes... oh man... the moment Toni spoke a word in English I knew it was to me... "It was brought to our attention that we have a very special guest from very fucking far away. Across the sea. Is there anybody who can kind of relate to that? *my cousin picks me up* Is that good old mister from the good old US? Is that you, sir? Do you recognize yourself? Well, I kinda don't have a fucking clue who do I actually mean, but this one's to you if you know who you are..." *intro to Mato* Everybody went insane! ESPECIALLY me! It was amazing! I was going so crazy that I accidentally punched this girl (I felt bad and apologized in both English and Finnish)! Toni totally wrecked his 7-string on stage [and I thought broke some FX shaistaz]. And... I was just discussing with Tommi if this was indeed the last song... and I believe it is... they then played... dun dun dun... Mitä Kuuluu! AND YOU KNOW WHAT?! For once! They didn't end the show with Anna Mulle Piiskaa! I wasn't exactly bothered by it... so that's fine.
So... as Tanja told us to... we waited by the backstage entrance and just kept waiting. I was beginning to think that they may have forgotten and that I should go buy the Apulanta flag and possible Apulanta t-shirt, and while at it, tell Tanja that they forgot or something :), but Annu said she thinks we should keep waiting... so I did. The backstage entrance is near the entrance to the upper-level, bar, K-18 area. So... while waiting... Benni came out (not sober) with Leo's ex-band mates (less sober). So, I met the met the members that formed Medusa. I then told Leo that I think maybe we should go to Tanja because it's been nearly half an hour since the show ened [and Tanja said we should wait 15 min. or so and then head to the backstage entrance]. Leo tells the security guard the deal and he gets another security guard to go in and ask Apulanta if I can come in. He comes out and he basically motions to me that I'm free to go and I start walking... and nobody followed me... but I wanted my friends/family to come with me [so I asked them and they asked the security guards] and they did. I walk through a couple short corridors, up a flight of steps, and into the room where Apulanta and co. were just chilling.
Holy shit was it amazing. I immediately recognize all the band members, but I walk over to Toni first (even though he's at the farthest side of the room) because I had already met Sipe and [though I feel guilty to say it] I was (and guess I still am) still kind of treating Parta-Sami as the new guy and not exactly the real deal... but he is indeed a part of Apulanta and he's been their unofficial second guitarist for ever now. Toni thanks me, I thank Toni. He asks me if I enjoyed the show, I did. I tell him about how I got there and stuff and he responds with "And you're leaving tomorrow mornjing" "Yep" "You're harcore". Toni of Apulanta thinks I'm harcore 8). He tells me that I can help myself to some refreshments, so I get a bottle of water. I then tell Sipe that I noticed they didn't play Piiskaa and... I actually don't really remember how he responded to it aside from "Yeah..." Toni comes over to the refrigerator and he's like "This is what it means to be a Finnish rockstar. Empty coke things (referring to the thin carboard that bonds the coke cans), open and half empty cans... and little tomatoes" and he offers me tomatoes :). So I'm thinking... haha... The lead singer of Apulanta just offered me some little tomatoes... fuck yeah I want them . "But I suggest you wash them first" which I do. So I'm then eating little tomatoes and trying to throw some into Leo's mouth. Leo starts talking to Toni about whatever... and Parta-Sami is leaving so as he's on his way out of the room he's like "Hey thanks for coming" or something of the sort and I say "Thanks for playing" :). At some point while I was in this room Toni told me that he told Tanja that she was supposed to give me anything I wanted from the merch booth :D, but she didn't... so he was like "Oh? Well, we'll have to do something about that." Then Sipe is decides he should be on his way out and Leo reminds me that I wanted a picture with them... so Annu took a couple of pictures with me, Toni, and Sipe, which I think I'll be making into posters and hanging them on my wall =). I guess I could post them too if you guys are interested, but I highly doubt anybody is reading this entire post anyway... so you probably never even got to here... and don't even know about the picture with Apulanta... or the fact that I was backstage with them. Then I ask them if they have a copy of the set list so that I could bring it home with me and Sipe is says "Yeah, I think we have one over here" and Toni says "Follow me, there's one on the stage" or something along those lines... so I follow Toni =P, but still get the set list Sipe found. So... now I have 2 =).
We went on the stage and Toni found another set list and we were talking music, and concerts, and they asked me if I have a band of my own and I told them a teeny tiny bit of Alterior Motive. They told me that they felt honored and special that I came and that I made the effort, etc. and I told them that it was a great show and worth every penny, etc. We joked about me becoming a famous rockstar and playing huge shows. And they were like "And when we're old and you're famous, we'll e-mail you asking if you can pay for our tickets and let us come back stage"... and I was like "Yeah, and you'll come backstage with your canes and I'll offer you refreshments and little tomatoes =)".
Sipe decides he shall continue to be on his way and then Toni says that we should talk to Tanja about hooking em up with merch =), so I wait for him as he gets his jacket and as we're walking downstairs I remember that I want Apulanta to autograph my ticket. So, I tell Leo and he kind of grabs my ticket and chases Sipe... I didn't want to leave Toni because he said he'd walk down with me and then someone stopped him to say whatever... but at the same time I wanted to be the one who asked Sipe to sign my ticket and then watch him do it... so I chased after Leo and we borrowed a pen from the merch table and he signed my ticket. Then, I ran back to Toni (I don't remember if I asked him to sign my ticket then or later, but at some point during the night he does). Me and Toni go to the merch table and he basically tells Tanja to give me stuff =). She tells me that I can just take if I want like a flag... or a t-shirt... and Toni's like "Make it a couple t-shirts" =). So... I now have two set lists, an autographed ticket, an Apulanta flag, and two Apulanta/Kiila(their new album) t-shirts. One of the shirts says all the tour dates and the other one... is just... a new... red... shirt.
I get my jacket/sweatshirt and I sit on the counter. Toni comes over and we started talking about all kinds of stuff. This is actually, now that I remember, when he signs my ticket... because as he's signing it he asks me if I like the Misfists... and if there's anytime in my life where I'd like to able to say that I know The Misfists, that was it... but I tell him that I don't really know their stuff and he starts telling me about how The Misfists are the reason that he started Apulanta. He tells me to check their stuff out, which I will. I guess the rest of the conversation will take place out of chronological order. I ask him if he's seen Parta-Sama because I want to get him to autograph my ticket too and he looks around while saying "beard", because Parta-Sama has this rockin' beard =). (Eventually I do see Parta he signs my ticket and asks if I enjoyed the show and I tell him that it was amazing or something along those lines). I ask Toni about how long Apulanta's been around and he tells me all kinds of stuff. I can't remember if he said he was 15 and Sipe was 13 when they started... or if he was 13 and Sipe was like 11 when they started. That's crazy. He told me that they were releasing vinyls and EPs because that was the "punk" thing to do =). He was telling me about how he went to the army and they tried to keep Apulanta going... and they did... and that's how they record Attack Of The A.L. People, but it was really hard. I tell him about my shitty electric guitar and how I hate it and he tells me that if he had known a month or two earlier that he would've given me two of his. (How sick is that?) I said it was the thought that counts =). Now I'm remembering more bits and pieces of previous conversations... I was joking about them coming to The Sates... in the backstage room I told them that they had to come to the US "You bring the music, I'll bring the crowd" and Sipe said "It's a deal now. We bring the music, you bring the crowd" (which he said in seriousness... or it seemed anyhow). While downstairs on the counter Toni tells me that he would like to play shows in America. They've done it before. He said that they've played everywhere possible in Finland and they already have this big following... so one of us were saying they had to keep spreading the music and I said that they'd basically have to start from scratch if they want to be known in the US. I said they had to go back to no longer being the headlining band, etc. and stuff. He just says that he wants the experience and that it's the life for him and he can't imagine having the life of anything other than a rockstar and that he loves. Then... oh man... I still can't believe this took place... he basically says that they'd want to come down to The States and have me come out with them during like my spring or summer break and BE THEIR GUIDE! He basically wants me to tour with them! Holy shit, yo! That's fucking insane! My favorite band's lead singer telling me that he wants me to tour with them! (For sure I'm like "Definitely). He tells me to have someone help me sign up at their message board and send him messages and stuff. I'm stoked as hell to do so =). I tell him that I sent my friend Robyn Valas and that she says hello =). I ask him about Tuukka... he tells me the whole deal about Tuukka being more into how they looked to the media and their videos and whatever as opposed to actually caring about the music, etc.
I guess that's all there is to it. Sick show. Met the band. Free shit. I thank him, he thanks me. There was a hug goodbye. And I was out. Floating to the car.
Here's some foreign keys to further portray my delight öÖäÄÅ.