IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Fun to tour France, Spain

Tue, 22 May 2012 16:47:08 -0700

Excellent Finnish noiserockers Fun are heading out for a few dates on the continent next week:

05/30 - le Café de Paris, Paris (FRA)
05/31 - le Troglobale, Angers (FRA)
06/01 - La Bascule, Rennes (FRA)
06/02 - Kixkil, Bayonne (FRA)
06/03 - Bar Sentinel, Bilbao (ESP)
06/04 - Würlitzer Ballroom, Madrid (ESP)
06/05 - tba (ESP)
06/06 - Liceo Mutante, Ponteverda (ESP)

Fun to return to the Baltics

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:57:36 -0700

Finnish noiserockers Fun will once again head to the Baltics for a few live dates in October:

10/14 - Fontaine Palace, Liepaja (LV)
10/15 - Green Club, Vilnius (LT)
10/16 - Kodu Baar, Tallinn (EE)

Fun to tour France, Spain

Mon, 09 May 2011 15:08:58 -0700

Finnish noiserockers Fun are heading abroad for some shows this month:

05/16 - Le Rigoletto, Paris (FRA)
05/17 - Chez Jules, Nantes
05/18 - tba (FRA)
05/19 - Les Toqués, Perigueux (FRA)
05/20 - Gaztetxe, Getaria (ESP)
05/21 - Wurlitzer Ballroom, Madrid (ESP)
05/22 - Sala Soviet, La Línea de la Concepción (ESP)
05/24 - Incivic Zone, Sant Fellu De Codines (ESP)

Fun vinyl now at Stickfigure

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 23:02:04 -0800

If you're a cheap bastard like me and have been waiting for a domestic US distro to pick up the latest Fun album on vinyl, you're now in luck: http://stickfig1.securesites.net/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=161&products_id=12544

Top tens for 2010: It's a Trap!

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 13:17:20 -0800

Not everything in the picture above is officially a 2010 release, but they are all various things I picked up this past year and would recommend you do the same, should the opportunity present itself. Bonus points to anyone who can name every record pictured! Anyhow, as I was saying, there was quite a lot of really good music released in 2010, but at the same time, very few crossed the line into greatness. This year, only three albums made the cut.

Dear Euphoria - This night will flee (Given Productions/Herbivor Music)

A deep and richly satisfying listening experience that speaks of love and emptiness and the vast space between, with each repitition revealing new insight. Beautifully haunting.

Masshysteri - s/t (Ny Våg/Feral Ward)

The perfect pop-punk album. RIP.

Okkultokrati - No light for mass (Fysisk Format/Lilla Himmel/Odio Sonoro/Ormeyngel Records)

Apocalyptic visions set to a soundtrack of the rawest metal/punk sludge. A zeitgeist-defining album of unmatched ugliness.

Best Song:

Susanne Sundfør - The brothel
I still get goosebumps every time.

Best Demo:

Underachiever - This is where I lost the ability to love
Faster Katt - Demo 2010

The notion of a demo is almost completely lost in this digital age, but there are still those who carry the torch, preferring to test the waters with honest, rough-edged recordings before commiting to any sort of "official" release. In 2010 I listened to way more, way better demo/self-released material this year than any big-name releases, so this list could be a lot longer, but these two stuck with me the longest.

Other Records Worth Mentioning

Like I said at the top, there really were a lot of really good albums this year. Here's a few more that might not rate as high as the three above, but are all well worth your time:

The Bear Quartet - Monty Python (Adrian Recordings)
BQ's endless restlessness and constant desire to innovate remains one of their greatest assets, but it also means that they sometimes miss the mark. Still, the band remains one of Sweden's all-time greats, if not the greatest.

Darkthrone - Circle the wagons (Peaceville)
The opposite of BQ in that the band is continually regressing, but very similar in the approach that they continually churn an almost overwhelming amount of quality material.

Enforcer - Diamonds (Earache/Heavy Artillery)
Too goofy to be truly great, but guaranteed to stay in steady rotation for years to come.

Johan Helte - Sara, (Raffaella)
On the cusp of greatness. Ask me again about this record in six months.

Kimono - Easy music for difficult people (Kimi Records)
My sleeper pick of the year. It's hard to cite exactly what's so gripping about this record, I just know that I keep listening to it regularly.

Monzano - By this time last year everything will seem younger (Spoon Train Audio/How is Annie Records)
Another one on the cusp. Not sure anymore if I permanently burned myself out on these literary indie gents from Norway or if it's one that'll come back to me after some time apart.

Britta Persson - Current affair medium rare (Selective Notes)
More than a few exceptional moments (see "Toast to M" for example), but not enough cohesion.

Robyn - Body talk (Konichiwa Records)
There's a reason this is on everyone's list.

Säkert! - Facit (Razzia Records)
A good album that simply hasn't connected with me as much as I had hoped.

The Tallest Man on Earth - The wild hunt (Dead Oceans)
Another one that made a lot of year-end lists for good reason.

Tiger Tape - I woke up in Hökarängen (Cosy/Lo And Behold)
My favorite indiepop album of 2010.

Plus a few more names: Ikons, Haust, Slöa Knivar, Lapko, Fun, Meleeh, Moto Boy... and let us not forget all of the amazing reissues from The Crypt such as Pan-Thy-Monium, Crypt of Kerberus, Uncanny, Furbowl and so on. So yeah, lots of good music. No complaints!

Fun in Russia

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 17:36:23 -0800

Finnish noiseniks Fun are heading back to Russia next month:

01/07 - Act Hall, Moscow
01/08 - Zoccolo, St. Petersburgh
01/09 - Somewhere, Novgorod

Harsh R #2

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 11:37:05 -0800

Episode #2 of my new podcast Harsh R is now online: http://www.harshr.com/
Features new music from Fun, Rising, Johan Heltne and others, plus a whole bunch of other things I've been listening to. Feedback is appreciated!

MP3: Fun - Here comes the ugly man

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 12:50:54 -0700

If Rapeman continued on and kept going in a similar direction as latter-day Shellac, they might sound something like Fun do on their third album "New 13". They're still churning out some of the best cantankerous noiserock in the world, but they're also tempering it with a wisened, more expansive/more instrumental approach. If I'm correctly understanding this interview (my knowledge of Finnish is near-nonexistent), "Here comes the ugly man" is based off a Fugazi mondegreen relating to the title track of "The argument", and though it doesn't bear any sort of direct musical resemblance, it's an interesting factoid to consider during listening. It's also a great tune highlighting the band's churning rhythm section melded with a slight touch of their matured sense of melody (hah!). Very recommended of course.

Fun live set at Noise.fi

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 13:24:58 -0700

Check out an interview and live session with Finnish noiserockers Fun at Noise.fi: http://www.noise.fi/radio/soitin/index.php?id=4481
The talking is all in unintelligible Finn-speak, but that doesn't affect the rock.

Sirius playlist week #41

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 12:10:30 -0700

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:

01. The Scrags - In the devil's hands
02. TALK 1
03. Boeoes Kaelstigen - Desolate view
04. Johnossi - Roscoe
05. Kimono - Tomorrow
06. TALK 2
07. Fun - Here comes the ugly man
08. Kite - Hexx
09. Mother of the Forest - Bränna broar
10. Mother of the Forest - Vid berget
11. TALK 3
12. Non Tiq - QUiet
13. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - I could have sworn I heard them SING
14. Enslaved - Raidho
15. TALK 4
16. Säkert! - Riot
17. Kristofer Åström - Devil
18. Sweatmaster - Calling Satan, let me in
19. Mercyful Fate - Black funeral
20. TALK 5
21. Lighthouse Project - Lust for lie

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

Sirius playlist week #40

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 12:25:51 -0700

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:

01. TALK 1
02. Robert Svensson - Runaway
03. My Poor Lover - Lovesick
04. Fun - Williams house
05. TALK 2
06. Hero Dishonest - Birth, Sports Illustrated, death
07. Hanna Hirsch - Framtid och besvär
08. Haleiwa - Observatorielunden
09. Pistol Disco - Pool
10. TALK 3
11. MF/MB/ - The grand chase
12. Ståålfågel - Stupet
13. The Nature - Northern lights
14. TALK 4
15. The Loveable Tulips - Fortune favours the brave
16. Anna von Hausswolff - Track of time
17. Hunt - Ashes of a secret heart
18. The Bells - No Waves
19. TALK 5
20. Makthaverskan - Know love

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

If Society to release new albums from Fun and Hero Dishonest

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 19:01:28 -0700

After a long break, Finnish label If Society returns with two new releases for October: Fun's 3rd album "New 13" and a new album from Hero Dishonest called "Dangerous", their 5th overall. For full details and free sample downloads, go here: http://www.ifsociety.com/news.php#n157
Both are pretty much essential, if you ask me.

Sirius playlist week #10

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:24:34 -0800

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:

01. TALK 1
02. Familjen - När planeterna stannat
03. Elephant9 - Fugi fønix
04. Yosei - The raven
05. TALK 2
06. The Tarantula Waltz - Bacchus
07. Hortlax Cobra - Smoke
08. Sonic Ritual - Early graves
09. Meleeh - Vowbreaker
10. TALK 3
11. Khoma - From the hands of sinners
12. The Ark - Echo chamber
13. Darkthrone - Those treasures will never befall you
14. Fun - Slonko
15. TALK 4
16. Degrees - Can't walk thru this alone
17. jj - Let go
18. Bruket - Polisen lägger pussel
19. Dreamboy - Pay attention
20. TALK 5
21. Moto Boy - IF you your bed could cry

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

Fun to support Jesus Lizard, tour the Baltics, record new album

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:27:40 -0700

Awesome Finnish act Fun (not the American crap with the same name being peddled to blogs as of late) will not only be supporting the mighty Jesus Lizard in Helsinki on September 16 (a near-perfect gig IMO), they'll also be heading out for a short Baltic tour with pals Hero Dishonest that same month> Preliminary details:

09/23 - Tallinn, Estonia
09/24 - Riga, Lativa
09/25 - Kaunas, Lithuania
09/26 - Vilnius, Lithuania

In other news, the band will be recording a new album in November for an early 2010 release. I know I'm looking forward to it.

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:12:27 -0700

Fun's upcoming Russian tour jaunt has been finalized:

10/11 - Act Hall, Moscow
10/12 - Club Strangel, Moscow
10/13 - Zoccolo, St. Petersburg

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:42:47 -0700

"Reader's companion" alums Fun have posted their European tour diary from May: http://www.noisecorewalze.com/popup_index.php?text&text=euro_tour_2008
Expect the usual Finnish debauchery and maybe a few surprises?

Mon, 12 May 2008 11:05:59 -0700

Here's the playlist for this past weekend's radio show:

01. Pluxus - Bootstrap
02. TALK 1
03. Marit Bergman - Straight into my lovers arms
04. Grande Roses - Dead town
05. Mikko Singh - Rauha
06. TALK 2
07. Namur - Draw us near
08. Lapko - Sawyer the brother
09. Paper - To her
10. TALK 3
11. Johnossi - Train song
12. Markus Krunegård - Rocken spelar ingen roll längre
13. Printer - You need to
14. TALK 4
15. Firefox AK - Once I was like you (Boeoes Kaelstigen remix)
16. Aerial - Time is on fire
17. Sahara Hotnights - Visit to Vienna
18. TALK 5
19. Siena Root - Time will tell
20. Kristofer Åström - I collect knives
21. Anna Ternheim - Better be
22. TALK 6
23. Anna Leong - Guollotine
24. Folie - Krogg
25. Hearts of Black Science - Empty city lights
26. TALK 7
27. Inuit - En förlorad generation
28. The Psyke Project - Dark halls red floors
29. Memento Mori - Epilog
30. TALK 8
31. The Bear Quartet - Lights out, sound off
32. Fun - I know Ted Kennedy
33. Johan Heltne - Hjärta. Instinkt. Principer.
34. TALK 9
35. Lama - Bussi
36. Niccokick - Love & neon lights
37. Little Jimmy Reeves - Drowsy dogs
38. C.Aarmé - Visions
39. TALK 10
40. No Privacy - Blood over Denmark

Reminder: my show on Sirius Blog Radio runs Saturdays at 12 noon and midnight ET on channel 26 (Left of Center).

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:47:27 -0700

Finnish noiserockers Fun and Hogenband will tour Europe together in May: http://www.noisecorewalze.com/?news
If you dig classic Touch & Go/AmRep style pigfuck, you owe it to yourself to check these guys out.

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 19:25:38 -0700

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Frivolvol - Out come the knives
02. TALK 1
03. Lapko - Dead disco
04. Gentle Touch - Once you used to
05. Pellarin - Whistle like you're 56
06. TALK 2
07. Björn Kleinhenz - Light of love
08. Pascal - Smärtsillande
09. Ljudbilden & Piloten - Weddings
10. TALK 3
11. Margaret Berger - Samantha
12. Doughnuts - Become one
13. Kusowsky - Jonny
14. NEI - The devil
15. TALK 4
16. Happiness - Loot at that rabbit go!
17. Firefox AK - Pushing
18. Fattaru - Hörde jag skål
19. TALK 5
20. Britta Persson - Cliffhanger
21. Grizzly Twister - Black box
22. The Social Services - Baltic Sea
23. TALK 6
24. Montys Loco - Criminal
25. Fontän - Alla kan se dig
26. Animal Alpha - Pin you all
27. TALK 7
28. Astrid Swan - Spartan picnic
29. Barra Head - Undermine
30. Fun - 2:22men
31. TALK 8
32. Ted Gärdestad - Oh, vilken härlig dag
33. Christian Kjellvander - Poppies and peonies
34. Echo Is Your Love - Lion tamer vs tigers
35. TALK 9
36. I Am Bones - Home is the one corner of hell that didn't catch fire
37. Miss Li - I'm sorry, he's mine
38. The Deer Tracks - YesThisIsMyBrokenShield
39. TALK 10
40. Entombed - Damn deal done

Sun, 23 Dec 2007 11:11:09 -0800

The playlist for my radio show this week featured all of my favorite songs from 2007:

01. Susanne Sundfør - I resign
02. TALK 1
03. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle
04. The Skull Defekts - The secret
05. Ted Gärdestad - Räcker jag till
06. TALK 2
07. CS Nielsen - Black spots
08. Kornstad - Turkey, Texas
09. Moonbabies - Take me to the ballroom
10. The Bombettes - I wanna
11. TALK 3
12. Promise and the Monster - Sheets
13. Repoman - Chemically obsessed
14. The Bell - I am history
15. Säkert! - Allt som är ditt
16. TALK 4
17. Mainliners - Olivia
18. Superfamily - The radio has expressed concerns about what you did last night
19. Karin Ström - Ordlös
20. TALK 5
21. Fun - I've got a truck
22. Tobias Hellkvist - Moment at ven
23. Juvelen - Hanna
24. TALK 6
25. Laakso - Worst case scenario
26. Closer - Sensing the wake
27. Asha Ali - A promise broken
28. TALK 7
29. Paper - My life is going under
30. Boeoes Kaelstigen - Flir
31. Lukestar - White shade
32. TALK 8
33. Maia Hirasawa - Gothenburg
34. Aerial - You will all die, all things will
35. Sambassadeur - Subtle changes
36. TALK 9

Next week (12/29) I'm doing another special theme show on Swedish postpunk.

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 11:40:54 -0800

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show, featuring special guest Pontus Levahn from the band Torpedo:

01. Fireside - Let Rasputin do it
02. TALK 1
03. Britta Persson - You are not my boyfriend
04. Hyacinth House - Lucky stranger
05. The Bear Quartet - Sailors
06. TALK 2
07. Jennie Abrahamson - In this life to live
08. Margaret Berger - Seek I'll hide
09. Heroes & Zeros - The foolproof
10. TALK 3
11. Folie - Strum
12. Ellen Beach - The widespread acclaim
13. The Indecision Alarm - Where every fucking dream is killed
14. TALK 4 (INTERVIEW)
15. Torpedo - From Russia with love
16. Rupesh Cartel - Comes the hour comes the man
17. TALK 5 (INTERVIEW)
18. Torpedo - Hospital
19. Tiger Lou - Until I'm there
20. TALK 6 (INTERVIEW)
21. Simon Ryman - Walk with me instead
22. Fanny Risberg - Stay with me forever
23. Lack - Deserters
24. TALK 7
25. The Je Ne Sais Quoi - Manic panic
26. Hebosagil - Slightly confusing
27. Dieter Schöön - The harbour's cold
28. TALK 8
29. Lukestar - White shade
30. Fun - Hold it close
31. The Skull Defekts - The secret
32. TALK 9
33. Laakso - Great times underground
34. CS Nielsen - Black spots
35. Knugen Faller - Lugna favoriter
36. TALK 10
37. Säkert! - Allt som är ditt

MyFriends: The Deed, Hymns from Nineveh, In a City By the Sea, The Mymmelins, Twin Piloda

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This time out, I'm all about sideprojects.

The Deed
SOUNDS LIKE: The guys from Iisole are involved in a bazillion different projects so here's one featuring Martin Nilsson. Like his main band, this is definitely in the melancholic (post-)rock realm (think: Logh), but a bit more laid back.
HIGHLIGHTS: All three tracks are great, you only gotta give 'em time to reveal themselves
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/nilssonmartin

Hymns from Nineveh
SOUNDS LIKE: Devotional music from Jonas Petersen of Danish act Attrap. Take it from a non-Christian - this is very well done.
HIGHLIGHTS: Rejoicingalongsong, A tired man sings abide
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/hymnsfromnineveh

In a City By the Sea
SOUNDS LIKE: More melancholic musings, this time from Mikael Kærsgaard of Munich, a band who happens to be good friends with the aforementioned Attrap. Again, quite nice.
HIGHLIGHTS: He's allright [sic], Shipwrecks
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/inacitybythesea

The Mymmelins
SOUNDS LIKE: Fun's younger, grungier brother.
HIGHLIGHTS: Vompat disco, Conflict in the backyard
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/themymmelins

Twin Piloda
SOUNDS LIKE: High quality pop from Måns Wieslander, a man best known to me for his work with Moonbabies.
HIGHLIGHTS: Shut up and wave, Cousin evil
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/twinpiloda

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 23:11:54 -0700

The playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Isolation Years - Frosted minds
02. TALK 1
03. Hyacinth House - Lucky stranger
04. Immanu El - Kosmonaut
05. Kamera - Fragile
06. TALK 2
07. Pay TV - Fashion report (clubmix)
08. Fun - I've got a truck
09. Timo Räisänen - Sixteen
10. TALK 3
11. Superfamily - Warszawa
12. Majessic Dreams - Still inside
13. The Indecision Alarm - Time for the big guns, baby
14. Boeoes Kaelstigen - Flir
15. TALK 4
16. The Fine Arts Showcase - Modern love
17. Karin Ström - Ordlös
18. Meleeh - Malign
19. TALK 5
20. Kongh - Pushed beyond
21. Baby Woodrose - Let yourself go
22. TALK 6
23. Mixtapes & Cellmates - Quiet (Cat Burgler remix)
24. The Je Ne Sais Quoi - Rhythm
25. The Bell - I need nothing
26. September - Satellites
27. TALK 7
28. Piroth - Waltz for prima ballerina
29. Sällskapet - Järnstaden
30. Montt Mardié - Birthday boy (drama)
31. TALK 8
32. CS Nielsen - Bottle for the road
33. Susanna and the Magical Orchestra - Love will tear us apart
34. Voices Break the Silence - Mopo3
35. TALK 9
36. Plain Fade - Blue skies ahead

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Finnish noiserockers Fun have finally posted a tour diary from their trip to the US: http://www.noisecorewalze.com/popup_index.php?text&text=usa_tour_diary

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The playlist for my radio show this week:

01. Pistol Disco - Walking with Jesus
02. TALK 1
03. Heroes & Zeros - Into the light
04. Vijaya - Your gun will never set you free
05. Convoj - My timekeeping heart
06. TALK 2
07. Darkthrone - Too old, too cold
08. A Perfect Friend - Rush hour
09. Death By Kite - Hiroshima
10. TALK 3
11. Fun - I've got a truck
12. Moonbabies - Walking on my feet
13. The Perishers - When I fall
14. TALK 4
15. Regulations - Police siren
16. Viola - Ordinary teenage sensation
17. Björn Kleinhenz - Starlit queen
18. TALK 5
19. Gravy - Glory to our brilliant name
20. Hero Dishonest - Stalin vs Hank Hardy
21. Sophie Zelmani - To know you
22. Ulver - Capitel III: Graablick blev hun vaer
23. TALK 6
24. Håkan Hellström - Ramlar
25. Abhinanda - Highway tonight
26. Single Unit - Passion, pirates & parasites
27. TALK 7
28. Kompjotr Eplektrika - Skulldrummantra
29. The Tiny - Just like you
30. Death Breath - Death breath
31. TALK 8
32. Entombed - Serpent speech
33. The Cardigans - Marvel hill
34. Soviac - I got the ribbah
35. TALK 9
36. The Bear Quartet - Put me back together
37. You Is Stupid - I am history
38. Paris - 60 minutes
39. The Process - Mot Sverige i tiden
40. TALK 10
41. Weeping Willows - I give you the morning

Sat, 02 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The playlist for my radio show on Sirius this week:

01. Beyond Dawn - Far from showbiz
02. TALK 1
03. Superfamily - The radio has expressed concerns about what you did last night
04. The Fine Arts Showcase - Dance with your shadow
05. Pan Sonic - Hinaaja / Tugboat
06. TALK 2
07. Mixtapes & Cellmates - Hold
08. The Bear Quartet - I don't wanna
09. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - When she's GONE
10. TALK 3
11. Laakso - High drama
12. Park Hotell - The guest who stayed forever
13. Fun - Hold it close
14. TALK 4
15. The Book of Daniel - Rabbit boy
16. Watain - Storm of the Antichrist
17. Viktor Sjöberg - w/Nothing
18. Kristofer Åström - Fallen
19. TALK 5
20. Mainliners - Olivia
21. Oddjob - Kings are walking out
22. Lemonator - Heart burns
23. TALK 6
24. Tobias Hellkvist - Slowly but surely
25. Attrap - Just a word away
26. Sahara Hotnights - Visit to Vienna
27. TALK 7
28. The Leather Nun - No rule
29. Alog - Son of king
30. Thunder Express - Vegas
31. TALK 8
32. Closer - Sensing the wake

Fun Zu-pa! If Society

Wed, 30 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

"Szklarska Poreba", the last major release by Fun invoked images in my mind of a vacation gone horribly wrong, à la "The hills have eyes", or the original "Texas chainsaw massacre". Between the distorted facial expressions on the cover art, the wild, screw-core riffs and barely intelligible lyrics sung with screaming, almost spit-inducing vocals, it isn't hard to see why. Ultimately though, the album proved much too chaotic for me to fully enjoy. Which is why I'm so pleasantly surprised by their new release, "Zu-pa!". Credit engineer Steve Albini, or a new found maturity on the part of the band, but "Zu-pa!" is a much more focused, deliberate piece of work. This time around, the mood is more sinister and still more disturbing, with the same energy of their earlier efforts. The songs feature the same vocal style and great riffs, but everything seems more deliberate, like the calm, collected mind of a cold, calculating serial killer. With songs like "Angora", "Conflictaholic" and the deliciously creepy "I've got a truck", I can't help but think of the band playing some dive in the middle of nowhere and making observations about the disturbed clientèle that frequent the place. A great sophomore effort overall, leaving me hungry for more Fun. Oh, and there's a friggin' shark on the cover.

MP3: Fun - I've got a truck

Wed, 23 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Making the decision to record with Steve Albini means making a massive vote of confidence in your band's abilities because if you suck, it will be painfully obvious. On the other hand, Steve's documentarian recording technique makes good live bands sound amazing - check out the Jesus Lizard back-catalog or even Nirvana's "In utero" for hard proof. Fun is reportedly the first Finnish band to ever record with Steve at his Electrical Audio studio in Chicago and it was obviously a wise decision. Musically, Fun has long worshipped at the altar of Albini and other classic Touch & Go bands playing in the pigfuck style, so the partnership makes perfect sense. Caustic, white-noise guitars, freight-train bass, hard-hitting drums and totally damaged vocals - yep, that's the blueprint. "I've got a truck" simmers and seethes over the course of its five minutes, slowly coalescing into a steamroller of a track. Once the guitar drop-tunes and joins with the chugging, it's a monster. Slow, deliberate and crushing. This is the sound I grew up with. This is my rock'n'roll.

Wed, 16 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

New CDs from Finnish acts Fun and Viola just showed up on my doorstep - ~~look for 'em in the webstore shortly~~ Go on and get 'em!

Wed, 09 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Kristofer Åström's amazing new record "RainawayTown" is now available for non-Record Club subscribers and I also have the new The End Will Be Kicks "Ass of a friend" EP in-stock and ready for ordering as well. Lots more stuff on the way too, including new releases from Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words, Tobias Hellkvist, Viola, Fun and Mixtapes & Cellmates. Go shopping!

Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Fun's new Steve Albini-engineered album "Zu-pa!" has been confirmed for an April 23 release via If Society on both CD and vinyl. Listen to two tracks: "Slonko" / "Hold it close"

MP3: Fun - Sportscoat

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0800

When it came time to select bands for my first "Reader's companion" compilation, Fun was one of the few at the top of my list. They sound like Rapeman, so it's quite fitting that they're currently in Chicago at this very moment recording a new album with Steve Albini. Some of you might also note the brief "Kerosene" quote on the song I've posted today. Listen, there's a lot of bands that try to play this pigfuck style, but Fun is one of best. See them on tour:

03/10 - Ronny's, Chicago, IL w/Quatre Tete, Unique Chique, Gloria Story
03/11 - Lemp Arts, St. Louis, MO w/Muscle Brain, Dashchund
03/12 - Replay Lounge, Kansas City, MO w/This Is My Condition
03/13 - Sound Pony Lounge, Tulsa, OK
03/14 - 1919 Hemphill, Ft. Worth, TX w/The Cheat, Koji Kondo
03/15 - No Idea Records & Political Party presents SXSFest, Austin, TX
03/16 - 3299 Ivanhoe St., Baton Rouge, LA w/Brainworms
03/17 - Cave 9, Birmingham, AL w/Brainworms
03/18 - ISP (Stickfigure sunday matinee), Atlanta, GA w/Brickmason, Battlecat, Eether
03/19 - Lunchbox Records, Charlotte, NC
03/20 - Two Art Chicks, Greensboro, NC
03/21 - Solid Dudes House, Richmond, VA w/The Catalyst, Mouthbreather
03/22 - tba
03/23 - Sin-é, NYC, NY w/Marissa Nadler, Shy Child, Tim Fite, Pela
03/24 - Veggieplex Theatre, Philadelphia, PA
03/25 - tba
03/26 - tba
03/27 - Gooskis, Pittsburgh, PA
03/28 - Tower 2012, Cleveland, OH

Download more tracks here: http://www.noisecorewalze.com/?disco

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Finnish noiserockers Fun (as heard on "Reader's companion volume one") have finalized most of their US tour schedule:

03/05 - 720 Space, Minneapolis, MN w/Charles de Gaulle, The Yoleus, Lazer Forever
03/06 - The Vault, Milwaukee. WI
03/07 - Electrical Audio, Chicago, IL (recording)
03/08 - Electrical Audio, Chicago, IL (recording)
03/09 - Electrical Audio, Chicago, IL (recording)
03/10 - Ronny's, Chicago, IL w/Quatre Tete, Unique Chique, Gloria Story
03/11 - Lemp Arts, St. Louis, MO w/Muscle Brain, Dashchund
03/12 - tba, Kansas City, MO
03/13 - Sound Pony Lounge, Tulsa, OK
03/14 - 1919 Hemphill, Ft. Worth, TX w/The Cheat, Koji Kondo
03/15 - No Idea Records & Political Party presents SXSFest, Austin, TX
03/16 - 3299 Ivanhoe St., Baton Rouge, LA w/Brainworms
03/17 - Cave 9, Birmingham, AL w/Brainworms
03/18 - ISP (Stickfigure sunday matinee), Atlanta, GA w/Brickmason, Battlecat, Eether
03/19 - tba, Charlotte, NC
03/20 - tba, Greensboro, NC
03/21 - Solid Dudes House, Richmond, VA w/The Catalyst, Mouthbreather
03/22 - HELP!
03/23 - HELP!
03/24 - Veggieplex Theatre, Philadelphia, PA
03/25 - HELP!
03/26 - HELP!
03/27 - Gooskis, Pittsburgh, PA
03/28 - Tower 2012, Cleveland, OH

If you can help on any of the dates marked 'HELP!', get in touch with the band via their website: http://www.noisecorewalze.com/

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

If Society has posted Fun's preliminary US tour schedule: http://www.ifsociety.com/news.php
As mentioned before, the Finnish act (as heard on "Reader's companion volume one") is coming to the US to record their new album with legendary engineer Steve Albini at his Electrical Audio Studio in Chicago and will be doing a large batch of dates while they are here.

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Check out Teemu from Fun's solo project Electric Retard: http://www.noisecorewalze.com/er/

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Not only will Finnish noiserockers Fun (as heard on "Reader's companion volume one") be touring the US this coming March, they'll also be stopping by Electrical Audio in Chicago to record a new album with Steve Albini! A perfect pairing, I might add. Those dudes must be super stoked. Actual tourdates coming soon.

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Updated shows for Finland's Echo Is Your Love:

11/22 - HDJ, Leverkusen (GER) w/Endearment
11/23 - Subversiv, Berlin (GER) w/Moho
11/24 - Rote Flora, Hamburg (GER)
11/25 - Ut Connewitz (Iskra-Festival), Leipzig (GER) w/Turbostaat, etc.
01/19 - Bar 15, Seinäjoki (FIN) w/Fun

Video mix: Peter Bjorn and John, The Lionheart Brothers, Kristofer Åström, Desert Planet, José González, Khoma, more...

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700

All "Reader's companion volume one" edition.

Peter Bjorn and John - Young folks (live in Glasgow)
A great song, but I still think "It beats me every time" is better...

KVLR - Capitol city child live w/dancer
Since their only two 'real' videos were already posted recently, here's a silly tour film.

I couldn't find any videos on YouTube, so here's the top-rated search result for 'Fun' and 'Finland'.

The Lionheart Brothers - Time river floaty
Not the best video, but still a fantastic song.

Kristofer Åström - The wild
A super-creepy video for an amazingly beautiful song.

David & the Citizens - Greycoated morning
I was hoping to find the clip for "Big chill", but this track is pretty hot too.

Desert Planet - Return of the ninja droids
100% pure genius. 'Nuff said.

José González - Crosses
Still classic.

Opeth - Isolation years
Apparently Isolation Years doesn't have any videos on YouTube, so here's the Swedish band Opeth playing their song "Isolation years".

CDOASS - I Spy (Batman and Robin)
Hmmm... fan art.

Khoma - One of us must hang (live)
The sound quality is subpar, but the song is still great.

Thu, 13 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0700

The tracklist for the "Hahmotushäiriö" compilation LP being put out by Finnish label : http://www.kauhajoki.fi/~raliimak/kissankusi.html
Highlights for me include tracks from Fun and The Insult That Made A Man Out Of Mac.

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Upcoming releases on the way from Finnish label Kissankusi:

Various Artists - Hahmotushäiriö LP (featuring new, mostly unreleased material from acts such as Sur-Rur, Radiopuhelimet, Can Can Heads, Valse Triste, The Insult That Made A Man Out Of Mac, Fun, Asthmatix, Jyrki Nissinen and more)

Kaivosurma - CDR (all previously unreleased material)

Can Can Heads - Headcracking lifestyle (CDR reissue of the OOP CD originally released in '99 via Hostile Reggression)

Tue, 10 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Finnish noiserockers Fun (as heard on the "IAT reader's companion" CD) have posted a short tourdiary from their recent trip to Russia: http://www.noisecorewalze.com/text_template.php?text=russia_2005
In other news, the band will contribute the previously unreleased song "P-bone" to a compilation called "Hahmotushäiriö", due out soon from Kissankusi Records. Other bands on the record will include Sur-rur, Radiopuhelimet, Can Can Heads, Valse Triste and The Insult That Made a Man Out of Mac.

Thu, 03 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Finnish noiserockers Fun on tour in Russia:

11/11 - Deep Sound Club, St. Petersburg w/Cut'n'Run, Dotty Danger
11/12 - Secret Show, Moscow
11/13 - The Ice Planet, Moscow w/Silence Kit, Foojitsu, Diffuzzia

Wed, 05 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Finnish noiserockers Fun are now on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/noisecorewalze

Mon, 26 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Finnish noiserockers Fun on tour in Russia:

11/11 - tbc, St. Petersburg
11/12 - tbc, Moscow
11/13 - tba (near Moscow), Russia

The band will be supporting the release of a new tape which includes the group's first EP, the "Szklarka poreba" LP and a few various comp tracks.

Fri, 16 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Finnish noise-rockers Fun have posted their entire debut EP for free download: http://www.noisecorewalze.com/
If you are even remotely into the classic Touch & Go/AmRep style, you better check these guys out cuz they rule.

Mon, 22 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Tons of new stuff added to mailorder department, including both albums from Danish hardcore act The Psyke Project and a huge selection of If Society's recent releases including records from Viola, Frivolvol, Echo Is Your Love, Fun and more. Start shopping!

Wed, 22 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Check out pics from the recent Fun/Echo Is Your Love European tour: http://www.noisecorewalze.com/text_template.php?text=fun_echo_tour_2005

Wed, 30 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800

The upcoming Fun/Echo Is Your Love tour has been mostly confirmed. Here's the latest:

04/15 - Zabadaks, Kuldiga (LAT)
04/16 - tbc, Klaipeda (LIT)
04/17 - tbc, Kaunas (LIT)
04/18 - tbc, Kurow (POL)
04/19 - tbc, Krakow (POL)
04/20 - tbc, Wroclaw (POL)
04/21 - Waldschloss, Potsdam (GER)
04/22 - Frûh Auf!, Leipzig (GER)
04/23 - Kulturbunker Mühlheim, Cologne (GER) w/Hinterlandt
04/24 - Tower Bar, Bremen (GER) w/Hinterlandt
04/25 - tbc, tba (GER)
04/26 - Metropol, Hengelo (HOL) w/Hinterlandt
04/27 - ACU, Utrecht (HOL) w/Hinterlandt
04/28 - OCCII, Amsterdam (HOL) w/Hinterlandt
04/29 - tbc, tba (GER)
04/30 - Paramount DIY, Roskilde (DK)

Thu, 10 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Fun gets a great review at Splendid: http://www.splendidmagazine.com/review.html?reviewid=1106564006819003
Just to remind you, Fun is one of the many fine acts that appear on the "IAT reader's companion" compilation which can be had for a mere $6 ppd. It's a great way to expose yourself to a whole slew of interesting artists all at once without breaking the bank. More info on the right.

Wed, 19 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800

And on the If Society touring front, look for Echo is Your Love to do four dates in Russia in February and two-and-a-half weeks with labelmates Fun (see the "IAT reader's companion") in Europe in April/May. Hero Dishonest will also be hitting the road in Europe around May/June and I can personally attest that they are not to be missed.

Top 10s for 2004: It's a trap!

Fri, 24 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Top 10 albums of 2004 (in alphabetical order):

There has been a tremendous glut of fantastic music in 2004; too bad I never got a chance to hear it all. I've got a long list of acclaimed albums that I've yet to sink my teeth into and I have no doubt that this would turn out quite differently had I the time and opportunity to investigate them. So, keeping that in mind, here's my top picks for the year. Hope you like it!

01. Kristofer Åström - Loupita (Startracks)
Have I beaten this horse to death yet? Acoustic albums are inherently risky because your flaws and weaknesses are left totally exposed and that's exactly why this album works so well. There's nowhere to hide and Kristofer never falters: great songs and superb performances. The outstanding vocal work of up-and-coming singer/songwriter Britta Persson seals the deal. Absolutely sublime.
[purchase album]

02. Marit Bergman - Baby dry your eye (BMG)
There's a reason this is ending up on so many year-end lists: it's far and away the best pop album released in 2004. There's something so endearing and charming about Marit that she's just irresistible. And I'll be damned if "Adios Amigos" isn't one of the year's best singles.

03. C.Aarmé - s/t (Burning Heart/Carcrash/Epitaph)
Sharp and fierce, like a knife. No frills, just fury.

04. The End Will Be Kicks - If you see them tell them I love them (Chalksounds)
Mid-90s Norrland guitar rock resurrected! Dense melodies and brilliant guitar interplay are what make this one of the most immediate debuts in recent memory. There's more greatness in these four songs than in many band's whole discographies.

05. Fun - Szklarska poreba (If Society)
Sure, it's derivative of classic Chicago rock like Jesus Lizard/Rapeman/Big Black/etc., but those bands are gone now and nobody has come close to stepping up and taking their place. Until Fun. I knew these guys were awesome the moment I heard the first song I downloaded from their website.

06. Gåte - Iselilja (Warner Norway)
It's music like this that reminds me of why I started Itsatrap. Nordic folk is naturally heavy and powerful when electrified and Gåte knows how to achieve the perfect balance between the old and the new.

07. Peter, Bjorn and John - Falling out (Planekonomi)
This record caught me a bit off-guard by being much more of a downer than their self-titled debut. I was expecting power-pop anthems, but instead I got a somber, thoughtful concept album. The hooks are still huge and plentiful; they're just smarter and more mature. That also means they are not quite so immediate, however it makes them stronger and more satisfying in the end.
[purchase album]

08. Silverbullit - Arclight (NEG/BAM)
Thank goodness- a hugely anticipated album that not only meets expectations, but also exceeds them. This record took way too long to come out, but oh man, was it worth it. The sounds are rooted in 80s retro, but the overall feeling is anything but.

09. The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Origin I (Telegram/Warner)
Album #4 and they're still going strong. This is classic rock, emphasis on classic.

10. Sophie Zelmani - Love affair (Columbia)
Such a great example of how music can be subdued and fragile, but still remain evocative and powerful. Think Emmylou Harris crossed with Stina Nordenstam.

Honorable mentions (Scandinavian):
01. Cult of Luna - Salvation (Earache)
02. Division of Laura Lee - Das not compute (Burning Heart/Epitaph)
03. Eskju Divine - Darkness all around (Imperial)
04. Giant Robot - Domesticity (Stupido)
05. José González - Stay in the shade (Imperial)
06. Sivert Høyem - Ladies and gentlemen of the opposition (Virgin Norway)
07. Koma - Tsunami (Blackstarfoundation/Fullsteam Recordings)
08. Meshuggah - I (Fractured Transmitter Records)
09. Stina Nordenstam - The world is saved (A Walk in the Park/V2)
10. Pan Sonic - Kesto (Mute)
11. David Sandström - The dominant need of the needy is to be needed (Mofab Teg)
12. The Solution - Communicate! (Wild Kingdom)
13. Tiger Lou - Is my head still on? (Startracks)
14. The Tiny - Close enough (Determine Records/Eyeball Records)
15. WE - Smugglers (Nun Music)

Honorable mentions (other):
01. Ben Christophers - The spaces in between (Cooking Vinyl)
02. Converge - You fail me (Epitaph)
03. Mare - s/t (Hydrahead)
04. The Paper Chase - God bless your black heart (Kill Rock Stars)
05. Woven Hand - Consider the birds (Glitterhouse/Sounds Familyre)

Mon, 20 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Finnish noise-rockers Fun have posted two new mp3s for download: http://www.noisecorewalze.com/
Just to remind you, they are one of the many great bands that appear on the "Reader's companion" compilation I put out.

Tue, 19 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Aversionline reviews Fun: http://www.aversionline.com/reviews/1773/

Mon, 20 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700

New mp3 today from the Finnish noiserock band Fun. I totally flipped for these guys the very first time I heard a track I downloaded at their website. I knew immediately that I wanted to work with them which is why they are on the upcoming "Reader's companion" compilation, due out very soon. Their sound is very much rooted in the Chicago/Touch & Go/Steve Albini tradition, but they make it their own. You'd think there would be a lot more bands attempting to play this sort of stuff, but thankfully it is not the case. Anyhow, these guys rule so check them out and buy their new album "Szklarska poreba" out now on If Society.

Fri, 17 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Fun has posted a diary from their recently completed European tour: http://www.noisecorewalze.com/text_template.php?text=spekulaatio_tour
Not only are they featured on the upcoming "IAT reader's companion" compilation, but their album "Szklarska poreba" is fast becoming one of my favorites for the year.

Fri, 10 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Fun has updated their website with tons of pics from their recently-completed European tour: http://www.knobox.no-ip.info/~riku/fun/shows.php

Fri, 23 Jul 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Fun is looking for help on getting some gigs for the dates August 21-23 on their upcoming European tour, hopefully somewhere between the UK and Germany. I think they're a pretty great band, so please lend 'em a hand if you can. Samples, full tour dates and contact info is here: http://www.fun.ven.cc/

Mon, 12 Jul 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Check out some brand new mp3s from the Finnish band Fun:

01. I know Ted Kennedy
02. Big lies

The new album "Szklarska Poreba" has been sent off to the pressing plant and will be out on If Society very soon. If you remember the days of when Touch & Go put out nothing but amazing records in the vein of Jesus Lizard and Big Black, then you need to check these guys out.

Wed, 02 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Finnish label If Society has announced that they'll be releasing the new Hero Dishonest LP "Let Your Poison Scream" at the end of June. 20 minutes of no bullshit, no posing hardcore including a cover of "Pääni" by classic Finnish punks KTMK. Also in the works from the label is the new album "Szklarska Poreba" from Fun. The sound is described as "classic 80's american indie á la Flipper, Big Black, Minutemen, Fugazi, Butthole Surfers, Saccharine Trust" and it should be ready by the end of July. Download older track "The Rocket Song": http://www.knobox.no-ip.info/~riku/fun/media/the_rocket_song.mp3
And that's not all - the label also has plans for a 7" from The Protestants, a split 7" with Hero Dishonest and Mukeka Di Rato from Brazil and the follow-up to "8 Hours" from Echo is Your Love.

Tue, 23 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0800

Finland's If Society records has announced that they'll be doing a 7" for Abnormi in January. "8 song assault of vintage Finnish hardcore mayhem of the rawest and most primitive kind" is how they describe it. The label is also coordinating a split 7" with Hero Dishonest and Mukeka Di Rato of Brazil. That's more raging hardcore, if the name didn't already tip you off. HD will also be doing a full length and touring Scandinavia in February. Labelmates Echo is Your Love and Fun will be recording new records in the spring, too. And lastly, Viola will release their debut CD of "northern melancholy and stargazing" music in April. "11 tracks that play your heart-strings and provide a soundtrack to discovering the beauty in your life."