IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Live At WAH

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 12:54:53 -0800

Live At WAH (We Are Home) is a new Finland-based website capturing relaxed live music performances on video at their office in Tampere: http://live.wah.fi/
Artists featured so far include Pintandwefall, Dungen, Jukka Ässä (Tapes, Tigerbombs) and Ville Pirinen (Black Audio) with upcoming videos from Tomutonttu, Jaakko & Jay, Cosmobile and more on the way.

Tigerbombs working on new album

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:52:37 -0700

Finnish pop act Tigerbombs are back in the studio working on their next record.

Suuri Voima to release self-titled album via Punos Sound

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:10:51 -0800

Punos Sound (Plain Fade) will be releasing the new self-titled album from Suuri Voima on April 15. The album was produced and recorded by Jarkko "Pepe Trouble" Heiniö of Tigerbombs/King of All the Animals and you can now hear three tracks at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/suurivoima

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:25:53 -0700

Tapes, the Finnish indiepop band of Tigerbombs member Jukka Salminen, will release their sophomore album "Aloha!" on September 24. More info and tourdates: http://www.myspace.com/tapesrapesapes

King of All the Animals Paper beats rock Pyramid

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700

I've always held a soft spot in my heart for Tigerbombs, mostly as a damned fun summer band, though Pepe Trouble's solo act took me by surprise: not only in solidifying his songwriting amongst the strongest summer-pop work out there, but also by branching out his pop craftsmanship along more serious avenues. With a truly all-star Scandinavian cast, including Astrid Swan, Samae Koskinen (of Sister Flo), and Sweden's The Mopeds, amongst many, many others, King of All the Animals is a talented collection of tried and tested musicians, and "Paper beats rocks" is even further testament to this statement. Instead of the Caesars (Palace)-like tact that Tigerbombs adopt -- chock full of rock organ hooks and fills -- King of All the Animals is a much more typically Scandinavian pop group. "1000-mile-heartache" feels like it fell straight out of a 80s coming-of-age film, a Modern English vibe wrapped around an almost Shout Out Louds-type delivery. "Everything burns red" bristles with perfect guitar hooks and the layered, saturated approach that Moonbabies have perfected. There are a few stumbles on the record, all of which are easily forgiven (and almost more easily forgotten as one become more familiar with the album), and none of which even mildly threaten to derail this proficient and entertaining work. Listen to "The Cologne beat" and you'll know exactly where all my excitement for "Paper beats rock" comes from.

Tue, 13 May 2008 12:12:59 -0700

Finnish indiepop act Regina has signed with Johanna Kustannus (Astrid Swan, Tigerbombs) and will be releasing a new album early next year with a single to precede it sometime before the end of 2008.

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:55:54 -0700

Finnish act King Of All The Animals (ft. members from Tigerbombs) have added new music to their myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/kingofalltheanimals

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:54:04 -0800

Tigerbombs sideproject King Of All The Animals will contribute the song "Angels fly low" to a new comp on UK label BabyBoom Records. As for the band's own forthcoming album, that's on track for late April/early May, but there's a few sample tunes up now at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kingofalltheanimals

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 23:26:31 -0800

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

01. Annika Norlin/Säkert! - Generalens visa
02. TALK 1
03. Downstairs - Legs for arms
04. Dmitry Fyodorov - 1b-1
05. Northern Fields - Never take the beauty
06. TALK 2
07. Barra Head - Undermine
08. Fläskkvartetten - Som glas (ft. Nina Persson)
09. Benea Reach - New waters
10. TALK 3
11. Firefox AK - Winter rose (Tellevika remix)
12. Dansdepartementet - Svarta brev
13. Randy - Little toulouse
14. TALK 4
15. Britta Persson - At 7
16. M:40 - Brännmärkt
17. Mechanical Bird - Martha
18. TALK 5
19. Marvins Revolt - Multiple fractures
20. The Drawbacks - Straight lines & circles
21. Isolation Years - Say-nothing day
22. Christian Kjellvander - Poppies and peonies
23. TALK 6
24. Little Dragon - Recommendation
25. FAP - Sjömannen
26. Cortex - Animals (...looking at me)
27. TALK 7
28. Ulf Ljusberg - Whatever was
29. Mayhem - Deathcrush
30. Alog - St.Paul sessions II
31. TALK 8
32. Tigerbombs - 1000 sparks
33. Mainliners - Bourbon and ice
34. Mando Diao - San Francisco Bay
35. Madrugada - Look away Lucifer
36. TALK 9
37. Matts Katt - Refused was fucking murdered

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:47:26 -0800

Check out Tigerbombs sideproject King of All the Animals: http://www.myspace.com/kingofalltheanimals

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 10:47:08 -0700

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

01. Lars Winnerbäck - Innan mörkret faller
02. TALK 1
03. TIAC - Boredom
04. Brainbombs - Who can you trust
05. Ted Gärdestad - Helena
06. TALK 2
07. Björn Kleinhenz - China Blue
08. Viktor Sjöberg - The sensation of your head on my chest
09. Marvins Revolt - Deliberate deeds
10. TALK 3
11. Abalone Dots - Under the rain
12. The Bear Quartet - The lost kid office
13. Lo-Fi-Fnk - Wake up
14. Watain - Underneath the cenotaph
15. TALK 4
16. The Tiny - Closer
17. Supersilent - 8.4
18. Anna Ternheim - Today is a good day
19. TALK 5
20. The Skull Defekts - The secret
21. Lukestar - White shade
22. Pay TV - Fashion report
23. Wolfpack - Enter the gates
24. TALK 6
25. Tigerbombs - Shaking the tree
26. Familjen - Ivanhoe & Rebecca
27. Giant Robot - Public = shopping
28. Eskju Divine - Hold on
29. TALK 7
30. The Bell - On and on
31. DHG - The snuff dreams are made of
32. Trio Mediaeval - Det lisle bånet
33. TALK 8
34. Peter Bjorn and John - It beats me every time
35. Margaret Berger - Seek I'll hide
36. Kaizers Orchestra - Kontroll på kontinentet
37. TALK 9
38. Darkthrone - F.O.A.D.

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Check out Finnish girl-band Pintandwefall: http://www.myspace.com/pawf
Expect punky rock'n'roll, not lame hard-rock. Bombettes not Bitch Alert, if you catch my drift. The new album "Wow! What was that, baby", produced by Mr. Trouble of Tigerbombs, will be released on October 17. Definitely recommended.

Tigerbombs Things that go boom Pyramid

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

Film snobs seem incapable of having a good time during fun, blockbuster films. I have friends that refuse to read anything except 'classics' or 'cult novels'. Hell, I'm not deluded enough to be unaware of the fact that I only mention certain films, texts, and music when I am trying to impress someone. But there is a place in this world for uncomplicated entertainment, there's only so many times a year that I can have life-changing realizations and pause for the subsequent self-evaluation, and Tigerbombs fills this niche very competently. Obviously influenced by party jam artistes Ceasers, and helped in their quest by Paola on a few songs, the Tigerbombs' "Things that go boom" is everything that a garage-pop album should be – entertaining, energetic and solid. The songs are very well put together, there's a lot to be said about bands who can consistently craft a three-minute pop song, and even have nice surprising elements, like the wonderful ending of "Hit the lights" that bleeds perfectly into "The winter's gone today". It's summer, you deserve some fun. Tigerbombs want to help.

Sat, 26 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

My radio show this week is all about good-time summer jams:

01. TALK 1
02. Junior Senior - Move your feet
03. Tigerbombs - 1000 sparks
04. Säkert! - Vi kommer att dö samtidigt
05. TALK 2
06. Maia Hirasawa - And I found this boy
07. Margaret Berger - Samantha
08. The Knife - Heartbeats
09. The Ark - The worrying kind
10. TALK 3
11. Bamse - Kapten Busters sång
12. Marit Bergman - Adios amigos
13. Last Days of April - Playerin
14. Nic & the Family - Hej Monika
15. TALK 4
16. Basshunter - Boten Anna
17. The Alpine - No I in team
18. Aqua - Barbie girl
19. TALK 5
20. I'm From Barcelona - Treehouse
21. Bertine Zetlitz - 500
22. Eric Prydz vs Floyd - Proper education
23. TALK 6
24. Children of Bodom - Oops, I did it again!
25. Whale - Hobo humpin' slobo babe
26. Kurt Nilsen - She's so high
27. Desert Planet - Return of the ninja droids
28. TALK 7
29. Laakso - Italy vs Helsinki
30. Peter Bjorn and John - Young folks
31. September - Cry for you
32. TALK 8
33. Randy - Summer of bros
34. Ace of Base - All that she wants
35. Sir Eric Beyond and the Avant-Garde - Democracy
36. TALK 9
37. Håkan Hellström - Kann ingen sorg för mig Göteborg
38. Seven Feet Four - Last days of summer
39. Tiger Lou - The war between us (Rupesh Cartel remix)
40. Madrugada - The kids are on high street
41. TALK 10
42. Europe - The final countdown

Download the companion "Summer jam '07" podcast mix right here.

Sat, 05 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Friday's Sirius Blog Radio playlist:

01. The Alpine - Mondays look the same
02. TALK 1
03. Gravy - Back with the nerds
04. Giant Robot - Best match
05. Jomi Massage - A detail
06. TALK 2
07. Broder Daniel - Shoreline
08. The Grand Opening - Don't drop off
09. Moonbabies - Take me to the ballroom
10. Britta Persson - Oh how wrong
11. TALK 3
12. Lemonator - Would you die for me?
13. Trapdoor Fucking Exit - Short ends
14. Billie the Vision and the Dancers - Overdosing with you
15. TALK 4
16. Folie - Rocin
17. Robyn - Handle me
18. Laakso - Norrköping
19. TALK 5
20. Magnet - I walk the line
21. Isolation Years - Albino child
22. KVLR - Construction work
23. TALK 6
24. Anna Leong - 61
25. Tigerbombs - One giant leap
26. Motorpsycho - Hyena
27. TALK 7
28. Oskar Schönning - Other birds
29. Pan Sonic - Rähinä II / Mayhem II
30. Mercyful Fate - Evil
31. TALK 8
32. Ricochets - Come around over
33. Ghost Brigade - Based on you
34. Smalltown - The music
35. Popface - In the night
36. TALK 9
37. Circle Six - 1

MP3: Tigerbombs - Shaking the tree

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Tigerbombs might come off like a Finnish carbon-copy of Caesars/Caesars Palace, but they sure one-upped those dudes by enlisting Klas Åhlund's ex-wife Paola to help out on their new record "Thing that go boom". Otherwise, the sound is more or less the same: revved-up organ-driven garage rock with a definite retro/lo-fi vibe. It's fun stuff, perfect for the onset of summer. Original? Naah, but neither were Caesars either.

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Tigerbombs have revamped their website yet again: http://www.tigerbombs.com/

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Finnish garage-pop act Tigerbombs are now streaming their entire new album "Things that go boom" at their website: http://www.tigerbombs.com/

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Tigerbombs have updated their myspace with four new songs from their forthcoming album "Things that go boom", including two tracks that feature guest vocals from Paola: http://www.myspace.com/tigerbombs

Tue, 27 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Finland's Tigerbombs have posted the tracklist details for their forthcoming album "Things that go boom", due out March 28: http://www.tigerbombs.com/news.htm

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

It was only last Friday that I was wondering what was up with Paola and guess what? I've got an update! Finnish act Tigerbombs just wrote to tell me that she helped out with arrangements and songwriting on the band's new album "Things that go boom", due out March 28. She also sings of course and will appear on two duets tracks.

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Keep up with Tigerbombs in the studio as they record their third album: http://www.tigerbombs.com/diary/studiodiary/studiodiary_album3.htm

Video mix: Tigerbombs, The Radio Dept., Björn Kleinhenz, Sounds Like Violence, more...

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Tigerbombs - 1000 sparks
Dancing tigers! Dancing kids! Dancing penguins! Dancing... ninjas? (AR)

The Radio Dept. - 1995 (Live at Pop Dakar 2003)
One of my favourite of songs by The Radio Dept. played live. Not the best sound, but ok. (ST)

Björn Kleinhenz - Better company
Music notes! Flying through the air! Ooooh... (SS)

Kaizers Orchestra - Introduction
It's time to meet the band! Really, who doesn't love an organist in a gasmask? (AR)

Maria Solheim - Snow has killed
Why is this Norwegian nymph singing a sad song about Christmas while traipsing about merrily in a summer dress? I do not know. But I like it. (SS)

Timo Räisänen - Stripping
Stripping... sideways. (SS)

I Walk the Line - When I'm gone
It's easy to see why Gearhead picked these guys up. Great rock'n'roll is hard to find. (AR)

Sounds Like Violence - You give me heartattacks
When is their album coming out? It's been a long wait! Here's something to remind you of the high expectations you should have. (ST)

Henry Fiat's Open Sore - Girlfriend
According to Denimzine, every member of the band and crew was arrested on three separate occations during the video-shoot for this song. Not too hard to figure out why. (AR)

.:Who's who?

AR: Avi Roig
SS: Stacey Shackford
ST: Simon Tagestam

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Tigerbombs on tour in Germany and beyond:

12/07 - Gruner Jager, Hamburg (GER)
12/08 - Kling Klang, Wilhemshaven (GER)
12/09 - Stereo Wonderland, Cologne (GER)
12/10 - Sous Soul, Bern (CH)
12/11 - Hafenkneipe, Zurich (CH)
12/12 - My Way, Freiburg (GER)
12/13 - Zwoelzehn, Stuttgart (GER)
12/14 - Halle 02, Heidelberg (GER)
12/15 - Rind, Russelsheim (GER)
12/16 - tba, Berlin (GER)
12/29 - Yo-Talo, Tampere (FIN)

Tigerbombs Crazy kids never learn Johanna Kustannus/Pyramid

Wed, 30 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Avi described this band as "like the Caesars, only Finnish" and frankly I'm having a hard time coming up with a better snappy summary of this duo's second full length release. Like their aforenamed Swedish brethren, Tigerbombs (not to be confused with British band Tigerbomb) play short catchy pop songs influenced by 60s garage rock, heavy on the organs. They describe the record as more like adolescence than adulthood, and it does brim with teenage punk energy (think Buzzcocks or Undertones). It's an innocuous enough record - fun, catchy, energetic -- but ultimately the songs do a better job of suggesting the pop classics they could be than they do of achieving that perfection. Still, it's a nice release, and I wouldn't be surprised if they sharpened up their song writing and put out a brilliant fourth or fifth record one of these days.

Wed, 30 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

It's been awhile, but here's some new reviews for you: [click here]
Artists covered this time around include The Charade, Lemonator, Maria Lithell, Red Moon, The Second Band, Viktor Sjöberg, Tigerbombs and the four-way split "If we were oceans" featuring Kristofer Åström, Racingpaperplanes, Boy Omega and Two Times the Trauma.

MP3: Tigerbombs - All time wasted

Mon, 10 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0700

I suppose I should probably give the metal postings a rest and hook y'all up with some good-time summer fun music. I loved Tigerbombs' debut album "Loves you" was an unexpected surprise when it showed up in my mailbox back in 2004, so I was very excited to hear their follow-up record "Crazy kids never learn" when it was released earlier this year. It actually first came out in their native Finland way back in February (followed by Japan and GAS in May), but I think it's most fitting that I didn't receive a copy until now. Their sunny, organ-driven garagepop is perfect for this time of year. If you were let down by the last Caesars album like I was, this will hit the spot. Someone needs to fill that niche and Tigerbombs are a perfect fit.
Extra credit: check out the band's recently updated tour diary from their recent trip to Germany: http://tigerbombs.com/diary/2006%20germany%20tour%201.htm

Tue, 16 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Finnish garagepop act Tigerbombs on tour in Europe:

05/26 - Kling Klang, Wilhelmshaven (GER)
05/27 - KUZ Pelmke, Hagen (GER) w/TV Smith
05/27 - Ping Pong Club / Bakuda klub, Dortmund (GER)
05/28 - LOGO, Ahaus (GER) w/TV Smith
05/29 - Musa, Göttingen (GER) w/TV Smith
05/30 - Nil Klub, Potsdam (GER) w/TV Smith
05/31 - Magnet, Berliini (GER)
06/01 - Fundbureau, Hampuri (GER)
06/02 - Blue Shell, Köln (GER)
06/03 - Pretty Vacant, Düsseldorf (GER)
06/04 - Conne Island, Leipzig (GER)
06/05 - Paunchy Cats Lichtenfels (GER) w/TV Smith
06/06 - Storchenne, Heidelberg (GER)
06/07 - Cafe Stella, Stuttgart (GER) w/TV Smith
06/08 - Schlachthof, Wiesbaden (GER) w/TV Smith
06/09 - Sedel, Luzern (SWI) w/TV Smith
06/10 - Feierwerk, München (GER) w/TV Smith

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Finnish garagepop act Tigerbombs will have their most recent album "Crazy kids never learn" released in GAS on May 19 via Radio Blast Recordings. As is expected, touring will follow. Dates:

05/12 - Yo-Talo, Tampere (FIN)
05/13 - Vanha, Polte-Klubi, Helsinki (FIN)
05/26 - Kling Klang, Wilhelmshaven (GER)
05/27 - Kuz Pelmke, Hagen (GER)
05/28 - Logo, Ahaus (GER)
05/29 - Musa, Göttingen (GER)
05/30 - Nil Klub, Potsdam (GER)
05/31 - Magnet, Berlin (GER)
06/01 - Pretty Vacant, Dusseldorf (GER)
06/02 - Blue Shell, Koeln (GER)
06/03 - Gladhouse, Cottbus (GER)
06/04 - Conne Island, Leipzig (GER)
06/05 - Paunchy Cats, Lichtenfels (GER)
06/06 - Storchenne, Heidelberg (GER)
06/07 - Cafe Stella, Stuttgart (GER)
06/08 - Schlachthof, Wiesbaden (GER)
06/09 - Sedel, Luzern (SWI)
06/10 - Feierwerk, München (GER)
08/26 - tba, Tampere (FIN)

Tue, 07 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Finnish organ-driven garage-pop duo Tigerbombs have posted the video for "Punch me up" on their website: http://www.tigerbombs.com/

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Finnish pop act Tigerbombs have a new website: http://www.tigerbombs.com/
Go there to check out samples from the band's new album "Crazy kids never learn".

Mon, 12 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Tapes, the soloproject of Sepe from Tigerbombs, has posted a bunch of remix tracks for free download: http://www.musaa.org/tapes/media_frame.html

Thu, 17 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Finland's Tigerbombs have announced that their sophomore full-length album will be released in February. More details to come.

Tue, 01 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Tapes, the solo project of Tigerbombs organist Sepe, now has a website: http://www.musaa.org/tapes
Go there for more info on the project and the upcoming album and download a couple sample clips.

Mon, 24 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Finland's Tigerbombs are now on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/tigerbombs

Wed, 12 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Listen to a clip from the new single "No time wasted" from Finnish garage-pop act Tigerbombs: http://www.musaa.org/tigerbombs/mp3s/media.htm

Mon, 05 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Finland's Tigerbombs will release a new single on October 12.

Podcast: Feel-good summer mix

Tue, 14 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700

DATE ADDED : 06.14.05
LENGTH : 34:16 min
DOWNLOAD : itsatrap_podcast_06142005.mp3 (24.1mb)
RSS : [click here]

Tracklist:
01. Desert Planet - Breakout button
02. Randy - Beware (feat. Fat Mike)
03. The First Miles - Baby baby baby baby baby baby baby I love you
04. Moneybrother - My lil girl's straight from heaven
05. Double-O - Call of a lifetime
06. Caesars - Get off of my cloud
07. Monkeystrikes - Let's go to Hawaii
08. The Fine Arts Showcase - Galveston
09. Tigerbombs - 1000 sparks
10. Eric Beyond - Step off
11. Giant Robot - Boys and girls

Fri, 25 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Finnish garage-pop act Tigerbombs will head to Japan for their first time ever for a show on April 14 at Astro Hall in Tokyo.

Tue, 14 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

MTVe talks to the Tigerbombs: http://www.mtve.com/article.php?ArticleId=5240

Mon, 06 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

New mp3 today from Finnish garage-pop duo Tigerbombs. As I said in my review, these guys aren't exactly reinventing the wheel or anything, but that doesn't stop them from churning out a solid number of golden pop hits. Like the single "1000 sparks", this track is fueled by an energetic classic organ line and a huge chorus. I love that vocal break at the end with the crazy ascending melody that leads into the final chorus. The album may lose a bit of steam when taken as a whole, but that's because this is really the kind of stuff that's dying to be heard as a radio single. So yeah- check it out and inject a bit of sunshine into your cold December day.

Streaming playlist: In rotation

Sun, 28 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800

DATE ADDED : 11.28.04
LAUNCH : Real / Windows

Tracklist:
01. Tigerbombs - 1000 sparks
02. The Solution - Would you change your mind?
03. Peter, Bjorn and John - Tailormade
04. Desert Planet - Shadow of the assassin
05. Henrik Levy - The teacher
06. The Tiny - Closer
07. Kashmir - The aftermath
08. The Lionheart Brothers - The sun in my eyes
09. Wild Evil Entertainment Dept. - Nosebleed
10. Gåte - Rike rodenigår
11. The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Transcendental suicide
12. Silverbullit - Only gold
13. C.Aarmé - You're a dead box
14. WE - Smugglers

Tigerbombs Loves you Johanna Kustannus

Sun, 28 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800

These Finns play keyboard-driven garage-pop very much in the same vein as The Caesars/Caesars Palace. Obviously, they aren't setting out to do anything life-changing or even all that original, but they know how to put together a catchy hook and that's what really matters. They probably could've had a much stronger album if they shaved off a couple tunes, but whatever- there's enough strong material here for me to recommend it to anyone looking for something sugary-sweet and fun to help them get through the winter.

Thu, 18 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Here's this week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. Annie - Chewing Gum
02. HIM - And Love Said No
03. Nephew - Superliga
04. Dhani - Girl Talk
05. Saybia - I surrender
06. Sugarplum Fairy - Sweet Jackie
07. Nightwish - Wish I Had
08. Ana - Don't Cry For Pain
09. Lazyboy - Facts Of Life
10. Hanna Pakarinen - How Can I Miss You
11. Stephen Simmonds - Mother Mary
12. Bomfunk MC's - No Way In Hell
13. Ayesha - Squaffie
14. Blue Foundation - Save This Town
15. Promoe - Long Distance Runner
16. Private Line - 1-800-Out Of Nowhere
17. Johndoe - Pyromantikk
18. Negative - In My Heaven
19. Tigerbombs - 1000 Sparks
20. Soundtrack of Our Lives - Bigtime

Challengers:
01. The Mo - Howl In The Jungle
02. Bertine Zetlitz - Fake Your Beauty
03. Brolle Jr. - Sound Of A Drum
04. Noble - Hot 2 Nite
05. Black Belt - All to You