Finland’s Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät are currently in fifth place in the betting odds and the international press remain interested in their story. But so far the band, all of whom have special needs, haven’t attended any promo events outside of Finland. They have, however, given lots of concerts and interviews at home. In fact, in their most recent interview, they threw some major shade at the rest of the competition!
On Friday evening, lead singer Kari Aalto and bassist Sami Helle visited Puoli seitsemän, a talk-show produced by the Finnish broadcaster YLE. Sami confessed that he was a little tense ahead of Vienna, while Kari said that he’s feeling relaxed and positive. They also said that there would be no changes to the song or the performance for Eurovision, just “more smoke” on the stage.
During the interview, Sami also described his PKN bandmates. “I see Kari (the singer) 24 hours a day and I lose my nerves with him all the time. Toni (the drummer) is my best friend, but I can’t stand Pertti (the guitarist)”. Kari, however, said that Sami is a nice guy, but likes different things than he does. Total harmony, then!
The hosts kept the Eurovision questions coming and asked the band members if they had listened to any other songs from this year’s contest. Sami responded that they have listened to some songs while watching SVT’s panel show. “After us, I think all the songs were crap”. He said that all the songs were “typical schematic, old europop” and that he’s annoyed how the songs always repeat the typical Eurovision pattern.
What do you think about Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät’s comments about the other songs – are they putting the battle lines down before Vienna, or are they playing up to their “punk” image and rebelling? Let us know in the comments, or on our Twitter and Facebook pages!
LMAO This article has been understood sooo wrong. I learnt that when I watched online the episode of Puoli seitsemän, where PKN memebers gave this interview. First of all, the whole band DIDN’T CALL ALL other Eurovision entries crap. PKN’s Sami told in the interview that he had been watching ONE episode of the Swedish panel show (where panelists speak their mind of the other Eurovision entries), and just called these HANDFUL OF ENTRIES typical for Eurovision. Secondly, PKN’s Sami said JOKINGLY that he can’t stand his band friends Kari and Pertti. To that Kari said (SMILING WIDELY) he finds… Read more »
@ESCaddict. As far as I’ve never misrispect any other song I have the right to say (I thought that everyone has the right to criticize this comment coming from PKN because, even though you have had said that a song didn’t like you, you’re entitled to give your opinion) that this comment coming from PKN is completely disrispectful. As Spaniard, but also as a Eurofan who likes to see the diversity of the songs sent to Eurovision, I think that PKN has been chosen only because of the empathy (and because Finland is trying to gather votes) and, as far… Read more »
I can’t stand them. Arrogant people. I hate them, so pls finish LAST!
+1 ESCaddict. If we get to say which songs we think are crap, then so does PKN.
He’s pretty much just complaining about the ballad-pocalypse, same as the rest of us. Let he who is without sin etc. The only countries that didn’t wuss out this year are Finland, UK, Latvia, and Belgium (sort of).
And now I’ve gone and said something nice about UK. Time to go back to bed …
I can’t believe all these fake shock & horror statements. I have read many of your previous comments about artists in Eurovision & your comments were rude & disrespectful. Now PKN says songs in Eurovision are crap & you get all pious. What a pack of hypocrites!
Many of your statements right here on this blog are also rude & disrespectful. Have a look in the mirror before you criticise PKN.
@Luidgi Cmon man thats not cool, they may be arrogant arseholes but it has nothing to do with any of their disabilities. And why bring in Poland’s representative? She has an amazing voice and she’s stunning, what happened to make her paraplegic was a nightmarish life changing even, not her fault at all, and not PNKs fault either. PNK shouldn’t be in Eurovision because they only got through with sympathy votes, not because they are handicapped. Smh, mentally disabled people already have a hard enough time dealing with their disabilities, the last thing they need is able-minded people putting them… Read more »
Wow, this is so bad karma for those people who bashed Måns for his comment about the Finnish song!!! This comment by Finland’s represantive is AWFUL and DISGUSTING!!!! Finns should be ASHAMED!!!!
Oh my Gawd! Butthurt all throughout the comments! It’s too dark for shade!
But let me bring da light!
AWe’re presentedwith a song we’re not expecting from Finland, even though this kind of music is the BIGGEST thing going on there (heavy Metal, punk rock). We… Yall hate it because it’s Finnish, not Eurovision and you can’t help yourselves.
For my Finnish compatriots: Too bad you have to be ashamed of your own country because of a Eurovision song. Grow up jerks!
@Luidgi You should be banned from Internet altogether, to say the least. Disguting words. Disguting attitude.
@Ha
I have Aspergers Syndrome and yes it affects my life
However I do not insult other people about the way they look because I’m ugly
Same goes for PKN
Their song is terrible and they have not right to call all of the other songs crap.
Because people treat them differently and lie and tell them their song is good they have became arrogant and I so hope for that reason they come last in the Semi-final
I’m just gonna say what were all thinking. These freaks of nature need to go away they make me sick looking at them I have no respect for them they are taking the piss out of our contest! This isn’t the Paralympics its eurovision same goes to the polish girl. This song should be banned from the radio and Finland should be banned from eurovision itself!!
@Allen. These people are representing a country. Saying all songs are crap doesn’t bode well, with anyone when all other countries are trying to play nice. Finland’s PR team just doesn’t give a crap about this years entry. This is also shown by how he said “We’ll just be adding some more smoke”
OMG! The best thing with this song is that it is so short! It´s so bad and I dont care if they have disorder handicap. This is a song competition and no charity competition!
To all those posting negative comments, look up what Autism Spectrum Disorder is and understand how it affects you mentally..
PKN is better than Australia.
@ mawnck, good point. I don’t know why people find it rude. Guy from PKN basically said he doesn’t like any other entry. So what? He has a full right to say that songs are sh… or whatever. That’s how I feel about many songs in Eurovision and for sure , that’s how many people other feel, too. Maybe they don’t use a word “sh…”, but it doesn’t change the fact they dislike some songs. Disrespect will be to boo some entries (well known act by some fans!), but disliking (and saying it sounds like a sh…. or whatsover) something… Read more »
It’s ok to disagree.
I still stand with my opinion: Finland is one of the bravest countries when it comes to Eurovision and shows that Eurovision is not only about what ordinary Eurovision fans want to hear. Compared to predictable game that comes from Sweden year after year, for example, it’s more than exciting to see and hear something different.
They don’t have to qualify (and I believe they won’t), but this is way more interesting than many other songs this year.
Great job Finland.
I agree, thank you Finland showing eurovision that you don’t give a f’ck and do what you want 😀
Every song in the first semi final is good besides this song, even Moldova!
Finland choice at the UMK, wasn’t the right.
Goodluck Finland (0/10). Worst song of all time, Finland has great punk music and other rock… but PKN is just so bad…
@Oostenrijk @Calvin Mans wasnt disrespectful when he said what he said. PKN called every song shit and at the same time said his was the best. Its that cocky arrogant attitude that’s making people mad.
Plus we should make one thing clear, none of this is “shade”…like i see that term thrown loosely around and its used so wrongly, shade is indirect yet gets the message across just the same without actually saying it. PKN flat out said all the other songs were sh*t so..
But I don’t think it’s a wise move to say that while they are also in the same competition
Yes!! You go guys!!! I do agree with you
LMAO at posters who seriously think Satin Circus and Opera Skaala would have a prayer of getting to the final. Some of us were actually watching that final. We know better. For better or worse, Finland chose correctly. And if a truth bomb like this: ‘He said that all the songs were “typical schematic, old europop” and that he’s annoyed how the songs always repeat the typical Eurovision pattern.’ gets your panties in a bunch, then maybe you’d better take up a less stressful hobby. Like botany or something. Were you all not bitching about EXACTLY THE SAME THING about… Read more »
@Allen Had I, a twenty-year-old Finn, written and performed that song I would’ve been told that I’m a lazy weakling who is dishonouring veterans and who should get a job.
Now its clear that someone wants to get advantage of them. THEY ARE PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND NOONE ARE PROTECTING THEM! HELOOOO ANY MANAGER?…. i don’t want to think that this is happening deliberately…
The ones who take care of them, had to stop them from saying that. Why would they say that?
Being mentally disabled doesn’t mean you have to be a cunt.
@Allen What you are saying is the polar opposite to reality! On twitter and blogs etc all I’ve seen is respect for the guys, it’s the song people dislike!
In regards to their comment I find it very narrow minded and rude.
Allen, dafuq are you talking about this song is pure shit even h seconds of summer has better punk than this and that says a lot
@Allen
It’s not the guys most people have issues with. It’s the 90 seconds of pure terribleness that beat songs that could have scores massively from Finland (Satin Circus, Opera Skaala ect.)
Personally I admire PKN as a band, I just hate the song, as do others.
Wow, they prove they are mentally disabled. good luck.
Finland is probably one of the bravest countries in Eurovision and because of that I support their entry this year. People laughed when they chose Lordi, but then they won! This year they are not my favourites, but I really support their effort to send something different and brave although Eurovision fans hate it. I found it hypocritical to hate this song just because it’s sang by disabled people.You wanted to see equality in Eurovision?! Well, here we go. I am sure fans would be ok if this sond was sang by 4-5 kinda handsome Finns, or if song was… Read more »
Just give them a break…
Obviously they are not really serious on their statement..
I give them the alibi for being mentally challenged anyway..
I do not mind at all with their attitude…They are excused..
What would anyone expect really of them when they will compete with such ”song” like that in Vienna’s Vision..?? So this alone should make us having an actual picture of them…Like helloooo..??
Just do not take them seriously people..
They are the ones that do not take themselfs seriously..
Just hold yours horses & light it up at least only for this act alone..
People expect them to be polite and mature instead of child like… Hello!!! Does the term ‘mentally challenged’ ring a bell? I still think their song is crap though. And i’m a punk lover lol
I knew not sending Opera Skaala was a mistake. I appreciate that they are participating and they give the contest more diversity, but I do think that saying everyone else is “crap” was uncalled for.
People, chill out a bit! The man has a mental disability. Of course what he said it’s uncalled for… but we have to bare in mind where it comes from.
Oostenrijk, because most people actually agree and don’t like the song of pkn
Well that’s just an unexcusable thing to say. Even if you think it, keep it to yourself. I’m sure that if they had said they personally don’t find most of the songs appealling, nobody would make a big deal about it, as they are a punk band and it is understandable. Mans probably thinks PKN is absolute crap too, but when asked about this honest opinion, he was a profesional and polite adult about it.
I really have no clue if they will make it to the final or not. It could to either way and I wouldn’t be surprised.
lol… brilliant remark. it makes me love them even more! they definitely don’t give a hoot about what other people think. good for them!
It doesn’t matter who you are, saying things like that is rude, disrespectful and just plain childish. Everyone’s allowed to their opinion but these guys are supposed to be professional adults, and no professional adult would be throwing shade like they’re some kind of kid who wants attention. And if they hate the kind of music there is at Eurovision so much, why would they want to compete anyway?
Shame on you PKN, shame on you, I hope for the good of the contest that you stay in the semis
I hate to break it to you PKN, but yours is one of the few songs that is crap.
srynotsry
Punk band doesn’t care for formula ballads sung by wailing Celine-alikes. I am shocked, I tell you. Shocked.
Also LMFAO. Now I hope they get ALL the points.
that’s just rude, end of story.
Darren
We had 2 blind singer at Eurovision, male singer from Spain who represented his countrie 2 times in 1992 and 2000 and female singers from Germany 2002 (favorite to won on betting odds and they finished at 21 of 24 in final) and they don t get many simphaty votes botht from juries or televote or only juries and televote.
I don’t see them with the same negative prism i was seeing them at first… PKN look less badly to my eyes lately.. They should really win the title of the most beautiful act of Vienna’s Vision & i mean it.. And if they manage to qualify to the final that alone will not be catastrophy 4 our Vision.. Only if they win the Vision this will be outrageous.. We had Cezar from Romania doing great in Malmo with that horrible song that was not that much better than the song of PKN.. We had the russian grannies almost winning… Read more »
“all the other songs are crap lol vote for us”
hahaha, say goodbye to your chances of getting into the final!
What a horrible thing to say! Their song is the worst BY FAR. And to say you hate a band member? *tut* *tut*
I used to think they were nice, but now I just hate them. How disrespectful (and totally wrong.) Their song is the most crap one there is.
What “originality” are they talking about? Their song is so full of punk cliches it’s bloated. I seriously don’t get how they still haven’t broken up if they hate each other so much as the quotes tell us.
I really have a bad feeling that this will actually qualify and I hope I am very wrong. YLE should actually be ashamed of itself cashing in on people’s mental disabilities, its not right. We all know that if the song was good, we would not have a problem, but the song is not good, so its clearly their disabilities that got them here. I hate how Europe has taken Conchita’s glorious (and deserved) win at ESC last year to promote some cause, this year’s nice cause is obviously disabilities, with Finland and Poland sending disabled singers whose songs are… Read more »