Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founder | Pertti Kurikka, Kalle Pajamaa (organizer) |
| Defunct | December 2016 |
| Headquarters | Finland |
| Products | Punk rock music |
- PKN was a Finnish punk rock group established in 2009 within a charitable workshop dedicated to adults with developmental disabilities. Their story was prominently featured in the 2012 documentary The Punk Syndrome, which helped them reach a broader audience. In 2015, they secured victory at Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu and went on to represent Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2015, where their journey ended in the semi-final stage. The band dissolved in December 2016 following guitarist Pertti Kurikka’s decision to retire from punk music.[1]
Formation (2004–2012)
Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät was born out of Lyhty, a charitable workshop serving adults with developmental disabilities. In 2004, Pertti Kurikka connected with organizer Kalle Pajamaa, who identified his musical talent and set out to build a band around him.[2] After five years of preparation and growth, the ensemble officially launched in 2009.[3]
In 2009, Finnish filmmaker Pekka Karjalainen included their demo track "Kallioon!" in the movie Vähän kunnioitusta, which showcased music created by individuals with disabilities.[4] This song found an audience extending beyond the disabled community.[5]
The band’s visibility rose substantially following the release of the 2012 documentary The Punk Syndrome, which documented their initial European tour and expanded their fan base across Scandinavia and Germany.[6]
2014: Charity concert with Mr. Lordi
On 23 May 2014, the group took part in a charity performance alongside Mr. Lordi from the Finnish rock outfit Lordi in Rovaniemi. The event supported organizations aiding mentally-disabled individuals in Mozambique as well as the Lapland Metkat Association. PKN’s daring approach to Eurovision has drawn parallels to Lordi’s victorious campaign for Finland in 2006.
2015: Eurovision Song Contest 2015
Competing in Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu, Finland’s selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest 2015, the band entered with "Aina mun pitää", aiming to increase awareness about people with Down syndrome. On 7 February 2015, they progressed from the initial semi-final round to reach the final stage. Subsequently, on 28 February, they claimed victory at Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2015, earning the right to represent Finland at Eurovision held in Vienna, Austria. Notably, PKN was the first punk ensemble ever to participate in Eurovision.
Their participation attracted widespread international media attention from major outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, VICE, and the Associated Press.
On 11 May 2015, just eight days before Eurovision’s first semi-final, Posti released a commemorative PKN postage stamp.
The band’s final concert occurred on 26 December 2016, marking Kurikka’s retirement at age 60. Following this performance, the group disbanded but reunited briefly in 2017 for a special charity show.
Members
The lineup consisted of four musicians: guitarist Pertti Kurikka, vocalist Kari Aalto, bassist Sami Helle, and drummer Toni Välitalo. Each member was diagnosed with either Down syndrome or autism.
Pertti Kurikka
Born on 26 December 1956 in Vihti, Pertti Kurikka served as guitarist and chief songwriter for the band, also contributing some lyrical content. Under the alias Kalevi Helvetti, he released a spoken word cassette and authored a collection of horror stories. He was also editor of a fanzine titled Kotipäivä ("Home Day"). With more than three decades of experience in punk music, Kurikka incorporated influences from classical music, schlager, disco, and children’s tunes into his work. A regular church attendee, he retired from his musical career upon reaching age 60. Additionally, he was skilled at playing the street organ.
Kari Aalto
Born on 25 May 1976 in Tampere, Kari Aalto served as the lead singer and principal lyricist, having been a schoolmate of Kurikka. He currently hosts a talk program on Bassoradio, a Finnish local radio station. Aalto is proficient with several instruments, including drums, bass guitar, and keyboards. His hobbies encompass motorcycles, American automobiles, women, and alcohol. His musical tastes span genres such as 1950s–60s rock, psychobilly, rockabilly, surf music, reggae, doo-wop, rap, heavy metal, and folk. Although punk is his professional focus, he does not engage with it casually.
Sami Helle
Sami Helle, born in 1973, contributed to the band as bassist and backing vocalist. Having resided in cities like Boston, New York City, Paris, and Antibes, he is fluent in English. Politically engaged with Finland’s Central Party, Helle also supports disability rights through the organization Me itse. His political ambitions include becoming a municipal councillor in Helsinki and eventually serving as a parliament member.
Under the stage name Sam Heat, he independently released a solo album titled Blue Moments, which features a softer musical style distinct from the band’s punk sound. Helle composed all songs and wrote the lyrics for this album.
Toni Välitalo
The youngest member of the group, Toni Välitalo (born 1982 or 1983), has been playing drums since the age of six. Besides punk music, his repertoire includes genres such as jenkka, blues, and mazurka. He particularly favors Finnish schlager music.
Kalle Pajamaa
Kalle Pajamaa (born 1979), who works as a disability director, acts as the band's concert organizer and handles song arrangements. Due to his significant contributions, he is affectionately regarded as the band’s fifth member.
Albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIN | |||||||||||||||||||
| Letkukytkentöjä |
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| "—" indicates an album that either did not chart or was not released in that market. | |||||||||||||||||||
Compilation albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIN | |||||||||||||||||||
| Kuus kuppia kahvia ja yks kokis |
|
17 | |||||||||||||||||
| Sikakovapaketti |
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— | |||||||||||||||||
| Coffee Not Tea |
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— | |||||||||||||||||
| The Best of Greatest Hits |
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4 | |||||||||||||||||
| "—" indicates an album that either did not chart or was not released in that market. | |||||||||||||||||||
Extended plays
| Title | Information |
|---|---|
| Ei yhteiskunta yhtä miestä kaipaa |
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| Päättäjä on pettäjä |
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| Osaa eläimetkin pieree |
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| Asuntolaelämää |
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| Jarmo |
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| Mies haisee / Joe Weider |
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| Oma rauha |
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| 12-inch split |
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Singles
| Title | Year Released | Associated Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Mongoloidi" | 2014 | Non-album singles |
| "Me ollaan runkkareita" collaborative single with Hard Skin | ||
| "Aina mun pitää" | 2015 | |
| "Pertti käyttää kondomia" | ||
| "Kännissä kotiin, aamulla töihin" | 2016 | Letkukytkentöjä |