Smack (Finnish band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Defunct | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Helsinki , Finland |
| Products | Studio albums, live albums, singles, EPs |
| Website | smackonyou |
Smack was a Finnish rock ensemble active between 1982 and 1990. Although they never reached significant commercial heights, they cultivated a devoted cult following and are recognized as one of the most impactful rock groups in Finland. Their influence extended to prominent bands like Guns N' Roses, Mudhoney, and Nirvana.
The group issued four studio albums: Smack On You (1984), Rattlesnake Bite (1985), Salvation (1987), and Radical (1988), along with the live release Live Desire (1986). Their musical style was shaped by punk rock and garage acts such as The Stooges and New York Dolls, combined with classic rock inspirations including The Rolling Stones and The Doors.
Formation and early years (1982–1984)
The band originated in 1982 at Helsinki’s self-operated venue Lepakko, founded by vocalist Claude Peltola and bassist Cheri Martin, alongside guitarists Manchuria and Kartsa Marjanen, plus drummer Juki Marjala. By late 1983, Lido Salonen signed them to his Cityboy label, which handled their record distribution through Polarvox and served as their manager and agent. In December 1983, Smack toured across Finland supporting Hanoi Rocks.
Their first single, "Criminal", debuted in April 1984. Shortly thereafter, Kinde Leskinen took over drumming duties from Juki Marjala, and the band recorded their inaugural album with producer T.T. Oksala, who would oversee nearly all of their future productions except for the last album.
Smack On You and Rattlesnake Bite (1984–1986)
Released in September 1984, the debut album Smack On You is considered a milestone punk rock record within Finnish music circles. Soon after, Rane Raitsikka replaced Kartsa as the second guitarist, and the band released the EP Walking on the Wire during summer 1985. Their sophomore effort, Rattlesnake Bite, launched in late 1985, presented a more refined sound featuring notable tracks like the ballad "Somewhere Out of the Day" and a dynamic rendition of The Monkees’ "I’m Not Your Stepping Stone." Both records were subsequently distributed in the United States through Enigma Records.
In mid-1986, Smack’s cover of The Rolling Stones’ "Paint it Black" climbed to #8 on Finnish charts, supported by a promotional video directed by Pete Europa. Following this success, Jimi Sero replaced Cheri Martin on bass. That June, Smack headlined the Provinssirock festival, with their set broadcast live across Finland.
Live Desire, Salvation and Radical (1986–1988)
In September 1986, Smack recorded performances at Helsinki’s Tavastia Club and Husula Casino in Hamina, which culminated in the live album Live Desire. This release captured their raw stage presence along with early hits, complemented by acclaimed artwork featuring Claude on its cover.
Their third studio album, Salvation, was recorded at London’s Trident Studios and released in 1987. Despite reaching #2 on Finnish charts, the band expressed dissatisfaction with its production quality. During that summer, Smack toured the United States, garnering attention from members of Guns N' Roses while in Los Angeles. Building on this exposure, the double LP State of Independence was issued in 1988, compiling selections from their initial three albums.
Prior to their fourth and final album, demos created with British musician Jim Pembroke were produced. The album Radical, produced by Pave Maijanen and released in 1988, did not replicate earlier commercial achievements but included notable tracks such as "Set Me Free," "Little Sister," and "Mad Animal Shuffle."
Final phase in Los Angeles (1989–1990)
By early 1989, Smack was approaching its end. Kinde departed due to creative conflicts. Rane Raitsikka, Manchuria, and Claude moved to Los Angeles, while Jimi Sero stayed behind in Finland and left the group. The band swiftly brought in drummer Repa "Rantsila" Kauppila but experienced several bassist changes—including Jimmy Ashhurst and Steve Counsel—before finally adding Sami Yaffa, formerly of Hanoi Rocks and Jetboy. This lineup completed the recordings of "Can You Dig It" and "Crazy River" with producer Michael Doman in December 1989. Due to contractual obligations with Jetboy, Yaffa was credited under the pseudonym Ulan Bator.
Smack spent a year touring throughout California but was unable to secure a new recording contract. The relocation to Los Angeles was short-lived as the band's focus shifted increasingly towards socializing rather than music. In July 1990, Claude officially dissolved Smack and returned to Finland.
Post-Smack activities
Upon returning to Helsinki, Claude established The Fishfaces, which released the album Love Songs For Hyenas in 1993. In 1996, he teamed up with Jyrki 69 from Finnish goth metal group The 69 Eyes to form The Fellow Reptiles, issuing the EP "Yours Truly." Plans for a full collaborative album were halted by Claude’s untimely death.
Claude died from heart failure on September 22, 1996, at the age of 30. His poetry anthology Julmia ovat valvotut unet was published after his passing.
In 2007, Sony BMG issued a Smack retrospective double CD titled In Your Face 1982–1990, containing studio recordings and previously unreleased live tracks. Cleopatra Records released Live in Helsinki 1986, an archival live album with liner notes by Jyrki 69, in July 2015.
The official Smack biography, Smack - Kuolemaantuomitun laulu, authored by journalist and musician Jarkko Jokelainen (Jay Burnside), was published by Like Kustannus in May 2021.
In popular culture
During their 1988 live performances, Nirvana covered Smack's "Run Rabbit Run". Members of Guns N' Roses and Mudhoney have acknowledged Smack as a significant influence. Jesper Binzer, lead vocalist of Danish cowpunk band D-A-D, credited Smack for inspiring his group during his 2017 radio program MyRock MyWay. Additionally, American garage rock outfit The Superbees recorded a version of "Run Rabbit Run" on their debut album *High Volume* released in 2002.
Studio albums
- Smack On You (Cityboy, 1984)
- Rattlesnake Bite (Cityboy, 1985)
- Live Desire (Cityboy, 1986)
- Salvation (Eden, 1987)
- Radical (CBS, 1988)
- Live In Helsinki 1986 (Cleopatra, 2015)
Compilation albums
- The Collection – State of Independence (Cityboy, 1988)
- Two Originals – Salvation & Radical (Columbia, 1992)
- In Your Face 1982–1990 (Sony BMG, 2007)
Singles and EPs
- Criminal (Cityboy, 1984; reissued in 1997 by Zen Garden)
- Walking on the Wire (Cityboy, 1985)
- Stepping Stone (Cityboy, 1985)
- Paint It Black (Cityboy, 1986)
- The Only Salvation (Eden, 1987)
- Look Around (Eden, 1987)
- Mad Animal Shuffle (CBS, 1988)
- I Want Somebody (CBS, 1988)
- Little Sister (CBS, 1988)
- Can You Dig It (Columbia, 1989)