The Record Music Magazine

Mumbai Itinerary: In town to judge Campus Rock Idols, a competition that saw local bands rock it out to win a grand prize. The day after the competition, the winning band Prestorika opened for The Rasmus at their debut India concert.

The Record Q&A: Finland’s first men of rock are Record magazine favourites, having been interviewed twice by us over the phone. Both times the band promised to come to India and this year they kept their word. Dressed in all black, the foursome posed for pictures, signed autographs and answered questions without any of the attitude you would expect from angst-y rockers.

Here is our poolside interview with guitarist Pauli about the band, the fans, the tattoo and the rock and roll lifestyle.

The Record: How did you get your record deal?
Pauli: We are very lucky sons of our own mothers. [Laughs] We had our own EP of four songs for which we worked really hard. It suddenly made it on to Finnish national radio. This one song became a hit and we didn’t even have a record deal! So it was a wonderful situation because four of the big companies then tried to call us and we didn’t have to go anywhere! [Laughs]

TR: What is your favourite venue to play live?
Pauli: It’s sometimes really nice to play in a big venue outdoors but I usually prefer smaller clubs so that you can be close to the fans and interact with them. And yes, they throw things at us sometimes. [Laughs]

TR: Who has been the toughest, worst crowd you’ve ever played to?
Pauli: Tough doesn’t always mean bad you know. It’s quite interesting if they are tough but of course it’s nice if everyone loves us. [Laughs] There’s no bad audience. Maybe if they are waiting for someone else and then we come on then it might be stupid. Like if Metallica were to call and ask us to be the warm-up act, I think we would say no. Their fans are so dedicated and they just want their Metallica you know!

TR: What’s on your iPod?
Pauli: I don’t have an iPod! I don’t listen to music that way. I don’t know why. If I hear a song I like I go buy it. Maybe I’m a weird case. [Laughs] I think it’s a great invention but for me I don’t know… I like to take photos though. I always carry a camera with me.

TR: What is the best part about being in The Rasmus?
Pauli: The best part of course is to make music. This kind of job, if you can call it that, is the best in the world. We can travel ~ here I am, a Finnish boy in India. It’s really nice, we can meet great people, see different cultures... I tend to take email addresses of people that I meet and then we can stay in touch. It’s wonderful. I have friends around the world who I write to.

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