Interview with Miki from Vanity Ink by Ove
Hello Miki, thank you so much for giving Blizz Of Rock this interview
Miki: Thank you, thank you! It's a pleasure!
First of all Miki, I’m honored to talk to the Bass player in the great Finish rock band Vanity Ink.
Miki: Honored? Mmm, ok, let's see what you think as we finish this interview.*haha*
I think you will do just fine Miki *laughing* When was the band Vanity Ink formed? What is the story behind the name?
Miki: It was in the end of 2002 when we started jamming out with friends. We all had our "main" bands back then and were planning just to have fun and play some cover songs while getting drunk but suddenly we noticed that we had a bunch of kick-ass originals! :)
Well, the name is what we are; vain and full of ink! Vain in a good way, by the way... And it looks and sounds damn good, don't you think?!
Well, there is a lot of great bands from Finland. And yes I like Vanity Ink a lot.
If I’ve done my homework I know you released your first album or EP in 2004, how did that come about?
Miki: EP. We wanted to get something out to get more gigs. So we went to the studio and recorded 6 songs and 5 of them made it on to the record. Simple as that!
At your website http://www. vanityink. net/index2. html you say”The original singer brought along more energy and fun, attitude and charisma, sex and alcohol - everything it takes to be a great rock 'n' roll band” is this true? Is sex and alcohol so important to become a rock band? *Laughing*
Miki: Yeah, of course! Nah, you should not take that too seriously. But if you are in a rock band there is a lot of sex and alcohol around. So why not have it all? And Annabella is sexy, isn't she? And she likes to drink also. So there you go, we got sex, and we got alcohol. But that's just a part of this circus called Vanity Ink! :)
Annabella
An interview with Erik from Evolution Effect a few weeks ago gave the “youngsters” some advice about starting a rock band. What do you Miki think is important today?
Miki: About starting a rock band? Don't bother if you don't have the attitude. Attitude is everything. I don't mean "fuck this fuck that", but you have to go and kick some asses out there.
The other thing is charisma. You have it or you don't. If you do, great! If you don't, stay home. That's not something you can learn.
-Oh, and it's a slight benefit if you can play a bit. :)
There have been a few changes to the line up over the years, have this effected the band in any way?
Miki: The changes have made the band stronger. The weak spots have been replaced by the better ones. Those who are not in a band anymore wanted to concentrate on other things in life and they didn't have enough time and will to do this.
Where did Vanity Ink have their first show/gig? Do you feel that the band has grown since then?
Miki: If we haven't grown since that there would be no point doing this! I think our first gig was in Helsinki in October 2003. We played at some kind of student party. Never had so much alcohol on backstage since!! :)
“On your skin” was released 2007. Has the album got the feedback you hoped for?
Miki: Yeah, I guess... Hard to say 'cause we didn't really hope for anything. But after that we've played many many gigs around Europe and made many many new friends and fans on our trips so it's kind of a dream come true. :)
Who is the lyric/songwriter in the band?
Miki: There's five of us; Annabella, Juha, Jussi, Sam and me.
Anabella
Juha
Jussi
Sam
Miki
How many albums have Vanity Ink released?
Miki: Only one album On Your Skin but the second longplayer More Senseless Random Behavior will be released in Finland next week and later this year all over Europe.
Does Vanity Ink have more material for more albums?
Miki: We have riffs and lines lying around here and there but no finished songs. Now we get that second album out and start touring. And after that it's time to write new songs.
Where may we find the albums, where could we buy the music from Vanity Ink?
Miki: Well, like I said our album(s) will be released all over Europe later this year so the albums should be available at your favorite record store just round your corner! But if you want to get them in your hands like right now you can order them at Finnish record store Levykauppa Äx. They ship worldwide and it seems that they have a very special (=cheap) price for On Your Skin. The address is http://www.recordshopx.com/artist/vanity_ink/
Is it possible to see Vanity Ink live on tour?
Miki: I think that is possible. :) We have now some gigs in Finland but we are organizing gigs abroad also. We will be hitting your town right after the album's out there!
Any bands or artists you would love to have with you on your tour?
Miki: Anything goes! As long as they're ready to have a good time all the time! :) (That line's from a Spinal Tap movie...)
If there was one place in the wide world that you could play Miki where would that be?
Miki: Everywhere. I live for gigs so I'm excited about every show.
Where does Vanity Ink get their influence from? Do you feel that Vanity Ink’s got their own style?
Miki: Sure we got our own style! There's no point in doing this if you're just a copy. It's always hard to name some influences. I guess our main and only influence is the life we live. You take a piece from there and a bit from here and put them in a blender and see what comes out.
What’s your opinion about the Rock ‘n’ roll coming back? (If it ever were gone)
Miki: It was never gone. I don't care what the latest fashion is, what's in or what's out. Rock'n'roll is alive and well. Of course it's great if people are into it.
What sort of age group are you attracting with your music?
Miki: Anything goes but if you want to party with us you should be 18 or over. :)
*Laughing* If you got the chance to have a concert in Norway, what could we expect from Vanity Ink?
Miki: More senseless random behavior! :) Sweat, bruises, stage diving, hair, flying basses, smiles... just a great rock'n'roll show!
Who runs the official homepage Vanity Ink and who runs the site on MySpace?
Miki: We're DIY. So that's us. Actually at the moment we're trying to find time to make them look a bit "fresher". :)
Any instruments you would love to learn how to use, that you don’t?
Miki: Keyboards would be cool, but on the other hand I don't know what I would do with them. :)
Is there a funny story you would share with us?
Miki: Oh, there's too many. You got all night? :) Let's say that a lot has happened while touring. Broken ribs and ankles, angry moms, car crashes...
If you could turn back the time and choose a new date to start a band, when would that be? And why this year/decade?
Miki: I like it like this. Wouldn't change a thing. We have a good thing going on with Vanity Ink now and it's getting better and better!
-But personally I really love the 70s and 80s. The 70s was probably over all the greatest decade for music but I got into rock'n'roll in the 80s so that means much to me also.
What is your highlight of your careers as rock musicians?
Miki: Highlight, mmmm... probably touring in Italy for the first time... or touring with Hardcore Superstar here in Finland... or... I don't know. Being in a band like this is fucking constant highlight. :)
Anyone you would love to meet, that you have not met yet?
Miki: Nope. I have met all my greatest heroes; Nikki Sixx, Gene Simmons and Ginger of The Wildhearts. I'm satisfied.
Nikki
Gene
Ginger
*haha* Best comment ever *Laughing*
What is your opinion about the Blizz Of Rock?
Miki: The world needs people like you! You're doing great job! Nice to meet people who love rock'n'roll as much (or even more) as I do. :)
Would you like to say anything in conclusion?
Miki: First of all, thanks! And second; stay tuned for Vanity Ink. Later this year we'll be kicking ass around Europe and perhaps knocking at your backdoor also! :)
Thank you so much Miki and Vanity Ink for using time to answer these questions.
Blizz of rock wishes Vanity Ink all the best, take care Miki
Miki: All the best to you too! Remember to rock out with your cock out! :D
