SINKING CHARLIE: “If you like our tunes, come to see us! If you don’t, bullocks, and bring you girlfriend to our gig!”

SINKING CHARLIE was formed in June 2011,after the previous incarnation of the line-up with a different name disbanded, due to musical/artistic differences. After a few line-up changes and demo songs, the band landed a production deal through GRP Records. I got to interview Henri Piispanen (vocals) and Markus Suomela (Guitar) from this rising band from capital area of Finland.

1. Tell us a little bit about your band?

H: This isn’t only a band, it’s a group of retards and friends who hang around together.
M: Six youngsters trying to express themselves by creating this type music.

2. How would you categorize your band?

M: It’s a mix of metalcore/popcore/crabcore/gaycore, hahha. Any kinda shitty metal basically….

H: I think categorizing is always hard and maybe even worthless, but you can listen our stuff yourself and categorize it the way you like.

M: In my opinion It’s better not to focus on some specific genre. We just do what we like which is good music!

3. How long have you known each other and what brought you together?

M: Niila, Elias and i have known each other for about two years….. and Sami as well. High School brought us together basically. That way we got Henri too….we kicked our previous singer out and Elias played with Henri in another band, so Elias called Henri and asked to join in Sinking Charlie.

H: I knew Niila from other projects when he was recording us long time ago with my other band PASA. Otso is one of my good friends from the time of our Junior High School so it was easy and fun to join in SC. Basically everyone knows each other and we are having the time of our lives… yeah, right.

4. How is it like now days for a starting band?

M: Funny question since we are like 17-20 years old haha…i guess “the process of starting a band” hasn’t changed that much from the good old days.

H: Nowadays there’s so many bands that it’s hard to get yours noticed. Especially in our age-class. Hard work is finally making result. But in our case we all are lazy so what happened? LOL

5. I read from your facebook page that you’ve been signed to GRP Records. Tell us about the project of finding a suitable company to back you up?

M: GRP signed our EP and will publish it, nothing that special with it, well see after the EP what we`ll do in the future.

6. Now about the song writing process. Do you create your songs as a group or is it more someone’s responsibility than others?

M: Well, we don’t do songs in rehearsals but almost everybody brings some ideas to the song….Niila and I write most of the riffs together and lyrics are mainly Henri´s and Elias´s duty. Of course there’s few exceptions.

7. What is the future holding for you?

H: Hopefully more gigs and good response for the EP. We are writing new great songs all the time and hopefully recording a full-lenght next year.

8. What are your songs about? Any particular issues?

M: Our song titles are just bad and retarded inside jokes. Somebody says something funny and it becomes our song title. That’s how we chose our name too.

H: Our lyrics are little stories about heart brakes, annoying people, partying, band manager… I guess our songs can handle everything basically.

9.Who do you see as your inspirations/idols?

M: Attack Attack Studio Updates. No, seriously, any band that we like. From Kate Perry to Lamb Of God.

10. And the last question. How would you convince our readers out there to come and see you live and buy your upcoming debut?

H: We are hot guys from Scandinavia and we have awesome bodies. Get your tiny ass right here, missy. Inappropriate? Haha. Our music is energetic and catchy, that’s why.

M: If you like our tune, come to see us! If you don’t, bullocks, and bring you girlfriend to our gig!

Interview by Nelli “Missnellisofia” Perkkiö