Rock-Criminals – young but already quite experienced punk rock band from Finland. They already had a few releases, and in the end of March 2021 the band presented its new song and video “Red Roses”. Seems like it’s a good reason to get closer with the guys. We asked Alex Wild, the leader of Rock-Criminals, to answer some questions.
Rock-Criminals
How would you describe Rock-Criminals’ music to people who hadn’t heard it yet?
Rock-Criminals is definitely a rock band with a punk attitude! So I guess you can call it some kind of punk rock. We don’t want to belong to a certain genre because our band is more like an attitude. We want to give emotions to people, whether it’s positive or negative. In the end it’s rock’n’roll!
Congratulations with new single “Red Roses”! Tell us more about it. Who wrote lyrics and music? How and when did you record music and video?
Thank you! Its our first release in two years, and it’s so amazing to have it out now. The song is a bit different compared to our earlier releases. This time we included more emotion in the sense of lyrics, and we also had keyboards for the first time on our song. We had an honour to have Juska Salminen (Ex-keybord player of HIM, To/Die/For, New Dawn Foundation, Mary Ann; nowadays a mentor in Rock Academy Kouvola. – CC) to play for the single, and I can tell you that I really love his part on the song!
We made the song together with the band during the Rock Academy Kouvola coaching program, and our band coach Erik Lintunen played a huge role while producing the song. We recorded the song and filmed the music video last summer.
I’m interested, if there is a certain reason why you chose a topic about rich stupid man and unhappy woman for new single of Rock-Criminals? Is it a problem in Finnish society? Is it a problem among the people of your age? Or is it something personal? Or were you inspired by some story?
It’s based on a true story. I knew a couple who had a great conversation going on, and then “the shit happened”. I was sad when I heard about that case but immediately I got the idea of this “Romeo and Juliet” type of lyric.
In general I think it’s a shame that people give up so easily on their relationships nowadays, and I feel that breaking up has become a trend. I think you should always try your best in a relationship even if you have a hard time because in the end there’s always hope.
Alex Wild, Rock-Criminals
If I’m not mistaken, I’ve read somewhere “Red Roses” is the third single. What were the first two singles? When and how did you release them?
There have been a couple of singles and one EP before this one. I think our music has evolved and our music gets better single by single! Hopefully in the near future we will have a kickass album out for you to hear!
Please introduce yourself and other members of the band. Who are the guys of Rock-Criminals? How did you meet each other and started the band? What do you do in your lives besides Rock-Criminals?
My name is Alex Wild. I sing, and I play guitar. I also compose our music and write lyrics together with our guitar player JS. Originally the band started when I was in middle school in 2011. I met our bass player Mike Scott and we formed this band. Our drummer Luke Eaton joined the band in 2014, and guitarist JS in 2016. This line up has become our “classic one”.
Besides Rock-Criminals I’m studying journalism and I live in Helsinki. JS studies music in Turku. Luke and Mike have jobs in Hamina. Its a great thing that all of us have something else to do besides playing at the band but our main goal is to get rid of the day jobs, haha!
Tell us the story of Rock-Criminals from the beginning till today. What are your best records and videos? What were your brightest live or TV performances? Who were the people who helped you most of all during your career?
I think “Red Roses” is our best release yet. It’s definitely a hit! I think my best memory of a live show is from 2017 when we played at legendary Nosturi (A truly legendary venue in Helsinki, which sadly was dismantling in January 2020. – CC). I miss those times…
It was also amazing to be part of “X Factor Finland” in 2018! There we met our biggest idol Michael Monroe and it was amazing to meet him! We have also been working together with him and I can tell you that we have something cool coming up… 🙂 Can’t tell more yet, haha!
Tell us about your time at Rock Academy Kouvola. What did you get from it? What did you learn?
We learned a lot about music business in general! We had great clinics including Asko Kallonen from a big record label (Warner Music Finland. – CC) and legendary artists such as Tommi Läntinen telling about his everyday life in music. We also had a chance to make great studio sessions that Rock Academy provided us. So it was a huge financial help for us. Also meeting Juska was amazing because he has given a lot for us and helped us hugely! I owe him big time and I consider him some kind of a father figure
Who are your idols or inspirers in music and in the whole life?
All of us have different influences in life but in general I think we all look up all the artists who have made it with hard work. Michael Monroe is one of them! I think we also inspire each other in a certain way because all of us have different abilities in the band and its so cool to have talented people in our band.
Rock-Criminals: Alex Wild, JS, Mike Scott, Luke Eaton
What Finnish young bands do you like and can recommend?
We wanna give a shoutout to other band from Rock Academy, Another Hot Spring! They released an amazing song at the same time than us, go check it out NOW!
What are the future plans for Rock-Criminals?
When things get back to normal, we really wanna tour. Possibly in Russia as well. So promoters, call us!
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