Hootenanny Freaks is a hard drivin’ rock and roll band from Espoo, Finland. Since 1997 the band has played
rock with a strong attitude and heartbeat. Hootenanny Freaks is having their 20th anniversary this year. The
band’s music has always been strongly influenced by both, domestic and foreign, old school rock bands.
The first EP, Hootenanny Freaks, containing five songs, was released in 2013. The band got two new
members in 2015 and their current lineup is Marko Kuurne – Drums, Montte Leino – Bass, Esko Kemell –
Guitar, Markus Kyönsaari – Guitar and Pepe Tamminen – Vocals. The second EP, Rebel Soul, was released in
December 2016 with four songs. Both EPs are available on Spotify and YouTube.
With the upcoming new songs and the video Full Steam Ahead, Hootenanny Freaks
will surely reach new audience and rock and roll lovers all over the world. Both new songs, Full Steam
Ahead and Storm is Rising, are available on Spotify (out October 19th) and on the band’s 20th Anniversary
Edition vinyl (out December 17th). We hope you like our new songs and the self-made video, which takes
you to the era of steam trains. FULL STEAM AHEAD!
We managed to catch up with the as they talked about their anniversary, latest single and more!
So it’s your 20th anniversary as a band, what has been your favourite moment?
The one of the most memorable moment was the gig with Leningrad Cowboys (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leningrad_Cowboys) and Ensemble Aleksandrova in June 2010.
Another memorable moment was the gig in the Karjurock festival in July 2017 where we were warming up Mike Monroe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Monroe)
How has the release of Full Steam Ahead gone down so far?
At the moment there are almost 1600 views in YouTube for the video in one week. This is quite good results for us. In addition, the video has received really good feedback and it is shared in many places.
Tell us something about the track nobody knows?
Originally Full Steam Ahead lyrics tells about steamship but because of misunderstandings the song ended up telling about steam train ☺
Will you be releasing a EP/Album this year?
Yes new single Full Steam Ahead 20th Anniversary Edition was released on Spotify etc. at 19 October (https://open.spotify.com/album/5oOJlMShV4pROeCMsx8RlF)
If you could work with any band on a new song, who would it be and why?
It would be Lynyrd Skynyrd because of these guys are real rockers and we have not ever played any of their songs even they are so good.
If you could play at any venue, where would it be?
It would be Rock in Rio!
What was the first ever gig you all attended?
The band’s first gig ever was in Restaurant Amanda in Kotka Finland at 9th of April 1997. Current line-up’s first gig was in Cruising Night Party in Koskenkylä Finland at 5th of May 2015.
What’s the live music scene like in Finland?
Heavy rock music are very popular in Finland and also music sung in Finnish are also popular. Rock and roll music is not mainstream at the moment in Finland but hopefully it will be again in some day ☺