Sielun Veljet

Sielun Veljet ("Brothers of Soul") was a highly influential post-punk band of the 1980s. It was formed in 1983 by singer/guitar player, Ismo Alanko, and lead guitarist, Jukka Orma, from the remains of the successful new wave band, Hassisen Kone ("Hassinen's Machine"). From 1979 to 1983 Hassisen Kone had evolved quickly from melodic three-chord punk to a rock band with more progressive tendencies. After audiences started demanding only the band's early hits at concerts, however, Hassisen Kone decided to call it a day, and Sielun Veljet was born soon thereafter.



Alanko and Orma recruited a rhythm section in order to perform new songs live in concert. Percussionist Alf Forsman had played with many superstars of Finnish music in the '70s, but bassist Jouko Hohko was a newcomer. The band also included lighting technician Hannu Viholainen in its lineup. The sound of the newly formed band was intense, propulsive and funky, and concert performances would become legendary. They had no intention of taping new material in the studio at the time, but that decision would soon be reconsidered.

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