Flylow

Helsinki/Finland based FLYLOW has been in existence for a little over three years, however in its current format a bit over 12 months. In that timeframe the band has gone from strength to strength. After a couple of years working the stars and bars of Finland, learning their chops and throwing the right shapes the band signed with UK-Finland based Parole Records in May 2004. September 2004 saw the their debut EP enter the Finnish national charts at No 7, the ensuing load of press (even Hustler had a 4-page special on the band, I only buy it for the articles myself), TV, radio and live shows, some big and some not so big, honed the band’s already formidable live reputation to international standards, as witnessed by 3 excellently received shows in NYC (Lit Lounge, Sin-é & Knitting Factory). The band drawing so much energy from these shows that it was decided that the album should be recorded in New York (well Brooklyn actually, right next to the Brooklyn Bridge).
In January 2005 the band basically took up residence in the Alien Media Studios NY under the charge of producers Steve Krucher and Vincent Cimino for basic tracking & production. Although a relatively new production team Steve and Vinnie are, as NewYorkers say, connected, having in the past worked for a variety of name rock acts in numerous capacities other than just production. Sebastian Bach, Janet Jackson, Alice Cooper, The Pretenders, Sinead O’Connor, Korn, Limp Bizkit and Nebula have all been touched by that special Steve and Vinnie madness. Speaking of Steve and Vinnie's madness they roped in various friends to guest on the album like Mark Pender (Max Weinberg 7) and Manny Focarazzo (Alan Parson’s Project). After a couple of months serious studio work the tracks were sent to UK for postproduction & mixing overseen by Paul Whitrow, at Bristol, England. Paul in his time has worked on numerous projects, including The Mission, Psychedelic Furs, Stranglers and many more. Mastering was taken care of by John Dent, at the legendary LOUD. John’s credits is like reading Who's Who of Contemporary Music (Björk, Nick Cave, Cult, Depeche Mode, PJ Harvey, Bob Marley, Prodigy, U2 etc.)
Bridges debuted at 25 on the Finnish national chart, a strong showing for a basically non pop, relatively unknown band. Embarking on a whirlwind of TV radio and live shows, somewhat larger this time around. As a precursor to the band’s first UK tour in July 2005 the band rocked the prestigious Bowery Ballroom in NYC receiving both an audience and critical response reserved for bands much higher up the food chain. A response echoed in the UK, culminating in one of the best received performances witnessed at the Ashton Court festival at Bristol (UK). The tour was voted a huge success by both punter and press, press on both sides of the Atlantic have been heaping praise on the band. Bristol Evening Post's headed a 2-pages interview picture feature with the banner FIN-TASTIC FOUR! A gig review in the same paper proclaimed large "FINNS KNOW HOW TO ROCK!": going on to add, “Flylow were the tightest, rockiest band I have heard in Bristol for a long time. Their songs sounded like they were written for stadium events”. Flylow will continue to support the Bridges album’s release in other international territories in the spring of 2006. So lock up your penguins, Flylow’s second UK tour started in January 2006 and will continue till early summer. Album will be released in UK in April 2006.
Never professing to have reinvented the wheel, Flylow have one hell of a time on stage and invite you along for the ride, the music I guess was once upon a time called power pop, but is so much more, it rocks. A back beat that is as thunderous as the belly of a whale hitting the ocean provided by Jay Mattila on drums aided and abetted by Marko Haataja’s rooted to the beat bass playing. Over this is laid harmony vocals led by Luke Kaarto, set off by the controlled but insane pyrotechnics of lead guitarist Paul Hauta-aho. The songs have as much energy as a nuclear power station and more hooks than Hellraiser I-II & III. And young ladies tell me they are cuter than a barrel of naked Hobbits. You can't write about this band, you have to experience it. Um perhaps not the naked hobbits..... unless that floats your boat...