Interview: Bad Valentines (Written)

Rock’n’rollers Bad Valentines released their debut single, ‘Mariia’ recently. The lead single from their upcoming EP, ‘Memory Tattoos’, to be released at a later date. We spoke to guitarists Pekko Mantzin and Kupe, learning a little more about the band in this interview.

1. Hello! Thank you for taking the time to chat to us. First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started.

Pekko Mantzin: Our pleasure indeed and thank you for having us! Appreciated.

Four of us, Kupe the guitarist, Edu the bassman, Sirpa the drummer lady and me, Pekko the guitarist have known each other for a quite a long time for our paths have crossed in Helsinki rock scene many many times. When corona virus stopped the world, nothing much was really happening so when it was slightly safer to meet mates again, four of us got together to spend some quality time playing rock´n´roll covers.

Guys´ band, Plastic Tears, were then on a break and same thing with our band, Daggerplay, for which Sirpa plays drums and I sing and play guitar. We played New York Dolls, Hanoi Rocks, Thin Lizzy for example. It was nice for a change but then this idea about making some original music came up.

Edu knew one singer but after a couple of months we decided to go separate ways. We were extremely lucky that Hon contacted us when she saw our ad in a musicians´ website. She sent us her demos what she´d done with her acoustic guitar and we were amazed of her the sound of her voice. Plus her songs were good, too. She learned the whole lot of songs songs and nailed them down. We liked her a lot straight away. There were good vibes in the air.

2. Someone comes to you and asks you to sum up what kind of music you play – what do you tell them?

Pekko Mantzin: Rock´n´roll. Spiced with a plenty of punk rock, glam rock and 1960´s pop. Lyrics are also very important part of the songs. Some are political, some telling true stories of dark side of life with the glimpse of hope, though. Antiwar songs also.

Kupe: This is always hard to explain, but I say melodic rock’n’roll mixed with punk rock. Carefully thought out vocal harmonies and guitar melodies, groovy band playing and our brilliant singer who runs over your body and tickles your brain with her voice.

3.What’s currently going on in your camp? New releases? Tours? Etc.

Pekko Mantzin: Our debut single ´Mariia´ came out just two months ago. It´s an anti-war song and it´s a leading single from our forthcoming EP ´Memory Tattoos´ and all the material is done of course. We haven´t decided yet when to put out the next tune, ”Last days In The Sun”. There has been some interest towards our doings so got to see if something works out. If not, then we´ll carry on self-releasing our music. It´s ok, too. It´s quite irrelevant for us to even think of touring ´cos it is extremely expensive. No money coming in really plus we have no records out. Gigs we do play for sure. As much as we can get.

4.What has been the most positive experience of making music to date for you?

Pekko Mantzin: When it comes to Bad Valentines, I would say the most positive experience has been seeing people´s reactions when we play live. Plus positive feedback has been extremely heartwarming.

Kupe: Every gig with this band is a very positive experience.

5. Likewise, what has been some of the more challenging aspects and how have you overcome them?

Pekko Mantzin: Financial issues. Fortunately we do have dayjobs.

6. How do you handle the modern expectations of being in a band? Always online, having to put out content constantly, your success measured in likes and follows?

Pekko Mantzin: Well, it can be frustrating. Seems like nothing is enough these days, and there are millions of these so-called Youtube and Spotify promoters offering their services but as we´re not kids anymore, I believe it is way easier for us to avoid scam traps. All of us have been in this game for a long time. Making of content for example on Instagram can even be fun at times.

Kupe: These days, an independent band has to be a record company, a gig seller, a record store and often also take care of music distribution and merchandise sales at the same time. It takes a lot of effort, but at the same time, thanks to the internet and social media, the opportunities for exposure have increased exponentially if people are interested in your music.

7. What’s something that really ‘grinds your gears’ about the industry/business these days and what would you propose is done to combat it?

Pekko Mantzin: Nothing really. I do my best to ignore that kinda stuff.

8. Speaking directly to listeners – what would you ask they do to help support your music?

Pekko Mantzin: I don’t wanna ask anything. I’m just grateful for each positive comment I hear or see. Sure I hope that people bump into our music and like it or come to see us playing live and every time when it happens I just feel grateful.

Kupe: We have only one single released but I promise more music is coming. In the meantime, you can spin Mariia -single on streaming services, there is also a great music video for it on YouTube!

9.Outside of the music, what’s do you do to relax?

Pekko Mantzin: I love to take walks, read books and watch TV plus listen to my record collection and buy records.

Kupe: I like reading books and thinking about future plans, going for a walk in my head.

10.Where can people find you?

Pekko Mantzin: Here we are in Helsinki. Come around and we´ll go for a drink! Ok, seriously speaking we can be found on:

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