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Rasmus Information
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'The Rasmus' are a Finnish band known for hits such as 'In the Shadows', 'First Day of My Life', and 'In My Life'.
Career history
The Rasmus formed at the end of 1994 when the band members were still in high school and were initially known as Rasmus. They recorded their first single "1st" released independently through Tega G. Records in late 1995 before signing with Warner Music Finland to release their first album Peep when the band members were only aged 16. It went gold as the band played over 100 shows in Finland and Estonia.
Rasmus released its second album Playboys in 1997 with it again going gold in Finland with the single "Blue" also going gold. Its gruelling live schedule continued supporting Rancid and Dog Eat Dog and appearing at a festival at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium. The band would also win a Finnish Grammy Award for "Best New Artist" in 1996.
The band's third album Hell of a Tester was released in 1998 with the video for the single "Liquid" making a regular appearance on Nordic MTV. This song would be voted song of the year by Finnish music critics. The band achieved further recognition supporting Garbage and Red Hot Chili Peppers in Finland.
Rasmus became The Rasmus in 2000. It released Into in 2001 which went double platinum in Finland debuting at #1. The first single "F-F-Falling" which was #1 in Finland for three months in early 2001. The second single "Chill" was released through Scandinavia and reached #2 in Finland. The Rasmus toured throughout Scandinavia and Europe supporting the album supporting HIM and Roxette.
The band recorded Dead Letters in 2003 at Nord Studios in Sweden reuniting with Mikael Nord Andersson and Martin Hansen who had produced Into. It was released in Europe in early 2003 reaching the top of the album charts in Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as Finland. Its European success led to the release of the album in other parts of the world. Dead Letters and its first single "In the Shadows" both reached top 10 and top 3 in the UK charts respectively, and both going top 50 of the Australian ARIA charts in 2004 whilst topping the New Zealand singles chart. The single has also reached the top 20 of the Billboard Heatseeker charts. "Guilty", was the band's second single for the American market. Recently, iTunes Music Store offered the first track on Dead Letters, "In the Shadows," as one of its free singles, and positive public response prompted many listeners to buy the rest of the album.
The Rasmus tend to provoke strong opinions in people. They made a notable appearance at the Reading Festival in 2004, where they were pelted by plastic bottles and mud until they walked offstage due to immediate medical attention for Eero's eye.
Band members
Lauri Ylönen
The lead singer. He was born in Helsinki on the 23rd April 1979. He first wanted to be a drummer, but his older sister Hanna convinced him to be vocalist. He is the main writer of lyrics for all the band's songs, although the rest of the band does help in writing. He has two tattoos, one of Björk, whom he considers to be his guardian angel, and another one of a gothic text written Dynasty. His favorite bands are Björk, Weezer, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Muse.
Full Name: Lauri Johannes Ylönen
Nickname(s): Lintu (Bird) Pauri (mixture between Lauri and Pauli)
DOB: 23rd April 1979
Current age: (2005) 26
POB: Helsinki, Finland
Hair color: Naturally brown, has been dyed pink, blond and black
Eye Color: Green (black contacts)
Favorite Food: Pizza, Spicy Food.
Pauli Rantasalmi
The guitarist. He was born on 1 May 1979. He has been a member since the band first formed. He not only plays guitar but other instruments as well. He produces and manages other bands such as Killer and Kwan.
Full Name: Pauli Antero (Esko) Rantasalmi
Nickname: Tonni (Tonne)
DOB: 1st May 1979
Current Age: (2005) 26
POB: Helsinki, Finland
Hair Color: Brown, has been dyed Blonde
Eye Color: Green
Aki Hakala
The drummer. He was born in Espoo, Finland on 28 October 1979. He joined the band after the former drummer, Janne, left in 1999. Aki originally sold band merch. at their shows.Aki joined the band after 'jamming' with Pauli. Eero didn't like Aki at first, mainly beacause Aki was serioisly drunk and had a horrible behavioir at the first meeting.
Full Name: Aki-Markus Hakala
Nickname(s): Hattu (Hat)
DOB: 28th October, 1979
Current Age: (2005) 26
POB: Espoo, Finland
Hair Color: Black. His hair is naturally blonde though.
Eye Color: Blue
Discography
Albums
* Hide From The Sun (2005)
* Dead Letters (2003)
* Into & Into Special Edition (2001)
* Hell Of A Tester (1998)
* Playboys (1997)
* Peep (1996)
Extra: Hell Of A Collection was released in 2001. This collection album included songs from Peep, Playboys, Hell Of A Tester and Into.
Singles
* Sail Away (2005)
* No Fear (2005)
* Guilty (2004)
* Funeral Song(The Resurrection) (2004)
* First Day Of My Life (2003)
* In My Life (2003)
* In The Shadows (2003)
* Heartbreaker / Days (2002)
* Madness (2001)
* Chill (2001)
* F-F-F-Falling (2001)
Please note: These dates were taken from http://www.therasmus.com
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