5/26/05 via email from Helsinki, Finland
jo: For those of us new to The 69 Eyes, can you tell me how the group was formed? How the band name was chosen and what it means?
J69: We've had an idea of a band with our guitarist Bazie for a while (we shared the same enthusiasm for glammy street rock like Hanoi Rocks, SMACK, Guns'n'Roses, Lords Of the New Church etc.) and after seeing The THROBS supporting Nina Hagen at The Ritz in New York City in July 1988, I knew the time had come. We met each other at the Helsinki rock bars and shows and lucky for us the guy who looked really cool like Johnny Thunders played guitar (Timo-Timo), the scary biker played bass (Archzie) etc. We just jammed in the cellar and had some beers before going to hunt for girls and a good time - eventually started to have gigs and got a record deal right after our second show - the first 69 Eyes single (which came out in 1990) was actually our first ever demo! Our influences were glam rock and horror&cult movies - we used to play covers from the bands like Dead Boys, The Cramps, Alice Cooper, Iggy & The Stooges, KISS etc. The name I got from a friend of mine who was supposed to have a band in NYC called 69 Eyes and it looked fuckin' cool in her letter - she didn't use it, so here we go! The 69 Eyes = SEX, BLOOD & ROCK'N'ROLL 4EVER!
jo: How would you describe The 69 Eyes music to someone who has never heard of
the band?
J69: The missing link between Hanoi Rocks and HIM. Gothic Glam Rock from Helsinki.
jo: Describe the feelings associated with writing the lyrics to "Angel on my Shoulder" & "Jimmy".
J69: "Angel On My Shoulder": I need my angel but I know I might hurt her, so better for her just to fly away… "Jimmy": A song for a teen queen who bursts into tears when seeing first time James Dean in "Giant" and simultaneously steals my heart as well...
jo: First impressions mean everything. Give me one word to describe each of you.
Jyrki (vox): Elvis
Bazie (gtr): rocker
Timo-Timo (gtr): punk
Archzie (bass): biker
Jussi (drums): Mötley
jo: Tell me about why you wear the color pink.
J69: I'm into dark shocking pink at the moment, it's not pure pink like Jayne Mansfield or Marilyn Monroe would wear, it's more PUNK ROCK and GLAM! Maybe it'll be Poison shocking green soon to confuse little girls/Goths more, hahaha...all together I think the color world from KISS' "Tears Are Falling" video are coming back next!
Jyrki69 Fast Facts!!
DOB: Oct.15th, 1968 Helsinki, Finland
Height: 186 cm = 6 foot 1 inch!
Shoe Size: 44 = 11
Fave Food: sushi / traditional Finnish Christmas food made by my mother
Fave Color: black/anything matching with ice-blue eyes
Fave Scent: Paris Hilton’s juice on the satin sheets
Fave Movie: all Elvis movies
Fave Place in the World: Grand-Popo in Benin, West-Africa
Fave Star Wars Character: Darth Vader
Fave Drink: Tequila Sunrise
Fave Song: "Into The Groove" by Madonna/"Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson
Fave Band: Hanoi Rocks
Fave Indulgence: kissing with beautiful girls (too much Elvis movies as a teenager and listening to Culture Club’s “Kissing To Be Clever” album in the 80’s…)
