Finland’s Drug Store Raid Release Debut Album
Photo courtesy of Helmi Padatsu.
Hailing from Helsinki, Finland, Drug Store Raid are a sarcastic, unique, and oddly funky group. They formed back in 2021, when guitarist/vocalist Otto Pirttiperä, met keyboardist Eemi Snicker. Since then, the band has undergone a few lineup changes until settling on their current five-piece configuration, which includes bass, drums, guitar, keyboards, and saxophone. In that time, they also released a handful of singles leading up to their first full-length album, “Background Music for Family Arguments.”
The band’s instrumentation, tongue-in-cheek songwriting, and wide range of influences are on full display on this album. For instance, the track “Fashion Fashion” features a driving, distorted bass, funky guitar scratching, and wailing rock ‘n’ roll saxophone. The verses have a quirky feel that’s reminiscent of Talking Heads, but the hook and overall structure of the song are proof that the band are qualified songwriters in their own right. “[We] guess a lot of people already can tell our influences from Talking Heads, Modern Lovers to The Fall, B-52's, and James Chance,” the band says, “but nobody seems to notice how much there's Happy Mondays in it.”
Photo courtesy of Eemi Kettunen.
“Vi Är Finnjävlar,” a song that appears towards the end of the album, addresses the contradictions and realities that come along with the modern Finnish identity. The first few lines are a great example of Pirttiperä’s lyrical tone.“Happy country, lots of racists / Sauna party, Santa exists / Moomin coffee mug, hangover / Five inch cocks, never sober.”
“Well, Vi Är Finnjävlar is pretty much satire and black humour commenting on the state of your already dim perspective of your own country,” the band explains. ” [It’s a] self-aware rant about Finnish things (which all of them aren't necessarily true). The song is in the end about growing up in a "good" country with the feeling of isolation and loneliness mixed with the observations of traditions and people.” This ability to laugh at oneself while recognizing the shortcomings of the country you grew up in is one that many British and Americans can likely relate to.
Photo courtesy of Helmi Padatsu.
Aside from “Prologue,” the band had all of the album’s songs written and rehearsed before their recording session. “We had only 3-days in the studio working our asses off with 12 tracks,” they explain. “So it ended up sounding rather raw, which is what our producer looked for.” While this album does have a gritty, somewhat aggressive feel to it, it also features some effects, noise, and psychedelic production. “Background Music for Family Arguments” was produced, recorded, and mixed by Jonas Verwijnen. It was mastered by Pete Maher and released on Kieku Records. “It's fun to add some fuzz and synth sounds to guitars,” the band says. “Sounds like having a pizza in space.”
Drug Store Raid plans to continue writing and recording new music. They often play shows around Helsinki’s underground music scene, but hopefully they’ll end up in your home town one day! “There might be some little tours, maybe maybe,” they say. “Invite us to play in your city! You won't be disappointed!
Photo courtesy of Samuel Järvinen.
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