16-08-2007 Lapko

Date: 16-08-2007, virgin oil Helsinki (Finland)
By: Nina Mende

  And here we go again: Virgin Oil for the 3rd time this month. But this time
  for Lapko.

  The three members of Lapko: Malja (guitar and vocals), Nordberg (bass) and
  Heikkonen (drums), have been friends since childhood in the small town of Harjavalta.
  Musically they’ve evolved from punk to more streamlined and explosive rock,
  the core of which lies in a sturdy backbone of sharp drumming and tight basslines
  with frenetic guitars and passionate vocals branching out. A band of rock guerrillas
  are attacking public consciousness with gut-churning melancholy and face-melting
  energy as their main weapons. Lapko has a long history and a lot of experience
  behind them.

  Virgin Oil was filling very slowly and there were not as many people as the
  last times I’ve been here. So the second floor stayed close.

  At 11pm they entered the stage. That very second I realized that tonight the
  light engineer has either called in sick, was on vacation or wanted to challenge
  me. Holy crap, he could have left it out completely and it wouldn’t have made
  a huge difference!!!!

  The audience was very mixed: from goths, metal fans, over rockers to dressed
  up girlies and guys you could find every kind there.
  But all of them loved Lapko and sang along their songs, danced heavily and had
  a great time.
  So did Lapko. Although I never actually got to see the bass players face, he
  was always looking down on the floor, hair in his face. But you could feel the
  passion all three musicians have for their music. Really amazing atmosphere.
  Some of Malja’s moves during the show reminded me of Skin, these extatic bends
  and stands. They added a special passionate expression to the whole performance
  and atmosphere.
  Lapko’s show really captivated you and the audience lost track of time and space.
  They were dancing quite heavily not caring about anybody around them or spilled
  drinks over them.
  That was probably also the reaso why this hour seemed so extremely short, despite
  a 2 song encore.

  So catch Lapko live by any chance. Definitely a must-have seen in life. I swear.

Links:

Lapko Myspace
Lapko Myspace