BIO | Jaani | Anu | Matti | Riku-Niilo | Ose

Iconcrash will release their second album ”Enochian Devices” on the 26th of May. The album will combine dark feelings, innovative sounds, and a substantial emphasis on issues of the spiritual world. Jaani Peuhu, the leader of the band, tells us that Iconcrash wanted to make a record that was deeper than the conventional rock album. The name of the album associates with Enochian magick, which is a magic system from the 16^th century. Peuhu describes that most of the lyrics are conversations between people and spirits.  Even though angels, demons, and magic are all apart of the record, Peuhu doesn’t want to sell people religion or offer answers, but encourage people to ponder their own beliefs.

 

The singles “Strange, Strange Dark Star” and “Everlasting” have been played on the biggest Finnish rock radios YLEX and Radio Rock.  Both songs have been at the top of YLEX´s "most wanted" list and the Everlasting-video has been on heavy rotation on Voice TV. The music of Iconcrash can be heard on the domestic movie “Blackout” and the legendary Clive Barker’s “The Midnight Meat Train” soundtrack, where Justin Lassen (Madonna, Nine Inch Nails, David Bowie, Lenny Kravitz, and Linkin Park) remixes the band.

The band has toured in Finland, The United States, England, Central Europe, Russia, and the Baltic States. Dates for the Enochian Devices will be announced later.

jaani

Jaani Peuhu
Vox, programming, guitar, synth, percussion
Leo
Helsinki

Random stuff I like:
Coffeine, Moog Voyager, UFC, truffle pasta, religious art, water, Roland : Jazz Chorus 160, my grandmom's sauna, smiling, London, spirits, Shure SM7, Thoth tarot, vegetarian pizza in Juttutupa, New York, Ruovesi, English diet coke, Rock Of Love, black, red, silver, Thermionic Culture : The Rooster, cats and dogs, Barcelona, holy trinity of Myspace, Facebook and YouTube, Sudoku, White Russians, Zvex : Fuzz Factory, graveyards, airports, BattleStar Galactica, Wgxf, Marinkylä, cabs, angels, my MacBook, Vesivehmaa, black and white pictures, mornings (20 min after I have woken up), Juno-60, Highlander 1 and 2

Something about my bandmates:
Anu: The brain. She knows where we are going and when we are going and even why we are going.
Matti: Walking lunch box. The friendliest man on earth. Oskari: Hell on wheels. The total opposite of Anu
Riku-Niilo: This fishy guy just kills you with sub frequencies.

Top-35 albums:
1. Depeche Mode: Songs Of Love And Devotion
2. The Cure: Disintegration
3. Radiohead: Ok Computer
4. Björk: Homogenic
5. The Smashing Pumpkins: Machina
6. Alice In Chains: Dirt
7. Nine Inch Nails: Fragile
8: Jeff Buckley: Grace
9. Sneaker Pimps: Bloodsport
10. Tool: Lateralus
11. Kent: Isola
12. Suede: Dog Man Star
13. Jesus Jones: Perverse
14. Massive Attack: Mezzanine
15. Entombed: Left Hand Path
16. New Order: Get Ready
17. The Cult: The Cult
18. Killing Joke: Night Time
19. King Diamond: Them
20. The Knife: Silent Shout
21. PJ Harvey: Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
22. Stina Nordenstam: This Is Stina
23: Mansun: Attack Of The Grey Lantern
24. Ladytron: Witching Hour
25: Jane's Addiction: Nothing's Shocking
26: The Gathering: Mandylion
27: The Church: Starfish
28: Ben Christophers: My Beautiful Demon
29: The Afghan Whigs: 1965
30: A-ha: Hunting High And Low
31. Sentenced: Amok
32. Venus Outback: Spiron Johd
33. IAMX: Kiss And Swallow
34. The Cardigans: Long Gone Before Daylight
35. Morbid Angel: Blessed Are The Sick

Anu

Instrument: Keyboards, backing vocals

Musical backround:
I started playing classical piano at the age of 6 (because my big sister played the piano so of course I wanted it too). After 13 years of piano lessons and Sibelius high school I started studying musicology at the University of Helsinki. During that time I also got more interested in synths and started playing in a band, and a few years ago I joined the wonderful group of Iconcrash.

Idols/Musical influences:
I've always admired the strong female artists such as Tori Amos, Björk, Kate Bush and PJ Harvey who create their own kind of music with their own terms. In general, melancholic music and music that affects emotions strongly (good and bad) and good electronic sounds seem to captivate me the most.

Favorite artists and bands:
Tori Amos, Björk, The Cure, Sigur Rós, Sneaker Pimps, IAMX, Cranes, Kate Bush, PJ Harvey, Placebo, The Smiths, Stina Nordenstam, Black Box Recorder, Pet Shop Boys, Boys of Scandinavia, Nuria, Ladytron, Tricky, Massive Attack, Cocteau Twins, Air, Mogwai, Múm, My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, This Empty Flow, Jeff Buckley, Interpol, Kent, Mansun, Radiohead, Mew, Smashing Pumpkins, My Brightest Diamond, Lamb, Bloc Party, Depeche Mode, Lali Puna

Favorite books:
Ender's Game, The Sandman series, The Lord of the Rings

Favorite movies and directors:
Lumikuningatar, Whale Rider, Ghost Dog, Girlfight, the Fifth Element, the Neverending Story, Spirited Away, Totoro, Avalon, the movies of Luc Besson, Tim Burton, Quentin Tarantino, Wong Kar-wai, Hayao Miyazaki

Favorites on TV:
Gilmore girls, Battlestar Galactica (the new version), Twin Peaks (it's still scary!), Babylon 5, Skins, Studio Julmahuvi, Muodollisesti pätevä

Things I like:
music, movies, videogames, autumn, movie festivals, concerts, cafés, good books and comics, manga, pretty little things, hair colours, people who make me laugh, good conversations, kindness, sweet drinks, travelling, London, Japanese popular culture, art exhibitions, fairies, caramel cappuccino, learning new things

Things I hate:
people who lie or exploit other people for their own benefit, people who bully or abuse weaker ones, the ideals of appearance and beauty and behaviour in which the western commercial popular culture and media have brainwashed us to believe, superficial people, back-minded people, people who talk on the cell phone in the movies, selfishness, blue cheese and olives

Describe shortly the other members of the band:
Jaani is fully dedicated and devoted to his music, a gifted musician and a bit crazy, Oze is an amazing drummer, kind, and also a bit crazy, Matti always brings good mood and energy with him (it is impossible to get mad at him) and he is crazy too, Riku is a good bass player, goodhearted and..hmm.. yes - he is a bit crazy. Thus, a great group altogether!

Links:
Love and Anarchy Film Festival
Blippo
Candybird
Katja Tukiainen
Uglydolls
Tilt.tv
Zelda Universe
Video Game Music Archive
Amnesty International

matti

I was born on september 24. I started my musical career with banging potts at my Grandma's at the age of five (the usual story). Later on, guitar was my true love. I also fell in love with guitar FX. I love the sound of the guitar when it's far enough from its original sound. I try to express myself in many ways. Art has no limits for me. I recommend culture in general for everyone

My favourite books "filth" and "glue" are written by Irvine Welsh

I'm into popmelodies.

Movies to mention: Mr In-Between, Kontroll, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Requiem for A Dream, and the best comedy actor ever is Leslie Nielsen. I also like Trey Parker's creations. Morgan Freeman ranks high on my list.

I love the Sun. I have it tattooed on my arm. Sometimes I drink orange juice in the morning, because it makes me feel like I am on vacation. Elliott Smith's version of the Beatles classic "because" is beautiful. There is no better feeling than hearing a good song, it makes me smile and happy. I drink coffee. One of my fav inventions of man is cable tie.

Albums that changed my life are The Posies/Amazing Disgrace, Sneaker Pimps/Splinter, Foo Fighters/The Colour and the Shape, Marilyn Manson/Mechanical Animals

My all-time favourite guitar model is Gibson Les Paul. George Harrison is my fav Beatle.

Some words about my fellow bandmates: Oze is the most talented drummer I've ever played with, but the best part is that he is a supercool dude to be with. Riku is nice and always in a good mood. He doesn't take life too seriously. Anu is fun to be with, she is intelligent and has a good talent to handle things calmly. Jaani is all-considering, hardworking and he has crazy ideas. He has got a good heart. This fab four has a mission and works very hard to make it happen, and has a very weird sense of humor.

personal links
http://www.orimattila.fi/ http://www.espguitars.com/

riku-niilo

Riku-Niilo “Fish” Mattila
Horoscope: Pisces

Musical background: I come from the deepest Finland, where there is a very long-standing tradition of playing the blues. I have been playing music ever since I can remember in different bands and line-ups, doing gigs and playing in the studio. I must say that I finally found the right guys and band.
How do you kill time on tour: I’m really going to buy a good camera, so I can take nice pictures.

Place you would like to visit, but haven't: Iceland.

Devices: GSB1 bass-guitar, Epiphone Jack Casady bass-guitar, Ampeg SVT810E, Ampeg V4BH, Sansamp Bass Driver DI, and enough effect pedals to satisfy Jaani…not.

Musical influences: Blues, bands in England since the 60´s, Seattle-bands, Desert-Rock, Alternative-music and any good shit wherever and whenever . I am always trying to find new bands, because there is so much good music from which you can get inspiration and influence to your own playing.

Top list right now: Sneaker Pimps – Bloodsport, Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream, Stina Nordenstam - This is Stina Nordenstam, Massive Attack, Radiohead, Biosphere, My Bloody Valentine – Loveless, The Cult, The Cardigans, Keane, Air, Beck, NIN, Sigur Ros, Tool – 10,000 Days, The Gutter Twins, Aphex Twin, Godspeed You Black Emperor!, Jeff Buckley – Grace, Led Zeppelin, John Coltrane, Depeche Mode.

What kind of role do you play in the band?
I´m like a smoking engine together with our drummer Oze.
Best place on earth: Stage & studio, gloomy woods & by the foggy morning river.

Describe shortly the other members:
Jaani: Determined, Anu: Sharp, Oze: Explosive, Matti: Has overflowing lunch-box.

First album ever bought: The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Live At Winterland and Lynyrd Skynyrd - Retrospective

Place of residence: Helsinki. 

http://games.asobrain.com/
www.scarletyouth.com
http://www.radiohelsinki.fi
www.pajularecords.com

ose

Name: Oskari Vilmunen
Star sign: Aquarius
Residence: Helsinki-Hämeenlinna
Instrument: Drums, Percussion

Previous (worthy of mention) bands:

Lumiére jazz-project (1994-1996 Bruxelles Belgium), Come Inside (1997-2001 Helsinki Finland), live musician in KMA (2000-2002 Hki Fin), Heaven´n´Hell (2002-2006 Hki Fin), Under Her Black Wings (2004 Hki-Hardcore), Fugitive Mind ( 2005-?) Martian Mud (2006-09) and joined Iconcrash in 2007 to record Enochian Devices Demo-sessions.

Character in the band: It was obvious that Jaani (being a drummer himself) was searching for a powerful beatmachine for his band, and i signed up hoping for a job that would take my breathe away. I fell in love with those songs he played to me the first time we met and after a month or so, he asked me: "come and try" to play the drums to the demo-recordings of Enochian Devices. Ever since i have had a role in doing what i do best, which is beating skins with the power i have in these skinny hands, i have also had an opportunity to make some arrangements into our new songs. But most of the time i am focused on what i play, a.k.a. paint.

Character in civil: Ruff´n´tuff, but loving, warmhearted and loyal for the close-ones, sometimes twisted, sometimes clear as day, but always eccentric.

Describe the other members of the band: Jaani is an easy going man, equipped with a vision of determination, perfectionism and the baddest-hardest drumbeats (so far for me) which i need to learn, and which i respect a lot. Anu: our silent but straight leader a.k.a big boss (sweet one), and a skillful musician. Matti is the man with the lunchbox, and also one of the nicest personalities i´ve ever met, a great musician as well. Riku: our sharp pulse of the angels, he is a man who is easy to work with, easy to get along with, packed with talent and with the moral of a hardworking man.

Musical influences: I´m kinda everything into everything, which sounds good into my own ears, but here are a few that i adore:
Manu Catché(studio musician): His beat leaves me speechless, so I prefer listening to him while i´m not in company of anyone.
Vinnie Colaiuta(Sting): Those soft and sensitive pandabear-like hands he has, make just miracles to my ears, and get my mind positive.
Steward Copeland (The Police): The hi-hat maestro of all times, but also my longtime favorite cause of his aggressive fast FF>>-style.
Nicholas Barker (ex-Dimmu Borgir): Also my longtime favorite, with that size (130kg), that power, that speed and accuracy, it´s always war. ATTACK!!!!
Brann Dailor of Mastodon: This guy is something new for me and like his sort of weird punk´ish style. Adrian Erlandsson: unlike to his brothers, I got hooked to his groove at the time of At The Gates and Haunted.
Jimmy Chamberlain (Smashing Pumpkins)+
Danny Carey(Tool): Every drummer knows why these last two guys are on my list..

First album ever bought: I was more into vinyls because of my parents, but I believe it was Iron Maiden's Somewhere in Time (vinyl), and on cd, it was Rage Against The Machine's first album.

Albums top-ten:
Refused: The Shape Of Punk To Come.
Police: I believe it would be the Greatest Hits.
Tool: Lateralus.
Deftones: White Pony. Nine.
N.I.N: All.
Smashing Pumpkins: Siamese Dream and Adore
The Haunted: The Haunted(1998), The Haunted Made Me Do It, One Kill Wonder, rEVOLVEr.
Down My Throat: Real Heroes Die.
Hatebreed: All.
Cradle of Filth: Dusk And Her Embrace.
Dimmu Borgir: Death Cult Armageddon.
RottenSound: Murdeworks, Exit.
Miles Davis: The best of all.
4 Hero: Two Pages.
Air: Talkie Walkie, Moon Safari.
Children Of The Bong: Sirius Sounds.
Massive attack: Protection.
Sisters Of Mercy: From The Beginning Till The End.
Veto: Crushing Digits.

That would be mainly over the top-ten which lies beside my cd-player nowadays...

Killing time: I´m definitely into girls, social scenes, books, drawing/painting and movies. Killing time on tour: It depends on the company i´m in.. I am sort of a person that goes easily with the flow, but i like to get into the culture and art of the country, as well as into the religions and folklore. Photographing underground visions during day light, meeting the natives at night when the inhibitions are vanished.

Favorite drug: Crushed ice, vodka, mint-leaves and sugar; anytime after six o´clock, Absinth, at night

Best place on earth: Might be home.

Best place that you haven´t visited: Cuba during the domination of Fidel Castro. But I wouldn´t mind Hokkaido island in Japan, or Southern-Baltic-Europe totally.

Favorite gadget: Human hands and the mind of a true master..