Tearstained record was meant to be released in March, but it wonÕt come out before June Ôcause you switched the record company - could you tell of that?

Well it was painful waiting, was pissed off that they canÕt put it out earlier.
Since we had finished the whole record by the end of December, we of course wanted it to be released as fast as possible, so that we donÕt get bored to it before it comes out.
Now it was delayed from March to June, Ôcause the March was planned as the release date by this Emanzipation Products where we earlier were. Die Hard bought us from there, and the rights for the earlier record, and it added automatically 3 months to the schedule.
They wanted some time for promotion, Ôcause they hadnÕt been able to do it earlier, and I donÕt know what they need the 3 months for. (laughs) Hopefully it shows somewhere. That was the main reason for the delay.

What was this talk about Spinefarm, that they are taking care of your tour in Finland? This with Sentenced or what?

No, that tour with Sentenced was put together by us and Sentenced, and the gigs were sold by Welldone, who sells Sentenced. The first gig was at Tavastia, and Ewo from Spinefarm was there watching, and he got really interested and came backstage talking fuck guys that sounded good, your gig was dynamite. I was like thanks, thanks, and it took some time and then came a message from Ewo that fuck guys, weÕll license you to Finland, will you do the next records for us?
5 guys from Spinefarm came to Tampere to watch our gig, and after the gig I chatted with them before they went back to Helsinki. They liked so much, that there was talk of lots of things, but letÕs see what comes true and what does not. Hopefully all, because the plans sounded good, what Spine wants to do.
So Spine releases Tearstained in Finland by the end of May, the license it from Die Hard, and we wonÕt continue with Die Hard right after this record is released, we will go to a new label.
They license it to Finland by the end of May, and have new covers made, the kind they want, of course there will be no fire farting dragon. (laughter) But have to say that they have to be accepted by us. But itÕs the same guy who does the covers who did the covers for SentencedÕs Crimson and I think also ETOS.

This Niklas Sundin?

Yes.

HeÕs brilliant!

Yeah, he does the new covers that come through Spinefarm. And then of course there will be lots of shirts and stuff. Charon tooth brush. (laughter)
Well probably not, but all kinds of stuff, you can clearly see that Spine invests in this million times more than some small Danish company. Hopefully it brings lots of new winds with it.

The songs played at the Oulu gig sounded good - how would you describe the record, which way have you taken musically?

WeÕve taken away lots of extra stuff thatÕs not important while making a song, and in the wholeness of a song.
All this unnecessary worshipping of guitars and stuff away, that has nothing to do with the subject, and concentrated more on the themes. We got this whole theme of the songs throughout the record, so that the songs would support the lyrics, we focused to it now that we for once had the time for it.
When we made the first record it was basically that go quick to the studio we need to get a record out soon. There was songs from as far as Õ94, so you canÕt expect that there would be some wholeness, or a thought one at least.
Musically itÕs more enjoyable to play these new songs, theyÕve become a lot catchier. Of course not consciously, it just happened that we wanted to play and make songs like that, they started developing.
There was probably almost 20 songs that we chose from, might have been good songs, too, that were left off, Ôcause the older ones were automatically off, but it would be nice to record them, too, sometime.
But I think that we got the atmosphere right on this record.

According to some rumors there was going to be some female vocals on this record - what happened with that?

Well there is female vocals. But they are not so essential that weÕd need to lean on them at gigs, they are just a base for my vocals in some choruses, and with in some melodies.
There is a duet - two cellos, acoustic guitar and me and this Jenny Heinonen, who I think is a magnificant singer. She sings in Helsinki in Sibelius Academia. She was in Raahe, had her own concert there, and we asked her with Ôcause the original singer stood us up. DonÕt know why. (laughs) Luckily Jenny was in Raahe then and she did her job as it needed to be done. But itÕs just a spice there, the female vocals.

Are you planning on making a video of some of the songs on the record?

Ewo from Spine said there will be, that they want to start making a video for us. I suggested that at our school we could make it cheap, thereÕs all machinery needed. He was like no, we have professionals for that, you stay out of it. So probably there will be some video by Spine. Song has not been decided.

Where does the name of the record, Tearstained, come from?

Well it describes really well the process of the making of the record. (laughter)
There was lots of stuff, these company changes in the middle of the recordings. Just when we were about to go to Finnvox we found out that we are practically on nothing, that you guys donÕt have a company behind you, letÕs see if we like the songs, letÕs make a new contract then.
At Finnvox we watched the clock ticking, and all the time 1000Fmk dropped off the account, guys how are we going to pay for this studio. (laughter) We didnÕt say a word to Karmila, let him work happy, but then we sent a couple of songs to Denmark that fuck and got the money to the account. So no problems.

You write a large part of the lyrics - where do the ideas come from?

Now they were kind of trivial, because the best subjects are always close, and you know how to write of them. Of course with little extra stuff, but IÕm not going to start writing about some fantasy subjects like dragons & knights (laughs), Ôcause they donÕt exist, anymore.
Human relationships are of course one thing, but with the extra stuff. Death is one thing that fascinates people, because itÕs a trivial thing.
Last fall a friend from Raahe died, and of course it brought something, because none of my friends or even close ones has died. It was the second funeral I went to, the first was when a grandpa from next door died, so we went to see him being put to the ground. (laughs)
But that went so close that could see what itÕs really like. So I started thinking that fuck, you write really romantically of all such things, death and so, but itÕs really everyday life. Then I noticed that hell, I have known nothing of it earlier. So it was sort of easier to grab the subject, and not write of it so scornfully. ItÕs from a wormÕs-eye view.

When do you usually write the songs?

They come when they come, usually IÕm thinking for subjects all the time, if I sometimes happen to be alone. It comes when it comes, and then thereÕs better be a pen and paper close. So I donÕt go to a dark forest to sit on a rock and put candles to a circle around and drink a bottle of whisky that fuck now IÕm gonna write the lyrics of my life! (laughter)
For me itÕs usually that I get an idea for a chorus, how it goes on the syllabification and so, and what subject would fit it. I have the song on my head when I write the lyrics, itÕs really seldom that I write just words without knowing where they come. Last record I made all when the songs were already ready, rehearsal tape in the studio recorded, and I just started to build the lyrics on it, thinking each song, what kind of story and atmosphere would fit it.

The record was recorded already in November, and you had lots of songs ready for it - have you made songs after that, is the third record soon expected? (laughter)

No, we havenÕt concentrated at all on making new songs, we have to get that record out first and get this tour done, and then go back rehearsing. Put feet back to the ground. (laughs)
Then we start thinking of it, but thereÕs no rush. In time.

Jasse plays in Wolfheart, do you others have any project bands?

No, no one really, itÕs always been this one and only Charon for all. For Jasse that Wolfheart, he hasnÕt made songs for it anymore, and I think that he will leave it to that one record.
He said that now that these things with Charon are beginning to take more time he wonÕt even start making stuff there anymore. And anyway, feelings for the guy who runs Mighty Music have grown cold, Ôcause heÕs the same guy that ran Emanzipation. We talk of him at the rehearsals as the fucking fatty, should be beat up with a baseball bat.
Somehow it has grown cold on all sides for Wolfheart. He could write songs if he started. But why force it.

YouÕve taken singing lessons - has it been useful?

Yes. It hasnÕt changed the voice, but I wanted to practice the techniques, Ôcause I noticed after every gig, that I must have been running like 2000km, climbed the mountains and crawled at a desert, like this ainÕt normal that my voice canÕt last well for one gig.
Little technique training and stuff and I got more elements to my voice, that I can use in the action. Mostly it has affected so that I can even perform on stage these days, not just worry how will I get the next sound out of my throat. It has helped.
Old tangos I mostly sung at the lessons, they gave a lot, they have a wide scale, going high going low, and we acquainted to how the voice should come from low, and how does it come high.

Will you be seen at the next tango contest as a performer?

(laughs) Hardly! (laughs) I probably wonÕt lower to go there. IÕm more into this underground -stuff. (laughter) And a tail coat I will not wear. (laughs)

You joined the band apparently in Õ96 or so, how have you changed from that?

Õ94 I came to the band, and of course I have changed in the same direction that the band has been going to. Before the band I played with groups that play ed soul and blues, and grunge was a big thing then. It gave various ideas that can be used today.
I have changed a bit, couple of more hair to my head than was then. Well I guess the amount is the same, but itÕs longer. (laughter) When thought more closely. (laughter) I hope the amount has stayed the same! (laughter) Guess they start lessening from the front.
But I donÕt know, probably not as a person really, same guy I used to be, but - you have to like what youÕre doing, and this doesnÕt seem like a compulsion to me. So if I have changed I havenÕt noticed it myself.

How did your interest in music begin? Have you been writing songs since a kid or something?

No, my dad has always played drums in some band, there was this band from called Stalkers that were up for a while. He also had a band called Lievä mielenhäiriö where he played drums in the 70Õs, some time before I was born, around Õ72.
He still does music, and thereÕs some poets in the family tree and so on, but not so close relatives. I could have been anything, self itÕs decided what will become. But it somehow automatically. But it wasnÕt from friends. I remember as a teenager I decided I want a guitar, which has nowadays been left over, but somewhere I had to begin. I donÕt know, guess it somehow runs in the blood from father to son.

And apparently you played keyboards on Sorrowburn?

Yes. (laughs) Well itÕs a Sunday hobby, I will probably never do it again. I had written the song where I played the keyboards, so it felt natural that I would play them on the record, too.Terrible time mistakes there, the parts had to be put together with a computer after LeppŠluoto had beat the piano. (laughter)
But I play enough that I can work with it, compose and so, but nothing too hard. ItÕs quite much like with one finger - where did the next sound come from. (laughter) Quite shitty pianist.

YouÕve toured quite long with Sentenced - how have you liked it? Do you come along?

Yes we come along really well, Ôcause all the guys are similar farters. They have been fun to tour with, Ôcause they are normal guys, they donÕt care what they are. Sentenced is a hell of a big name in Finland, but they donÕt seem to notice that. (laughs) Good so. I hope I stick to the profiles, too, and donÕt start bragging like some clowns from Helsinki. Well for luck I hate that stuff, that you have to be such a bragger. Some sort of image you gotta have of course, but in the private life and so.
But IÕve liked to tour with them, Ôcause they are similar guys, and it has given a lot Ôcause they have toured a lot, so you can see how the things are really done.
And then the mixer and lights man are real professionals, it teaches, gives hints what we should exploit, so we are not so in diapers when we have to tour on our own. So it probably gives enough that we donÕt need to worry. Been really teaching.

And you have plans for some sort of European tour?

Well itÕs seen in the time. Now is most important that Spine contract and so, they have as a target to get our name known in Finland. And thatÕs what they are gonna do right now. They license only Finland and the next record theyÕll market to whole Europe. Ewo said that we put this record to Finland now as hard as possible, and with the next record we beat the Germans up. (laughter)
But hopefully this happens. LetÕs see if it comes or not, itÕs up to Die Hard to take care of it now.

You have an energetic stage performance - how much do you think of what you do, or does it come naturally?

It comes quite naturally, letÕs say that 70% of what I do on-stage comes quite naturally, and the 30% I have to think that how the hell I should now, everybodyÕs watching me. (laughter)
But thereÕs some thought, too, what IÕve even considered, but mostly it comes naturally. You sort of get into it. At first when you sit on backstage before the gig, at least I have a little tension there, and I wonder that how the hell IÕm gonna make this again. Then when you get on stage itÕs like someone sticks a needle to your ass with some stuff, the crowd thatÕs there, it gives a certain electricity, and then you just flounder there. (laughter) Like someone was pulling the wires. At least I feel that itÕs really natural, and nothing needs to be forced there.

I heard youÕve got your hair stuck to a bass amplifier a couple of times.

Probably a couple of hundred times. (laughter) Well it happens, especially if itÕs a small stage. If you throw it little off the face it gets stuck pretty tightly around the tuner. Just have to rip and then you lose some hair, but it grows again. (laughter)

What is the weirdest thing that has happened on a gig?

WeirdestÉ I think that Teemu vomited on stage at Raahe some time, and he may have passed out sometime, but it was some party where everyone were quite drunk. But there hasnÕt really happened anything that weird. Even zipper hasnÕt been left open. Ever. I canÕt remember anything that weird

You have been compared to known sex symbols like Peter Steele, Ville Laihiala and Ville Valo, and at gigs girls are drooling in front of the stage - does it bother you?

No it doesnÕt bother me at all. NoÉ IÕm actually rather pleased of it. (laughter)
I just have to do my own thing though. Not to concentrate to that side too much, keep the playing playing. Separate the private life from it. (laughs) It goes ok. I have nothing against it, of course. (laughter)

What is the best gig youÕve seen, and why?

It might well be in Provinssi Õ96 when I went to see Iggy Popp there, he is such an energetic performer. That is the one I remember best. That man does so much alone on the stage, and conducts the energy to the crowd, itÕs something magnificent how he performs. Though at times it seems really weird. (laughs)
But then is those - this new band of Sami KuoppamŠki, the ex- Kingston Wall drummer, Groove Convention, they played a musically great and really working gig at Hoviravintola in Raahe, went to see them. People sat at tables and napped fingers, but I wouldnÕt have wanted to sit there Ôcause it was so good, soul and stuff. I listen to various stuff.
So that I liked musically really much. Iggy Popp was just even humming to the front row, but my god the energy.

Can it be supposed then, that Iggy Popp has influenced you then somehow?

Probably something to the vocals, Ôcause we have played so many songs by him, and I like the way he sings - he doesnÕt sing purely, purely right, but he has his own style to sing, and it has some exciting things that work.
But I donÕt know of the stage performance, I would never have that much energy, IÕd have to pump some steroids to be able to jump like that. (laughter) But that kind of performance wouldnÕt fit the music we play.
But of course something - maybe more to the singing side, not the performing.

What would you like to say at the end?

First of all thanks for everyone who have been at the gigs and given feedback to the net, itÕs really important for us to see straight there that damn, people have actually liked it. It makes us concentrate more on the stuff we are doing, we know that itÕs good enough, people like it. Thanks for these people, and hopefully they get something new from our music, I really want to give that something new and probably the other guys as well.
I just hope that I see on gigs more and more people who like just Charon. ThereÕs been talk about a club tour, it will probably come some time after fall or summer, then weÕll see how much of our own people is out there.
So thanks for everyone of the response weÕve had as the warmer of Sentenced, Ôcause most of the gigs have been so that no one has known what band the warmer is. But when they have seen, itÕs worked out really well. Thanks for that.

Thanks.

(How long was it? 27 minutes!)