The Micragirls

Last updated
The Micragirls
The Micragirls 20080910.jpg
The Micragirls in September 2008 performing at Tavastia Club in Helsinki
Background information
Origin Kuopio, Finland
Genres Garage rock
Years active2001-2010
LabelsBone Voyage Recording Company
MembersMari Halonen
Katariina Haapalainen
Kristiina Haapalainen
Past membersElina Hakkarainen
Website myspace.com/micragirls

The Micragirls were a Finnish garage rock band. They were active from 2001 to 2010, gaining a cult following both in Finland and abroad. The band released two albums and several EPs and singles. The Micragirls did over 250 concerts, of which some 100 were outside Finland. The band's all-female principal line-up was a trio: drums, electric guitar and combo organ, with all band members singing.

Contents

Story

Beginning, 2001–2002

The Micragirls got started during Provinssirock outdoor rock festival in June 2001. Their friends' band Aavikko, while performing at the festival, had dedicated one of their songs to "Micratytöt". This was then translated to the English name of the newborn group. [1]

Right after coming home from the festival the ladies walked into the rehearsal room of their friends and selected their instruments. Kristiina Haapalainen took on the drums as she had sat behind a drum kit a couple of times, her sister Katariina Haapalainen chose a career with keyboards, and petite Elina Hakkarainen picked up the bass guitar. Mari Halonen became the guitar player and lead vocalist, being the only one with any previous musical experience – on violin. [2]

The first private gig of The Micragirls was already that August, and they had seven public performances during 2001. [3] Their first concerts abroad were in Saint Petersburg, Russia, before the group had published any records. [1] The band members had been enthusiastic music consumers and had even organized some gigs for other groups. This had provided them with good contacts within the Finnish music circles, and it was easy for The Micragirls to get gigs. [2] With help from the band Aavikko they also got the chance to make their first record. [4]

First seven-inchers, 2002–2006

The Micragirls' first 7-inch EP Are You Insane, Girls? was published in August 2002. The EP consists of five songs, which were recorded during a weekend at the rehearsal room on single takes, with no overdubbing. The method provided a gig-like sound and atmosphere to the record. [1] [5] [6]

The second EP Mind Twistin' Weekend with the Micragirls was recorded and mixed at the rehearsal room and home studio of a Finnish fellow band The Slideshaker. The four-song 7-inch was released in April 2003. Around that time bass player Hakkarainen decided to leave the group. [6] The Micragirls had a lot of concerts scheduled and the remaining trio rearranged and rehearsed the songs to be performed without a bass guitar. [7] A little later Katariina Haapalainen furnished the band with a Hohner Basset keyboard bass that she played in addition to a combo organ, her main instrument. [8]

The Micragirls did around 30 concerts per year in 2002 and 2003. In addition to Finland they performed in Russia, Estonia and Sweden. [3]

In the end of 2003, back in the rehearsal room, The Micragirls recorded new material for their third 7-inch, Primitive Homeorgan Blast. The four-song EP came out in the beginning of April 2004. [9] Coinciding with the record release The Micragirls toured Sweden, Germany and Switzerland with The Slideshaker on their sixteen-show Surrender Tour. In 2004 The Micragirls had 35 gigs, of which 20 were abroad.

Next year was mostly spent on maternal leave. There were only seven concerts in 2005 [3] but the group wrote new music even during their leave. [9] The Micragirls were back at full speed in 2006: gigging and also working on the long-aspired 10-inch album. [4]

Time of the albums, 2006–

The Micragirls recorded some new originals and cover songs in the beginning of 2006. Bone Voyage Recording Company, co-owned by members of the band 22-Pistepirkko, signed the group based on demo tapes from the sessions. [4]

"Feeling Dizzy Honey!?", a ten-inch vinyl album was published in November 2006. The nowadays rare 10-inch format was at that time considered by the trio as maximum dose of "micramusic". [6] In January 2007 the eight songs from the 10-inch album were reissued on a double CD version of "Feeling Dizzy Honey!?", packed together with disc 2 containing the eight earlier songs from the group's second and third EP. [10] The CD release helped The Micragirls to reach a larger audience, and their annual gig rate rose to about fifty. [3]

A Japanese domestic market one-disc CD edition of "Feeling Dizzy Honey!?" was published in end of 2007, containing the 16 songs and a bonus animated video of the song "Teenage Tiger". Yet another version of "Feeling Dizzy Honey!?" emerged in early 2008, this time a 12-inch colored vinyl LP record. [11]

After extensive rereleasing of earlier recordings, three completely new Micragirls songs were published in June 2008 on the 7-inch EP Haunted Heart. [10] Guest bassist Minna Kortepuro from the Finnish band Risto played her double bass on two of the songs. She also occasionally played onstage with The Micragirls. [12]

The Micragirls toured in Europe on many occasions, most notably in Germany and Switzerland. [3] During 2007–2009 they supported for example Heavy Trash, [13] The Go! Team [14] and Boss Hog [15] on their European tours. The Micragirls did not perform in their home country between September 2008 and September 2009. The first domestic gigs of 2009 coincided with the release of a new album. [3]

The group's second album Wild Girl Walk was released on 9 September 2009, somewhat later than originally planned. [10] Members of 22-Pistepirkko acted as producers and recording engineers as well as technical consultants in the album sessions during 2008 and 2009. [2]

The Micragirls have not performed in public since the 2010 Ilosaarirock outdoor festival.

Style

The characteristic sound of The Micragirls is based on primitive beat, howling organ, and fervent vocal performances. [16] Along their career the band developed from sheer fun-having towards more soulful musical expression. [2]

There was a strong contrast between the looks and the sound of The Micragirls, especially during their fast-paced songs and notably when every band member was screaming simultaneously. [7] The group usually wore 1960s style uniforms on stage. The Micragirls are often compared to the Japanese band The 5.6.7.8's. [17] [18] [19]

Personnel

Discography

Albums

EPs and singles

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Slits</span> British punk rock band

The Slits were a punk rock band based in London, formed there in 1976 by members of the groups the Flowers of Romance and the Castrators. The group's early line-up consisted of Ari Up and Palmolive, with Viv Albertine and Tessa Pollitt replacing founding members Kate Korus and Suzy Gutsy. Their 1979 debut album, Cut, has been called one of the defining releases of the post-punk era.

<i>The Yes Album</i> 1971 studio album by Yes

The Yes Album is the third studio album by English progressive rock band Yes, released on 19 February 1971 by Atlantic Records. It was the band's first album to feature guitarist Steve Howe, who replaced Peter Banks in 1970, as well as their last to feature keyboardist Tony Kaye until 1983's 90125.

Agoraphobic Nosebleed is an American grindcore band. Its line-up has changed often over the years, with guitarist and drum programmer Scott Hull being the only continuous member. The current line-up includes vocalist Jay Randall, and Richard Johnson of Enemy Soil and Drugs of Faith, along with John Jarvis of Pig Destroyer and Fulgora on bass guitar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Bell (American musician)</span> American singer

Christopher Branford Bell was an American musician and singer-songwriter. Along with Alex Chilton, he led the power pop band Big Star through its first album #1 Record (1972). He also pursued a solo career throughout the mid-1970s, resulting in the posthumous I Am the Cosmos LP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beatsteaks</span> German rock band

The Beatsteaks are a German alternative rock and punk rock band from Berlin, formed in 1995. They are one of the most commercially successful German punk rock groups alongside Die Toten Hosen und Die Ärzte.

Kingston Wall was a psychedelic/progressive rock group from Helsinki, Finland, originally formed in 1987. Influenced by such artists as Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, the group combined eastern themes, mysticism and vivid psychedelia with acid rock. The band consisted of Petri Walli, Jukka Jylli and Sami Kuoppamäki. Walli took the most active role in the band. He formed the group, composed most of the songs and wrote all the lyrics. He was also Kingston Wall's producer and manager and ran the band's own Trinity record label.

Antaeus are a French black metal band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autolux</span> American rock band

Autolux is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 2001. The group formed as a trio and have released three full-length albums, Future Perfect (2004), Transit Transit (2010) and Pussy's Dead (2016). Their sound draws from post-punk, electronic music, krautrock and shoegaze.

Senseless Things were an English pop punk band, formed in 1986 in London. The band released four studio albums and achieved two UK Top 20 hit singles before splitting up in 1995. Senseless Things reformed in 2017 to play several gigs including Shepherd's Bush Empire, as well as to record and release new material. Vocalist Mark Keds died in early 2021.

Sonny Vincent is an American Rock musician. He has been active in music since the '60s—in particular the mid-1970s, when he was part of the New York City punk rock scene with his original band, Testors. Vincent is currently active in music, film, multi-media art, and writing. His pedigree includes mid-70s Testors' performances at C.B.G.B. and Max's Kansas City. Always active in his own bands, Vincent also spent time touring and recording for 9 years as Maureen "Moe" Tucker and Sterling Morrison's guitar player Members of Vincent's bands include a vast range of players/characters, from the drummer of the Stooges, Scott Asheton, to Charles Manson's one-time guitar player, Ernie Knapp.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leather Nun</span> Swedish rock band

The Leather Nun are a Swedish rock group. Careening from garage rock to goth and pop-rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UK Decay</span> English post-punk band

UK Decay are an English post-punk band based in Luton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abhorrence</span> Finnish death metal band

Abhorrence is a Finnish death metal band originally formed in 1989.

Honey Bane is an English singer and actress, possibly best known for her 1981 UK Top 40 single "Turn Me On Turn Me Off".

<i>Beside You in Time</i> 2007 video by Nine Inch Nails

Beside You in Time is the third video album by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released in Europe on February 26, 2007 and in the United States on February 27, 2007. The video documents the band's 2006 Live: With Teeth Tour, and is available on DVD, HD DVD and Blu-ray formats. An edited version of the video aired on DirecTV's The 101 Network in March 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Wallers</span> British musician

Benedict Roger Wallers, also known as The Rebel, is the frontman, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the band Country Teasers. His lyrics often deal with taboo subjects such as racism, sexism and xenophobia from first-person standpoints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Age</span> American noise rock band

No Age is an American noise rock duo consisting of guitarist Randy Randall and drummer/vocalist Dean Allen Spunt. The band is based in Los Angeles, California, and was signed to Sub Pop records from 2008 to 2013. No Age's fourth studio album, Snares Like a Haircut, was released by Drag City on January 26, 2018. Drag City also released Goons Be Gone, their fifth studio album, on June 5, 2020, and their sixth studio album People Helping People in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Children of Bodom</span> Finnish melodic death metal band

Children of Bodom was a Finnish melodic death metal band from Espoo. Formed in 1993 as Inearthed, the final line-up of the group upon their split in 2019 consisted of frontman Alexi Laiho, drummer Jaska Raatikainen, bassist Henkka Seppälä, keyboardist Janne Wirman and rhythm guitarist Daniel Freyberg. The band released ten studio albums, three live albums, two EPs, two compilation albums and one DVD.

Echo Is Your Love is a Finnish noise rock band. It was founded in 1998, when Mikko Heikkonen and Ilai Rämä got acquainted with each other. The first gig was played after one rehearsal with the whole band.

Liimanarina is a Finnish folk-punk band from Helsinki. Fronted by singer-guitarist Olli Pauke, Liimanarina are known for their absurdist political lyrics, expository song titles, and abrasive lo-fi sound that has drawn comparisons to bands like The Fall and Half Japanese, as well as groups from the early No Wave scene.

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Hernesniemi, Matti (2002). "The Micragirls" (in Finnish). La Bruta Rockzine. Archived from the original on June 4, 2002. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Posti-Sjöman, Sanna (2009-05-18). "Radio Interview" (mp3). Finska Pinnar (in Finnish). Sveriges Radio. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Gigs". Official website. The Micragirls. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  4. 1 2 3 Huhtala, Hannele (February 2002). "Micramamat muovista menoa vastaan". Voima (in Finnish). Voima Kustannus Oy. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  5. ↑ Rubio, Paco (2003-10-01). "Entrevista The Micragirls". Peter PUNK. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  6. 1 2 3 Isoeskeli, Noora (2003-05-19). "The Micragirls – Huimaa, huimaa..." Sue (in Finnish). Suezine Oy. Archived from the original on August 5, 2009. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  7. 1 2 Njassa, General (2007-01-18). "Hello Helsinki" (mp3) (in Finnish). Radio Helsinki. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  8. ↑ Kemppilä, Kyösti (2008-07-11). "Haastattelu: Micragirls" (video). Ilosaari-nettitv (in Finnish). Ilosaarirock. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  9. 1 2 "Vieraskirja". Official guestbook - inactive storage (in Finnish). The Micragirls. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
  10. 1 2 3 Kannegiesser, Quintus. "Releases - The Micragirls". Bone Voyage. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  11. ↑ Kannegiesser, Quintus. "Artists - The Micragirls". Bone Voyage. Archived from the original on 2009-06-24. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  12. ↑ "Belgialainen Momo Lamana ja The Micragirls kiertävät Suomea" (in Finnish). Muusikoiden.net. 2007-09-04. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  13. ↑ "The Micragirls lämmittelee Heavy Trashia" (in Finnish). Soundi. 2007-09-24. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  14. ↑ "The Micragirls Englantiin" (in Finnish). Soundi. 2008-01-22. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  15. ↑ "Kuopiolaistrio The Micragirls lähtee Euroopan kiertueelle Boss Hogin lämmittelijänä" (in Finnish). Playground Music Finland. 2009-04-08. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
  16. ↑ Kumpulainen, Anna (2009-09-18). "The Micragirls tarjoilee energistä autotallirokkia". Yle Uutiset Savo (in Finnish). Yle. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  17. ↑ Seuri, Ville (2007-01-19). "Festaribändi, joka jäi" (in Finnish). Ylioppilaslehti. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  18. ↑ Ånas, Markus (2010-10-19). "Rokkibändi pitää kauppaa Kuopiossa". Kauppalehti (in Finnish). Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  19. ↑ "The Micragirls". desibeli.net artist page (in Finnish). Desibeli.net. 2010-07-22. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.