Band of the Day: CAMU

Write an intro, they said, but don’t tell anyone anything about the band that’s covered in the interview. So I had a read and realised there’s a ton of stuff they’ve told but thankfully not what they’re called! So, ladies and gentlebeings – CAMU…

Simple things first: Where are you from? How about the rest of your band?

All from Finland, however I live in Hawaii now. Zack, who plays guitar, lives in the UK and our drummer Tikka and bass player Ilari live in Finland. This is why I love the Internet.

How did you meet?

Tikka is my brother, I met Zack in daycare when we were 3 years old, 31 years ago. Ilari joined our old band Naked, in 2008, I believe.

How long have you been playing as a band?

CAMU is a brand spanking new band with a long history. After an 8 year hiatus from releasing music, the first thing I will be releasing is a trilogy of songs & their corresponding videos (“Empire State Of Sound” being the first of the trilogy) that unfold the journey of my life throughout these last 8 years, musically & personally. Once Naked disbanded in 2011 after 10 years, 4 albums and two world tours, I had had enough. The final straw came when our manager Bill Aucoin (KISS & Billy Idol) passed away; everything fell apart, I left, I hung it up and I disappeared. NAKED had been my band since I was a teenager. I’m grown now and I have 2 children and spend most of my time in Hawaii. A lot has changed obviously, but I’ve written and recorded a lot of music during my time living away from Finland.

I’ve had so many life-altering and mind blowing experiences, so I’ve got a lot of new song material and the trilogy of songs reflects and tells my story. This new release is all about me coming out & being me, Camu. Naked is still my band & will be touring as my band when we do our summer tour in 2019, but this is pure Camu music the way I have always envisioned it. As the new music being released ventures further from the straight rock music we used to play back in the day, we will be releasing it under a new better fitting new name: CAMU.

What are your influences?

My life influences my music 100%. I write about my experiences that I want to share. Musically, all the great bands from the 70s but I like anything with melody and a gang-load of energy.

Describe your music. What makes you unique?

I moved as far away from rock music that I could, but I wasn’t able to shake it; I’m grateful for that. For me, there isn’t anything better than an awesome rock ‘n’ roll song. It’s the style of music that comes out of me naturally, the people who like this type of music love the energy it’s loaded with. Today I write about my insane journey through life. I keep it as authentic as my music can possibly be. The only reason I write and record it is because I truly love creating it.

Do you have any particular lyrical themes?

With the trilogy of songs the theme is the last 8 years of my life. If it rhymes, it’s even better.

What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?

It’s an adjective filled event for sure. It’s a rock ‘n’ roll stadium show in a club setting. Lots of good energy, singalongs, people acting like they used to before phones with cameras and confetti bombs. I would say the show count is in the hundreds by now, but CAMU will debut live next summer when we do our summer tour of 2019.

What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?

My face was electrocuted in Russia during the first song as my mic or the PA wasn’t grounded. I couldn’t feel half of my face and the other half was throbbing to the rhythm of the beat.

What musical equipment do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?

I have played my Gibson Jr Double Cut for eons and then I play Mosrite. Both have stories to tell.

What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?

My new video for “Empire State Of Sound”.

What are your plans for the rest of 2018 and into 2019?

Part 2 & 3 of the trilogy will be released and then CAMU will play a summer tour in 2019.

If you were second on a three band bill, which band would you love to be supporting and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!

Right now I would love to open up for either KISS or the Foo Fighters. First on the bill? Frank Wood’s All-Stars Band.

What is the most you have yourselves ever paid for a ticket into a concert and who did you see?

Must have been either Van Halen or Rod Stewart at MSG, I don’t remember what the price was!

CAMU: officialfacebook | instagramsoundcloud | youtube

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