Sweeney Todd
Sweeney Todd was formed in Kokkola, Finland in March 1990 by Anders Boijer, Ulf Furu and Rune Lågland. Three guys who had been playing together in various teenage bands earlier, but had parted ways just to rejoin later on. "The wild man of rock`n`roll", Sture Lågland, older brother to Rune joined in on vocals for one already booked gig. Sture hadn`t been singing before, unless drunk, but he had a certain charisma that the other guys thought would benefit the band in it`s loud, crazy and fun way of playing rock`n`roll and r & b. After performing the one gig and finding out how funny it was, Sture wouldn`t leave the band.
The band was named Sweeney Todd`s Screwballs and the first demotape was made. Tomy Haglund joined the band as a second guitarist, and now it was time to hit the road.
In 1991 the band played various gigs ranging from small private parties to outdoor concerts and prisons. At the end of 1991 the single Never Give Up / Worm Eaten Blues was released.
In 1992 Tomy Haglund left the band to marry the woman of his life. A superb "replacement" was to be found in Teijo Oikarinen, who not only changed the sound of Sweeney Todd (Screwballs was dropped after Haglund leaving the band), but also brought a wide range of variety to guitarplaying and songwriting.
In the beginning of 1993, the band appeared on the Kokemus - Experience compilation CD with two songs: Keep On Fighting & Hold My Hand. The band was busy playing gigs and in October a demotape was recorded. The tape got very good reviews in the music press. But then, when everything seemed allright, Anttu Boijer left the band to watch young girl´s asses in the girl band Dust ´n`Bones.
Two months later the band introduced "The mad man of rock`n`roll", Kari Illanvuori as a new drummer to the audience.
In 1994 the gigs were less than before, new fine material was written and a demotape was recorded in November.
In 1995 the band made a couple of acoustic "unplugged" gigs apart from the ordinary ones, and some of the best material up to date was being written.
In spring 1996 a fourth demotape was recorded. The gigs were few (one was actually with Anttu Boijer returning on drums), inner conflicts within the band as well as personal problems occured. As a result Kari Illanvuori left/got the boot in 1997. And then there was a long silence.......
At the writing moment (May 1998) rumours have it, that Sweeney Todd is rehearsing with their new/old drummer Anttu Boijer and the silence will be broken with a supersonical crash and bang on June 20:th when Sweeney Todd enters the stage at Hickarö Beach Partys.
As long as there is room for rock`n`roll and it won`t be taken too seriously, there is also room for a bunch of wild and fun lovin` rock`n`rollers who call themselves Sweeney Todd!!!
P.S. See you in Sweenland!