The Valkyrians
The Valkyrians performing in 2008
Background information
OriginFinland
GenresRocksteady, ska
Years active2002 (2002)–present
Members
  • Angster
  • John Building
  • Mr Moonhead
  • Gladiator
  • Junior
Past members
  • Big Deal
  • Letku Leroy
Websitewww.thevalkyrians.com

The Valkyrians is a Finnish rocksteady and ska band.

In 2006 they released their debut album High and Mighty, which was popular on the radio and charted at #24 on the national Finnish album chart.[1][2] One of the album's singles, "Rankin Fullstop", peaked at #6 on the singles chart.[3]

The Valkyrians released a second album, The Beat of Our Street, in 2009. It reached #28 on the album chart.[1]

Their third album Punkrocksteady was released on August 10, 2011. The album's songs are cover versions of the 70's and 80's punk and new wave bands' songs and a tribute to the early influencers (outside of ska, and reggae).

History

In 2002, Angster, Moonhead, Big Deal, Letku Leroy, and Gladiator met at a familiar watering hole in Helsinki, Finland. The musicians had known each other for years and decided to start a band inspired by the music of Jamaica. Big Deal and Leroy set up the first gig for their birthday party. Ska, rocksteady, and reggae, as well as 2Tone and punk, were played.

Their first release, an EP called Miracle by Semi Sounds/Fat Belt Records, came out in 2004. It featured "I Don't Wanna Go Home," which received a positive reception. High and Mighty was released in 2006 (BALE/Fat Belt). Following the album's release, the band toured Scandinavia and central Europe. The album rose to number 24 in the Finnish charts. The band won several awards that year: a Femma for Most Danceable Act of 2006. Another award was given by Finland's premier alternative rock magazine Rumba. "Do You Really Wanna Know" was named Song of the Year by Funky Elephant.

Stupido Records and Pork Pie Records released the band's second album, The Beat of Our Street, in 2009. It climbed up to number 29 in the charts. The band went on a tour that lasted almost a year, stopping at Finland, the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Croatia, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden.

Punkrocksteady was released on August 10, 2011.

Band members

Former members

  • Big Deal – drums (2002–2013)
  • Letku Leroy – bass (2002–2018)

Discography

Albums

  • High and Mighty, released February 6, 2006 by BALE Inc. licensed by Pork Pie Records
  • The Beat of Our Street, released September 30, 2009 by Stupido Records Oy licensed by Pork Pie Records
  • Punkrocksteady, released August 10, 2011 by Stupido Records Oy licensed by Pork Pie Records
  • Rock My Soul, released 2015
  • Monsterpiece, released 2022

Singles

  • Miracle EP, released October 2004 by Semi Sounds/Fat Belt Records
  • Ranking Fullstop, 2006 BALE Inc.
  • Do You Really Wanna Know, 2007 BALE Inc.
  • Hooligans, 2007 BALE Inc.
  • Hold On Rudy, 2010 Stupido Records Oy
  • Heart of Glass, 2011 Stupido Records Oy

References

  1. 1 2 Steffen Hung. "Valkyrians - The Beat Of Our Street". finnishcharts.com. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
  2. ↑ "The Valkyrians". The Valkyrians. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
  3. ↑ Steffen Hung. "The Valkyrians - Rankin Fullstop". finnishcharts.com. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
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