Punk Performers & Theories Of Ideology ('Punk Mass' 1970 - )

The Nordic nations are often at odds with each other over cultural matters, though they are the best of friends. Sweden and Norway are cultural powerhouses situated on the Scandinavian peninsula. Hungarians tell me they are the distant cousins of the Finns, which seems plausible as Finland is noted for its eccentricity. Denmark is the southernmost of the Scandinavian countries and provides a different gateway into mainland Europe.

I think of Iceland as one of the nordic countries too. I posted about this rather small (relatively speaking), fun, inventive nation previously on this thread ('Björk Guðmundsdóttir : 'Afterbirth Of A Notion' ~ Anarcho-Punk, Cyberpunk Anime, Biotechnology & Nanotechnology | Iceland & Japan').

Sweden had an active punk scene in the late 1970s that was eclipsed internationally by her contributions to disco and the rise of pop titans ABBA. Bands like Ebba Gron, KSMB (aka Kurt-Sunes Med Berit), Asta Kask and Kriminella Gitarrer ruled the roost, dominating a punk scene that was noted for its satirical swipes at suburban anxieties. Anti Cimex and Mob 47 pushed Swedish punk into hardcore territory.

My favourite Swedish punk bands are sister groups Tant Strul and Pink Champagne. They consisted of sharp, innovative instrumentalists who played with crack timing, contained ferocity and purpose.

I come up short when asked about punk in Denmark so I need to do some research. I can talk about many great Danish films of the 1970s but can only name one punk act and that's Sods. Interestingly, Sods mutated into Sort Sol and were much in demand. In the mid-1980s, they collaborated with Lydia Lunch.

My introduction to Finnish punk came through the work of independent filmmaker Aki Kaurismaki. There's actually a punk band called Stalingrad Cowgirls who are named after Kaurismaki's road movie 'Leningrad Cowboys Go America' (1989). Kaurismaki was connected to the comedy troupe Sleepy Sleepers who parodied different styles of rock 'n' roll. They sent up punk aggression in the late 1970s and new wave stage antics in the early 1980s; you can see clips of this all over youtube. Members of the punk band Motelli Skronkle also worked with Kaurismaki.

First-wave Finnish punk acts include Eppu Normaali, Rattus and Hassisen Kone who were all formed in the late 1970s. One group I like on today's punk scene is Masquerade who are led by gothic multi-instrumentalist Suzi Sabotage.

Norway was home to popular punk outfits like Elektrisk Regn, the Aller Vaerste and De Press. These bands were promoted by influential English disc jockey John Peel. Norway also has some exciting punk groups active today. I like the musical collective Broen who perform in a wide range of styles and are hard to pigeon-hole. They're signed to Cocteau Twin Simon Raymonde's music label Bella Union Records which is also home to Norwegian singer-songwriter Susanne Sundfor.

Another group signed to Bella Union Records is Pom Poko. Members of the band also play with musician Birgitta Alida Hole (Lumikide). Tim Burgess (the Charlatans) is one of their biggest fans.