Tabula Rasa (band)
Encyclopedia
Tabula Rasa was a major progressive rock
group from Finland
in the 1970s.
Tabula Rasa was founded at Kangasala
in 1972. Founding members were Heikki Silvennoinen
(guitar), Tapio Suominen (bass) and Asko Pakkanen (drums
). The main influences were the prog-rock bands Jethro Tull
and Tasavallan Presidentti
. Later, Jarmo Sormunen (flute
), Jukka Leppilampi (vocals), Jarno Sinisalo (piano
) and Jukka Aronen (drums) also played in the band. Most of the songs were written by Silvennoinen. The lyricist was often Mikko Alatalo
, a well known Finnish musician who was never an actual member of the band.
The band started to be well known in Finland when it became number two in "the best Finnish pop group" contest in 1972, and after it played as opener for another Finnish prog-rock band, Wigwam
, in the same year. The best known songs by the band are "Vuorellaistuja" from the first album and the A-side of the last single, "Rakastatko vielä kun on ilta". The music of the band is typical prog rock, and resembles some of the recordings of Jethro Tull as flute has been given a strong role. Lyrics are sung in Finnish
. The band was later considered a major Finnish progressive rock group in 1970's, though it is overshadowed by Wigwam and Tasavallan Presidentti.
The band quit in 1977, when Aronen and Silvennoinen joined in Alatalo's group called Coitus Inc. Silvennoinen has stated that matters such as the decline of the popularity of progressive rock and the religious awakening of some group members contributed to the split of the group. Today the band is often remembered because of the songwriter Silvennoinen's later success and great popularity in the field of comedy
.
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
group from Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
in the 1970s.
Tabula Rasa was founded at Kangasala
Kangasala
Kangasala is a municipality in Finland, next to Tampere. It was founded in 1865. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of which is water. The population density is ....
in 1972. Founding members were Heikki Silvennoinen
Heikki Silvennoinen
Heikki Johannes Silvennoinen is Finnish musician and actor. He was guitarist and songwriter of several notable Finnish bands in 1970s and 1980s. He is also a singer on his solo albums...
(guitar), Tapio Suominen (bass) and Asko Pakkanen (drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
). The main influences were the prog-rock bands Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
and Tasavallan Presidentti
Tasavallan Presidentti
Tasavallan Presidentti is a Finnish progressive rock band. It was founded in 1969 by guitarist Jukka Tolonen and drummer Vesa Aaltonen. Other founder members were Måns Groundstroem and Frank Robson , previously of Blues Section...
. Later, Jarmo Sormunen (flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
), Jukka Leppilampi (vocals), Jarno Sinisalo (piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
) and Jukka Aronen (drums) also played in the band. Most of the songs were written by Silvennoinen. The lyricist was often Mikko Alatalo
Mikko Alatalo
Mikko Tapio Alatalo is a Finnish musician and politician.Alatalo is mostly known for his long and famous musical career. His style is primarily seen as children's music and folk music but he has contributed to other genres as well, including a long partnership with rock musician Juice Leskinen...
, a well known Finnish musician who was never an actual member of the band.
The band started to be well known in Finland when it became number two in "the best Finnish pop group" contest in 1972, and after it played as opener for another Finnish prog-rock band, Wigwam
Wigwam (progressive rock)
Wigwam is a Finnish progressive rock band formed in 1968.Wigwam was founded after the split of the seminal Blues Section, with whom drummer Ronnie Österberg had played before. He formed the band as a trio, but soon brought in British expatriate singer/songwriter Jim Pembroke and organist Jukka...
, in the same year. The best known songs by the band are "Vuorellaistuja" from the first album and the A-side of the last single, "Rakastatko vielä kun on ilta". The music of the band is typical prog rock, and resembles some of the recordings of Jethro Tull as flute has been given a strong role. Lyrics are sung in Finnish
Finnish language
Finnish is the language spoken by the majority of the population in Finland Primarily for use by restaurant menus and by ethnic Finns outside Finland. It is one of the two official languages of Finland and an official minority language in Sweden. In Sweden, both standard Finnish and Meänkieli, a...
. The band was later considered a major Finnish progressive rock group in 1970's, though it is overshadowed by Wigwam and Tasavallan Presidentti.
The band quit in 1977, when Aronen and Silvennoinen joined in Alatalo's group called Coitus Inc. Silvennoinen has stated that matters such as the decline of the popularity of progressive rock and the religious awakening of some group members contributed to the split of the group. Today the band is often remembered because of the songwriter Silvennoinen's later success and great popularity in the field of comedy
Kummeli
Kummeli is the name of a Finnish comedy crew formed by Heikki Silvennoinen, Timo Kahilainen and Heikki Hela from Tampere. They are also the heads of Porkkana Ryhmä, the crew's production company...
.
Singles
- Prinssi/Lähtö (LRS 2096) 1975
- Rakastatko vielä kun on ilta/Yksin (SINGLE, LRS 2175) 1977