Lapko

Formed in 1996, the Finnish alternative rock band Lapko originated with Ville Malja on guitar and vocals, Anssi Nordberg on bass, and Janne Heikkonen on drums. Childhood companions from the modest town of Harjavalta, the two art-school dropouts and metal worker had devoted their early years primarily to sports before turning toward music. Prompted at first by NOFX, they shifted from melodic punk rock into a tighter, more aggressive alternative rock approach shaped by Tool, Helmet, and Placebo. Although their opening EP required an extended period to complete, their vigorous stage shows found partial documentation on the self-released Your Special K.O. in 2003. The recording drew swift attention, leading to the release of their debut full-length album, The Arms, the following year. Issued on a fledgling independent label, the album moved briskly and expanded the group’s audience considerably. Airplay, high-impact concerts, and extensive praise from critics secured them a deal with Fullsteam Records. Their second album, Scandal, reached the summit of the Finnish charts in 2006. The band then mounted intensive tours across Finland while making brief incursions into European markets and the United States. The 2007 successor Young Desire sustained this ascent, earning broad critical favor and again attaining the top position on the Finnish album charts.