Agents (band)
Encyclopedia
Agents is a Finnish
band formed in 1979, playing rautalanka
, schlager
and rock'n'roll music. The head figure and musical director of the band is solo guitarist Esa Pulliainen.
's band Köyhien ystävät. All former members of Köyhien ystävät, with the exception of Tuomari Nurmio, played in the original Agents. The band also recruited Esa's brother Kai Pulliainen and keyboard player Jukka Ollila. The lead singer was Pekka Rytkönen, nicknamed Beat-Pete.
in autumn 1981, which also meant the end of Beat-Pete's career in Agents. The keyboard player was also changed, the new keyboard player was Petri Rantala.
The band's first album, Ikkunaprinsessa, was published in 1982. The album included the hits "Ikkunaprinsessa", "Kuihtuu kesäinen maa" and "Muista hyviä aikoja". Agents participated in the lyrics and music of the album.
The next album, Tähdet, tähdet, was published in 1983. The name song of the album became one of Badding's best known hits. Other hits from the album include "Nukkuja kaunein", "Yön hiljaisuudessa" and "Kun aika rientää". Esa Pulliainen arranged almost all music in the album.
The last album made in co-operation with Somerjoki, Laivat, was published in 1985. On the album, Agents plays under the alias The Young Beats. Hits from the last Badding album include "Laivat", "Illan varjoon himmeään", "Lähdön hetkellä" and "Tahdon".
Co-operation with Badding ended in 1985. During his last years, Badding performed with various bands, but Laivat was his last album. Agents had already been performing on and off with Topi Sorsakoski
, who now became the official lead singer of the band. As well as Badding, the keyboard player also resigned from the band.
In the next year, the band published another hit album, Besame Mucho. To the surprise of many, the album has no name song, instead the name is a trick played on purpose by Agents and Topi Sorsakoski. Hits from the album include "Kaksi kitaraa", "Kauan" and "Valot" (Badding's song as an instrumental version).
In 1988, the band published their third album, Pop. This album also sold well. Hits from the album include "Tyhjää", "Varjojen yö", "On kesäyö", "Jo riittää" and "Nyt kaikki muuttunut on".
In 1989, Agents did not publish a new album. The EMI
record company decided to publish a collection album called Greatest Hits, which the band did not like. The collection album sold well and reached a gold record.
In 1990, Agents' and Topi Sorsakoski's last album, Half and Half, was published. Half of the album contains sung material and the other half contains Agents' rautalanka music.
Topi Sorsakoski & Agents split up in 1992 because of internal arguments. Topi had published his solo album Yksinäisyys in the previous years, which anticipated the end of the co-operation. One of the reasons was Topi Sorsakoski's financial troubles in the early 1990s, and he would have wanted higher commissions from their performances and records. In common with Topi Sorsakoski, the assisting guitarist Hans Etholén and the drummer Juha Takanen, both of which had been playing in the band since the Köyhien ystävät days, also quit the band.
The first album, Agents Forever, was published in 1995. Hits included "Antaudun", "Tähti kaukainen" and "Pikku Mona".
The next album, Agents Is Back!, was published in 1996. Hits included "Moskovan valot", "Salainen rakkaus" and "Salaperäinen".
The third album, Agents Is More!, was published in 1997. The album also contained Agents' rautalanka music. Hits included "Päivin öin", "Sinä vain", "Valot" (Badding's song as a new version), "My babe", "King Creole" and "Minä kuljen".
The fourth album, Agents Is Best!, was published in 1998. Hits included "Illan varjoon himmeään", "Muistan kesän" and "Olen syytön".
Agents started a TV show called Laulava sydän on YLE TV2
. In 1999, a double album with the same name was published, featuring many other artists, such as Ville Valo
, Pate Mustajärvi
, Marko Haavisto, Topi Sorsakoski and Reijo Taipale. The album reached a gold record.
In 2001, the album Agents is... here! was published. The album also contained Agents' rautalanka music.
In 2001, the rock album Agents is... rock! was published. Hits included "Hound dog", "Move it" and "Teenage Dolly".
In 2003, a new album, Agents is... tonight was published. Hits included "Jos näin ei koskaan", "Fever" and "Peliä vain".
In 2004, a co-operation album with The Boys, called Pop Show, was published. The album was accompanied with common concerts in the next summer all over Finland. Hits from the common album included "Tahdon saaren", "Yyterin twist", "Takaa ajatusten virran" and "Leningrad".
In November 2004, the second collection album from Jorma Kääriäinen and Agents was published. The album contains five new releases from Agents. ...Is best vol. 2 reached a platinum record, 30 thousand sold records, in June 2005.
On 13 September 2006, the seventh and currently the latest studio album from Jorma Kääriäinen and Agents, ...Is Allright, was published.
In October 2006, Agents announced they were withdrawing from playing and recording for a long while. The lead singer Jorma Kääriäinen currently performs as a solo artist and published his new solo record, Yhden tähden hotelli, in spring 2007.
On 26 August 2008, the band announced they had hired a new lead singer, Vesa Haaja, who had previously sung in the band Whistle Bait. The band is also joined by the saxophone player Juho Hurskainen.
sound of the band's leading figure Esa Pulliainen, and the well-executed compositions he has made.
After recruiting Kääriäinen, the band has shifted its repertoire to focus more on rock'n'roll, which does not appeal to everyone. The melancholy longing feel has not been completely forgotten though, and the band is still popular at dance venues.
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...
band formed in 1979, playing rautalanka
Rautalanka
In common usage the Finnish word rautalanka means instrumental rock in general. Some enthusiasts use the term more narrowly to refer to the somewhat distinct style of playing it that has developed in Finland over the years...
, schlager
Schlager
Schlager music is a style of popular music prevalent in Central and Northern Europe and the Balkans and also in France and Poland. In Portugal, it was adapted and became pimba music...
and rock'n'roll music. The head figure and musical director of the band is solo guitarist Esa Pulliainen.
Founding of Agents
Agents was founded in 1979 on the ruins of Tuomari NurmioTuomari Nurmio
Tuomari Nurmio is the artist name of Hannu Juhani Nurmio , a Finnish rock singer and songwriter.-Work:Since his debut album, Nurmio has been regarded as one of the most original Finnish singer-songwriters. His lyrics are filled with peculiar and arresting metaphors and expressions, some of which...
's band Köyhien ystävät. All former members of Köyhien ystävät, with the exception of Tuomari Nurmio, played in the original Agents. The band also recruited Esa's brother Kai Pulliainen and keyboard player Jukka Ollila. The lead singer was Pekka Rytkönen, nicknamed Beat-Pete.
Co-operating with Badding
Agents started co-operation with Rauli "Badding" SomerjokiRauli Somerjoki
Rauli "Badding" Somerjoki was a Finnish rock singer. His records were published on such labels as Love Records...
in autumn 1981, which also meant the end of Beat-Pete's career in Agents. The keyboard player was also changed, the new keyboard player was Petri Rantala.
The band's first album, Ikkunaprinsessa, was published in 1982. The album included the hits "Ikkunaprinsessa", "Kuihtuu kesäinen maa" and "Muista hyviä aikoja". Agents participated in the lyrics and music of the album.
The next album, Tähdet, tähdet, was published in 1983. The name song of the album became one of Badding's best known hits. Other hits from the album include "Nukkuja kaunein", "Yön hiljaisuudessa" and "Kun aika rientää". Esa Pulliainen arranged almost all music in the album.
The last album made in co-operation with Somerjoki, Laivat, was published in 1985. On the album, Agents plays under the alias The Young Beats. Hits from the last Badding album include "Laivat", "Illan varjoon himmeään", "Lähdön hetkellä" and "Tahdon".
Co-operation with Badding ended in 1985. During his last years, Badding performed with various bands, but Laivat was his last album. Agents had already been performing on and off with Topi Sorsakoski
Topi Sorsakoski
Pekka Erkki Juhani Tammilehto , better known by his stage name Topi Sorsakoski, was a Finnish singer. His father was tango singer Yrjö Tapio aka Jylli Tammilehto...
, who now became the official lead singer of the band. As well as Badding, the keyboard player also resigned from the band.
Topi Sorsakoski & Agents
Agents' and Topi Sorsakoski's first common album, In Beat, was published in 1986. The album sold well and is now one of Finland's best-selling Finnish records. Hits from the album include "Surujen kitara", "Salattu Suru", "Eeva" and "Olen yksin".In the next year, the band published another hit album, Besame Mucho. To the surprise of many, the album has no name song, instead the name is a trick played on purpose by Agents and Topi Sorsakoski. Hits from the album include "Kaksi kitaraa", "Kauan" and "Valot" (Badding's song as an instrumental version).
In 1988, the band published their third album, Pop. This album also sold well. Hits from the album include "Tyhjää", "Varjojen yö", "On kesäyö", "Jo riittää" and "Nyt kaikki muuttunut on".
In 1989, Agents did not publish a new album. The EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
record company decided to publish a collection album called Greatest Hits, which the band did not like. The collection album sold well and reached a gold record.
In 1990, Agents' and Topi Sorsakoski's last album, Half and Half, was published. Half of the album contains sung material and the other half contains Agents' rautalanka music.
Topi Sorsakoski & Agents split up in 1992 because of internal arguments. Topi had published his solo album Yksinäisyys in the previous years, which anticipated the end of the co-operation. One of the reasons was Topi Sorsakoski's financial troubles in the early 1990s, and he would have wanted higher commissions from their performances and records. In common with Topi Sorsakoski, the assisting guitarist Hans Etholén and the drummer Juha Takanen, both of which had been playing in the band since the Köyhien ystävät days, also quit the band.
Agents & Jorma Kääriäinen
In 1992, Esa Pulliainen invited Jorma Kääriäinen as the lead singer of Agnets. The band also got a new drummer, Heikki Sandrén. The keyboard player on the albums was J-P Virtanen.The first album, Agents Forever, was published in 1995. Hits included "Antaudun", "Tähti kaukainen" and "Pikku Mona".
The next album, Agents Is Back!, was published in 1996. Hits included "Moskovan valot", "Salainen rakkaus" and "Salaperäinen".
The third album, Agents Is More!, was published in 1997. The album also contained Agents' rautalanka music. Hits included "Päivin öin", "Sinä vain", "Valot" (Badding's song as a new version), "My babe", "King Creole" and "Minä kuljen".
The fourth album, Agents Is Best!, was published in 1998. Hits included "Illan varjoon himmeään", "Muistan kesän" and "Olen syytön".
Agents started a TV show called Laulava sydän on YLE TV2
YLE TV2
YLE TV2 is a Finnish television channel owned and operated by YLE.TV2 launched in 1964, and broadcasts public service programming, children's, youth, sport and music programmes.-Own Productions:* Ajankohtainen kakkonen* Akuutti* Jopet Show* Kummeli...
. In 1999, a double album with the same name was published, featuring many other artists, such as Ville Valo
Ville Valo
Ville Hermanni Valo is a Finnish singer, songwriter and frontman of the Finnish rock band HIM. He has received the "Golden God" award in 2004 by the heavy metal magazine Metal Hammer. Valo has a baritone vocal range. Valo was ranked number 80 in Hit Paraders Top 100 Metal Vocalists of All Time...
, Pate Mustajärvi
Pate Mustajärvi
Pauli Antero "Pate" Mustajärvi is a Finnish rock singer. He is known as the vocalist, frontman and only original member of Popeda as well as a solo artist...
, Marko Haavisto, Topi Sorsakoski and Reijo Taipale. The album reached a gold record.
In 2001, the album Agents is... here! was published. The album also contained Agents' rautalanka music.
In 2001, the rock album Agents is... rock! was published. Hits included "Hound dog", "Move it" and "Teenage Dolly".
In 2003, a new album, Agents is... tonight was published. Hits included "Jos näin ei koskaan", "Fever" and "Peliä vain".
In 2004, a co-operation album with The Boys, called Pop Show, was published. The album was accompanied with common concerts in the next summer all over Finland. Hits from the common album included "Tahdon saaren", "Yyterin twist", "Takaa ajatusten virran" and "Leningrad".
In November 2004, the second collection album from Jorma Kääriäinen and Agents was published. The album contains five new releases from Agents. ...Is best vol. 2 reached a platinum record, 30 thousand sold records, in June 2005.
On 13 September 2006, the seventh and currently the latest studio album from Jorma Kääriäinen and Agents, ...Is Allright, was published.
In October 2006, Agents announced they were withdrawing from playing and recording for a long while. The lead singer Jorma Kääriäinen currently performs as a solo artist and published his new solo record, Yhden tähden hotelli, in spring 2007.
Topi Sorsakoski's comeback as lead singer of Agents
Topi Sorsakoski returned as lead singer of Agents for one album and one tour. In autumn 2007, a new Agents album, based on material released by 1960s British rock band The Renegades, was published. Topi Sorsakoski & Agents also performed a small tour accompanying the album.Current situation
On 13 August 2008, a new studio album, Agents... Is Beat! - Instrumental 2008 Recordings was published. The album consists solely of instrumental music.On 26 August 2008, the band announced they had hired a new lead singer, Vesa Haaja, who had previously sung in the band Whistle Bait. The band is also joined by the saxophone player Juho Hurskainen.
Music
Agents' repertoire consists practically completely of songs originally written and performed by others. There are many reasons for Agents' popularity, but the most important ones are well chosen songs, Slavic melancholy, the lyrical guitarGuitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
sound of the band's leading figure Esa Pulliainen, and the well-executed compositions he has made.
After recruiting Kääriäinen, the band has shifted its repertoire to focus more on rock'n'roll, which does not appeal to everyone. The melancholy longing feel has not been completely forgotten though, and the band is still popular at dance venues.
Original members (1979-1981)
- Pekka Rytkönen (vocals)
- Esa Pulliainen (solo guitar)
- Hans Etholén (rhythm guitar)
- Kai Pulliainen (bass)
- Juha Takanen (drums)
- Jukka Ollila (keyboards)
Members (1981-1984)
- Rauli SomerjokiRauli SomerjokiRauli "Badding" Somerjoki was a Finnish rock singer. His records were published on such labels as Love Records...
(vocals) - Esa Pulliainen (solo guitar)
- Hans Etholén (rhythm guitar)
- Kai Pulliainen (bass)
- Juha Takanen (drums)
- Petri Rantala (keyboards)
Members (1984-1985)
- Rauli Somerjoki (vocals)
- Esa Pulliainen (solo guitar)
- Hans Etholén (rhythm guitar)
- Kai Pulliainen (bass)
- Juha Takanen (drums)
- Eero Ojanen (keyboards)
Members (1985-1992)
- Topi SorsakoskiTopi SorsakoskiPekka Erkki Juhani Tammilehto , better known by his stage name Topi Sorsakoski, was a Finnish singer. His father was tango singer Yrjö Tapio aka Jylli Tammilehto...
(vocals) - Esa Pulliainen (solo guitar)
- Hans Etholén (rhythm guitar)
- Kai Pulliainen (bass)
- Juha Takanen (drums)
Members (1992-2006)
- Jorma Kääriäinen (vocals, assisting guitar)
- Esa Pulliainen (solo guitar)
- Kai Pulliainen (bass)
- Heikki Sandrén (drums)
- J-P Virtanen (keyboards, on albums)
Members (2007)
- Topi Sorsakoski (vocals)
- Esa Pulliainen (solo guitar)
- Kai Pulliainen (bass)
- Heikki Sandrén (drums)
- Juho Hurskainen (saxopohone)
Current members (2008-)
- Vesa Haaja (vocals)
- Esa Pulliainen (solo guitar)
- Kai Pulliainen (bass)
- Heikki Sandrén (drums)
- Juho Hurskainen (saxophone)