Lordi Brings Their Pretty Band To The States

Horror-film themed heavy metal rockers Lordi have left their native Finland to entertain our continent with their fun-yet-frightening music and stage show.

Concert Guide Live caught up with Mr. Lordi to talk about the tour so far, costume oversights, and film.

CONCERT GUIDE LIVE: It’s been a few years since you’ve played in America – welcome back! What do you like about the fans here and how are they different from the fans at home?

MR LORDI: I think it’s been seven or eight years. Interesting that you ask because the thing is that we noticed, judging by the first three shows, that the crowds seem demographically a little bit older than Europe, you know?

The age range in Europe is pretty much from babies to Grandfathers but it looks like the main age of the core audience here – judging by the 3 shows, which is not much to judge by – it looks like it’s a bit older than in Europe.

Which is isn’t bad or anything, just surprising.

CGL: Have they been enthusiastic?
ML: Oh hell, yea. Absolutely. Good crowds.

CGL: What can one look forward to at a Lordi show in 2017?
ML: I always say the same thing – one thing is guaranteed – they’re the prettiest band on the planet that plays heavy rock. That is guaranteed.

Anything else depends on the size of the stage, the regulations of the venue, or the restrictions of the venue, everything else is dependent on what is allowed and anesthetically possible.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t even bring a portion of our production that we have in Europe, but we do have something…

CGL: What is one of your favorite songs to play live and why?
ML: My favorite is pretty much the opening track off the new album and “Let’s Go Slaughter He-Man”. That’s my favorite song because it’s easy and I like the melody and the sound. (Laughs)

CGL: What’s your pre-show routine?
ML: Well, my time before the show goes with the make-up. I’m putting on my face for 3 hours – 2 ½ for the face and ½ hour for the costume. So that’s pretty much what my day looks like. I miss all the support bands every night.

I wake up, I eat, and it’s already time to start the make-up.

CGL: So are you exhausted when the set is over?
ML: It depends on the venue really. It depends on how hot it is and how humid it is, if there’s any oxygen. It’s pretty much dependent on those things. I bounce back pretty quickly, usually. Just give me a smoke and I’m good in five minutes and I’m all right. I’m sweaty as fuck, I’m wet, but other than that I’m all right.

CGL: I imagine everyone must be pretty used to performing in costume but I’m curious what kind of unexpected difficulties you may have encountered?
ML: Well, our drummer, his first costume two albums ago, there was a problem that we didn’t see coming before we actually started playing because he had huge hair on the mask. So his drumsticks, with his way of playing the drums, the drumsticks always got stuck in the hair of the mask. So that was a problematic thing.

That’s why the mask that he’s using now and the mask that we used on the previous album has a sort of ponytail, a dreadlock, that’s the reason. Some fans were asking, “Why did you change the hair, why did you change the hair?”

Well, because he couldn’t play with that hair.

CGL: Any wardrobe malfunctions or any funny stories?
ML: Well, there’s always this classic story about – this goes way back to 2002 – when I had the first Lordi costume on, I didn’t think about the fact that sometimes you gotta “go”. You gotta take a leak. And that first costume, there was no way, there was no hole. There was no exit hole in the jumpsuit or anything. I remember one place, I think it was summer of 2003, well I had to go during the show so I had to go in my pants, there was no other way.

I don’t’ remember any other malfunctions. But, that was a design flaw. (Laughs)

Those kind of mistakes you learn from real fast. Note to self – make a hole in the front.

CGL: Why did you decide to go with a horror-movie theme?
ML: I’ve always been a fan of horror since I was a little kid. I have always been a fan of horror and science fiction and comic books. It’s just very natural, it’s a combination of all of the things that I love.

CGL: Have you seen any good horror films in the last year?
ML: “Conjuring 2” was awesome. I loved it. I mean the movie wasn’t as good as the first one. I’m a film school graduate myself from1994. But nowadays I don’t judge films whether it’s horror, comedy, romantic-comedy, animation, documentary. If I’m entertained, that’s my only meter if I watch a film. I’m really waiting for “Rings”, the new Rings movie.

CGL: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
ML: Rock on!