THE 69 EYES are a phenomenon. Not only do they look like they just have risen from an Anne Rice novel, they also play music straight out of the crypt: Their sexy mixture of Gothic and Rock n'Roll with the deep vampire-like voice of singer Jyrki 69 gives you shivers down the spine and makes you wanna dance on graves in the moonlight.
Nuclear Blast now brings you THE 69 EYES' stunning DVD "Helsinki Vampires" which was only available in Finland until now. Offering a complete concert in the famous Tavastia club in Helsinki, eight video clips, backstage footage, interviews, a documentary of THE 69 EYES in Russia and more, this gloomy release leaves nothing to be desired. So watch out for your necks – Helsinki's vampires are here to cast a spell on you!
Formed in the early nineties, the band has travelled a long and dark road to become what they are today – the band is defined as the saviours of Gothic Rock. And not only Gothic, their cross-over success gathers the audience from Black Metal kids to late-night AOR-loving secretaries to screaming teeny poppers. After their first international release "Wasting The Dawn" in 1999, the final conquest began with the previous album, in their native Finland gold-selling "Blessed Be" (2000). Its dark, catchy melodies and borders breaking mixture of Gothic Rock and dance club elements convinced the audience that the next step would definitely be it.
After finishing the Blessed Be Tour in Europe in October 2001, the band locked itself in the studio together with producer Johnny Lee Michaels. The first teaser from the forthcoming album was the single "Dance D'Amour" which came out in Finland in December and instantly dashed to the top of the charts. With massive airplay it soon became number one in both radio and single charts in Finland. The golden borderline was once again crossed and the people were left hungry in anticipation for more.
The next full length album "Paris Kills" turned out to be another masterpiece for both band and producer Lee Michaels. The band's guitar sound mixed with 80's keyboard sounds and classic melancholic melodies reached its peak on the album, which is according to singer Jyrki "made to dance yourself to sleep just before the dawn". Dark, some could even call Gothic-AOR, Johnny Lee Michael's soundscapes and Jyrki's Cash-Orbison-Morrison disciplined vocals with catchy and beautiful songs made the midnight truly blue and bright. "Paris Kills" remained on top of the Finish charts for weeks and received gold in June 2002. In Germany, the record entered on # 35 in the official Media Control album charts. The band toured the European rock festivals all summer long in 2002, returned for a headlining tour in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy in October 2002 and finished their most successful year by touring once again in Finland until Christmas.
In September 2003 "Framed In Blood - The Very Blessed Of The 69 Eyes" compilation CD was released in Finland only and rose straight to number 6 on the album charts.
Simultaneously, the DVD "Helsinki Vampires" got in Finland's stores as well, now – in 2004 – also released all over the world by Nuclear Blast.
At present, THE 69 EYES are working on their new album "Devils", due in September 2004 through EMI/Virgin. The new single "Lost Boys" already got released on June 7th, a new stroke of genius when it comes to Goth n'Roll!
Line-Up:
Jyrki 69 – vocals
Bazie – guitar
Timo-Timo – guitar
Archzie – bass
Jussi 69 – drums
Discograpy:
2003/2004 Helsinki Vampires DVD
2003 Framed In Blood – The Very
Blessed Of The 69 Eyes CD
2003 Crashing High CDS
2002 Betty Blue CDS
2002 Paris Kills CDS
2001 Dance D'Amour CDS
2001 Stolen Season CDS
2001 The Chair CDS
2000 Brandon Lee CDS
2000 Blessed Be CD
2000 Gothic Girl CDS
1999 Wasting The Dawn CD/CDS/DVD
