The 69 Eyes - When Elvis Met Dracula (interview)

Finnish Goth Rockers Home Sweet Home in the U.S.

Jun 17, 2009

Finland's goth rock ambassadors The 69 Eyes discuss their new album, Back In Blood, in this exclusive Suite101.com interview...

Goth rockers The 69 Eyes are gearing up for their highly anticipated return to the spotlight with their new album, Back in Blood. It’s fair to say, however, that front-man Jyrki 69 is looking forward to it more than anyone else. Although the band boasts a 20 year history and a loyal international fan-base, they’ve only been living their rock star dream for the last three according to the singer.

Dream Come True

Separate tours through the US in 2006 and 2007 in support of their eighth official album, Angels - with Damone and Cradle Of Filth respectively - got the ball rolling, opening up a new playing field for The 69 Eyes. According to Jyrki it was a homecoming of sorts even though they’d never set foot on American soil prior to that. He explains:

“I’d say we feel more at home in the States, absolutely. I mean, we grew up listening to and watching bands like Motley Crue and The Ramones. That whole sleaze rock or horror glam thing is what inspired us to become The 69 Eyes.”

“We love that stuff. So to be able to come over here and tour the States, record in L.A. and film a video here really is a like dream come true. I think we feel more comfortable here than in Finland. I definitely do, and I can’t wait to get back out on the road.”

An Appetite for Destruction

Expectations are high for Back in Blood, particularly in the wake of the buzz that started up during the recording sessions for the album. An outside party claimed the band’s new music was reminiscent of Guns N’ Roses breakthrough record from 1987, Appetite for Destruction, turning all eyes on the Finns.

“That started because of our A&R guy in the States,” Jyrki explains. “I was the last one to record for the album, so when I was getting ready for the trip to L.A. I called to find out how the songs were sounding, because no matter what the songs are like when you write them they’re going to sound different in the studio.”

“I needed to have some idea of what I was walking into. He was like, ‘Well, it sounds a lot like Appetite for Destruction…’ and that was a bit scary. The pressure was on, because when you have someone outside the band saying something like that it says a lot about how good the music is.”

“I was really worried about screwing the album up with my vocals after I heard that comparison (laughs), but I think I managed to keep that same spirit in the songs.”

Reminiscent of The Cult, Sisters Of Mercy, Motley Crue and Type O Negative, Back In Blood is an unabashed rock record with what Jyrki calls “a vampire twist.” It’s an album for anyone who likes rock n’ roll dressed up a bit different from everyone else.

“I was asked to describe the band for our biography, and I started listing all these band: the Crüe, L.A. Guns, Sisters Of Mercy, and it became a really long list, to the point that it got ridiculous. I thought about it, and I decided that if Elvis Presley and Dracula were to hook up The 69 Eyes is what would come out of that (laughs).”

“We’re a rock band, absolutely, and there’s that dark gothic elements in the music that make us stand out from the crowd.”

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