"I miss the human feel on music. Now days people are trying to sound like a machines and machines are made to sound like humans. Fuck that. My hope is that good music will always find its way to survive."

Goblin Shark: The Rock n' Blues Bones

Goblin Shark is a hybrid patient of a Finnish mental asylum transsexual goddess and a rotten dark after-hour blues rock'n'roll Fuzz Psych Voodoo dive Bar in New Orleans, they all meet in Helsinki Finland to create their music, Taskinen plays in bands like Black Magic Six, Heavy Breathers or Disgrace the 2nd even more crazy guitarist and master of self-made mini prison guitars Pharaoh Pirttikangas released numerous solo albums and was on the road with Cosmo Jones Beat Machine, Nubialaiset and Astro Can Caravan, then comes Neuvonen he is a black metal drummer from Tempere, Everyone loves the blues and the confusing side of life from a Finnish perspective, if you know what I mean, you can classify their music in the roots of Captain Beefheart and Chuck E. Weiss with the Raw Power of the Stooges or Dr. John. Their debut 10-tracks album "Rat Bone" (Release Day: August 2nd, 2024) by Voodoo Rhythm Records is an unorthodox mixture of primal rock’n’roll, twisted rhythms and song structures and wild rolling boogie blast, which make their listeners find new and peculiar ways to shake their hips. 

(Goblin Shark: Pharaoh Pirttikangas; Taskinen; and Neuvonen / Photo by Papa Wilska)

Label's owner Reverend Beat-Man says: "I met them on my tour in Helsinki in 2023 and was blown away by their performance and their music and the after beer in a helsinki, so we decided to release GOBLIN SHARK on Voodoo Rhythm. Taskinen had already made a trip to Switzerland from Black Magic Six and did met Robert Butler and have been friends ever since, so it made sense that Robert 'Mr. Butler' designed the artwork of cover for the band and it turned out as it had to be... a complete Brain Melt, and so do the 10 songs that will blow you away like nothing else - this is confused dirty blues rock'n'roll of the extraterrestrial third kind". Goblin Shark: Pharaoh Pirttikangas – Vocals & Guitars; Taskinen – Vocals & Guitars; Neuvonen – Drums & Percussions.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the Rock n’ Roll Counterculture influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

Taskinen: Basically, it is what I am. I have played in several bands and projects in five decades, published music magazines, worked and founded couple of record companies. And played about 1500 shows over 30 countries all over the world. So, answer is yes. Very much indeed. Never thought about this much until now!

Neuvonen: It has been endless source of meeting interesting people. There are usually strong persons involved in counterculture. You can sure learn lot from those people. In good, bad and sometimes ugly. But it’s all beautiful.

Pirttikangas: Learned to be more DIY and as independent as possible. I hope I also got to be more tolerant towards other fellow men during this journey.

How do you describe Goblin Shark sound, music philosophy and songbook? What is the story behind band’s name: Goblin Shark?

Pirttikangas: Twisted and distorted. I came out with the idea that the name should have something to do with the animal kingdom and then Jukka went and found out about this most hideous looking shark there’s ever been. That’s Goblin Shark my friends.

Currently you’ve one new release with Goblin Shark. How did the idea of band come about?

Taskinen: We have been jamming with Pharaoh Pirttikangas before covid came up but had difficulties to find a drummer. When Neuvonen jumped in, things really started to roll on. We all have several bands, but not this kind of bluesy boogie roller. Original idea was to make everything easy: just take instruments, go on the venue and play whatever amplifiers and drums they have. If the songs are good enough, it doesn’t matter what kind of gear you have. But have to say, we have a little doubt now, hahaha.

"I usually don’t even think about this. Music has always been evolving. Even the history of recorded music is just something like century and a half old. I’m not really into retro. Just doing what feels good and comes out naturally." (Goblin Shark, Helsinki Finland)

Do you have any interesting stories about the making of the new album Rat Bone?

Neuvonen: Actual recording was made by Pekka in his home studio. Studio is located in industrial estate, so that atmosphere also had own influence on record. Nothing too fancy! Recording was made without any click tracks, headphones etc. Just three people playing with natural rhythm.  We started the day with ice fishing, so we could get right mood for raw rock and roll. You could hear and feel the cold January in some songs.

What moment changed your music life the most? What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

Taskinen: Hearing Slayer’s Raining Blood album first time when I was teen and seeing Andrew Williams live 1998. Both changed my understanding how music and played, and in. Williams case, how you can form excellent show. About highlights; of course, my family is the biggest highlight in my career, but if we are talking about Goblin Shark – we have debut album just coming out, so to be signed on Voodoo Rhythm and booked on the great Gutter Island Garage Rock Festival in Denmark (we play there in 3 weeks, been there 3 times, always fantastic) have been pretty good start at least. Hope we have most of the highlights ahead!

Neuvonen: When my uncle gave me drums when I was 13.  Highlights are when you are playing music with right people and the magic happens.

Pirttikangas: Witnessing Chop Suey And Festermen rehearsing in the basement of party house. They were the uttermost punk bands from Finland, and they came from my home village called Varpaisjärvi. I’m lucky ‘cause I’ve been given a chance to perform and record with so many of the musicians that I admire and who are my friends.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

Taskinen: Kids start to play basic instruments. I understand that the rebellion is and will be done with other devices we had in the 80tees. But still I hope electric guitars and standard drum sets do come back. I do not fear much about the future, I am old enough and seen lots of things, but of course hope to see more exciting and extraordinary things, meet new friends and enjoy living as much as it is possible. Hope to play around the globe with Goblin Shark, that would be good hope for the future.

Neuvonen: I miss the human feel on music. Now days people are trying to sound like a machines and machines are made to sound like humans. Fuck that. My hope is that good music will always find its way to survive.

Pirttikangas: I usually don’t even think about this. Music has always been evolving. Even the history of recorded music is just something like century and a half old. I’m not really into retro. Just doing what feels good and comes out naturally.

"I do not fear much about the future, I am old enough and seen lots of things, but of course hope to see more exciting and extraordinary things, meet new friends and enjoy living as much as it is possible. Hope to play around the globe with Goblin Shark, that would be good hope for the future." (Photo: Goblin Shark are Pharaoh Pirttikangas; Taskinen; and Neuvonen)

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

Taskinen: As a member of Goblin Shark, I want them to shake their hips, get into our twisted groove and feel the music from album(s) and during the live shows.

Neuvonen: Every one euro that Government gives to support culture comes back in 1,6 times. That is proved truth. Music should be our religion. It will cure, give comfort, gets you high, gives you a boner, makes you laugh, makes you dance, makes you cry etc. etc. We don’t need other religions.

Pirttikangas: There’s some people who don’t need music in their lives. Then there’s folks who always want to hear the same old songs. And then there’s those who are always searching for new sounds. All this is ok. For me music means celebrating the life. Also, it has enormous healing powers. I’ve managed to escape both mental and physical states of pain with playing, singing and listening to music.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Taskinen: On tour eat when the food is served, take shower when it is possible and sleep as much as you can. If you do these 3 things, it is easy to enjoy playing shows. Only thing what I have not learned really good is say ‘no’ sometimes. When you are +50, recovery takes time. I do show(s) almost every weekend, so sometimes you feel ruined going to work on Monday. Would be great to live just playing in bands, but today’s world unfortunately it is a distant dream, and I have accepted that.

Neuvonen: Always put some beer in your own from backstage fridge first when you arrive in venue. Don’t buy anything mild.

Pirttikangas: Don’t give up. If you believe in what you’re doing. Keep banging your head against that brick wall but remember to keep your helmet on.

Goblin Shark / Voodoo Rhythm Records - Home

(Goblin Shark / Photo by Papa Wilska)