Disco Ensemble
Encyclopedia
Disco Ensemble are a Finnish post-hardcore
/alternative rock
band, originating from the small town of Ulvila. They've been noted for their energetic sound and rhythm, original guitar riffs and electronic synthesizer sounds.
The band played small venues and quickly gained notoriety in the local music scene. In 2000, future singer Miikka Koivisto attended one of their shows as a fan and later joined the band, first as a guitarist and later switching to vocals. After the three band members moved to study in Helsinki, they went through a number of bass players until Lasse Lindfors joined the group as a permanent member.
The band released their first EP Memory Three Sec in 2000. This was a lo-fi recording and it did not receive much attention. More notoriety came with their second effort Ghosttown Effect, released in 2001. The band's first single "Turpentine", was released off this EP.
signed Disco Ensemble and their first full-length album, Viper Ethics
was released the same year. The album received critical acclaim and the single "Videotapes" was moderately successful, peaking at #17 on Finnish charts. This allowed the band to tour in Finland and around Europe as well.
was released in 2005. It was unquestionably the band's most commercially successful release. The album peaked at #9 on the official Finnish chart. The singles "Black Euro" and "We Might Fall Apart" both peaked at #6 on the singles chart.
In the spring of 2006, following the national success of the second album, Disco Ensemble and Fullsteam Records signed a worldwide distribution deal with Universal Music
. First Aid Kit was reissued and released first in Europe
and later in North America
, South America
and Asia
. The band toured heavily in promotion of the album. They embarked on the Antidote Tour with Danko Jones
, Bedouin Soundclash
and Gogol Bordello
They also played on Kerrang!
's Most Wanted tour and in 2007 joined the Warped Tour.
Songs from this album have appeared on the soundtracks of two Electronic Arts
games - "We Might Fall Apart" was used on the game FIFA 08
, while "This is my Head Exploding" was used on NHL 08
.
was released on 5 May 2008. The band have since reached number 1# in the Finnish Album chart with their new album.
EP Back On The MF Street was released in spring 2009. The song Golden Years from the EP was used in the video game NHL 10
.
was released on May, 26th 2010. First single from the album White Flag For Peace was released and aired in the Finnish radiochannel YleX on 15 February 2010.
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
/alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band, originating from the small town of Ulvila. They've been noted for their energetic sound and rhythm, original guitar riffs and electronic synthesizer sounds.
Early years (1996-2002)
The band was formed in 1996 by guitarist Jussi Ylikoski and drummer Mikko Hakila, who started by playing Metallica and AC/DC covers. Originally they were named simply DisCo. but they were forced to change their name to Disco Ensemble due to a Finnish electronic pop group having the same title.The band played small venues and quickly gained notoriety in the local music scene. In 2000, future singer Miikka Koivisto attended one of their shows as a fan and later joined the band, first as a guitarist and later switching to vocals. After the three band members moved to study in Helsinki, they went through a number of bass players until Lasse Lindfors joined the group as a permanent member.
The band released their first EP Memory Three Sec in 2000. This was a lo-fi recording and it did not receive much attention. More notoriety came with their second effort Ghosttown Effect, released in 2001. The band's first single "Turpentine", was released off this EP.
Viper Ethics (2003-2005)
In 2003, Fullsteam RecordsFullsteam Records
Fullsteam is an independent group of music companies whose activities include a record label, promotion and booking agency, festivals, a distribution company, rehearsal rooms, merchandising, publishing and management....
signed Disco Ensemble and their first full-length album, Viper Ethics
Viper Ethics
Viper Ethics is the first full-length studio album that Disco Ensemble made, released in 2003 in Finland by Fullsteam Records. The songs "Zombies" and "Videotapes" were released off it.-Track listing:# "Dynamite Days" - 3:54# "Zombies" - 3:02...
was released the same year. The album received critical acclaim and the single "Videotapes" was moderately successful, peaking at #17 on Finnish charts. This allowed the band to tour in Finland and around Europe as well.
First Aid Kit (2005)
Disco Ensemble's second album, First Aid KitFirst Aid Kit (album)
First Aid Kit is the second full-length studio album by Disco Ensemble, originally released in 2005 in Finland by Fullsteam Records. In 2006 it was reissued as a worldwide release by Universal Music Group. Four songs were rerecorded for this reissue and it also included one additional track, "Eyes...
was released in 2005. It was unquestionably the band's most commercially successful release. The album peaked at #9 on the official Finnish chart. The singles "Black Euro" and "We Might Fall Apart" both peaked at #6 on the singles chart.
In the spring of 2006, following the national success of the second album, Disco Ensemble and Fullsteam Records signed a worldwide distribution deal with Universal Music
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
. First Aid Kit was reissued and released first in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and later in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
. The band toured heavily in promotion of the album. They embarked on the Antidote Tour with Danko Jones
Danko Jones
Danko Jones is a Canadian rock band from Toronto, Ontario. The band consists of Danko Jones and JC...
, Bedouin Soundclash
Bedouin Soundclash
Bedouin Soundclash is a Canadian band currently based in Toronto. Their sound can be described as reggae and ska.-History:The band's current lineup consists of vocalist and guitarist Jay Malinowski, and bassist Eon Sinclair with Sekou Lumumba on drums. Their debut album, Root Fire, released in 2001...
and Gogol Bordello
Gogol Bordello
Gogol Bordello is a Gypsy punk band from the Lower East Side of Manhattan, formed in 1999 and known for theatrical stage shows and persistent touring.Much of the band's sound is inspired by Gypsy music...
They also played on Kerrang!
Kerrang!
Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music published by Bauer Media Group. It was first published on June 6, 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper...
's Most Wanted tour and in 2007 joined the Warped Tour.
Songs from this album have appeared on the soundtracks of two Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts, Inc. is a major American developer, marketer, publisher and distributor of video games. Founded and incorporated on May 28, 1982 by Trip Hawkins, the company was a pioneer of the early home computer games industry and was notable for promoting the designers and programmers...
games - "We Might Fall Apart" was used on the game FIFA 08
FIFA 08
FIFA 08 is the 2008 installment of EA Sports' series of football video games. Developed by EA Canada, it is published by Electronic Arts worldwide under the EA Sports label. It was released on all popular gaming formats in September 2007 in Europe, Australia, and Asia, and in October 2007 in North...
, while "This is my Head Exploding" was used on NHL 08
NHL 08
-Soundtrack:-Easter Eggs:* Wells Greeno-McNeil is the name of a child for the Make-A-Wish Foundation whose wish was to have his name and likeness in a videogame.* The default created player names are of the game's developers....
.
Magic Recoveries (2008)
Their third studio album Magic RecoveriesMagic Recoveries
Magic Recoveries is the third album from Finnish post-hardcore band Disco Ensemble. The album was released on the 7th May 2008 in Finland and went straight to the first place of the album chart....
was released on 5 May 2008. The band have since reached number 1# in the Finnish Album chart with their new album.
EP Back On The MF Street was released in spring 2009. The song Golden Years from the EP was used in the video game NHL 10
NHL 10
NHL 10 is a video game in the NHL series developed and released by EA Canada and published by EA Sports, and is the 19th game in the series. The game debuted at Hockey Fest '09, a three-day interactive festival celebrating the sport of hockey and the Los Angeles Kings, which took place in downtown...
.
The Island of Disco Ensemble (2010)
Their fourth studio album The Island of Disco EnsembleThe Island of Disco Ensemble
The Island of Disco Ensemble is the fourth studio album from Finnish post-hardcore band Disco Ensemble. On February 9, 2010, the band started their weekly video diary which showed what they were doing while creating the album...
was released on May, 26th 2010. First single from the album White Flag For Peace was released and aired in the Finnish radiochannel YleX on 15 February 2010.
Albums
- Viper EthicsViper EthicsViper Ethics is the first full-length studio album that Disco Ensemble made, released in 2003 in Finland by Fullsteam Records. The songs "Zombies" and "Videotapes" were released off it.-Track listing:# "Dynamite Days" - 3:54# "Zombies" - 3:02...
(2003) - First Aid KitFirst Aid Kit (album)First Aid Kit is the second full-length studio album by Disco Ensemble, originally released in 2005 in Finland by Fullsteam Records. In 2006 it was reissued as a worldwide release by Universal Music Group. Four songs were rerecorded for this reissue and it also included one additional track, "Eyes...
(2005) - Magic RecoveriesMagic RecoveriesMagic Recoveries is the third album from Finnish post-hardcore band Disco Ensemble. The album was released on the 7th May 2008 in Finland and went straight to the first place of the album chart....
(2008) - The Island of Disco EnsembleThe Island of Disco EnsembleThe Island of Disco Ensemble is the fourth studio album from Finnish post-hardcore band Disco Ensemble. On February 9, 2010, the band started their weekly video diary which showed what they were doing while creating the album...
(2010)
EPs
- Memory Three Sec. (2000)
- Ghosttown Effect (2001)
- Back On the MF Street (2009)
Singles
- Turpentine (2002)
- Transatlantic (2002)
- Mantra (2003)
- Videotapes (2004)
- We Might Fall Apart (2005)
- Black Euro (2005)
- Drop Dead, Casanova (2006)
- Bad Luck CharmBad Luck Charm"Bad Luck Charm" is the first single released from the album, Magic Recoveries, by post-hardcore Finnish band, Disco Ensemble. It was released in Finland on 20 May 2008, reaching number seven in the Finnish singles chart....
(2008) - Headphones (2008)
- Back On The MF Street (2009)
- White Flag For Peace (2010)
- Protector (2010)
External links
- Disco Ensemble Official Site
- Disco Ensemble Interview at Rocklouder
- Interview with Jussi Ylikoski at Onemetal