Finnish punks lined up for Eurovision

A punk band from Finland have been chosen to represent their country at this year’s Eurovision song contest.

PKN (Pertti Kurikka’s Nameday) whose members have Down’s syndrome and autism, received the most votes on a selection show at the weekend and will be the first-ever punk band to appear at the event, which this year takes place in Vienna in May.

They’ll play their 85-second track Aina Mun Pitaa (I Always Have To) and they are now among bookmakers’ favourites to win the contest.

Speaking before their weekend win, bassist Sami Helle said he wanted people to judge them on their music and not focus on their disabilities.

He told the Guardian: “We are rebelling against society in different ways, but we are not political. We are changing attitudes somewhat – a lot of people are coming to our gigs and we have a lot of fans.

“We don’t want people to vote for us to feel sorry for us, we are not that different from everybody else – just normal guys with a mental handicap.”

The band were formed in 2009 by Lyhty – an nonprofit organisation which provides housing and educational services along with workshops for adults with learning disabilities. They were also the subject of 2012 documentary The Punk Syndrome.

In 2006, rockers Lordi won the competition with the track Hard Rock Hallelujah.

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more for Louder. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, The Tragically Hip, Marillion and Rush.

Latest in
The Mars Volta
“My totalitarian rule might not be cool, but at least we’ve made interesting records. At least we polarise people”: It took The Mars Volta three years and several arguments to make Noctourniquet
/news/the-darkness-i-hate-myself
"When the storm clouds clear, the band’s innate pop sensibilities shine as brightly as ever": In a world of bread-and-butter rock bands, The Darkness remain the toast of the town
Ginger Wildheart headshot
"What happens next, you give everyone a hard-on and then go around the room with a bat like Al Capone?!” Ginger Wildheart's wild tales of Lemmy, AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Cheap Trick and more
Lizzo and Sister Rosetta Tharpe onstage
"This is my baby, my passion – because Rosetta deserves": Lizzo to play rock'n'roll pioneer Sister Rosetta Tharpe in upcoming biopic
Heart publicity shot
"Don't worry, it's not the worst. It's not what you think": Nancy Wilson reassures fans concerned about Ann Wilson's onstage wheelchair
Mastodon
Mastodon add headline shows to their summer tour in the UK and Europe, but there's still no news on who's replacing Brent Hinds
Latest in News
Lizzo and Sister Rosetta Tharpe onstage
"This is my baby, my passion – because Rosetta deserves": Lizzo to play rock'n'roll pioneer Sister Rosetta Tharpe in upcoming biopic
Heart publicity shot
"Don't worry, it's not the worst. It's not what you think": Nancy Wilson reassures fans concerned about Ann Wilson's onstage wheelchair
Mastodon
Mastodon add headline shows to their summer tour in the UK and Europe, but there's still no news on who's replacing Brent Hinds
Bury Tomorrow in 2023 and John Cena in 2025
This metalcore band want their new song to be John Cena’s theme now he’s a bad guy
Stephen Graham and Bruce Springsteen
"I was crying reading the text." Adolescence star Stephen Graham reveals the "beautiful" text message he received from "working class hero" Bruce Springsteen
Jason Momoa & Kirk Hammett
"He and I have that kanaka thing, we're bros!" Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett on his friendship with Jason Momoa