Jerry Sultsina - Viimeinen mies

Jerry Sultsina & Karelian Piirakat had their home in Joensuu, another small town. They introduced themselves in 1980 with a single for Selecta Records, "Viekas vilppi / Twistaten sotaan", which failed to attract any success despite having good ideas and being a promising start.

They cut their only LP "Viimeinen mies" for Johanna in 1981. When the album was about to be released, singer-guitarist-songwriter Jari Hyttinen and drummer Jukka Tervonen split the band and recruited new men: Timo Hyttinen, Sampo Kaste and Ari Ikonen. This was because both were dissatisfied with the band's musicianship and wanted better players. These three new men had played in a group called Hullu Ooppera.

The band gave permission for the album to be released without redoing it, and so "Viimeinen mies" saw the light of day despite it being slightly disappointing.

Jerry Sultsina, who had dropped the "Karelian Pies" part from their name, managed one more single. "Nykyajan nymfomaani / Guazapa" came out in 1982.

The group was constantly accused of sounding like a certain successful new wave/punk band from the same town, Hassisen Kone. Jari Hyttinen had played with Hassisen Kone frontman Ismo Alanko in a band called Sight, and on many occasions after that as well, so mutual influencing was inevitable.

Jari Hyttinen's lyrics are message-heavy. He sings ironical songs about new Messiahs, who exploit instead of save, tough rock stars who refuse to tie their own shoe laces or use toilets, because that would show they're humble and only human. People who are crazy about visiting foreign countries so that they can send postcards to their envying friends saying "Look, I'm here!", and buy souvenirs from poor people.

I myself find "The Last Man" a good rock album, and the final 7" included in this post is more of the same, maybe slightly tighter and more laid-back musically.

Tracks:

1. Messiaamme (Our Messiah)
2. Jako (Share)
3. Uusi soundi (New Sound)
4. Olut (Beer)
5. Kova rokkitähti (A Tough Rock Star)
6. Twistaten sotaan (Twisting Into War)
7. Hurskaat (The Pious People)
8. Miellyttäviä hetkiä (Pleasant Moments)
9. Rahat rajan takana (Money Behind the Border)
10. Postikorttipelle (Postcard Clown)
11. Viekas vilppi (Sly Deceit)
12. Talouselämän rautainen laki (The Iron-Hard Law of Economic Life)
13. Valta vaihtuu (The Power Changes)

Bonus single:

14. Nykyajan nymfomaani (Modern Nymphomaniac)
15. Guazapa


http://finnishrock.blogspot.com/2008/09/jerry-sultsina-viimeinen-mies-1981.html