It may have been a long, hard road to get there, but UNIKLUBI are now undeniably living the dream as one of the most successful and established bands in Finland - their name can constantly be found at the top end of the music charts and popularity polls, whilst also having the credibility of being one of the best and hardest working bands on the live circuit. UNIKLUBI combine a mixture of passion, intensity and vivacious energy, with their musical roots being inspired by the glamour and excess of traditional classic rock - but bringing it all bang up to date with their own unique vision and 'Scandanavian' style.

  All of the band members grew up around the Tampere region - Antti, Pasi and brothers Jussi and Janne from Hämeenkyrö, with Teemu coming from nearby Ikaalinen. So it was certain that their paths would eventually cross, as they all had a deep fascination for music and involvement with bands on the local scene. One of these bands was 'Pincenez' founded by Jussi and Pasi in 1999, beginning their illustrious career by playing cover versions (in English), before progressing to write original compositions (in Finnish).

  Pincenez eventually changed their name to UNIKLUBI (literally meaning 'dreamclub' - though nobody knows when, why or who is responsible for this decision?!?) and naturally evolved into the line-up as we now know it today (Janne and Teemu joining the band in 2000, with Antti completing the line up a couple of years later). Initially compiling a couple of demos, then later releasing a couple of singles independently in 2002 (the original versions of 'Olemme Yhtä' and 'Kylmää'), which are now both near-impossible to get hold of. The band also began to engage in some serious touring around this period in their quest to spread the word, and finally being inevitably 'discovered' by the important industry people at one of these concerts - which resulted in UNIKLUBI signing a coveted deal with Lumbago/Universal Records.

  The major commercial breakthrough came with the release of the debut platinum-selling album 'Rakkautta Ja Piikkilankaa' ('Love And Barbed-Wire') in April 2004. This collection of songs, written and perfected over the previous years couldn't fail to make a massive impact, with an intoxicating fusion of burning fire and icy melancholic strains positively spilling out from both the music and the lyrics. The accompanying singles (the title track and a re-recorded 'Kylmää') with their infuriatingly catchy refrains assuring instant chart success, critical acclaim and media support - as everybody wanted a piece of the latest pin-up sensations.

  'Rakkautta Ja Piikkilankaa' was instantly awarded to be the most wanted song on the biggest national radio station YleX. This crazy year culminating with UNIKLUBI triumphing at the prestigious Emma-Gaala (Finnish Grammy) awards as 'Best Rock Newcomers' - bringing their own brand of anarchy to the proceedings in the true spirit of rock 'n' roll, throwing down their instruments mid-song in protest of having to keep up a fake pretence with the detested 'playback' situation.

  After continuous touring and promotional duties, UNIKLUBI returned to the recording studio in the spring of 2005 - again with their friend, original producer and collaborator Jari Latomaa - fired up with new inspiration and ideas, and a promise of darker and more introspective material. The next few months were then spent preening and previewing some of these new songs at various festivals. This included the band's first experience of playing live on foreign soil, after an invitation to appear at the 'Masters Of Rock' event in the Czech. Rep. (with a warm-up gig at the Monastery Club in Vienna, Austria the night before) - where the guys were left in awe of being rapturously received by a new audience of 10,000 people. Coming back home armed with extra confidence, and even bigger ambitions knowing that there was a monsterous new single about to be unleashed. This was 'Kaikki Mitä Mä Annoin', the song which catapulted the band back to the top of the charts and the nation's hearts - also going straight to No. 1 on the YleX and Kiss FM radio's 'most wanted' list during the first week of release - as well as painting the perfect aural backdrop to the end of those heady summer dayz.

  In another cool and calculated move, the hauntingly beautiful 'Huomenna' was released as a radio-only single in mid-October - a decision which paid off in an extraordinary way, as it became one of the most played songs on Finnish radio stations. The exclusive cd was also coupled with an equally chilling promotional video, which aired continually on most of the major tv music shows for many months to come.

  The much anticipated second album 'Kehä' ('Circle') was finally unveiled to the world on 2nd November - the band being intensely proud of their latest offering, as it highlighted a new sense of maturity and self-belief. With maximum promotion and the album going gold within days (and six months later going on to receive their second consecutive album platinum disc), UNIKLUBI celebrated in style with a launch party concert at the renowned Tavastia venue in Helsinki.

  2006 saw the dawning of yet another undoubtedly action-packed year for UNIKLUBI, with a third single release from 'Kehä' - 'Kiertää Kehä', the opening track of the album and a live favourite. With 'Tuhka' ("the campfire song") being let loose as another mellow radio-friendly promotional tool. The second consecutive annual appearance at the Emma-Gaala was also rewarded with a victory in the 'Best Video' section for 'Huomenna' - also collecting a surprising but credible win with the alternative 'Panda-Femma' award, for 'Best Make-Up' (?!). But with an ever-expanding diary, UNIKLUBI will be currently kept collectively busy on the road with continuing concert and festival appearances - before taking some serious time out later in the year to create their next album, which they promise will be revealed in 2007.

  Conclusively, those devotees already committed to the cause can confirm the fact that UNIKLUBI are undoubtedly alluring and addictive as a band. Though many questions still remain... Like, how long can this band remain such a hidden jewel within their homeland? In the wake of the success of fellow Finnish phenomenons abroad - currently the curiosity, opportunities and demand are ever increasing for UNIKLUBI to follow in these footsteps and venture further afield. Thanx to the modern technology of the internet combined with good old-fashioned word of mouth, interest and intrigue in this band continues to escalate as their fan base steadily expands worldwide.

  So, with such endless possibilities, where could all of this virtual activity take the band to next?? Rumours abound, but certainly to gain any kind of commercial backing outside of Finland, some compromise would likely be needed over the language 'situation'. Although UNIKLUBI themselves have been quoted as saying that while they could never envisage translating any of their sacred back catalogue, they would maybe consider composing songs 'specifically to sing in English' at a later date. In foresight we could argue over whether going global would be a good thing or not - but the fact still remains and has been proven time and time again, that language holds no barrier because music is universal, and UNIKLUBI ultimately R-O-C-K!!!

  So the future - who knows? Not even UNIKLUBI themselves are sure of what it may hold or exactly where this road may lead. Watch this space and dare to dream.....