Eppu Normaali is one of the most popular bands in Finland. The band was formed in 1976 in the small town of Ylöjärvi, near Tampere. The core of the band consisted of brothers Martti Syrjä (b. 1958, vocals) and Mikko "Pantse" Syrjä (b. 1957, guitar); their parents are Kirsi Kunnas and Jaakko Syrjä, both accomplished writers. Pantse's and Martti's cousin Aku Syrjä was also an important member. Juha Torvinen and Mikko Saarela were soon invited to the band. In 1977 the band named themselves Eppu Normaali, and participated a rock music competition. Finnish folk/pop legend Juice Leskinen immediately saw the band's potential and demanded that they must win, but the judges were unimpressed. The band started sending demos to various companies, and soon POKO Rekords signed them. They released various records of Ramones type of punk pop which gained good reviews, but did not break through until 1984, with their more AOR-oriented new style. "Rupisia riimejä karmeita tar