Roctum

Infobox musical artist
Name = Roctum


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Background = group_or_band
Origin = Hämeenlinna, Finland
Instruments = Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Drums
Genre = Punk rock Hardcore punk Hard rock Heavy metal
Years_active = 2002–present
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Current_members = Stunk Man Zikk Brutal Banana Boy The Beast

Roctum is a Finnish Hard Rock band from Hämeenlinna in Finland. Their music combines elements from rock, punk and heavy metal. They are famous/infamous for their elaborate live performances , which features outrageous costumes, stage prop, pyrotechnics and a weird show which combines elements of horror, theatrics and heavy metal/rock clichés.

They released their debut album, "Roctumania" on May 17, 2006.

History

Roctum’s current line-up was put together in 2002 Stunk Man (voc), his elder brother The Beast (drs) and Banana Boy (bs) were joined by Zikk Brutal (gtrs), who replaced original axeman Riku Mäkinen. A further year of compulsory low profile was followed due to Zikk’s army service, but already during their first one and a half year of existence Roctum were able to put out three demo records, First Demolition (2002), We'll Never Leave You Alone (2002) and Earbreaker (2003). All were recorded in local studios in Hämeenlinna with minor budgets.

After some intense gigging – and after beginning to make name for themselves with their outrageous stage act – Roctum took part in the Ääni ja Vimma band competition (2004), where they made the semi-finals. Although they did not reach the final, Roctum were one of the most talked about outfits in the running because of their bizarre show and stage clothes, which, for example, saw bassist BB dressed up as a fairy.

In the fall of 2004, Roctum were signed by a Tampere-based record company Turban Records. They released their debut single Sandwich/I’m So Excited in May, 2005. The a-side was a call for a session of group sex, while the b-side was a take on The Pointer Sisters’ old disco favourite.

Roctum’s debut album Roctumania was put out in May, 2006, to mixed reviews. Like the band itself, the album dived people. Originally recorded in just one week – with further sessions in early 2006 – it presented Roctum as a dirty, big-sounding band mixing effortlessly no-frills hard rock, metal, glam and punk. Firm favourites on the album include What The Fuck, Everything Disappears, The Sailor, Sweet Insanity and The Punisher Of Love.

Due to difficulties in distribution and almost total lack of promotion Roctumania did not receive the attention it deserved. After all, it was, for all it’s faults, one of the most remarkable debut albums released in Finland in 2006, even though for several ”serious”, snide arse metal fans Roctum had already become something of an anathema. Roctum parted ways with Turban Records in 2007.

Members

*Stunk Man- Vocals
*Zikk Brutal - Guitar
*Banana Boy - Bass
*The Beast - Drums

Discography

Albums

*"Roctumania" (2006)

Singles

*"Sandwich" (2005)
*"Nothing For X-mas" (2006)

Music videos

*"Everything Disappears" (2003)
*"Welcome To The Show" (2004)
*"Time To Kill" (2006)
*"Nothing For X-mas" (2006)

External links

* [http://www.roctum.com Official site] (Finnish and English)
* [http://www.myspace.com/roctum Roctum Myspace]
* [http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=roctum&search=Search Roctum videos and misc. stuff on youtube]