Kemopetrol

Infobox musical artist
Name =
Kemopetrol


Img_capt = Kemopetrol on stage.
Img_size =
Landscape = yes
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = Helsinki, Finland
Genre = pop, rock, electronic
Years_active = 1998 – present
Label = BMG Finland, Plastinka
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.kemopetrol.com/ Official site]
Current_members = Laura Närhi
Kalle Koivisto
Marko Soukka
Teemu Nordman
Lauri Hämäläinen
Past_members = Kari Myöhänen

Kemopetrol is a Finnish band from Helsinki. The members of Kemopetrol are the vocalist Laura Närhi, the drummer Teemu Nordman, the bassist Lauri Hämäläinen, the guitarist Marko Soukka and the keyboardist Kalle Koivisto, who also writes the songs for Kemopetrol. Kemopetrol's original bassist, Kari Myöhänen, left the band in July 2003. All Kemopetrol songs have English lyrics. The name of the band originates from a Czech ice hockey team named Chemopetrol Litvinov.

History

Marko Soukka and Kalle Koivisto founded Kemopetrol in November 1998, originally as an ambient music project. In December on the same year Koivisto met Laura Närhi at a party and later introduced her some songs he had written.

Laura Närhi joined the band in January 1999, followed by drummer Teemu Nordman and bassist Kari Myöhänen later same year. The band went to studio in July.

Kemopetrol’s first single "Child Is My Name" was released at the end of 1999 and was a breakthrough success. In 2000, their debut album "Slowed Down" was released. "Slowed Down" contains music that is a mixture of rock, jazz and electronic music.

In 2001, a two-CD edition of the album "Slowed Down" was released. One CD is identical to the first release of "Slowed Down", the other CD contains remixes and live performances. In addition to numerous gigs in Finland, the band also performed in Spain and Italy.

In March 2002, the single "Saw It on TV" and, two months later, the album "Everything’s Fine" were released.

In 2004, the single "My Superstar" and the album "Play for Me" were released. Having Kari left the band the previous year, on those releases, Kemopetrol's producer Kalle Chydenius plays bass. Shortly after the release of "Play for Me", Lauri Hämäläinen joined the band as the new permanent bassist.

The band's fourth album, "Teleport" was released on 29th March 2006, preceded by "Planet"-single on 8th March. The latest album features disco influences from the 80's, including notable usage of synthesizer sounds from that era.

Laura Närhi also sings solo. She performs the song "Se ei mee pois", which is found on the soundtrack of the movie "Kuutamolla". She also provides the vocals for the Alimo&Control song "Tarkkaillaan". Both "Se ei mee pois" and "Tarkkaillaan" have Finnish lyrics (and Finnish titles). Her first solo album will be released during 2008.

Kemopetrol will start recording their fifth studio album in May 2008. Kalle Chydenius is taking part in the production again.

Discography

ingles

* "Child Is My Name" (1999)
* "Tomorrow" (2000)
* "African Air" (2000)
* "Disbelief" (2000)
* "Saw It on TV" (2002)
* "Goodbye" (2002)
* "My Superstar" (2004)
* "Planet" (2006)
* "Already Home" (2006)
* "Overweight & Underage" (2006)

Albums

* "Slowed Down" (2000)
* "Slowed Down — Special 2CD Edition" (2001)
* "Everything’s Fine" (2002)
* "Play For Me" (2004)
* "Teleport" (2006)

External links

* [http://www.kemopetrol.com/ The official website of Kemopetrol]
* [http://www.myspace.com/kemopetrolband Kemopetrol in MySpace]
* [http://www.musexfinland.fi/midem2006/artist-5VP4TVQGJ4Q944SW Music Export Finland - Midem 2006, music samples]
* [http://www.discogs.com/artist/Kemopetrol Comprehensive Kemopetrol discography]