Eläkeläiset

Originally started one night in the early '90s as a way for some of the members of the Finnish alternative rock band Kumukameli to pass the time after a show, Eläkeläiset took popular songs and added a traditional Finnish humppa (or oompah) element to them, albeit with modern instrumentation. With Onni Varis on keyboards, Lassi Kinnunen on accordion, Martti Varis on bass, Petteri Terävä (who was later replaced by Petteri Hanonen), and Jouni Hukka on drums (who was later replaced by Kristian Voutilained), and all bandmembers contributing to vocals, Eläkeläiset have released numerous albums, including 1995's Humpan Kuninkaan Hovissa; 1996's In Humppa We Trust -- Live!, which showcased the exuberance of their live show; 2000's Humppa-Akatemia; and 2003's Humppaelamaa, the first of the band's records to include solely original material. ~ Marisa Brown, Rovi