Finland is a small country but it is no short of churches, priests and weird believes. Let alone in the small town where I live we have Mormons, Jehovah's witnesses, Scientology, other strange protestant churches I have never heard about, Muslims and sometimes you even get to meet a Hare-Krishna dude who wants to sell you self baked cookies. But no matter how hard they try, they can't trick me into their churches, temples and mosques. No matter how hard they try, they won't get my money. The only church I give my money to is the Church of Trash and the only reverend who's preaching I'm willing to listen to is Reverend Beat-Man.
April 4th 2010 was a double premier. It was the first time that Finns could see Beat-Man in their home country and it was the day I finally lost my Reverend Beat-Man virginity. I think I speak for both of us, Finland and me, when I say we don't regret it.
Been on stages around the world for over 20 years has turned Beat-Man into a pro. But not just yesterday, that happened already years ago. Everything that has his name on it means top entertainment: Something to tap your feet to, something to sing along to, something to dance to, something that makes you wanna destroy, something that makes you laugh. Hell, even something that might makes you think. He is the ultimate anti-Las Vegas low-brow artist legends are made of. And he is real.
I must admit, I loved Lightning Beat-Man, the records as much as the shows. Nothing I had seen before and have seen since comes even close to the experience of a LBM live gig, but the Reverend is a pretty good replacement. It's like seeing the older, wiser, not as crazy but still crazy brother of the King of Wrestling Rock'n'Roll.
As often as I got to see Lightning Beat-Man I never had the chance to see the Reverend before, which is a little bit strange. As soon as I heard that he was going to play Helsinki I got tickets as I expected the place to sell out in a heartbeat. Actually it didn't what surprised me. There was a decent sized crowd at Bar Loose, yes, but it wasn't the tight, sweaty sauna I was expecting. Maybe it's true what I secretly think: Finland is just not a Garage country. Yes, Pierced Arrows, Roky Erickson and the Sonics draw much bigger crowds here, but compared to Beat-Man they are mainstream anyway.
There was no support band but some local burlesque girls showed some flesh to warm up for Beat-Man. I guess they did well, it was crowded in front of the stage. I ran into the main act on the toilet, a quick hello (no handshake, I hadn't washed my hands yet) and just a few minutes later the gospel started. Most of the hits were served: Jesus Christ Twist, Get On Your Knees, The Beat-Man Way, Blue Suede Shoes, I See The Light and even the LBM classic 'I Wanna Be Your Pussycat'.
It was a good night!
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