Members of the band are or were Ilmari Tuulenhalkoja (vocals), Emil Topaz (guitar and vocals), Johannes Tyrannos (bass guitar and vocals) and Juhana Amadeus (drums). These are stage names, and the real names of the members have not spread outside Seinäjoki. In live shows, a synthesizer player is added (on the latest tour and album, Mikael Rynigen). They do not give interviews (except for one, which has been read by few and was done, unsurprisingly, by a person from Seinäjoki), play encores or speak to their audiences.
So, why theater, of all words to describe them? Well, their live shows could be treated as such, that is why. In a live show, Kuolleet Intiaanit were usually dressed in black suits and top hats and their faces are painted white, except for the area surrounding the eyes, which is black. Other known costumes are straitjackets and black-white-lined suits.
Omat koirat purivat
Kuolleet Intiaanit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hänellä on kaulapanta ja heijastin, ettei hän katoa.
Hän raapii ovea vailla mahdollisuutta olla ulkona piehtaroimassa.
Ei auta nuolaisu kädelle, eikä kämmenen anto, ei hännällä heilutus.
Ei auta nuolaisu kädelle, eikä kämmenen anto, ei häntä, ei käsi.
Omat
koirat,
Omat koirat!
Hän kuolaa narussa.
Hänellä on silkkisukka ja heijastin, ettei hän katoa.
Hän haisee pahalta, siru korvassa, odottaen pääsyä sisälle sateesta.
Ei auta nuolaisu kädelle, eikä kämmenen anto, ei hännällä heilutus.
Ei nuolaisu kädelle, eikä kämmenen anto, ei häntä, ei käsi.
Omat
koirat,
omat koirat purivat!
Omat koirat!
Ja missä karavaani kulkee, siellä haukkuvat koirat
haukkuvat ja purevat ne jalat.
Omat
koirat,
omat koirat purivat!
Omat koirat!
The lyrics of Kuolleet Intiaanit's song "Omat koirat purivat" deal with the theme of confinement through the metaphor of a dog. The lyrics speak of a dog that is on a leash with a collar and a reflective tag, unable to go out and enjoy playing outside. The dog is scratching the door, hoping to go out and enjoy the sun but it is impossible as the leash restricts mobility , the dog is suffering from boredom and isolation. The lyrics state that petting and treats don't help alleviate the dog's frustration and loneliness. The chorus repeats the phrase "Omat koirat purivat" meaning "My own dogs bit me" which could be interpreted as a comment on the idea that our own circumstances can sometimes limit us and cause us harm, or it could be about the danger and loneliness often experienced by pets left at home.
The second verse of the song explores the same theme of confinement through the metaphor of a dog on a leash. Here, the dog is drooling and has a silk sock on its neck with a reflective tag, indicating that it is treated well, but still confined. Its chip in the ear shows that it is well taken care of, but it is still waiting to be allowed inside away from the rain. Again, the dog is unable to express its feelings of boredom and loneliness through body language or behavior.
Overall, the lyrics seem to be critical of the way we treat our pets and ourselves. The song is a darker take on the idea of domestic companionship, exposing the possibility of the negative effects of confinement and restriction.
Line by Line Meaning
Hän kulkee narussa.
He walks on a leash.
Hänellä on kaulapanta ja heijastin, ettei hän katoa.
He wears a collar with a reflector to avoid getting lost.
Hän raapii ovea vailla mahdollisuutta olla ulkona piehtaroimassa.
He scratches the door without getting a chance to roll around outside.
Ei auta nuolaisu kädelle, eikä kämmenen anto, ei hännällä heilutus.
Licking the hand, offering the palm or wagging the tail doesn't help at all.
Ei auta nuolaisu kädelle, eikä kämmenen anto, ei häntä, ei käsi.
Licking the hand, offering the palm, wagging the tail or the hand doesn't work at all.
Omat koirat, omat koirat purivat! Omat koirat!
My own dogs, my own dogs bit me! My own dogs!
Hän kuolaa narussa.
He drools on the leash.
Hänellä on silkkisukka ja heijastin, ettei hän katoa.
He wears a silk sock and a reflector to avoid getting lost.
Hän haisee pahalta, siru korvassa, odottaen pääsyä sisälle sateesta.
He smells bad, has a microchip in his ear and is waiting for permission to go inside from the rain.
Ja missä karavaani kulkee, siellä haukkuvat koirat haukkuvat ja purevat ne jalat.
And where the caravan goes, dogs bark and bite their legs.
Omat koirat, omat koirat purivat! Omat koirat!
My own dogs, my own dogs bit me! My own dogs!
Contributed by Cooper W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.