Terveet Kädet should be considered as the Discharge of Finland, as Anti-Cimex can be considered for Sweden. However in contrast to the two other legendary bands of this genre, Terveet Kädet not only managed to outlive both (though of course a lineup of Discharge still tours and plays in 2008), but crucially TK managed to stay true to its artistic self in more ways than the others. Arguably Terveet Kadet's later 'metal period' is in fact much more punk hard core than what most people think. The key is in the drumming and in the vocals.
A triviality which is often mentioned is that the band has been a a major influence on bands from Brazil, where people such as Sepultura's/Soulfly's Max Cavalera has mentioned Terveet Kädet as one of his all-time favourite bands, but the influence of TK goes much further than that.
The band's line-up has changed several times, and the singer Veli-Matti "Läjä" Äijälä is the only original member left. He is no longer working as a librarian as is often assumed (he did so 10 years ago, for a shorter period)
The name "Terveet Kädet" means "Healthy Hands".
Current Line-Up
Veli-Matti "Läjä" Äijälä - Vocals, lyrics
Maike Valanne - Guitar, compositions
Puksu - Bass
Luttinen - Drums
The official website
http://www.terveetkadet.tk
UTOPIA
Terveet Kädet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ylväinä nousevat sianruohot puritaanien peräaukoista
Koirat ovat olohuoneessa, idiootit nussivat niitä
Jumala pieree taivaassa, videot filmaa kuolemaa
Oudot hirviöt tapetaan
Apinat vaihdetaan uusiin
Uusi maali maalataan
The lyrics of Terveet Kädet's song "Utopia" express a paradoxical vision of a perfect world that is simultaneously a grotesque nightmare. The opening lines depict an image of Jesus urinating on the singer, who is wearing rubber clothes for protection, which subverts the traditional religious iconography of purity and salvation. The following lines describe how the pigs' weed grows proudly from the Puritans' anuses, and how the dogs are having sex in the living room, implying a twisted version of domesticity and social mores.
Line by Line Meaning
Jeesus virtsaa päälleni, kumivaatteet suojelee minua
I am protected by rubber clothing as Jesus urinates on me.
Ylväinä nousevat sianruohot puritaanien peräaukoista
The shameless pigweeds rise from the Puritans' anuses.
Koirat ovat olohuoneessa, idiootit nussivat niitä
Dogs are in the living room, and idiots are having sex with them.
Jumala pieree taivaassa, videot filmaa kuolemaa
God is farting in heaven while videos film death.
Oudot hirviöt tapetaan
Strange monsters are being killed.
Apinat vaihdetaan uusiin
Monkeys are being replaced by new ones.
Uusi maali maalataan
New paint is being applied.
Kyrvät katkotaan miekoin
Penises are being chopped off with swords.
Contributed by Tristan I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.