'The Eyes Have It!'

The 69 Eyes, a very dramatic goth metal band, formed in the early '90s in Helsinki. A quartet influenced by Motörhead, the Stooges, the Dead Boys, and the Doors, as well as movies like The Crow, Lost Boys, and The Matrix, they released several albums throughout the '90s and early 2000s.

They first went gold in their native Finland with 2000's "Gothic Girl" single, and from then on their popularity increased. An anthology titled Framed in Blood: The Very Blessed of 69 Eyes was released in 2003 and initiated another phase for the band.

They released another full-length album, Devils, in 2005 with its sequel, Angels, following recently in 2007.

Taking it from the top and what were your musical influences growing up and how many still factor into your music today? "First and foremost it was Elvis Presley and he's still my guiding light and source of inspiration. Elvis lives!"

For the Average Joe who may not have heard of you and was thinking of buying your new CD, how would you yourself describe your sound? "Apocalypse rock'n'roll with the taste of a Helsinki vampire's kiss."

Your album title 'Angels' is an interesting choice, but perhaps it has more of a personal meaning to you?! "The previous album was called "Devils", so these two albums form a pair - get them both and rock your bones, baby! Shake it, baby, shake it!"

And just where does the bands name originate? "Somewhere over the black rainbow where the horny creatures crawl..."

Being that 69 Eyes was formed in Helsinki back in the early '90s, I'm wondering if it hadn't been a band that all this dramatic goth vibe had been vented into, what would it have been?! "We were and still pretty much are this glampire rock'n'roll band, the creatures that time forgot!"

How easy (or hard) is it to constantly create a new, vibrant, wanted-by-the-public sound that both builds on and surpasses the musical wonderment's/accomplishments that preceded it within the industry? "It's in a way easy since The 69 Eyes is already an established phenomenon - the monster just grows...and crawls in the night..."

Please tell us more (in a quick fashion!) about what was going on in your life when these songs were being written and recorded:

'Rocker' - "I wanted to resurrect the energy and vibe of likes of AC/DC and Phil Lynott."

'Wings & Hearts' - "Voodoo has been a part of The 69 Eyes' world ever since the first single we did, every album of our has a voodoo song. The best voodoo movie? "Angel Heart"! 'Star Of Fate'- Disney meets The Sons Of the Pioneers. Peter Pan meets Jiminy Cricket!"

OK, please tell us just who that lovely lady is on the front cover of the new CD ... and how we can get ahold of her! "She's Ms.Christine Dolce and also appears on our video for "Never Say Die"."

If asked to record one for charity, what '80s (and possibly cheesy!) pop/rock song would you love to cover today ... and why?! "Huey Lewis & The News' "Power Of Love" - it's f**king rocks!"

Lastly, Exclusive Magazine love Penguins ... do you?! "Along with dolphins, penguins have a very soft spot in my heart!"

Interviewed by Russell A. Trunk

www.69eyes.com