Popeda

Along with Eppu Normaali and Juice Leskinen, Popeda is one of the cornerstones of Manserock -- a movement of bands from Tampere, Finland that took root during the late '70s. Inspired primarily by the Rolling Stones' heavier and less serious material, the band was formed in 1977 by Ilari Ainiala and Pauli "Pate" Mustajärvi. Signed by the Poko label the same year, Popeda went on to release nearly 20 studio albums between 1978 and 2005, along with live albums and numerous compilations. The band has gone through several lineups, with Mustajärvi the lone constant. ~ Andy Kellman