{"id":256,"date":"2025-07-03T11:23:51","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T11:23:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dlf.fi\/stmbbnew\/?page_id=256"},"modified":"2026-02-12T11:18:59","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T11:18:59","slug":"the-story","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.dlf.fi\/stmbbnew\/?page_id=256","title":{"rendered":"ENG The Story"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Press material<\/a> ><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On YouTube-St.Marcus Bluesband feat. Jakob Big Band ><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

mp3-<\/strong>demos<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feedback ><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

ST. MARCUS BLUESBAND \u2014 PAST TO PRESENT<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a story that reaches over 4 decades of a group called St Marcus Blues Band, born in a small town called Jakobstad\/Pietarsaari on the Finnish west coast. The first steps were taken in the beginning of the 60\u2019s with friends meeting and a common interest for making music developed. Listening to radio stations like Radio Luxembourg and P3 from Sweden was hot, and bands like Rolling Stones, Yardbirds and Pretty Things were the \u201creal thing\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first gig was in 1964, under the name \u201cThe Things\u201d. The young guys playing were Hannu \u201cSvea\u201d Lindblom on guitar and vocals, Markku \u201c L\u00f6ke\u201d L\u00f6nngren on guitar, Kari \u00d6hman on bass and Hasse Tiihonen on drums. Among the songs played were \u201cOff the hook\u201d, \u201cFor your love\u201d and \u201cMama, keep your big mouth shut\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a split of the group Hannu played guitars with the \u201cPee Wees\u201d from Kokkola. Markku stayed in Jakobstad with the \u201cBlack sheep\u201d, pop-songs of the period were on the menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Article in newspaper Keskipohjanmaa 20.9.1968 ><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In 1966 Lindblom, L\u00f6nngren and Tiihonen got together again. Markku switched from guitar to bass. The trio would play rock and blues and the band St Marcus Blues band was born. Songs by Fleetwood Mac, John Mayall like \u201cPretty Woman\u201d, \u201cAll your love\u201d and \u201cLong grey mare\u201d were on the repertoire, and are still today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That same year Timo Lepp\u00e4nen joined as a manager \u2013 roadie \u2013 bodyguard \u2013 driver and sound-engineer. A Volkswagen kleinbus was bought to be used for gigs. The group toured Finland from north to south.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning of the 60\u2019s the finnish radio-channels did not play much rock music so living on the west coast was an advantage as P3 from Sweden could be heard here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Jakobstad; torget och bankg\u00e5rden fr\u00e5n Lindskogska husets tak<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Timo Lepp\u00e4nen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Hasse, L\u00f6ke, Hannu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In 1968 the band was signed for a gig with a Swedish travelling-\u2018circus\u2019- company performing in Jakobstad and in need of an orchestra. Hasse Tiihonen left with another group on a tour that came to last twenty years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rest of the band members joined for the summer tour in Sweden. Leif \u201cLefa\u201d Andersson from PeeWees joined on drums. The tour lasted for 2 months from Kiruna in the north to Kivik market in the south. Among other guest artists on the tour were Pugh Rogefeldt, Family Four, Sylvia Wrethammar and Anita Lindblom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the autumn Paavo Osola, saxophone and keyboards and Karl-Erik\u201dKallu\u201d R\u00f6nng\u00e5rd on drums joined the band. When \u201dKallu\u201d, who played in the band from 1968 to 1975, later moved to Sweden he played in groups like Peps Persson blodsband and Blues Bag, he also kept the beat in Dreadline, a reggae band from Jakobstad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After the youngsters had completed their military service in 1972 a new project with Hannu Lindblom, Markku L\u00f6nngren Karl-Erik R\u00f6nng\u00e5rd and the new member Jukka \u201dJuki\u201d Halttunen saw the daylight, the name was changed to FANTASIA. The group was also joined by Roul Helander on electric violin and piano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The music was \u201chome-made\u201d prog-rock and practised almost every evening in the bands rehearsal place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

1974 became a historical year for Fantasia by winning the Finish Rock competition; Hannu on guitar and vocals, Roul; violin and piano, Kallu on drums and the new on the bass was Harri Piha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next year a Russian tour was made in Leningrad, Riga and Moscow. That same year the only Fantasia record was released, on Hi-hat records and simply called \u201cFantasia\u201d. This LP is \u201chot stuff\u201d among LP collectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Fantasia 1973<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the 80\u2019s and 90\u2019s St Marcus Bluesband, lead by Hannu Lindblom, appeared in different groupings, Thomas\u201dTumba\u201dLindstr\u00f6m; drums and Paavo Osola; keyboards were the basic members of STMBB. Bassplayers were often changed and among others Roul Helander, Ari-Matti Lepist\u00f6 and Ulf Fagerholm took turns in the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the year 2000 a new chapter in the STMBB history was written. Original bass player \u201cL\u00f6ke\u201d joined and new members were Simo Vasanoja; keyboards and vocals, G\u00f6ran Fellman; guitar (also known from heavy band Stormwing), and the experienced drummer Jan\u201dNani\u201dStenh\u00e4ll. In 2002 the original drummer Hasse Tiihonen moved back home and got behind the drums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A hornsection was added during winter 2003 \u2014 Conny Sundman, Rickard Slotte and Ilkka Ekdahl were playing. Changes took place in 2006 and ”horny horns” were now Conny Sundman; sax, Jan-Anders Fagerhed; trumpet and Torvald Lund on trombone. In the summer of 2008 Conny Sundman joined Vasa Milit\u00e4rmusikk\u00e5r, and was replaced by Markus Kaikkonen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning of 2005 Hasse Tiihonen left the drummer seat because of illness, and the old StMBB \/ Fantasia drummer from the 70 \u2013 90\u2019s Thomas \u201cTumba\u201d Lindstr\u00f6m got back in business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Ulf Fagerholm & Hannu Lindblom v. 1992<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n

The record \u201dTwo sides\u201d released 2007\/2008, got good reviews in media and more gigs were booked. The group stayed intact until beginning of 2011, when Sebastian Back<\/strong> took the saxplayers role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In januari 2012 Stmbb joined facebook: facebook.com\/stmarcusbluesband<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The band 2012: Drums: Thomas Lindstr\u00f6m, bass: Markku L\u00f6nngren, keyboards and vocals: Simo Vasanoja, guitar: G\u00f6ran Fellman, guitar and vocals: Hannu Lindblom, saxophones: Sebastian Back, trombone: Torvald Lund, trumpet: Jan-Anders Fagerhed<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Markku & Hannu – 8\/2004<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The initial thoughts for demorecord in 2004 soon spun out of hand into a longplay project. New material was produced continuously and the recording which consumed both time and power. This is also why STMBB seldom had time for gigs during the years 2004 \u2013 2006.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Background to the CD \u201cTwo Sides\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Background to the CD
\u201cTwo Sides\u201dThe CD was recorded in the bands \u201cBunker\u201d-studio, mixed at Perfect studio and the mastering took place at Finnvox. STMBB was trying to reach the old \u2018garage-sound\u2019 by near mono-mixing and skipping finetuning of the so called sonic barrier (sound barrier).The recording of the base was done with most of the band at one time, only the horns were added later. There has been no instrumental or singing add-ons, nor any extra effect apart from a small amount of reverb. <\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

In other words the STMBB sound on the record is as close to \u2018live\u2019 as it can be.The pictures on the CD cover were taken already in 1993 on \u00c5sbacka road, then meant for the band-poster. The idea behind the picture came from Hannu Linblom and Joni Still took the photos. The print on the CD itself comes from the first STMBB poster from 1968.The recording was financed by STMBB and a record company with administrative competence and good contacts to different distributor was chosen. And the future?
\u2013 well yes, new songs are on the rehearsal list 5\/2008\u2026Recording of the new album is ready,12\/2011, then comes mixing.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

December 2012 and we are still mixing !! We decided to give the mixing to a outsider, Hannu Leiden Seawolf studios . New deadline is autumn 2013. 23.9-2013 ITS DONE !! AND THE TRIP CONTINUES……<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

Autumn 2015 Keyboardplayer Sven Wann\u00e4s replaces Simo Vasanoja. In 2017 St.Marcus Bluesband celebrates ”50 years one the road” in concerts together with Jakob Big Band.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerts 2017 – 2019 were recorded and autumn 2019 was release date for CD \/ LP St.Marcus Bluesband feat. Jakob Big Band: Bluesrock meets Big Band<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

And the motto is:
<\/strong>Blues rules – Rock never dies and \u2026 this is only the beginning!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Written by StMBB\u2019s official storyteller
Sources: rumours, whispers and blurred memories<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Stmbb at Ritz 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Stmbb feat. Jbb at Ritz 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Press material > On YouTube-St.Marcus Bluesband feat. Jakob Big Band > mp3-demos Feedback > ST. MARCUS BLUESBAND \u2014 PAST TO PRESENT This is a story that reaches over 4 decades of a group called St Marcus Blues Band, born in a small town called Jakobstad\/Pietarsaari on the Finnish west coast. The first steps were taken […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":248,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-256","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dlf.fi\/stmbbnew\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/256","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dlf.fi\/stmbbnew\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dlf.fi\/stmbbnew\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dlf.fi\/stmbbnew\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dlf.fi\/stmbbnew\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=256"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/www.dlf.fi\/stmbbnew\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/256\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":786,"href":"https:\/\/www.dlf.fi\/stmbbnew\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/256\/revisions\/786"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dlf.fi\/stmbbnew\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/248"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dlf.fi\/stmbbnew\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=256"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}