Next month Finnish rockers The Rasmus will officially be on their third decade as a band when their debut full-length — 1996’s Peep, which embodies a sound from which the band has largely moved on — turns thirty. But next week the quartet will kick off their first-ever headlining tour of North America, which includes a September 14th stop at our very own Union Transfer. The Rasmus have been touring their 2025 11th studio album (and third with legendary producer Desmond Child), Weirdo, since last summer, including a headlining trek through Europe and Asia, a North American jaunt supporting The HU, and a plethora of major festivals. During a recent chat, Lauri Ylönen — founder, frontman, and lead singer-songwriter of The Ramus — tells me that American fans can expect to hear a lot of Weirdo, but also a healthy dose of the last 25 years of the band’s catalogue.
Izzy Cihak: Your latest album, Weirdo, has been out for almost a year now. Have you had any favorite reactions to the music in that time?
Lauri Ylönen: In general we have gotten great responses for the slightly heavier sounds on this album. It has also affected the live shows, making them even more energetic and wild. Besides the singles, a song called “Bansky” has become many people’s favorite song.
Izzy: Do you have a favorite album track at this very moment, whether one that’s still most fun to play live or one that might hint at future sounds?
Lauri: My absolute favorite new song is “Break These Chains.” It has a strong Rasmus DNA but also is an updated version of us. To me, it hits the most when a song has contrast, like this one is emotional, beautiful but heavy. There’s a good balance. This song creates a tidal wave in the audience when we play it live.
Izzy: The album was produced by Desmond Child, who I know you’ve worked with before, and Marti Frederiksen, who are such an all-star team. How was that experience? I’m guessing you and Desmond have developed a sort of working relationship or process over the years, and I imagine having Marti joining the fold would bring a whole new level to it.
Lauri: It has been an honor to work with legends like Desmond and Marti. Desmond reached out to me the first time in 2006 after hearing “In the Shadows” on radio. Ever since then, we have been friends and song writing buddies on and off. Having a guy of this calibre to work with has taught me so much. Not only about writing but also life. He’s my mentor.
Izzy: I know that you’ve lived in America for a fair amount of your life, but your upcoming US tour is The Rasmus’ first-ever headline tour of the States. Are there any cities you’re especially excited to visit with this headlining show?
Lauri: Yes, it’s crazy, I just moved back to Finland after living in the US for twelve years and now we are starting to play there more frequently. In the US, we are almost considered a new band for many people at least. It’s a great feeling to be starting something “from scratch” somewhere that happens to be the biggest music market in the world. I’m so excited for this challenge! I’ve always wanted to go to Seattle. This will be the first time there.
Izzy: What can be expected of the live show on these dates, in terms of setlist and production? Can we still expect a lot of Weirdo?
Lauri: These shows will be very intimate and hot. We are able to be so close to the audience. This is kind of a rare thing, and it definitely will make it special for us too. We will play a good “cut through” of our whole career but also have focus on the latest album.
Izzy: This is related, but how do you go about choosing setlists for any given tour at this point, when you have such a massive catalogue of music?
Lauri: We usually make the setlist just a few days before each tour based on where it’s happening. In the US for example, many people have never seen us live before and definitely wanna hear songs from the past too. I like to have a setlist that pleases the audience. When they are happy and excited I can feast on their energy like a vampire!
Izzy: You’re going to be on the road with Saint Agnes and Death Valley Dreams, who are also super cool. What are your thoughts on your tourmates? Are you excited to spend some time on the road with them?
Lauri: Both of them are great bands we like. I enjoy touring and sharing the stage with other artists. Spending a month with talented and inspiring people always creates new ideas. I always write new music on tour.
Izzy: Your music has always blended a lot of different sounds, so I’m curious if there’s anything you’ve been listening to a lot of recently, whether you consider it to be having any direct influence on your own music or not?
Lauri: Recently I’ve enjoyed quite heavy music like Paleface Swiss or Electric Callboy, but you can also find the soundtrack of Japanese anime Totoro on my playlist. My music taste is crazy wide.
Izzy: This September your debut album turns 30. This is a really massive question, but what are three of the biggest or “craziest” things that you’ve experienced in the first three decades of The Rasmus? Has there been anything so cool that you still kind of can’t believe it?
Lauri: For me some of the highlights have been opening for Metallica on their South African tour, drinking snake blood in Taiwan, and achieving a platinum cassette from India!
Izzy: You have an absolute ton of dates currently scheduled, with a Latin America tour following the North American tour, and then European dates starting early next year, but you have a few months “off” in between. How are you hoping and planning to spend that time, whether relating to music or just rest and relaxation?
Lauri: Hell no! We’ll make a new album in between those tour dates!
*Get your tickets here.
