Interviews: Anyverse

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Alternative Rock/Grunge band Anyverse from Finland. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name? Did you plan it, or did it just come out like that?

We tried a bunch of different names at first. After a while, we noticed that pretty much all the great ones were already taken. One day, our original drummer came up with ANYVERSE and drew a logo by hand. That was it. Anyverse... Almost like the universe, but any of them? Or any verse you can sing along...

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We have always loved rock music. The singer (Jimi Halminen) grew up listening to classic rock, like bassist (Sami Alatalo) did as well. The drummer Rami says he does not have the skills for anything else, so he chose to play! We are having a little hard time categorizing our band's "genre" since we feel like all the music is good if it sounds good. We have quite a dynamic range of all kinds of songs in our repertoire.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Anyverse started as a studio project. Jimi (vox & guitars) and the original drummer formed this band on the remains of our former band called "Fat Widow", which had its funeral in 2016. After recording some demos and releasing some songs online, we decided to do a few live shows. Sami Alatalo (bass) was a friend and musician we knew from some events we had played together in, so we asked him to join us and try the material live. Since our original drummer (Tuomas Hautaniemi) had to move away, we asked if Rami could join us to rock with us. Jimi and Rami (drums) worked in the same place for a while.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Jimi Halminen (vox, gtr): Too hard and unfair to say just one. Nirvana, The Beatles, Muse, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Soundgarden, KISS, Aerosmith... 

Sami Alatalo (bass): Cannot name just one. All the great Punk & Grunge ever made 

Rami Tammela(drums): Avenged Sevenfold

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

The music itself is rewarding in itself. I write songs mainly based on the melody. Sometimes the hook or the line of notes leads me to the lyrics. Every song varies a lot. We are a three-piece, so I try to keep things as simple and raw as possible. Sometimes less is more, which helps the lyrics a lot. We are focused more on the feeling than taking all the ingredients too literally or seriously. I like to write songs about how life feels. I'm not interested in explaining most of our lyrics... A great song is basically like a good joke that never needs explaining.

6. Where was your last gig?

Tare Rock 2025 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553924648559

7. Where would you like to act?

We'd like to act in places where we get our music to the people who are interested in this kind of rock music. At first, we are going to conquer Finland, then the rest of the world.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

We are prepared to play with anyone who shares the attitude and the same kind of musical climate with us. Anyverse is a band that goes well with smaller and bigger acts. To name some bigger ones, we'd like to share a stage with Foo Fighters, Avenged Sevenfold, and Pearl Jam (if they ever find a new drummer to replace Mr Cameron). We've got some great acts in Finland as well, and we are open to anything that helps our collaborators and us.

9. Whom not?

There might be some audiences our music would not get through so easily... Maybe some modern pop, trance, or other electronic music audiences are not our cup of tea (or coffee). But who knows?

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Jimi: Always. When playing my own material, I feel the most fragile. I've learned to gain some advantage from it and turn it into energy. Just start the show, take the audience. No one is there to listen to your mistakes! They came to enjoy a rock show and have a great time. Sami: Always a little nervous before the show when playing one's own material. Tip: Don't get wasted before the show. It helps the shakes, but you're going to mess the whole show up for the others. Take it as it comes and learn! Rami: Get out there and just do it. The fright doesn't go away, but the more you do it, the easier it gets to handle.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Jimi: Apulanta, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Faith No More, Linkin Park, 

Sami: Apulanta

Rami: As a drummer, most of my inspiration comes from bands like Judas Priest, Lordi, and Stam1na, so fairly simple when it comes to flow and structure. Four bars of beat, and a fill to transition to the next part, type of deal.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

One guy wanted to have a lady-fit t-shirt after the show just for him so he could look fancier. He didn't. After another gig, we sold some of our self-made demo collections on CD (included 10 songs, maybe). One guy wanted to pay us 50€ for it just to pay us more than the previous buyer. That was hilarious.

13. What do you think of your fans?

We have an awesome, friendly fanbase. Anyverse welcomes all the new fans with humour and warmth. We have played in various locations, even for elderly people in the summer heat. They loved us, and we loved them even more! They were Finnish and seemingly very old people rocking their socks off during the gig. They even sang along (we have no idea how they knew the lyrics)! We'd like some more fans, though.

14. What do you think of our site?

Awesome indie groove and dynamic range of bands! Keep on rocking.

15. Something to add?

Jimi Halminen, Anyverse: We appreciate your interest highly. Thanks a lot! Have a great summer, BREATHING THE CORE

Support independent metal journalism — Visit the official BTC store