History

Overture
The origins of SHAM can be traced back to the summer of 2003 in the Lappeenranta harbour area where Esa Karhula, Kari Keskisaari, Risto Multaharju and Arto Ritala were watching the local band Farout perform. In 1978 Farout had won the progressive category in the annual Finnish rock competition. Around the same time other local artists, such as Jimi Sumen, Sukellusvene and Jam Rock Band, were enjoying success of their own. Inspired by the Farout gig and frustrated by years of disappointing musical projects, the quartet wanted to play in a band in which only the music mattered.

Intro
The quartet were still looking to recruit a guitarist and a second keyboardist. They ended up finding the right musicians from that same harbour area, and Tarmo Hämäläinen and Harri Viisainen were familiar faces from previous band projects. The band was formed but had no name at this stage. The group was searching for its musical identity by playing songs by J.J Cale, Lee Ritenour, Steely Dan and Toto.

Allegro assai
When Esa Karhula left the band in 2005, Reijo Kurvinen briefly took over the drumming duties. Then Petri Parkko got hooked and he provided the beat until 2006. Prior to this another familiar name from several local bands, Asko Kavala, had joined the band as the second guitarist. 2006 turned out to be a milestone for the band in many respects. On March 4th, they played their first live concert in Ravintola Rillikka. The band obviously needed a name for this gig, and it was to be SHAM. During this same year vocalist Arto Ritala left and Anssi Keskisaari joined as the new drummer. Towards the end of 2006, Risto Multaharju left the country for a 12-month work trip in North America. SHAM was practically in hibernation, the remaining band members concentrated mostly on fine-tuning their band practice space and waiting for more favourable times.

Da capo al fine
When their bass player returned home in the autumn of 2007, SHAM became active again and in January 2008 Pekka Melanen joined as the new vocalist. In the spring the band performed in the Räminää & Pauketta festival as SHAM Ensemble, with Esa Niiva on saxophone and Sami Heinilä on trumpet. With the addition of Timo Jaakkola on trombone, as well as Tiina Keskisaari and Hanna Tapiolinna on backing vocals, the lineup now has twelve members. Since it was never about fame or fortune, SHAM stick to their original motto: Only the music matters!

Grande Finale
And the band plays on...

Musicians

Kari Keskisaari

Instrument: Keyboards, orchestra conductor.

When: Original member since August 2003.

Favorite music: Good music! Though I should not say that even for fun, 'cause it only depicts my musical world and it's limitations. What is good music then? I can't even define it. Mostly I'm attracted by music that evokes thoughts and gives me emotional feelings. Main criterias for me in the music are: memories related to it, it's tastefullness, it's brilliance and it's own 'sound'. For me the real art of audio means silence and bird singing.

Risto Multaharju

Instrument: Bass.

When: Original member since August 2003.

Favorite music: My record collection includes recordings from Heavy to Humppa (almost), but mostly my heart beats to black music of '70's and '80's.

Equipment: I have two 4-strings as audio source; Hand Made by Vesa Auvinen and Fender Jazz Bass 50th Anniversary model. My speaker is HARTKE 410 Hydrive driven by AMPEG SVT 4 PRO.

Harri Viisainen

Instrument: Black and white keys on a horizontal plane

When: Original member since August 2003

Favorite music: Hard and progressive rock like Dream Theater, Rush, Savatage etc. Mainly I like to listen all kinds of music except humppa and schlager

Asko Kavala

Instrument: Electric guitar.

When: In summer 2005

Favorite music: Depends how I feel at the moment, but all music that is made well and with the right attitude goes. From root blues to classic.

Anssi Keskisaari

Instrument: I play drums and at the same time I try to be a percussionist with my left hand.

When: I was asked to join to SHAM orchestra in 2006.

Favorite music: I like to listen all kinds of music. I'm mostly influenced by Dave Weckl and Neil Peart.

Equipment: Tama Starclassic Maple, Sabian HHX Evolution.

Pekka Melanen

Instrument: I'll sing the best possible way to support music that SHAM performs.

When: February 2008.

Favorite music: Since my youth I've been omnivorous of well performed music, be it then ethnical, classical etc. Music lives in a moment i.e. what works in one situation won't necessarily work in other situation.

Previous members

2003 - 2005 Esa Karhula (dr)

2005 - 2006 Petri Parkko (dr)

2003 - 2006 Arto Ritala (voc)

2003 - 2011 Tarmo Hämäläinen (gtr)