Q&A With Mige - Questions to Migé after the revelations in the "Synnin viemää" book

Random interview found in the past 2003 HIM's Website by myself, it's funny as hell!






Migé Q&A


An overwhelming number of fans sent their questions to Migé after the revelations in the "Synnin viemää" book. Many wanted to know how Migé really deals with his personal hygiene, but lets not go too much into that…

When did you realize that you wanted to be a musician?

When I was 14 and saw some bushes burning in the desert...just kiddin of course..i was a lazy dope-smoking fat bastard, so I didn´t have SO many options to choose from.

What made you play the bass?

I felt sorry for the bass,since no-one else wanted to play it.This is actually true,bass is a very underestimated instrument.

Can you play other instruments?

I think I´m pretty talented with some oriental flutes and pipes.

What was your first bass and what kinds of basses do you usually use?

My pops bought me a Cort bass...kind of Steinberger copy. I broke it on stage while playing with my high school band "The Motherfuckers". Didn´t make a good show, but it wasn´t much of a bass either. I played those fancy Gibson t-birds for a while, but they sounded like shit so I had to give up. Now I use Fender Precisions, they are so good! Even the Fender logo is cool!!

Why is your name Migé Amour? Who came up with that and why?

My name is NOT Mige Amour!! It´s….Sad Mizee!!I dunno where all those nicks come from..probably straight from hell. People usually call me Mige, and Burton calls me Säkki when he wants to hurt me.

What's your first musical memory? - Elina Auvinen

I was at Finlandia Hall with my daddy-o, and I was playing with a drum kit, with hi-hat to be specific. I was pumping it fast,and pretended that it was some kinda machine. Pretty traumatic but I got over it.

Do your instruments have a special sex? Did you give them names, and if so what are they? - Annekatrin, Germany

I try to keep sex and instruments separated. But my wild guess is that they´re usually males. Only one has a name: Väinämöinen[vaei-nae-moeinen]. Linde can draw only one thing, and I asked him to draw it on my dear bass..and unfortunately promised to name the instrument after the drawing.

What did you decorate your bass with? - Slava, Moscow

With many, many things before..I burned them a little bit (funny, but basses don´t catch fire as good as guitars!), put nice stickers on them, and painted them too. Nowadays, I like my pizzas and basses plain margaritas.

Do you have a certain person who plays the bass guitar you admire?

I have to say I still love Geezer Butler from black Sabbath the most. he left so few things for others to figure out about playing bass in a rock band.

What's your favorite song? - Julianna, Estonia

" Wind in the willows" from the cartoon "wind in the willows"

Which record do you put on, when you come home and just want to relax? And when you want to party? - Siri

I can´t remember last time I wanted to -literally- party..so lets say Neil Young´s "Old Man"..when I REALLY want to relax, I put Brian Eno´s "Thursday afternoon", and if I want things to go cosmic, "Apollo" from the same character

Can you name the worst album title in the history? - Mika

I can make one up for you………Mizee Amyyyr: "the white trasher" I can promise you this would be the worst album in history as well.

What music do you listen to these days, I mean is there any of these new bands you like?

Rock music got a bit lame after 1974, probably because I was born..but I do like Monster Magnet very much..latest from Papa Roach wasn't bad either, and I like few songs from Live a lot.

If you had never joined HIM, in which band would you like to be? - Sandra H, Portugal

Oh..the parallel reality questions..brain no compute, godda take a nap…lets say some bayo-cajun-cousin-marriage-combo, playing the banjo while chewing red man tobacco and laughing.

Have you ever written songs and if so, what do they sound like and are they ever going to be released? - Silke, Germany

I wrote a song once, with some slap´n pop bass riff. After I realized what I had done, I´ve been stickin to humming and whistling. I tried to hum couple of times for our BMG a&r Asko Kallonen and Wolfgang Funk from Gun Records, but I don´t think they understood I wanted them to release that stuff.

What's your ritual before a gig? - Rita, Portugal

Have to be boring and say the pee thing. We´ve tried out some arousing rituals like playing hide-and-seek but they don´t really work so well. When we were tired and stressed on last tour we simulated the Jolo hostage situation, and slept an hour or two before the gig. Call it a hunch, but I think it has to be done again in the future.

What have been your best moments during a gig and your worst moments? - Flo

My momma told me a few months back: "Mikko(she calls me still Mikko, thank God almighty), you´ve been travellin so much that soon you´ll have to sit down and sort it out in your head, my son, or you´ll go crackers!". And now that I try to figure out good and bad moments, its suddenly oh so hard. Gigs and all, it´s just a big mess in my head!! So I guess my options are to start obeying momma, or peel off my skin and make her a jacket!!

Is there a particular gig that you remember more than others? - -Rita Santos, Viseu-Portugal

Uh..I think I just answered that as well, dear Rita..(hihihi, my mommas name is Riitta, I´m starting to feel like being on a sofa, talking to a pro!!turbo cool!!!

What is your favorite HIM song and which one do you like to play most live and why?

I like all those dirty little lullabies. I think I´ll enjoy playing live the opening track from the new one, Buried Alive by Love(which I will call "Rescue" till the day I die)

What's your biggest mistake while playing a gig? - Ingrid, Estonia

A little secret to share: one never makes mistakes while performing to other people. You just come up with a whole new perception how to play a song. It´s pretty hard to adapt this way of seeing things, but it´s very useful. The less you fear these mistakes that aren´t really mistakes the better you can bring out THE thing you hear inside your head, without the disturbing sweat on your palms. Mind ya though about butterflies in the belly: It´s not about being ignorant or bored with playing. There´s a difference in being excited and being nervous.

What's the best about touring?

I like moving around, it´s pretty calming. Don't like hotels though, so I think I´ll sleep in my container in the bus from now on. And if we manage to play only venues made for music, that's great. You can make a nice atmosphere in a sports place as well, but it takes a hell of a lot of energy. I like the way clubs feel, smell and look.

Is there something you miss when you are touring outside of Finland, if so what is it? - Simone, Germany

I miss couple of people, röpöttely(hard to translate), Fenris the dog, and salmiakki.

What's your funniest memory traveling up and down Europe with HIM? - Kylee IT

I see I have to come up with something from the dusty memory banks…let´s say coming across my girlfriend down there. Happened on the 11th moment as we say here in Finland.

What bad habits do the other band members have? - Spider, England

We don´t like snitches in the bus, so I can´t answer. Would end up with concrete boots to the bottom of Rhine.

Do you remember the first ever HIM gig, can you tell us about it? - Kostas, Greece

First gig we ever played was in Club Teatro in Helsinki. My bro owned it and I was working there so we just went and supported a famous finnish singer/songwriter Kauko Röyhkä without asking permission. He didn´t mind that, but he DID mind the wires I had constructed for the PA-system. Didn´t work too well you see, and that´s what they call a Bummer in English-speaking countries. But that's between me and Kake, and I think he forgot about it by now.

Can you describe in one word each one of the other HIM members? - DarkLord, Romania

Burton did it so well I can just say "amen". Only one thing, when he said "deep" about me, he spelled it wrong. It´s "Depp", because I look a bit like Johnny Depp Oh, and of Burton I´d say "calm".

What is the song that you wish HIM would cover? - Elwira Oliwa, Canada

Oh I dunno about the covers..I liked playing "Mask" from Iggy and "Sail on" from Bad Brains the most, so maybe a fast track?!

How will you and the other guys celebrate Christmas? - Nina, Germany

we have this thing called "boxes"..like a medieval oven dish from vegetables. In them the spirit of Christmas comes to flesh.

What´s your opinion of Ville as a bass player? - Lovemetalqueen, Finland

hmmm…I think he kinda lost his touch. Too much into guitar lately, bad bad influence. He´s got a good timing, nice ideas but lame touch. He´s hell of a drummer though. In top10 of the whole universe.

What did you think about Ville when you saw him for the first time?

His enjoyed reaction ah, he was like 9 years old when I saw him. What can you think about 9 year old kids? apart from hurting them really bad, haw haw!!we started hangin around either when I borrowed some 80´s gore films from him, or when he had learned some serious slap bass..can´t remember. Anyway, I know it´s not the coolest way to start a friendship but we got into some more creative things eventually. Like sitting by the river smoking pot.

Ville said that you both are completely different. How does he mean it and in which way? - Susann, Germany

He meant what he said. We´re about as different as human beings get. He´s fast, I´m slow. He´s tense, I´m relaxed. I´m lazy, he´s resourceful. Might think this is bad, but notice: he likes to create, I like to interprete. He likes to stand in the front, I like to stand in the back. Or actually I´d rather sit down. I´m mambo, he´s jambo..who gives a toss?! At the end we´re all carved from the same sweet CACA. Details make a nice bar chat, but we should be above them at least when the semi-finals start on TV

If you had one wish free, what would you like to do? - Georgina, Germany

I would like to be mr.Finland 2003.

For a couple of years reality shows are having large audience. Would you like to take part in this kind of program? - Beata and Karolina, Poland

Why not?! Ozzy did it so it can´t be totally bad..but then again he snuffed some icky ants and drank his own pee…but I STILL think making The Osbournes was the most enigmatic thing he ever did. People start to idolize singer of Black Sabbath the most after he takes his fuckin dog to a shrink on TV…

Why are you always barefoot?

That´s a good question..while playing it makes sense, since the low frequencies tickle your toes nicely. Otherwise I dunno. I guess I just want to appear as a dumb-ass hippie from the summer of 69. It´s usually too hot or too cold for that hobby. But when the circumstances are right…yum yum!!look at me!!like I never heard of hepatitis C!!brave and silly Mizee!!!!!!

What's the best thing in being Finnish? - Mariana, Sofia

Tally ho, wave the flag!!I have to be anti-patriot and say salmiakki

How do you feel being referred to being stinky and not brushing your teeth by Ville in that book about you guys? - Bennett, USA

I feel deeply insulted and I´m hurting really bad inside. I think I´ll just wither away and die…and come back as a vicious evil spirit from beyond, and make that little boy pay the bill!!!!!!and by God, my breath shall smell like TOMB, and the reek of GRAVE shall spread from my genitals!!!!!

If HIM was invited to go to a gala and you had to wear a costume, what kind would you choose for yourself and the other guys? - Jade

hu hu hu...i´d go for Adam´s party dress, with just tiny tiny, silver-golden leaf(Dolce-Gabbana) protecting my precious places…whatta hell, same for the other studs(little secret: my leaf is tiny, but mr.Lipstick doesn´t need leaf AT ALL..got some video footage if he starts to deny!!

Why are you a member of the Helsinki Wanker's club "Runkinkilta"? -Sabine, Germany

When I joined in, it was still nice and cozy little congregation of men. Now they got all big and sleazy..they´re selling fucking MERCHANDIZE!!! It was nice to have a group of people to share your masturbation experiences and tips with, but I have no intention to go braggin around with it.

Do you believe in UFO? -Marinka, Moscow

I want to believe.

If one day you woke up and discovered that over the night you've mysteriously changed into a woman, what would your do? -Andromeda

I would go all for the science: would go and hit on Gas Lipsticka, to find out if he really can do all the stuff he claims….second thought, I think I´d just stay home and watch TV.

If you knew the exact time and day you were going to die, what would be the three last things you would do? -Dhani

Put up a bonfire, play some lute and chess, and hug my girl.

Which question would you like to be asked to you? -Simona

Why? Please don´t ask me to answer, because it´s such a stupid question.

When you die what inscription would you like on your gravestone? -Maria, UK

hmmm…here lies poor mizee?!?!I don't know!!!I thought that at least this question I can leave for others to decide!!!

Which ringtone you have on your mobile? -Zippy

Iggy Pop´s "Mask", or sometimes "Sweet home Alabama" from Lynyrd Skynyrd..i´m pretty hectic with the Nokia profiles…but always when Gas calls, it´s "Pervert Priest" from Mercy.

If you would be able to be a child for a day again, what would you do then? -Jenni Maxie, Germany

Oh what a terrifying thought! I guess I would spend it being pissed off that it lasts only for a day.

Would you rather go to a party abroad, or go to a party as a broad? -Tim

Well well well..my inglish bad..i can sense some funny twist in this question..thank God it´s 50-50…of course if I had to go to a party, I would go AS A broad, you silly!!!!

What's the deal with your penis? You keep mentioning in interviews that you're not happy with it and you'd like a different one. Since you're not shy about showing it off and it doesn't look like there's anything wrong with it, what are you unhappy about?? -David Zaslow, USA

OK..back on sofa...i think this urge to talk about my penis has something to do with my ego. From all the physical and mental flaws that I have, small penis has for some reason been the easiest to bear. So perhaps I choose to complain about my other flaws as well through this easy and humorous channel. If people would accept and embrace my wee pecker, then maybe they kinda except my other flaws as well. Like the third nipple I have on my back. I´m sorry, it´s really hard to get serious about this!!J..i´m just kidding dear people…and if you think I´M overdoing it, go and check these guys out: www.puppetryofthepenis.com 48.

What was the craziest thing you ever did? -Rita Serra, Portugal

That's the scary part! I´m beginning to think I never did anything too crazy!!

What is the very first thing from your childhood that you can remember? -Moa

Uhhh…please god don't let me say anything about dirty diapers now..maybe when I was in the wardrobe closet, turning lights on and off?

What is the weirdest birthday present you've ever got? -Linda

All the presents have been very nice and neat..but some cards my friend sami has given dance on the edge of sanity, so to say.

What do you do in your spare time? -Flo

Hang around, trying to figure it out.

Which is your favorite movie and why?

Out in the chicken house,because chicken get what they deserve.

Which is your favorite movie scene?

Chicken heads swinging in the wind from that film.

Which is your favorite soundtrack?

Indiana Jones: the temple of doom….i put it on when I go adventuring.

If you could play any character of any film ever made, who would it be? -Andromeda

I would like to be Sam, from Lord of the rings…he gets back home after all that shit in mordor.

Which is your favorite book and why? - Kirpich, Moscow

I just loved Name of the rose…fra William, now there´s a man for my taste!!!

If you could have been anything besides a musician what would you be? - Tammi Bordelon

A gardener.

Some months ago I happened to watch a video for a song from "SWEET DEVILS" (1996), the performer was Migé Paananen. What comments can you give? - Vixen

haw haw…and I thought I was the trend-setter..well, the name has always being a weak link in my character so no worries.

What do you admire the most in a woman? - Anda, Romania

The whole package…if you cut things to pieces, they die..so better not to know too well why you like something or someone.

What is the weirdest thing a fan had brought you to sign an autograph on it? - Bug, San Fransisco

Nothing too weird I guess, since I cant remember.

What places in Helsinki you can recommend to visit during the winter? - Sylvia, Poland

You might want to go to Kaivopuisto to ride some sleight.

What's your favorite place in the whole world? - Ihni

I guess everybody needs a home.

What have you done for a living except for the music? - Ihni

I´ve been collecting trolleys in a supermarket, working on building sites,on the road construction department, done some gardening in the department of parks and recreation..and been a telephone salesman for Kodin Kuvalehti, only job I ever walked out from on a lunch break..

If you could change one thing in you, what would it be and why? - Maiju, Finland

I would like to take things easier.

What was the best (non-HIM) concert you've ever been to? - Marianna

Rage Against Machine was great in Roskilde..Type o Negative in Tavastia, Helsinki, and of course Black Sabbath reunion gigs.

What are your addictions? - Elina Auvinen

I guess calories in general, and maybe chewing tobacco.

Did you imagine yourself doing something other than music? If yes, what? - Ligeia, Portugal, Marta Sofia Carvalho

Some nice outdoors work.

What inspires you to choose the wearstyle? - Himlove

I see something interesting, and start wearing similar..sometimes I get ideas of my own, and then Madonna, or Lenny Kravitz rip me off..it´s killing me.

What's your favorite item of clothing? - Maria R.Z, Denmark

I like horror movie t-shirts a lot.

If you would have to describe yourself, what would you say? - Kiya, Germany

Nice, fatty, sometimes bad but means well, smoothly rockin Scandinavian teddy-bear…jesus, how low can a punk get?

What is your life motto? - Julianna, Estonia

Try not to ask why, and take it the slow way.

Now to conclude, here is the Bernard Pivot questionnaire:

What's your favorite word?

lepo (rest).

What's the word you hate?

kireä (tight)

What's the sound you love?

Sound of the earth (preferably rural, but urban will do for now).

What's the noise you hate?

Someone sharpening a knife.

What turns you on?

Naughty stuff.

What turns you off?

Too naughty stuff.

What's your favorite curse word?

Vittu.

Who would be the woman or the man you'd choose to illustrate a new bank note?

I cant get rid of Burtons idea of Seppo, our manager..100 € bill of course..i could be on a fiver.

What's the job you wouldn't have liked to have?

Butcher.

What's the plant, the tree or the animal you would have liked to be reincarnated in?

Some big tree…maybe an oak on a good location.

Imagine God exists, what would you wish he would tell you after you died?

Now you can relax, my son.



Interview e credits by Sandra M.