Finland Band Steve ‘N’ Seagulls Melts Faces with Acoustic AC/DC Cover
Those who follow American roots music in-depth already know that Europe is thriving with interest in authentic expressions of American roots, including classic country and bluegrass. Many American independent artists and labels laud the European market as a bastion of support for projects that sometimes are virtually ignored in their country of origin, but blow up in the Old World. And more and more Europeans have been dropping the techno routine and taking up traditional acoustic instruments to become willing participants in the roots revival.
Such is the case for the Finland-based roots band Steve ‘N’ Seagulls. “We all knew each other and had been playing together before,” explains Pukki Kaalinen of the band, who says they morphed into their current incarnation in 2011. “We just switched to acoustic instruments and found a barn to practice in.”
Finding inspiration from the “agricultural environment,” when the band posted a fun video of an old-school acoustic version of Iron Maiden’s “The Trooper” on June 10th, the video went viral. It received nearly 2 million hits, and Steve ‘N’ Seagulls had found their niche not just in Finland, but in the roots world at large. Though it was clearly a gimmick, the instrumentation was so spot on, and the singing so clear, it was a great cross-continent collaboration of an English song, with American roots instrumentation, performed by Finnish natives.
After the success of “The Trooper,” they posted another cover of Dio’s “Holy Diver” that subsequently received nearly 1 million hits itself. Then they decided to cover “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC, and all hell broke loose. “We knew to expect some following on YouTube thanks to our previous videos, but this much attention came as a bit of a surprise,” says Pukki Kaalinen. At the time of posing, Steve ‘N’ Seagulls’ “Thunderstruck” cover has received over 5 million views and counting. People from all over the world have been reaching out to the band to book them for shows, and they have become an international roots music sensation.
“All of us had been listening to AC/DC since childhood, so ‘Thunderstruck’ was really an obvious choice,” Kaalinen says. “Besides, its fantastic lyrical nonsense is perfect for non-native English speakers.”
Beyond the gimmick of a bluegrass-like band covering AC/DC, what makes the video so compelling is how perfect the arrangement is, how flawless they pull it off, how their singing is perfect, and how well the entire thing sounds so good recorded with just one camera in a barn. Steve ‘N’ Seagulls tried the hardest of all acoustical acrobatic routines, and pulled it off.
With a band like this, the next question always becomes if can they rise above the gimmicks and offer something original, or something compelling from its depth. “We’re currently working on an album which is to be released probably during next winter,” Pukki Kaalinen says. But in the meantime, Steve ‘N’ Seagulls has people from all over the world banging heads and stomping feet to accordion and banjo.
August 25, 2014 @ 8:24 am
Hayseed Dixie is maybe the best bluegrass country ac/dc cover band
August 25, 2014 @ 8:47 am
Ha! Fun times indeed!
August 25, 2014 @ 10:27 am
A little late to the game on this one. This video was featured on Loudwire, Yahoo, Drudge, The Blaze & other outlets a month ago (hence, viral status).
It also isn’t that original. After Hayseed Dixie put out an entire AC/DC bluegrass album 10 years ago as the original rock-cover bluegrass band, everyone else is just an imitator. HD is still the greatest.
That said, I love that these Fins (and many folks across Europe, as mentioned) are more into Americana/country/hillbilly roots than half of America. That’s sad to say, but at least the culture lives on somewhere.
Homeboy pulling up on a mower in a dead fox hat cracks me up every time…
August 25, 2014 @ 10:58 am
I’m a little late to what? Practicing lazy journalism by blasting out a viral video with no information, insight, or asserted ideas on a corporate-backed network? If I gave a shit about being a part of the American pop-culture zeitgeist, I’d be posting Taylor Swift GIFs right now. Excuse me for wanting to take the time to actually tell the story behind the video, to delve into the deeper trends its viral nature speaks to, and to actually reach out to the band and talk to them about what this all means. Because of international borders, time zones, and language barriers, this took a little longer then maybe I would have wanted. And if it makes you feel any better, virtually nobody has given a shit about this post and have been avoiding it like the ugly girl at the dance. But that is not going to sway my desire to delve deeper into the stories of today (or last month) to attempt to stimulate discussion and thought in a world bereft of such things.
And this wasn’t a review. I don’t give a shit of other bands have done this before. A band from Finland hasn’t, and that is what makes it so intriguing. No, I’m not the first to post the video, but I’m the first to do more than just post a video, and even if nobody reads it, at least I have satisfied my own goals of trying to raise the quality of dialogue in American journalism.
August 25, 2014 @ 12:48 pm
Sorry Nashville Bumpkin, this was a little heavy handed. But you touched a sensitive nerve with me.
August 28, 2014 @ 9:04 am
Yes, I’d say a little heavy-handed. Did someone get their little bunghole hurt by a touch of criticism?
That’s the one thing I’ve learned about you on your site…you’re hyper sensitive to even the tiniest bit of criticism. As though your pure-hearted, altruistic intentions regarding country music place you above any sort of cross-examination, questioning or criticism.
Case-in-point: “And if it makes you feel any better, virtually nobody has given a shit about this post and have been avoiding it like the ugly girl at the dance…”
What a wonderful argument! And what a great way to silence the dissenter… shut them up with insults and attacks and assertions of JUST BECAUSE THE MAJORITY DOESN’T AGREE WITH THEM, they should be silenced. It’s the weakest kind of argument and also the mindset of every bully in the world.
And YES, as someone who purports to lead the way in promoting country music artists nobody’s heard of, timing has something to do with it. Seems to me you just picked up on what had already gone viral & been reported by tons of other outlets and passed it off as your own, hard-hitting, ahead-of-the-curve eye for what’s fresh.
And I find this highly entertaining: “at least I have satisfied my own goals of trying to raise the quality of dialogue in American journalism.”
That’s a hoot, bro! I didn’t realize you were a journalist. Funny, I never heard Cronkite, Murrow or Jennings say things such as: “..leave Kacey Musgraves the fuck alone!” and “…the song is an uprovocated ass raping of the ears” or ” I will personally take a pair of donkey balls and use them to tea bag each and every one of their bedroom pillows…” or my personal favorite, the direct, PERSONAL attack: “Jerrod Niemann isnāā¢t a country artist, heāā¢s an EDM sellout hack douchewad disguised as a country artist who deserves to be called out in the most adolescent and untactful way possible.”
THEN, when someone calls you out for attacking Jerrod, you turn right back around and say shit like “oh, well I’m sure he’s a great guy but…” I know him personally, and he is.
So figure it out, amigo. Don’t claim to be a motherfucking journalist when you’re nothing more than a venge-driven commentator. Switching hats whenever it suits you just confuses everything.
August 28, 2014 @ 9:13 am
I’m sorry if you’re confused.
“Jarrod Niemann’s a tool.” –Walter Cronkite
August 28, 2014 @ 2:38 pm
I stand corrected. You’re a journalist! š
August 28, 2014 @ 3:20 pm
Look, I totally understand that it is a strange position for me to be in where I report on news stories by strictly following the AP manual, then write a feature such as this, and then write a rant when is meant to be stupid and over-the-top. But that is just the way it is with this website.
I encourage and solicit dialogue and dissent here. I love it. It keeps me on my toes. But it also doesn’t mean I’m not going to offer a rebuttal if I believe I’m right. But even if I think someone’s wrong, I always respect their opinions, and am proud to offer a forum for them to do so.
August 25, 2014 @ 12:50 pm
And if it makes you feel any better, virtually nobody has given a shit about this post and have been avoiding it like the ugly girl at the dance.
Well, I think it’s cool that this was featured here, no matter if it’s behind or not. š I haven’t gotten the opportunity to see this video yet, but I did see their take on Iron Maiden’s “The Trooper” and it was badass. And I never would have guessed that video got two million hits! That’s pretty amazing.
August 26, 2014 @ 8:22 am
Hey Trigger, thanks for posting this video. I had not seen this one yet or heard of these guys and I’m sure a lot of your readers appreciated it. Seeing clips like this gives me a much better day versus hearing what Blake Shithead just diarrhetically spewed into the atmosphere. Granted it is important to expose what the enemy is doing so we can avoid him accordingly. Keep fighting the good fight.
October 22, 2014 @ 3:39 pm
Sorry, Nashville Bumpkin, but I’m with the author. I went to check out Hayseed Dixie, and while I couldn’t find a version of ‘Thunderstruck,’ I did find ‘You Shook Me All NIght Long.’ To compare these two bands is like comparing apples and oranges. Steve ‘N’ Seagulls does a rockin’ version so incredibly true to the original. Who’d have ever believed that you’d see electric, rock ‘n’ roll ACCORDION, bass, BANJO, SPOONS, snare drum, MANDOLIN, and ANVIL? Hayseed Dixie? Uh, not so much: it’s a slowed-down, countrified version bearing little resemblance to the original, and definitely doesn’t follow the style. I greatly enjoyed the background story; the video is now an anthem I start my day with; and this is my PREFERRED version of ‘Thunderstruck.’ These guys deserve every kudos they receive. I look forward to more surprises from this band!
August 25, 2014 @ 12:24 pm
Great retort.
August 25, 2014 @ 12:24 pm
Normally I associate flatpicking banjo with the Taylor Swifts of the world, but homeboy is playing those riffs at superspeed!
The accordion has its moments where it provides a nice full body to the sound.
August 26, 2014 @ 6:36 pm
You oughta check out Wait So Long by Trampled by Turtles. Their banjo player flatpicks, but he absolutely shreds.
August 27, 2014 @ 5:13 am
That is some impressive, amazingly fast picking. You’d have a hard time knowing that was flatpicking, although if you watch the video and listen closely you’ll notice that he rarely hits that 5th string which kind of defeats the purpose of the 5-string banjo. If you’re going to play it like a guitar anyway, you’re better off with a 6-string IMO.
August 25, 2014 @ 2:07 pm
Being raised in the mountains of east Tennessee, I can say I know a little about bluegrass and country music. I think these guys should be very proud of their musical tallent and should keep playing like this to allow people to remember the old hillbilly sound. So, thank you for your contribution to a dying art form. Those who really matter love you and eagerly await more..
August 26, 2014 @ 8:39 am
I wish they would change their attire, though.
August 25, 2014 @ 2:27 pm
I like the piece about Steve, and they (the band) obviously do too as they posted the link on their facebook page. That’s how I got here. I live in Ireland and love Bluegrass and pick a little also, so I’m always trawling youtube looking for new banjo links to see what’s up.
August 25, 2014 @ 3:07 pm
They are awesome, whether they were the first or not is irrelevant, I’d happily share a stage with these guys any day, pages like this are here to inform, and it has…!
August 25, 2014 @ 5:36 pm
I love this kind of cross genreing stuff. Especially when it’s done well.
I had seen “The Trooper” previously. I like that one better, but probably because I like the original song better.
But these guys have talent. Wish them well.
August 25, 2014 @ 8:39 pm
Ya’ll should check out the guy who performs this song on a bagpipe that shoots flames! More gimmivky, but still good bagpipe chops.
August 26, 2014 @ 4:34 am
>good bagpipe chops.
Makes one wonder how few times in the history of mankind THAT phrase has been uttered.
Almost as few as, ‘You really made that cat squall when you mashed it’–but with similar acoustical effect, I would expect.
August 26, 2014 @ 4:40 am
Hey–its a rock band that Jim Gaffigan can open for!!!
(They should hand out sunglasses upon entry to the show, due to the blinding paleness.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beyond_the_Pale_(Jim_Gaffigan_album)
August 26, 2014 @ 3:55 pm
Wow talk about genuine talent! These guys are awesome! Kudos!!
August 26, 2014 @ 5:30 pm
FINALLY …someone does Thunderstruck the right way ! Everybody knows it has always needed an anvil and a chest piano ….sheesh .
This version /video is an absolute gem . Tighter than my spandex pants on 70’s night at the Legion . Killer vocals , harmonies and playing executed with conviction not seen since some Aussie band tried to pull it off way back when Jesus was a cowboy . Once again , you’ve guided us to the light , Trigger .And its Finnish ! Whoda thunk it ?
August 27, 2014 @ 9:16 pm
As a huge AC/DC fan, I have to say that I was impressed with this. Who knew that mindless hard rock with nonsensical lyrics would translate so well into bluegrass?
August 31, 2014 @ 12:43 am
Apparently Steve ‘N’ Seagulls have also covered Guns N’ Roses’ “Paradise City” and Gary Moore’s “Over the Hills and Far Away” (which is NOT the same song as Led Zeppelin’s of the same name).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiz9BI9BztI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ5hF63611M
September 26, 2014 @ 1:56 pm
I ran across your band on facebook and have to say I am very impressed. We have many “indie” type bands here in the US/California of similarity, and your band would be one to make it very big and be popular here. Please let me know if you guys make a cd. Thanks!
September 28, 2014 @ 9:11 pm
as a AC/DC Fan of some 35 years or more, that is an Outstanding Cover version, am adding to my collection….
April 18, 2015 @ 1:16 am
I just found this video while researching acoustic AC-DC riffs On Youtube. I was so impressed by these guys, I watched every video they had posted. I really thought they were from Appalachia. I wanted to know more, so hit Google and found this site. To the comment about being late to the party..I read Drudge everyday and still missed this. I am very appreciative of the backstory. To find out these guys are Finnish, just absolutely blows me away. I hope they figure out a way to keep it going, serious chops here.
July 4, 2015 @ 5:43 am
When are you coming to the U.S.? North Carolina?
June 21, 2017 @ 9:12 pm
I LIVE AT THE FOOT OF CUMBERLAND MOUNTAIN IN SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE. SMALL TOWN. I AM 56 YRS. OLD. GREW UP LISTENING TO ALL TYPES OF MUSIC. I WATCHED THE THUNDERSTRUCK VIDEO. YOU COULD HAVE KNOCKED ME OVER WITH A FEATHER, WHEN I FOUND OUT THESE GUYS WERE NOT FROM AROUND HERE. LOVE ACCORDIAN DUDE. LOVE THAT THEY HONOR NATIVE AMERICAN’S!!!!!! SO I GUESS I WAS THUNDERSTRUCK!!!! THESE GUYS ARE GREAT. LOOK FORWARD TO HEARIN MORE FROM THEM.