Lauri Ylönen

Lauri Ylönen was born in Helsinki, Finland) is the frontman of the finnish alternative rock band, The Rasmus

Biography

Ylönen was born and grew up in Helsinki. He learned to play the piano when he was five years old, and later learned to play guitar and drums. When Ylönen was eight years old, he met Eero Heinonen (the bassist of The Rasmus) and they became close friends during the school year. Ylönen's older sister, Hanna, said that he should try to sing as well. He tried and decided to continue with that, and still remains the lead vocalist of The Rasmus.

When he and Heinonen started at Suutarila high school in the early 1990s, they met Pauli Rantasalmi and later Janne Heinisaken. Ylönen initiated the project of The Rasmus (then called just "Rasmus") in 1994, along with Eero Heinonen Pauli Rantasalmi , and Janne Heiskanen . First, they called themselves Trashmosh, then Antilla, and at last Rasmus. They played their very first show before the winter break in school, 1994. They played songs with a style of rock and funk. Ylönen became the lead singer,composer and songwriter of the band. He quit school because the band took too much of his time.

In 1998, after having released three albums, Janne Heiskanen left and Aki Hakala became The Rasmus' new drummer. In the same year, the band's former manager left their current record label.

Most recently, Ylönen announced a solo album scheduled for release in March 2011 with the first single Heavy being out in February. The material will have its premiere at Emma Gaala on February 26, 2011. Ylönen stated that he wanted several songs, that did not fit The Rasmus, to be released as a major record rather than a demo or something like that. The album will be self-produced with his record label. In February 2011 the title of the album was revealed, New world. It was later released on 30th March 2011 in Finland, with other European countries following. The first single was called Heavy, the video was shot by Owe Lingvall who had previously directed the singles Justify and October and April for The Rasmus. In May 2011 Lauri stated that In the City would be the second single from his debut album. The video was shot in Las Vegas. Throughout the summer Lauri toured the Finnish summer festivals and even a few European countries, his next stop is Germany in September and hopefully a European tour later on in the year. Heavy, the video was shot by Owe Lingvall who had previously directed the singles Justify  and October &  April  for The Rasmus. In May 2011 Lauri stated that In the City would be the second single from his debut album. The video was shot in Las Vegas. Throughout the summer Lauri toured the Finnish summer festivals and even a few year.European countries, his next stop is Germany in September and hopefully a European tour later on in the