Leningrad Cowboys Go 'Austmany'

On November 23rd, the Cowboys, who are from Finland and not from Russia as might be expected from their name, opened the first 'cask' of the 'classy juice', 'distilled' at their 'ranch' in Helsinki. The opening party of the Buena Vodka release tour took place at the Arena, the former slaughter house of Vienna, which has been used as an event location the last few years.

A Bit of History

Originally the Finnish music ensemble was a fictional band, created by stage director Aki Kaurismäki for his movie 'Leningrad Cowboys Go America' in 1989. As main players in this motion picture the members of 'Sleepy Sleepers', one of the most popular punk rock bands in 'The Land of the Thousand Lakes' were chosen. The guys got their new outfits: fancy stage costumes and galoshes with toecaps, reminder of the sickle of the Russian emblem, with a redefinition of shoe size XXXXL! Similar to the footwear are their hairdo, outdo every Elvis flip. The time of 'falling into deep sleep' and dreaming with Briar Rose was over, these boys w e r e the Leningrad Cowboys!

Back to the Present

Almost 1000 friends and fans gathered at the venue to celebrate the 'Rock 'n Roll Vodka Party' invited by surely the most bizarre Cowboy crew on this earth. Not likely that everyone at the audience arrived the way like the 'Northern Lights' from Helsinki preferred. One of their sayings: "Other bands travel by stretch limousines - we are driving tractors!" Another Cowboy quote: "Never drink alone, drink with us!" This must had got listened to, because all over the place, friends and strangers alike, were raising their plastic cups and beer cans to each other. "Cheers, let’s party together!"

Finally, a bit later than announced, the Finnish 'rock 'n roll buffet', the fan community feverishly had been waiting for, was opened. Shrouded by gaudy red lights and dry ice billows, the Leningrad Cowboys monopolized their platform. Among the 11 guys are Hanna and Anna, two dancing queens. Simply these beauties are an eye candy, perfect topping on the Cowboys wide ranging repertoire. Apart self-composed songs, as already mentioned above, they played cover version of popular rock and pop songs together with Russian traditional folk songs in their usual style, riddled with weird harmonies. Then, after the brilliant two hours show, it was time to say: "Good bye Vienna, and thank you very many!"