Poko Rekords

Poko Rekords was a Finnish record label founded in 1977 by Epe Helenius. Operating from Tampere, the label became one of the most important domestic platforms for Finnish rock music, particularly during the period when punk, rockabilly, new wave and later heavier rock were developing distinct audiences in Finland. Its catalogue included numerous influential Finnish artists and bands, among them Eppu Normaali, Popeda, Hassisen Kone, Sielun Veljet, J. Karjalainen, Yö, Ismo Alanko, Petri Nygård, The 69 Eyes and Diablo. In its early years, Poko concentrated primarily on punk and rockabilly. This focus reflected the label's role as a local alternative to the larger international recording companies operating in Finland and gave emerging Finnish performers a route to release records in a rapidly changing popular-music environment. Over time, the label broadened its roster and musical scope, moving into mainstream Finnish rock as well as harder and heavier forms of rock. The combination of local artist development and a recognizable label identity made Poko an important part of the Finnish rock establishment. Helenius expanded the company's activities in the early 1980s by establishing Poko International. Through this associated operation, Poko gained the ability to distribute recordings by international artists in Finland. One notable example was the Finnish distribution of Metallica's first three records during the 1980s. Poko's wider label structure also included sub-brands such as Northern Swing, Gaga Goodies and Seal on Velvet, allowing the company to work across different musical styles and catalogue segments. Poko's scale was substantial by Finnish independent-label standards. At the time of its thirtieth anniversary in 2007, the company was reported to have released approximately 520 albums and 770 singles by around 300 artists. Its catalogue included about 90 gold-record albums and 43 platinum-record albums, with some releases achieving triple-platinum status. The label's most commercially successful release was Eppu Normaali's compilation Repullinen hittejä, known in English as A Bagful of Hits, which sold more than 250,000 copies. In 2001, Helenius sold Poko Rekords to EMI. Although it became part of the multinational company's ownership structure, Poko continued for several years as an independent operating unit, retaining an office in Tampere and maintaining its label identity. In spring 2009, Poko Rekords was merged into EMI Finland. At the same time, Helenius established Sound Of Finland, to which some of Poko's younger artists and much of its staff moved. Poko did not sign new artists after that transition and ceased operations as an active label. Since 2013, ownership of the Poko catalogue has been associated with Universal Music Finland, reflecting the later corporate restructuring of the Finnish recorded-music business.

Poko Rekords was established in Finland in 1977 by Epe Helenius. The label emerged during a period in which Finnish punk, rockabilly and rock musicians were building new local audiences and seeking recording outlets outside the established major-label system. Poko initially focused on punk and rockabilly, helping create a recorded platform for artists whose styles were closely connected with the independent and youth-oriented music scenes of the era. The label subsequently expanded beyond its original genres. Its roster came to include major Finnish rock acts such as Eppu Normaali, Popeda, Hassisen Kone, Sielun Veljet, Yö and J. Karjalainen, as well as artists associated with heavier rock and later metal-oriented music, including The 69 Eyes and Diablo. Ismo Alanko and Petri Nygård were also among the artists connected with the Poko catalogue. This broad roster gave the company a position spanning influential alternative music, commercially successful Finnish rock and newer generations of heavier music. In the early 1980s, Helenius founded Poko International to extend the company's business into international distribution. The operation distributed foreign recordings in Finland, including Metallica's first three records during the 1980s. Poko also developed associated imprints, including Northern Swing, Gaga Goodies and Seal on Velvet. These activities made the company more than a domestic artist label: it was also a channel through which international releases reached Finnish listeners. Poko's output grew considerably over the following decades. By its thirtieth anniversary in 2007, the company had released around 520 albums and 770 singles by approximately 300 artists. Around 90 albums had achieved gold status and 43 had achieved platinum status, with some attaining triple-platinum certification. The label's largest-selling release was Eppu Normaali's compilation Repullinen hittejä, which sold over 250,000 copies. A major structural change came in 2001, when Helenius sold Poko Rekords to EMI. The label was not immediately dissolved; instead, it retained an independent-unit structure and continued operating from Tampere within EMI's ownership. This arrangement preserved the Poko name and its local identity while placing the company inside a global music group. In spring 2009, Poko Rekords was merged with EMI Finland. The transition marked the end of Poko as an active standalone label. Helenius founded Sound Of Finland at the same time, and some of Poko's younger artists and a large part of its personnel transferred to the new company. No new artists were added to Poko Rekords after the merger. From 2013 onward, the label's catalogue was owned by Universal Music Finland. Poko therefore survives primarily as a catalogue and historical label identity, rather than as an operating record company.

• 2013

  Catalogue ownership moves to Universal Music Finland

  [1]Poko Rekordsen.wikipedia.org

  The Poko catalogue becomes owned by Universal Music Finland.

• 2009

  Merger into EMI Finland

  [1]Poko Rekordsen.wikipedia.org

  Poko Rekords is merged into EMI Finland; Sound Of Finland is created as a new company for some artists and staff.

• 2007

  Thirtieth-anniversary catalogue milestone

  [1]Poko Rekordsen.wikipedia.org

  By its thirtieth anniversary, Poko is reported to have issued about 520 albums and 770 singles by approximately 300 artists.

• 2001

  Sale to EMI

  [1]Poko Rekordsen.wikipedia.org

  Poko Rekords is sold to EMI but continues for a time as an independent operating unit.

• 1980

  Poko International expands distribution

  [1]Poko Rekordsen.wikipedia.org

  Helenius establishes Poko International in the early 1980s, enabling the company to distribute international recordings in Finland.

• 1977

  Poko Rekords is founded

  [1]Poko Rekordsen.wikipedia.org

  Epe Helenius establishes Poko Rekords in Finland, initially emphasizing punk and rockabilly.

A Finnish independent-minded record label centered on domestic rock, punk and related guitar music, with additional international distribution activity and a broad catalogue spanning emerging artists, established Finnish acts and heavier rock.

• Record-label catalogue · 1977

  Finnish punk and rockabilly releases

  Poko's early catalogue was built around Finnish punk and rockabilly. These releases established the label's independent identity and connected it with emerging local scenes. The early genre focus later broadened, but punk and rockabilly remained central to the label's historical reputation.

• Record-label catalogue · 1977

  Finnish rock catalogue

  The label's principal long-term offering was a wide catalogue of Finnish rock albums and singles. It included releases by commercially successful and culturally influential acts such as Eppu Normaali, Popeda, Hassisen Kone, Sielun Veljet, Yö and J. Karjalainen.

• Record-label catalogue

  Heavier rock and metal releases

  As Poko expanded its artist range, it released music in heavier rock and metal-adjacent styles. Artists associated with this part of the catalogue included The 69 Eyes and Diablo, reflecting the label's movement beyond its original punk and rockabilly base.

• Compilation album

  Repullinen hittejä

  Repullinen hittejä, translated as A Bagful of Hits, was an Eppu Normaali compilation and the most commercially successful release associated with Poko Rekords. It sold more than 250,000 copies according to the cited reference material.

• International music distribution · 1980

  Poko International distribution

  Poko International broadened the company's offering by distributing recordings by international artists in Finland. Its activities included distribution of Metallica's first three records during the 1980s.

• 2009

  Integration into EMI Finland and creation of Sound Of FinlandStrategy

  Background

  EMI's ownership had continued while Poko operated as an independent unit, but the company was subsequently reorganized within EMI Finland.

  Action taken

  Poko Rekords was merged with EMI Finland. Epe Helenius founded Sound Of Finland, and some younger Poko artists and much of the staff moved there.

  Aftermath

  Poko stopped adding new artists and ceased operating as an active standalone label.

  Source

• 2001

  Sale to EMIM&A

  Background

  Poko Rekords had developed into a major Finnish independent label with a substantial domestic catalogue and international distribution activities.

  Action taken

  Epe Helenius sold Poko Rekords to EMI, while the label continued temporarily as an independent unit.

  Aftermath

  Poko retained its Tampere office and identity until its later merger into EMI Finland in 2009.

  Source

1. 1Poko Rekordsen.wikipedia.org