Laika & The Cosmonauts were a Finnish rock band. They had the same lineup from the time they formed in 1987 until they stopped recording in 2008. The band was named after the Russian cosmonaut/dog Laika. Their sound is usually described as surf rock, but a Boston Globe review noted that the band's sound is "far beyond the limitations of any specific genre." They relied heavily on the Finnish rautalanka (electric guitar) tradition. The band toured the United States and Europe several times and although relatively unknown in the United States, their music was admired by many musicians, including Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench (of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), Mike Palm of Agent Orange (band), and Surf Rock legend Dick Dale. Al Jourgensen of Ministry called them "the best f**king band in the world."
Links To Peel
Peel seemed to have discovered the band in the 90's and would often play their music on his shows.
Shows Played
- 13 May 1995: The Avengers (album - The Amazing Colossal Band) Amigo
- 27 May 1995: 'Floating (CD-The Amazing Colossal Band)' (Amigo)
- 03 June 1995 (BFBS): 'Floating (CD-The Amazing Colossal Band)' (Amigo)
- 01 July 1995 (BFBS): 'The Ipcress File (CD-The Amazing Colossal band)' (Amigo)
- 1997
- Surf's Up!: A Night In Tunisia
- 10 June 1997: Turquoise (CD - In Absurdistan) Yep Roc
- 26 June 1997 (BFBS): 'Look! No Head! (CD-Absurdistan)' (Evidence)
- 03 July 1997 (BFBS): 'Boris The Conductor (CD-Absurdistan)' (Evidence)
- 17 July 1997 (BFBS): 'Lands End (CD-Absurdistan)' (Evidence)
- 1998
- 09 July 1998: unknown (LP: Instruments Of Terror) Amigo
- 23 July 1998: Piedras Negras (CD - Instruments Of Terror) Upstart
- 2004
- 08 April 2004: 'NY '79 (LP - Fortune Cookie)' (Yep Roc)
- 09 April 2004 (BBC World Service): 'NY '79 (LP - Fortune Cookie)' (Yep Roc)
