Popeda - Topic

Popeda is a Finnish rock band hailing from Tampere and one of the staples of Manserock. It was founded in November 1977 by Pauli "Pate" Mustajärvi and Ilari "Ilpo" Ainiala, who were joined by Arwo Mikkonen, Matti Palmunen and Ari Puukka. Mustajärvi, the last original member, left the band in 2023. Following Mustajärvi's departure, the band consists of Costello Hautamäki, Alex Hautamäki, Lacu Lahtinen and Pate Kivinen.
Epe Helenius, who signed the band for Poko Rekords in 1977, called the band "Finnish Rolling Stones". Mustajärvi has cited The Who, Black Sabbath and Neil Young as the band's musical inspirations. Musically their style is a combination of rock 'n' roll, with humorous lyrics by their vocalist Pate Mustajärvi, often concerning girls, cars and drinking.
The name of the band was the idea of Ainiala. Initially called "Punk Rock Pobeda", the name was quickly shortened and stylized to Popeda.
In 2014, the band received the Suomi-palkinto cultural award of the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture.