Stala

Sampsa Astala, (born January 23, 1974 in Vantaa, Finland) is the lead singer of the glam rock band Stala & So. and the former drummer for the Finnish metal band Lordi. His former stage name, that he used in his time in Lordi, Kita, comes from the Finnish word meaning "jaws", "gap", or "maw". His current stage name, Stala, comes from his own surname, Astala.

Kita joined Lordi in 2000 and with the band, went on to win the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest.^[1] In recognition, the city of Karkkila, where he spent his teenage years, named its youth facilities after him.^[2] He arranged and performed all backing vocals on the Lordi albums, but could not sing live due to his mask. Despite many critics wrongly accusing Lordi of being a satanic band, on the "Thank you to..." list on the Lordi albums, Kita thanks "Almighty God."

On September 30, 2010, it was announced that Stala & So. would be participating in the Finnish Eurovision Song Contest for 2011.

On October 4, 2010, there was an announcement from Lordi, saying that Kita no longer was a member. Further explanation told that his leaving was a joint decision between him and his bandmates, as Kita's increasing exposure as himself with Stala & So., rather than in costume as Kita, was "breaking the rules" of Lordi.

Stala & So.

Sampsa created his own band, SO, back in 1997. After the release of three albums and one EP, it was announced that he would participate in Eurovision 2011. On 23 November, the first promosingle of the new Stala & So. album was released, "Everything For Money". On 29 November, "Pamela", the song with which he would play in Eurovision stage was revealed through the YLE channel. On 28 January, they passed the semi final and they got "the card" for the final in 12 February. On February 16, their debut album, "It Is So.", was released.

Lordi character background

Kita is a manbeast from an ancient alien race. Originally a brutal battle beast from the Mu Arae star system used in combat, he was sent to Earth for an unknown purpose.

The time-traveling Mr. Lordi found Kita in the mountains of Himalaya, enslaved by a snake demon. After Mr. Lordi defeated the demon, Kita allied with him.

It is not known if Kita is actually the name of the whole race or the individual. It is rumored that Earth's Yeti stories originate from sightings of members from Kita's race sent to Earth, which may link them to the Mi-Go of the Cthulhu Mythos.^[3]

Discography

Stala & So.

Singles:

• 3+1 (2000)
• Burn the Rocks (2001)
• Shout (2008)
• Everything for Money (2010)

Albums:

• It Is So. (2011)
• Gimme Five (2012)
• Play Another Round (2013)

Lordi

Kita's sign

• Get Heavy (2002)
• The Monsterican Dream (2004)
• The Arockalypse (2006)
• Deadache (2008)
• Babez For Breakfast (2010)

Other releases

• Apulanta: Hiekka (2002) (backing vocals)
• Järjestyshäiriö: Levoton (EP) (2004) (producer, recorder, backing vocals)
• Hanna Pakarinen: Lovers (2007) (backing vocals)
• Pete Parkkonen : First Album (2009) (song writing)
• Naked Idol: Boys Of Summer (2013) (drums)
• Naked Idol: Shattered (2013) (drums)
• Naked Idol: Filthy Fairies EP (2013) (drums on Shattered & Filthy Fairies)

References

1. ↑ Ahlroth, Jussi (2006). Mie oon Lordi. Juva: Johnny Kniga. ISBN 951-0-32584-8. 
2. ↑ "Karkkilan kaupunki juhlisti euroviisuvoittajaa - Nuorisotilasta Kita". City of Karkkila. 2006-06-22. Archived from the original on 2007-05-05. Retrieved 2007-05-08. 
3. ↑ "Lordi - The official website". Lordi. Retrieved 2007-07-22. 

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Elena Paparizou with "My Number One"	Winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 (as par of Lordi)	Succeeded by Marija Šerifović with "Molitva"
Preceded by Geir Rönning with "Why?"	Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 (as par of Lordi)	Succeeded by Hanna Pakarinen with "Leave Me Alone"