Seppo Vesterinen R.I.P.
One afternoon in 2007, I sat down at a restaurant in Beverly Hills to meet with Seppo Vesterinen, manager for the band HIM. I’d written about HIM a handful of times, but this lunch meeting was, at his suggestion, an opportunity to get better acquainted. Bleeding Through, who I managed at the time, was about to support HIM on tour.
We’d exchanged emails and spoken a few times, but had yet to meet in person. HIM was at the height of their popularity in the United States, beloved by goth-leaning metal heads and Bam Margera, their “heartagram” logo tattooed on everyone from Jesse Smith (Zao) to Howard Jones (Killswitch Engage) to Bleeding Through’s keyboard player, Marta. Imagine my surprise when this elegant, classy, not very goth looking older gentleman approached the table I’d secured for us and introduced himself.
At the time, I had no idea that Seppo had won a prestigious award from the city of Helsinki just two years before. Or that he staged a production of friggin’ Hamlet and taught courses at the Helsinki Theater Academy. But I am not surprised at all.
I was enamored by him right away. Not only was he quick-witted, charming, forthcoming, and gentle, but it turned out he once managed one of my favorite bands, Hanoi Rocks, who my older brother showed me before I’d even turned 12. During that conversation, Seppo mentioned that HIM’s merchandise business accounted for roughly 5% of the total revenue for Hot Topic around that time. Incredible.
A couple of months later, when the tour arrived in Los Angeles, HIM chose the occasion to film what became their Digital Versatile Doom: Live at the Orpheum Theatre XXXVII A.S., a live double album and DVD, captured November 14 and 15, 2007. Despite the big production happening, Seppo couldn’t have seemed more relaxed.
As we chatted in the alleyway behind the Orpheum during load-in, I excitedly told him that I’d just learned that Tiger Army, who I also managed at the time, had sold out an upcoming two-night stand in Helsinki, Finland, at a 700 capacity club called Tavastia. I asked him if he knew of the venue. “Yes, of course,” he said, without a hint of ego.
“It’s where we have our rehearsals.”
I had not been in touch with Seppo for a few years, but I will always fondly remember his wisdom and kindness. In our often cutthroat industry, he was someone with enough smooth and easy confidence to never seem threatened by anyone else’s nonsense. He was keen to share a laugh, offer advice, and give a warm smile.
I was saddened to learn of his passing, after what was apparently a long illness.
Rest easy, Seppo.
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