So, here’s the thing. I love it when differently-abled people kick ass, take names and basically say, screw you if we make you uncomfortable because we are here and we are bringing it like a boss!

Which is to say, I think Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät (PKN) are pretty rad. This punk rock band won their national competition and will represent Finland for Eurovision 2015 in Vienna with their song Aina Mun Pitää (I Always Have To.)

Like many punk song, this is short, intense and high energy. Ends not with a mic drop but with a mic slam! Damn. That being said, as a song for this particular competition, it’s too short and too repetitive. I Always Have To is jarring and angry. In other words, it’s hardcore punk, not pop punk or something more commercial.

Hard rock certainly has its place at Eurovision. After all, Finland’s Lordi won in 2006, but Lordi’s song had a hook and was fun to sing along to. (“Hard. Rock. Hallelujah!”) Plus, Lordi had the theatrics the audience loves. PKN doesn’t have that going for them.

What PKN does have is rough-edged enthusiasm and honest grit. Is that enough to get them into the final performance? I don’t think so, but I hope so.

Best wishes PKN! You guys rock.

Find out more about Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät here.