Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät

Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät, a Finnish punk band formed in 2009, consisted of members with autism or Down syndrome. The group originated from a small shop run by Lyhty, an organization for adults with disabilities. Guitarist Pertti Kurikka and manager Kalle Pajamaa worked together for five years to form the band, which debuted in 2009. Their breakthrough came with their demo Kallioon!, featured in Pekka Karjalainen's film Vähän kunnioitusta. The documentary The Punk Syndrome (2012) further highlighted their story. In 2014, they performed a charity concert with Mr. Lordi of the Finnish rock band Lordi. Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät gained international recognition by winning the national final Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2015 and representing Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 in Vienna with "Aina mun pitää". The band disbanded in December 2016 following the retirement of guitarist Pertti Kurikka but reunited briefly in 2017 for a gig.