Mika Karppinen

Gas Lipstick
Background information
Birth name	Mika Kristian Karppinen
Born	8 February 1971 (1971-02-08) (age 40)
Origin	Eskilstuna, Sweden
Genres	Alternative rock (with HIM) Deathgrind (with To Separate the Flesh from the Bones)
Occupations	Drummer
Instruments	Drums, vocals, guitar
Years active	1990-present
Associated acts	HIM To Separate the Flesh from the Bones
Website	Official website

Mika Kristian Karppinen, better known as Gas Lipstick (born on 8 February 1971), is currently the drummer for the rock band HIM. He is also the drummer of Finnish deathgrind band To Separate the Flesh from the Bones, punk band Ääritila and metal band Bendover. He also was a drum tech for Stratovarius at one point and was on the Stratovarius DVD for a couple of parts. Rare known fact is that Gas was session drummer for one tour of Finnish band named Tarot (known as project band of Marco Hietala - Nightwish). Gas's first more known band before he joined HIM was Kyyria, including two band members (keys and bass guitar) from well know Finnish band Amorphis and singer of Suburban Tribe. In March, 2011 game company SongHi released internet music game with Gas's drum loops.^[1]

Mika married his girlfriend Natali in Temppeliaukio church, Helsinki, on 30 August 2008. Mika became a father when his daughter was born on 16 January 2009.^[2]

Drum set

Gas is an endorser of Tama drums, Paiste cymbals, Aquarian drum heads and Vic Firth drum sticks. Furthermore, he is an open handed drummer, meaning he plays the hi-hat with his left hand and the snare with his right, opposite to many rock drummers.

Gas can be seen during some of the festival season with 3 bass drums with HIM spelled across or a Heartagram in the middle and Tama logos on the left and right bass drums. However, normally on their headlining tours he will only have one bass drum with a Heartagram on it.

Former bands

• Valvontakomissio (1990–1994) Vocals, Drums
• Dischange (1991) Drums
• Kyyria (1992–1998) Lyrics, Composition, Drums
• Dementia (1994–1995) Vocals, Lyrics, Guitar

References

1. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS849TpA4Ak
2. ^ http://www.iltasanomat.fi/viihde/uutinen.asp?id=1579294