THE DUDESONS live the lifestyle that every boy dreams about. Member JUKKA talks to LINDSEY CUTHBERTSON about the stinging sensation of Tabasco sauce, amputated thumbs and why he’ll never have children.

Ahh, The Dudesons. Finland’s princes of pranks. Words cannot describe the elation I feel when I finally hear Jukka Hilden’s voice on the other end of the line utter, “rock’n’roll” to begin our conversation. Jukka is polite, open and constantly in high spirits.

Made up of four members – Jarno, the one-thumbed Jarrpi, HP and Jukka – The Dudesons are about to release their second series of their English-speaking television show in Australia on DVD.

“It’s been ten years today since Jarrpi lost his thumb, so we’re going to throw a big-ass party!” exclaims Jukka as to what is on the agenda for The Dudesons today. “It’s kept in a safe deposit box in the bank and I’m on my way to get it so I can give it back to him.”

Yes, you read that correctly. A thumb kept in a deposit box. As one becomes more familiar with The Dudesons they will see that this isn’t really anything out of the ordinary. From hiding in an outhouse to spray Jarrpi’s private parts with Tabasco sauce (“my favourite prank!” laughs Jukka) to spraying neighbours with a sewage cannon, nothing is off limits to The Dudesons. The endearing fact about this group of Scandinavian daredevils is that they are so sincere and funny about what they do that one cannot help but feel an affinity with their way of living.

“I think we are insane, but I think people should relax a bit more. Live hard; live your dream. We are,” says Jukka when our conversation turns to their lifestyle. He goes on to say that Finland’s weather is a contributing factor to their behaviour. In summer the country is bombarded with unbelievably long periods of sunlight, while in winter they are shrouded in darkness. Living this way would certainly put a person in the frame of mind to have fun at whatever cost.

In Finland, the longest day of the year is in their midsummer day, on June 19. According to Jukka, “the whole of Finland goes crazy.” He and Jarrpi were even able get in on the action.

“Jarrpi and I hosted a midsummer concert with Jay Z on the bill and we did the whole thing naked!”

When asked if he would be an overprotective parent after living the way he does, Jukka laughs heartily. “I don’t know man; I think I ruined my chances of having kids when I stuck my testicles in a mousetrap. It’s been ages, but they still hurt.”

What is surprising about The Dudesons is the fact that even though they have been playing with fire and getting burnt for over ten years, they’ve never shied away. With a third season of their television show underway as I write, there is no end in sight for their antics.

“I don’t know how long we’ll do this for”, Jukka ponders, “Hopefully a long time. We’ve had so much fun filming. I hope we’ll be doing The Dudesons until we’re dead!”

THE DUDESONS’ second season DVD is released July 21 through Stomp. Go get it and increase the price of your health insurance.

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