Mika Karppinen

Mika Karppinen

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 known Finnish band Amorphis and singer of Suburban Tribe. In March, 2011 game company SongHi released internet music game with Gas's drum loops.

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.