[2] The original band members were Lauri Ylönen (founder, frontman, lead singer-songwriter), Eero Heinonen (bass), Pauli Rantasalmi (guitar) and Jarno Lahti (drums).

While still in high school, Lauri Ylönen, Eero Heinonen, Pauli Rantasalmi and Jarno Lahti formed the band "Rasmus" while they were in eighth grade.

In December 1995 they released their debut EP 1st, including the songs "Funky Jam", "Myself", "Frog" and "Rakkauslaulu".

The EP was originally released independently through Teja G. Records but was re-released through Warner Music Finland after they signed with them early in 1996.

The band also wrote the song "Don't Shut the Door" which would stay unused until it was re-written in 2009 as "October & April" for their compilation album Best of 2001–2009.

Lauri and Pauli decided to quit school to focus fully on Rasmus and on 29 August they released their second album Playboys.

The album was released on 2 November and marks a change in their musical style from funk to more solid rock.

Janne Heiskanen left the band after playing his last gig supporting Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Together with Killer and Kwan they formed the Dynasty association a small, independent record label for recruiting new Finnish artists.

In late 1999 The Cardigans' manager Petri H. Lundén recommended the band to Lars Tengroth, director of new Swedish independent label Playground Music.

Having released three albums in Finland and achieved modest success they were looking to develop their career outside of the country and Playground agreed to help them do this.

In late 2000 the band began working with producers Martin Hansen & Micke Nord in Sweden for their next album, ending up leaving their former funk sound completely behind and changing the style into straight forward pop rock.

Once signed to Playground the band spent time developing their act to meet the demands of establishing themselves internationally.

Dead Letters sold 2 million copies worldwide and signified the band's major breakthrough, receiving 8 Gold and 6 platinum music certification awards.

Bassist Eero Heinonen released his solo album Making Waves with his side project Hay & Stone on 20 September 2006.

[9] It immediately replaced Metallica's Death Magnetic at the top of the Finnish Album Charts and went Gold after one week.

[10] The album was originally planned to be released in March that year, but was delayed due to new songs the band still wanted to record, including the lead single, "Livin' in a World Without You".

[14] The album was re-issued as The Rasmus tour edition in autumn 2012, and featured the addition of the single "Mysteria".

On 17 August 2018, it was announced via the official Facebook page that a new single will be released titled 'Holy Grail' on 14 September.

On 10 October 2019, whilst playing the Dead Letters Anniversary Tour at Rock City in Nottingham, Ylönen announced that the band had been working on new music for a possible future release.

[18] The band stated in an interview that their decision to participate was due to the COVID-19 pandemic cancelling all of their tours and performances, try something new, and allow the group to bond even more.

The band would eventually go on to win the Finnish national selection competition, thus earning the right to represent Finland in the contest in Turin, Italy, where they placed 21st with 38 points.

Niklas Fronda and Fredrik Löfberg of Baranga Film have directed three of the band's videos, all from the Dead Letters album.