The 100% Genki New Music Boys From Japan With Their Tour Hitting Our Country In May…
80kidz – You have played alongside the likes of Justice, Hot Chip, CSS and Boys Noise – what was the best show you have ever done and which artist has been the best to play with?
“Every artist was amazing! They inspired us a lot. To be honest, we haven’t felt that we had the best show ever. If we could have the one during this UK tour that would make us very happy. We are always expecting ‘this show’ will be the best one, so we are always excited on every show day.”
De De Mouse: An abstract, ambient music style, fashion conscious and you have a huge fan following in your home country. Which musicians are the people who inflenced you growing up and who today are inspirations?”
“Well I used to listen to Warp or Rephlex a lot. Only British Techno back then. More recently, I’m listening to 808 State’s first album.”
Riddim Saunter: TA-1. A great career to date, supporting The Go Team for instance, your shows are utterly frantic – and influenced by Ska, who then in particular did influence you musically from the Ska scene?
“Thanks! However, to be honest, we take a lot of influences from our friend’s bands in Japan, and the bands of our contemporaries that we look up to – rather than the Ska scene.”
Tucker: An incredible live performance you do. Hip hop, rock, turntablism, punk, pop plus generally having fun up there. Playing the organ and drums and also setting your synthesizer on fire at the end of show – what do your parents think of your shows?
My 60 year old mother told me she saw my DVD but she couldn’t understand my style. She sometimes asks me whether I do drugs or not (I don’t do any drugs) – one day when she pestered me with that question, I asked her “do you want to try some if I had?. She answered “Yes”. She said she wanted to try LSD the most, if possible.”
Riddim Saunter: TA-1. Tell us about the Fuji Rock Festival, over 100,000 people and some incredible live artists. You played there in 2008, what was that like, who did you get to see and why did the event move away from the footslopes of Mount Fuji where it began years ago?
“Fuji Rock is Japan’s number one Rock Festival! There is something authentic that the audience are attracted to and you can’t have the same kind of experience at any other festival. It was like a dream that we were able to perform, and it was unbelievably good. I saw The Death Set, The Go Team, CSS, GRANDMASTER FLASH, and many more…”
Riddim Saunter. TA-1 – who are the best Hip Hop stars of all time – you are known for your Hip Hop samples?
“Q-Tip man! He’s really amazing! From his time with A Tribe Called Quest onwards, I’m a huge fan. Everyone really respects him.”
Tucker: You rocked the Sonar Festival in Spain – what was that like?
“The good thing about the Sonar is that I had real fun, because the audience was so great and it was exciting to play in front of Spanish people for the first first time. The bad thing is that I started smoking again for the first time in six months as I had quite a few nerves before the show “
Tucker: Talk us through your new album ‘This is my Sh-t’ – what tracks are your favourites?
“Putting out everything with current music in 2009, Dance music and Electro music is our influence. This is the most pop styled record we’ve ever made. It was a big challenge to express pop music for us. We love ‘Frankie’ the most. It’s a very happy song. We hope everyone will sing along.”
De De Mouse: Visuals are obviously a big part of your show, Midori Kawano has worked with you…why do you think the visual side of a music set is so important?
“These past two years, I’ve been working with other visual artists, though myself and Midori are still really good friends. Mr Iwai of DASI Inc.(http://dasi.jp/) is a sleeve designer for ‘Sunset Girls’ & the ‘Senset Girls’ remixes. He also made a video clip for ‘East End Girl (‘Keeps Singing’) and it still is one of my favorites. VJ Diagram(http://www.diagramdesigns.com) who was born and raised in Melbourne and a resident in Tokyo now the VJ for my show. He only uses his original content in my VJ’s which contains mainly Japanese old symbols and one of my main theme of songs, ‘Stars’. He mixes them with abstract figures and backgrounds. It’s a shame I can’t bring him with me this time.”
What are you all expecting from your forthcoming UK tour – have you any of you played in the UK before?
80kidz: “It is our first UK tour, we’ve been longing to come over. We are so excited. Can’t wait to visit every town!”
De De Mouse: “This is my first visit to England, I’m looking forward to see our fans there.”
Riddim Saunter: ” As this tour is our first outside of Japan, we want to enjoy it to the max! I think it’d be great to make a bunch of new friends.”
Tucker: “It would be great if the audience and I have good time together. I’ve been to London before and played at Fabric in 2006 for a Scratch Perverts’ party.”
How is the Japanese scene at the moment?
80kidz: “Well if you mean if The Japanese music scene is doing well internationally, no. People outside of Japan are becoming more aware of what is happening in Japan though…”
What is the best club in Japan
80kidz: “Womb or Ageha”
Riddim Saunter: “TA-1: “The Organ Bar in Shibuya, and then Web in Mishuku (both in Tokyo). I check these two places every week! They’re fantastic clubs with a real ‘at home’ vibe.”
Tucker: “As a Japanese artist, the best thing is that we have many options for sources and Ideas. Since Tokyo is a melting pot of information, when it comes to music, my friend Saigan Terror’s party is always awesome. It’s held in the Dom Studio in Koenji. You can see many sensational Japanese bands. it’s different.”
Is there a drug scene in Japan
80kidz: “You will get busted!! Shhhh!”
Riddim Saunter: “I guess there is, but in my case, alcohol is enough, so it’s not neccesary for me”
Tucker: “I don’t do drugs. I don’t know.”
Who is the best DJ in Japan
80kidz: “80kidz.”
Riddim Saunter: TA-1: “Our friend, CUBISMO GRAFICO’s is top of the pile!” I also love NONCHELEEE” http://www.myspace.com/noncheleee
Which is the coolest record label in Japan
80kidz: “Kidz RecORDS.”
Riddim Saunter: “TA-1: Of course, (the band’s label) Niw! Records!!!”
Tucker: “I love NINGENDO” http://www.ningen-do.net
Which is the most beautiful place to visit in Japan.
80kidz: “Kyoto and Ise Jingu shrine. We recommend a traditional place. If you want go shopping, Omotesando, I would really recommend.”
Riddim Saunter: “TA-1: Let me see…there are a lot of nice places. But if I had to choose the one, probably Ura-Bandai! (the volcanic area north of Tokyo).”
Big tour coming up from the Japanese new superstars, the dates are…
Friday 15th May @ The Great Escape in Brighton – at various venues.
Saturday 16th May @ The Great Escape in Brighton at various venues.
Sunday 17th May @ Futuresonic in Manchester at the the Night & Day Café, Manchester.
Tuesday 19th May @ The Strummerville Yard Party, under the West Way, London.
Thursday 21st May @ The Stag & Dagger Festival, London, Queen of Hoxton / 1 Curtain Road, London. EC2.
Friday 22nd May @ Liverpool Sound City at Chameleon, Liverpool.
www.newmusicfromjapan.com