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Interviews Archives
May to August, 2008
Archive Note: No interviews in August
Screeching guitar. Screaming vocals. Manic jumps in leather pants while wearing sun glasses.
Yes that can only mean one thing - its time to say hello to Seiji, the lead singer of Guitar
Wolf. The band formed in 1987 with a style they describe as "Jett Rock 'n' Roll" in honor of
the great Joan Jett herself. Their music is a combination of punk and rock and unconstrained
energy.
On June 26, 2008 Seiji was kind enough to give a hysterically funny interview to J-Pop World.
Seiji Interview.
- Posted July 5, 2008.
While basketball may not exactly be the sport that comes to mind when thinking of Japan, it has a special meaning
to the five-man rock group "Sooners." Years of playing together formed a bond that would take them from shooting
hoops to a life dedicated to music.
Their early songs were inspired by groups like Jellyfish and The Merrymakers
(who coined their name) and has since developed into a more mature rock sound, featuring the duel lead vocals of
Keiichi Suzuki (Kei) and Naoyuki Shimura (Nao), guitarist Tsutomu Inomata (Matio), Mitsumasa Kuroda (Mitch) on bass
and Takeshi Suzuki (Gaja-G) on drums.
On June 22, 2008 the members of Sooners were kind enough to give an interview to
J-Pop World. Sooners Interview.
- Posted June 30, 2008.
Once upon a time two talented Japanese women named Yasuyo and Tsubasa both moved to New York
to pursue separate careers in music. In 2005 they met and formed the group Love etc. With
the addition of bass player Danny Zanker and drummer Yutaka the group has recorded two albums,
creating a musical style that combines Japanese Pop with touches of Classic music and
soulful Jazz.
On June 14, 2008 Yasuyo and Tsubasa were kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World.
Love etc Interview.
- Posted June 23, 2008.
Fresh from their tour of the UK and about to launch their forth album "Sick Orange
Television" its time to say hello to the Tokyo-based punk-rock group BO-PEEP. Composed of
lead guitarist and singer Mika Yoshimura, bass player Junko Himei and
drummer Ryoko Nakano these three girls from Fukuoka dish out a manic energy and mastery of
the spine chilling scream that few in their audiences will ever forget. If you've ever
wondered what genuine head banging Japanese female rockers look and sound like -- you're
about to find out.
On June 2, 2008 the members of BO-PEEP were kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World.
BO-PEEP Interview.
- Posted June 6, 2008.
New Release for June 3, 2008: Best of Yoshida Brothers
Hailing from the northern most island of Japan, the Yoshida Brothers burst onto the world
stage in 1999 with something highly unique: a modern take on the traditional three stringed
instrument called the Shamisen. After four releases to North American the time was finally
right for a greatest hits album. Best of the Yoshida Brothers was released on June 3rd, 2008.
Checkout the full review
here at J-Pop World.
What do you get when you combine a silky, sexy voice with the fashion sense of Japan's
Shibuya and Shinjuku districts? That would be the up and coming singer Hiko Suzuki. Hiko
has been making a name for herself in Tokyo with her fast paced English songs and fashion
packed music videos.
On May 27th, 2008 the rising star was kind enough to give J-Pop World an interview.
Hiko Suzuki Interview.
- Posted May 31, 2008.
Where does East meet West and the past meet the future? That would be in the exotic and stirring music
of the Yoshida Brothers. In the land of the rising sun, where so often technology is king, two
young boys grew up not with guitars and electric synthesizers but with the venerable Shamisen, a
traditional three-stringed instrument that traces its origins back to ancient China.
But don't let a mere three strings fool you. Under the accomplished prowess of brothers
Ryoichiro and Kenichi the Shamisen has been propelled into the modern age, combining the
best of Japan's musical past with the modern sensibilities for which their country is so well known. So
take one step back in time and one into the future to say hello to the new masters of the
Shamisen -- the Yoshida Brothers of Japan.
On May 15th, 2008 Ryoichiro and Kenichi Yoshida were kind enough to give J-Pop World an
interview. Yoshida Brothers Interview.
- Posted May 15, 2008.
And now a riddle. Here is the recipe: Two fun loving Japanese women. 2 ukuleles. 2 cowgirl hats. One part Hawaiian music. One part country western. One part blue grass. Now swirl it all together with some Japanese charm and what do you get?
Petty Booka of course.
Petty Booka is the brainchild of Audrey Benten, owner of the Benten record label. Audrey paired the original Petty and Booka together in 1995 with the Hawaiian themed group the Toconuts to record a cover of "Karma Chameleon." In 1996 they released Petty Booka's first album, "Toconut's Hawaii."
Since then the ukulele strumming duo has gone through many incarnations as it changed members, recorded albums and toured in both Japan and the US. Though they are now on the forth generation of "Petty" and "Booka," under Audrey's steadfast tutelage Petty Booka continues to charm their fans with fun, upbeat music infused with a distinctly Japanese version of the Aloha spirit.
On May 2, 2008 Petty, Booka and Audrey were kind enough to give J-Pop World an interview.
Petty Booka Interview.
- Posted May 11, 2008.
A new Puffy single called "All Because of You" will be released in Japan on May 21st. The
title track was written by Butch Walker
and Avril Lavigne.
The second track is Frontier no Pioneer by Tamio Okuda.
The song is being used for a CM for a Kagome vegetable juice called "Yasai Seikatsu 100!"
The third track will be the RYUKYUDISKO remix of Butch Walker's Closet Full of Love.
The music video for "All Because of You" was released in early May. For more info see Puffy AmiYumi World and the
Forum and let us
know what you think about it.
What do you get when you bring together two guys from Canada with two gals from Japan? You get
the cute, funny and just a little bit scandalous creation known as The Moist Towelettes.
Composed of Yuko, Emi, Dave and Mike the group formed in Tokyo to create their own
unique fusion of Japanese and Western music. Their signature songs include "Clap Your Hands"
and "Shibuya Station."
On May 1st, 2008 The Moist Towelettes were kind enough to give J-Pop World an interview.
The Moiste Towelettes Interview.
- Posted May 7, 2008.
GO!GO!7188's official site has
announced two new released for May 28th, 2008. The first will be their 14th single,
Kataomoi Fighter. The song will be used as the ending theme for the anime show
Itazura na Kiss
(Mischievious Kiss).
The second will be a new cover album called Tora no Ana 2. Their first cover
album came out on July 10, 2002.
Both can be pre-ordered from sites like CD Japan and Yes Asia.
Interviews Archives: 2008 Jan-April
J-Pop World 2008-2009 is run by Andrew of
Indianapolis. Send comments to
comments@j-popworld.com or contact me at
MySpace.com.
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