I first came across Sachiko in a band called No Cars in London. They were a sort of Japanese novelty comedy rock band who would invite people on stage, give them a teddy bear, and then they would kick them. No wait. Actually, I think they only kicked me...
Things got more serious when she formed Umez with Niyan. Things were looking really good for them, but the idiocy of the UK visa laws meant that the two of them had to head back to thier native Japan.
This is where I met up with Sachiko again, with the thankful news that the awesome Umez are still going strong - and sounding even better than they did in London. Umez have made a compilation CD that is really good as well. This interview with Sachiko was originally going to be on the Artrocker blog that I wrote, but it didn't get used.
Q: Artrocker
readers might remember both of playing with your former bands in London (No
Cars and Screaming Tea Party). What made you two decide to team up? You formed
in London, before both heading back to Japan, right?
A: Yes. We were just hanging out and at that
time he was playing with one of my friends. Later, she asked me to help playing
bass for them. We thought it sounded interesting so we’ve continued playing
together up to now.
Q: Umez
sounds a lot more electronic than what I heard you do before. Any reason for the change?
A: We don't want a drummer in the band. Also
Niyan wanted to create new sounds that nobody has heard before.
Q: I am
not always good at describing music. How would you describe Umez’s sound?
A: Electronic guitar noise pop? We don't know
how to describe it. I would say it’s
emo-noise-pop??
Q: I’m
sorry… what exactly is an Umez?
A: It stands for Ultimate, Modern
Electric Z Z-fighters. This is what my friend named us after our
gig. Umez is also the name of our favourite horror manga artist in Japan. His
stuff is amazing. We deeply respect him.
Q: I’m
not going to any music festivals in Japan this summer. Am I missing out? Are
you playing at any? Are you going to any? Are there any festivals in Japan that
are any good (or even best simply avoided)?
A: There is a festival called "Natsu no
Mamono" in Aomori in Northern Japan. This is the only festival I am going
to this summer. Actually, it's in the mid of September. There is a lot of
underground music and noise stuff going on there. Also some idols are
performing too so this is a very unique line up. Aomori is where people eat a
lot of apples.
Q: Is
there anything you miss about London? Is there anything in London that you are
glad to see the back of? Is there anything you are happy to have back now you
are both back in Tokyo?
A: I miss London too much. Not many people go
to gigs and are into live music (in Japan).
I miss going to gigs whenever I want to and drinking with friends,
meeting nice people and discovering new bands and stuff. I miss just normal
stuff, but I don't do that much in Tokyo. Life in Tokyo is always too busy so
it’s difficult to catch up with friends. Niyan lives in Kobe and I live in
Tokyo. So we talk and practice online!
Q: What's
next for Umez?
A: We are releasing a compilation album on
09/09 this autumn from 14 Years Records in Tokyo. This is a great compilation
album which you can discover great indie music from London, Tokyo, Italy and
Berlin. 12 of the artists are involved such as Taigen Kawabe from Bo Ningen, Dog
Chocolate and Joey fourr!! Also ex-screaming tea party's members new project
"Teta Mona "and "Grimm Grimm " are on it as well. This is
very exciting!! You can check it out here:
Please buy it!!
PS:
If you don't like what I have written about Umez - here's a professional at work:
PPS:
Nice photo!
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