Blues-punk band King Brothers from Nishinomiya, Japan, like all good blues bands, are clouded in mystery. Rumours persist that they will play their music until it kills them; that a message came to them to form a band just as it did with the Blues Brothers; that they sold their souls to the devil to play blues… whatever they did, they got it right!
Years of touring with some of the best blues and rock bands around have seen these guys grow into their own unique blues-punk sound.
The band are headed to our shores this week for a second coming of their crazy adrenaline devil-filled hard-hittin’ blues – with a Japanese twist! This interview is with Keizo, the bands ‘president’. Take note of Keizo’s warning at the end, as someone who’s experienced their shows, he’s not kidding a helmet could be wise!
Japan loves Australia loves Japan
I was in Namba, Osaka, this year – it has a great rock music scene happening. Do you think the music scene in Osaka is different to that in Tokyo?
Osaka has an original and unique and maniac scene and it’s totally different from Tokyo. However, King Brothers are a poor band that can’t belong to any of them.
What have you guys been doing since your last trip to Australia?
We have been touring Japan and doing some recordings. We have released a new single in this December and touring Japan again until just a day before we leave Japan for Australia.
I caught your gig at the Tote in Melbourne earlier this year and it was amazing. What was the audience’s reaction to your Australian shows?
I was very happy about Australian audience. I felt super crazed from them. Especially the audience at Tote was fantastic.
What can the Australian audience expect of king Brothers this time?
100% pure Hentai (perverted & abnormal) rock n roll. A devil’s music came from a little island called Japan.
Will you be playing tunes from all albums or mostly Blues, your latest Australia release?
Recently, we play the early mad stuff often. I hope people who likes BLUES album might like it too. Also we are playing new songs from a new single.
Land of Blues
You’ve played with some incredible blues musicians like Boss Hog and Bob Log 111 – what’s it like playing with these guys? Have any of them past on great words of wisdom?
They are both very perverted blues musicians! We have also played with other great bands like Blues Explosion, White Strips, Strokes etc and I think it’s good to play with these bands because we can improve ourselves by trying to show ourselves better to these great musicians.
Who’s been the craziest blues band/musician you’ve played with?
Jon Spencer and Guitar Wolf. No doubt about it.
Who in the blues world inspires you these days and how?
I found out that I get more excitement to find blues from improving myself in my ordinary life rather than I look for that from someone else’s blues.
How has your music developed since that famous recording with Jon Spencer?
It was a fantastic experience. Without Jon Spencer, I might not have started a music band. Through that recording with him, I felt a necessity to bring us up to the next level. So if we can work together with Jon Spencer again, I think we can make much better thing. I do love Jon Spencer so much.
Do you all contribute to writing the lyrics and tunes?
I write all the lyrics. We make up music by doing sessions with other band members. Frustration towards the other band members might be a good inspiration to my lyrics, ironically.
You have described yourselves as ‘hardcore blues’, how are you ‘hardcore’?
King Brother is a way of my hardcore life.
Have you ever broken your guitars and drums as part of a show?
No. I love strange old instruments and vintage guitars so I have not broken my guitars on purpose.
In the beginning…
What was there in the beginning for you guys? Who did you turn to for inspiration and guidance in the mad land of music?
When I was a high school student, I witnessed Guitar Wolf and it blew my mind off. I thought I can play rock n roll like that way.
What was your big break? How did you guys go from a garage band to touring the world?
I don’t know. Maybe because I play every show at the risk of my life. Soon after we formed the band, our first album was released on American independent label and soon after we have signed with EMI Japan. After that, we got back to Independent and our activity has been spread to the world wide. Next year, we are touring Europe too. We just keep trying hard and more chances are coming to our way even though we are still poor musicians.
Sage words…
What’s life like as a member of King Brothers?
King Brothers is just like myself and it is ultimate non stop killer bulldozer. It destroys everything and still keeps going ahead. However, it destroyed my life completely too, he he.
What advice would you give to young ones out there trying to make a living on their tunes?
Anyway, play rock n roll at the risk of your life. then a chance will come to you. So don’t slow down. Never give up and you must complete it.
Downtime
Finally, just out of curiosity, when you’re not playing gigs or rehearsing what do you guys like to do?
I love old motorbikes and cars so l enjoy maintaining my old machines. Marya loves playing soccer and he has a soccer team. Shinnosuke loves party every night. Taichi keeps eating and he has actually the best musical skills in King Brothers such as playing guitars and singing and he enjoys the music all the time.
I am so glad to go back to Australia again. You can expect to witness the world most exciting show in your face. Be aware for slaver, sweat, microphone, guitar and drum kit flying over you so bring your helmet with you! We will show you the pure 100% hard core blues punk rock n roll. Be aware for it. We will kill you by blues!!
The King Brothers will serve up their Blues-Rock explosion at FasterLouder Live at the Factory on December 13.
To RSVP for free entry click HERE
