Live Report of and Interview with HAT TRICKERS in Tokyo

What do you get when you combine “A Clockwork Orange” by Stanley Kubrick, punk music, and nearly 20 years of dedication? The answer is HAT TRICKERS. They play old school punk music called Oi! punk — quite melodically compared to many other bands in the same genre — with a distinctive 'droog' look inspired by the Kubrick movie. The band is a big name in the underground scene in Japan and have also visited other parts of Asia and Europe several times. In 2010, the band toured Europe as the supporting act of US punk band Misfits, playing in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Finland and Norway. They plan to return to Europe in October 2016 to perform at Munich's Pogorausch Festival.

On June 18th, 2016 in the basement of Tokyo live house Antiknock, spine-shivering intro music and a blood-stained curtain told the crowd what was coming next: HAT TRICKERS sure know how to get the audience's undivided attention. They are all about the combination of an easy-to-digest but definitely punk sound and fascinating visuals — bowler hats, masks, and the white blood-stained clothes of the members, and red lights and generous use of smoke machines at shows play a huge part in creating the captivating atmosphere. However, save for the intro, the music is not horror-ish or oppressive at all. Quite the contrary, HAT TRICKERS were one of the least aggressive-sounding bands of the night.

It is unclear whether it was the band or the relaxing effect of the relentless stream of alcoholic beverages from a nearby convenience store into the venue, but HAT TRICKERS, as the seventh band of the night, were the first ones to get the pogo going in the audience. Singer Clockwork Kenji, who did a fantastic job as the frontman, was seen floating above the audience at one point, and the only woman in the band, Kyoko, fitted into the male-dominated band perfectly. The playing of guitarists Y.A.S. and Fanta and drummer Moro.ko+ was seamless, and the atmosphere was boisterous.

At the end of the show, it was time to gather outside with the band beside a driveway where it was nice and quiet compared to inside the venue.

Hello, everyone! Please introduce yourselves for the readers of JaME.

Kenji: I am Kenji, vocalist.
Y.A.S.: I am Y.A.S., guitarist.
Moro.ko+: I am Moro.ko+, drummer.
Kyoko: I am Kyoko, bassist.
Fanta: I am Fanta, guitarist.

How long has HAT TRICKERS been active?

Kenji: Since 1997. It will have been 20 years next year.

How did you come up with the horror theme?

Kenji: This has not always been the line-up of the band, and I am actually the only original member in the current line-up. When we started the band with the original members, we didn't get together to think about the theme and the look, but instead, it kind of just happened naturally.

What inspires you?

Kenji: Well, of course the movie “A Clockwork Orange” is the biggest influence. When it comes to music, maybe English Oi! punk and the Japanese band The Discocks.

You have toured Europe three times already. How does the European punk scene differ from the Japanese one?

Kenji: The European punk scene is wonderful. There are so many punks there compared to Japan, and they really stand out.

Have all of you been to Europe?

Kyoko: I'm the only one who hasn't.
Kenji: You're from Finland, right? We've been there too, touring with Misfits. Unfortunately, we were too busy to see much more than venue after venue, but we took a ferry from Sweden to Finland and that was amazing! I looked out the window and the towns in Finland seemed unreal, like toy towns. Very cute.

Fanta: Like in “The Moomins”? (everyone laughs)

What else do you know about Finland, other than “The Moomins”?

Moro.ko+: The summers are really bright and the sun only sets for a brief moment.
Kyoko: I heard that the Finns ride bicycles a lot.
Kenji: They sell Japanese manga there.
Kyoko: (surprised) In Finland?

Is there something you would like to achieve in the future as a band? For example, would you like to go on tour in the US?

Kenji: Absolutely!

Anything else? What kind of a future do you see for HAT TRICKERS?

Kenji: (joking) I can't see a future for us. (everyone laughs) But we'll continue to do our best.

Is there something you would like to say to the European punks and the readers of JaME?

Kenji: Invite us over and we'll be there!

JaME would like to thank the band for the interview and Senna Chanel for the photos. You can see her work on her Instagram and website.

HAT TRICKERS' discography includes two full-length albums, Ultra Punk Droogs and Clockwork Soldiers, and several singles and EPs. You can buy their music on the HMV online store.