Melt-Banana in the USA

During the punk and noicecore band Melt-Banana's "Bambi's Revenge" 2007 tour throughout the USA, JaME was able to meet with vocalist Yako before their show in San Antonio, Texas at the Rock Bottom Tattoo Bar.

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Please introduce yourself and Melt-Banana for our readers.

Yako: This is Yako from Melt-Banana and I am the vocalist. I hope people think our music is like a roller coaster! (laughs)

What's the story behind the band's name, "Melt-Banana"?

Yako: First we wanted to name ourselves like a kind of pop name, and when I was talking with Agata earlier he said "well, you need a pop theme - banana." He was thinking of Andy Warhol's banana artwork. And I said "okay, then let's put 'melt' in front of 'banana'" and he said "okay." The name just popped up, we just made it up.

You started out as friends attending Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, what made you decide to join the music business?

Yako: I wanted to do something to express myself, and music was very close to me. If I could draw or something, I would have expressed myself drawing, or maybe I'd do something different. Music is very close to me and I like to listen to a lot of different music, so I used that outlet to express myself.

In 1997, the drummer Toshiaki left the band, and now the band hasn't had an official drummer since. Why is this?

Yako: We had another drummer after Toshiaki, but he also left the band. It's hard to find a permanent drummer since we tour a lot; it's hard to only be with music.

Your music is described as punk and noisecore, what made you decide to create and perform this type of music? Being a punk/noise band, one would assume that creating your music would prove to be a challenge, is it?

Yako: We just like it. (laughs) Since we live in Japan, we've seen and played with many noise bands, but also hardcore punk bands. When I went to see Merzbow for the first time, I was in shock. At first I didn't understand why noise music was good, but when I was listening to Merzbow live, I felt like I was taking a shower in noise. That's why people say it's good, and that's when I began to become interested in noise music.

What is the writing process of your music? Does music come first, or the lyrics?

Yako: The guitar player, Agata, first brings the demo with the music, and then I add the vocals to the tracks.

Have you considered writing music in a different genre?

Yako: Hmmm. (laughs) We hope to do that, but we would need to meet someone who would inspire us to write that kind of music. If we could make music together with them, then it would be great.

About how many songs do you draft for each album, and what is your process of elimination for getting the final product?

Yako: It depends on each album. When we were writing our latest one, Bambi's Dilemma, we wrote many songs, but started slashing away some of them and just kept the final songs that are currently on the album. We tried to put the songs in order and if one song couldn't fit, then we didn't put it on the album.

You also mentioned that you were disappointed with only releasing a limited number of albums, but there is a two year gap between your singles' release in 2005 and this year's Bambi's Dilemma. Why such a gap between the new releases?

Yako: Maybe we're just slow at writing songs. (laughs) We were also touring during that time.

You've recorded the track Hair-Cat (Cause the Wolf Is a Cat!) for the American animated comedy television series "Perfect Hair Forever;" tell us more about the project. Do you have any other projects lined up for the near future?

Yako: We have a friend in Atlanta who works in television editing, and while he was working he was listening to our music. The producer of "Perfect Hair Forever" heard our music and wanted us to write the song. Right now, I don't have any side projects. The guitar player, Agata, released a solo album in the USA but nothing else.

You have covered songs such as Blondie's Heart of Glass in Massachusetts and an old reggae song, Monkey Man, by Toots and the Maytals. There is diversity in the genres from those cover songs, how do you determine which songs you'll cover?

Yako: We wanted to play songs that we like, but also songs that the audience can recognize. It's hard. (laughs) When we start playing cover songs in the rehearsal studio, we feel that these other artists were very good players and we realize the song is very difficult to play. It's good for us to play other styles of music since it makes us practice, but also so we can learn more things. It makes us do something different.

All your track titles and lyrics are in English, why is that?

Yako: Because I sing in English. In Japan, we start studying English in Junior High and we have English classes from then through university. We've been studying English for a long time, but usually we study for the writing and reading, so it's kind of hard to speak sometimes. It's really hard for me to sing in English; sometimes people ask me "what language are you singing in?" but I'm trying. (laughs) All the other band members speak at least a little bit of English.

How are tours throughout the USA and in Europe? Is it difficult with the slight language barrier?

Yako: In the USA it's not so difficult, since it's one country it's very easy to tour. In Europe it's hard, it's easy to travel around but there are still country borders, and sometimes it's difficult to cross those country borders. About five years ago, it was harder. For instance, in Italy not many people spoke English so it was difficult for us to communicate, but nowadays there are many people studying English so it's easier.

You've done many collaborations with other artists, are there bands either past or present that you would like or have liked to perform with?

Yako: Right now I would like to collaborate with a band called Incapacitants, they are a noise band using many electronics. They're really good! If you get a chance to see their live show, whether it's on DVD or on the Internet, watch them - their live shows are great!

During the summer you performed as support for Tool at several dates during their tour in the USA, how did you get this opportunity?

Yako: Buzz from the Melvins, is a friend of ours; he brought Adam, the guitar player for Tool, to our show, which was the first time that we met a Tool band member. After that he came to Japan, we met him again, and we became friends. In January (2007), Tool came to Japan, we went to go see them and he mentioned about touring with them in the USA. We said "yeah, yeah, of course!"

Tool makes good use of laser and other visual effects during their performances. After playing smaller, more intimate venues, was there anything you wanted to change about your performances to fit the larger stage?

Yako: Mmm, not so much. I tried to act like it was the usual. I felt like the audience was really far away so at first I felt like playing at the very front of a stage. I felt very strange, but after some shows I got used to it and just tried to enjoy it.

You've had massive tours throughout Europe and the USA many times; can you please share maybe one story that stands out from a visit to the USA and another from Europe?

Yako: A few years ago when we toured the USA, we hit a big deer with our van. It was after a show, so it was around two or three in the morning. Our van broke down, and we needed to turn around and go back to the nearest town so we could get it fixed. I was the one driving and when I saw the deer running I started braking, and the deer stopped in front of the van because of the headlights. The deer was watching me and I was watching him. (laughs) I yelled and then bam! It was hard. That's why we named our album "Bambi's Dilemma". After this incident, 'Bambi' kept running in my head, so that's why we put Bambi on the album.

In Europe, when we were in The Netherlands, someone broke into our van. They took our personal luggage and a lot of t-shirts. We were like "oh no!" After that we tried to be more careful, but then a few days later someone broke into our van again in The Netherlands! It was a very rough tour. (laughs) All of the bass player, Rika's clothing was stolen and she needed to borrow t-shirts from this person and pants from that person. She had a hard time. (laughs)

As you have been around for sixteen years now, has your popularity in Japan grown throughout the years, or do you still feel that the West accepts your music in a more positive light?

Yako: Our popularity in Japan is still pretty much the same; it's grown a little bit. We like touring in other countries, but sometimes we miss Japanese food. (laughs)

What is more important to the band, having popularity overseas or in Japan?

Yako: If we become popular in every country, it would be great. I think it's very difficult to become really popular in Japan. In Japan there are many major scenes and we're in an underground scene. And not many people notice music in the underground scene. It's kind of hard, in Japan we hope to get more popularity so that I can call my mother and invite her to a show. (laughs)

With all the touring, is it difficult being away from family so much?

Yako: For me, not really. My family understands, and they also travel a lot. I just miss my fish. (laughs) I have a small puffer fish. I miss him now. (laughs)

Please give a final message to your fans throughout the world.

Yako: I think there are still many people who haven't listened to our music yet. So don't hesitate, just listen, and enjoy it!

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JaME would like to thank Yako for taking her time to have an interview with us.