Interview with Thee 50's High Teens

Thee 50's High Teens has been capturing audiences with their intriguing mix of 60's garage, Group Sounds, and 70's punk rock. Having concluded their stateside debut, the four Fukuoka girls took some time to answer our questions once they'd made it back to Japan.


You recently returned home after your US tour. Could you tell us how the tour went, what were some memorable experiences for you?

Sue: I'm glad everyone welcomed us wherever we visited.
Nami: Every day brought us endless surprises and excitement.

Before you came to the US, many people hadn't heard of you yet. What kind of reaction did you get from the audiences? Was it the response you expected?

Sue: Although we can't speak English and we sing in Japanese, the audiences went crazy for us.
Tomo: I realized again that music can overcome the linguistic barrier.

Other than the concerts, was there anything you were looking forward to in America, or wish you could have experienced if you'd had more time?

Tomo: I wanted to do more shopping in America. Well, rather than time, it was money I didn't have enough of (laugh).
Nami: I wanted to see the Statue of Liberty more closely.
Yocci: I wanted to go to more American comic stores.
Sue: I wanted to visit more museums.

At the T-MODE convention you played with a number of American acts; how was that event from your perspective? Were you able to talk with the other bands?

Sue: At T-Mode Gelatine helped us so much. Their stage is very unique and we enjoyed it a lot!

Since you came to the T-MODE convention, a lot of your fans there may want to know: Do each of you have a favorite video game, manga or anime?

Tomo: My favorite game is "Solitier". I prefer overseas anime to Japanese anime. I love it so much, my TV is on the cartoon network program 24 hours.
Nami: For games, I love "Final Fantasy".
Yocci: I am crazy about Ghibli works. I love all genres of manga.
Sue: I love "The Rose of Versailles" manga the most.

For our readers that haven't seen you live in the USA: how would you describe your music?

Sue: ...Initial impulse? (laugh)

When each of you joined/started Thee 50's High Teens, what kind of musical backgrounds did each of you have?

Tomo: It was about ten years ago but I don't remember the old days. It was not the musical background but destiny.
Nami: I joined seven months ago. I adore Ringö Shéna and had been wanting to play in a band. I was asked to join them by chance.
Yocci: I began this eight months ago. I love punk music and I played guitar or bass in other bands, but this band did not have an organist so that's why I decided to join them.
Sue: I joined around four years ago. I originally loved garage rock music too but I love glam rock more. That's why my make-up is heavy.

What kind of bands and music have influenced each of you, and what influences you now?

Tomo: Everything.
Sue: I agree. There are too many great types of music and bands in the world.

How did you pick the band name?

Tomo: My dead grandma appeared to me in my sleep and she advised me to give it this name (smile).

What are some of the themes or topics that come up in your lyrics?

High Teens: Our songs are mostly about love, but all imaginary. We're pretty shy (laugh).

Why did you decide to have a vampire theme?

Tomo: Because we came from a vampire lineage!
Sue: (laugh) We have lots of outfits and the vampire is just one of them, it's not our theme.

Your music usually has a throwback feel; do you ever make contemporary songs, and is there a possibility of that in the future?

Sue: I don't think we go back to the past. We have a Japanese saying: "Onko chishin", which means finding new wisdom through old things.

Tomo, you have a really interesting singing style; It's very aggressive. Did you have training that helped you be able to sing this way, or was it self-taught?

Tomo: There is a special training in my family: Shout and quarrel with Mom every day. I think we must have been famous throughout the neighborhood (laugh).

You often belt out these amazing blood curdling screams; they seem like they could be in a horror movie - was that kind of your intention?

Tomo: Sometimes you have a wild urge to shout. It wasn't our intention, it's just that we always feel like that. In other words, we're always irritated (laugh).

You're all from Fukuoka; is that a large part of your identity, does it have an effect on you as a band?

Yocci: Not especially, I don't think so.

If someone were to visit Fukuoka, what are some sights you think they should see?

Tomo: Sue's house (laugh).
Sue: Yes, it's a castle.
Yocci: Self-proclaimed (laugh).
Nami: You should visit Japanese food stalls for the experience of the everyday life of Japanese. Fukuoka is famous of Ton-Kotsu noodles. The soup is made from pig bones, it tastes good.

You've toured in Europe in the past; were there language difficulties? How was the reaction?

Sue: Sure we had a language problem. I really felt I should try to learn to speak English, but I soon lost my resolve. So this time there was language trouble again.

European audiences are more wildly enthusiastic than American. I think American audiences are similar to Japanese. They don't dance recklessly, they're not as riotous. I got the impression that they listen to music more seriously.

What do you miss the most when you are playing overseas, and what things do you bring with you?

High teens: Japanese rice!!!
Tomo: I absolutely bring my passionate heart with me.

Now you've toured both the USA and Europe, where would you like to perform next? Or would you like to return to these continents again?

Sue: We want to do a world tour!

Could you please give a message to your fans?

High teens: (in English) I'll be back!!!

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions for this interview.


JaME would like to thank Thee 50's High Teens and Tokyo no Records for this interview.