Interview with Pinky Doodle Poodle

Shortly before the start of Pinky Doodle Poodle’s new tour in Europe, YURIA, the vocalist and new bassist for the pop-punk band, answered some of our questions.


Hello, YURIA! First, can you introduce yourselves and tell us a little about the band?

YURIA: Hi! I am YURIA, singer and guitarist for rock band Pinky Doodle Poodle. I also write the lyrics for our songs. Since our bassist left last year, we’ve evolved as a trio, and I had to also take charge of the bass. Within my solo career, I do songs for anime and video games, things on the radio, and lend my voice to fictional characters.

Where did the name Pinky Doodle Poodle come from?

YURIA: I like the color pink, and I felt it was a name that sounded good. Everyone thought it was really cool. But we don't have any poodles. (laughs)

PDP is described as a cool punk rock band. How would you define this particular music, and how would you say it’s different from more traditional punk rock?

YURIA: The groove, the sound of the guitar and the lyrics are specific elements in our music. I sing mostly in Japanese, but my lyrics carry a positive, energetic image. Unlike traditional punk, there’s no political message. But we are influenced by the power that liberates these bands.

You were exposed to music from a very young age thanks to your family environment. What did you listen to when you were a child and teenager?

YURIA: My grandfather and father were both jazz musicians. At home I heard a lot of Glen Miller’s big band music. I also listened to Bach. Later, I became interested in popular songs on television.

When and how did you start you musical activities?

YURIA: I started learning to play piano and organ in kindergarten, then did my first performance at the age of four or five. Rock came a bit later. I was a junior in high school when I started my first band with friends. I sang and played guitar.

You have a very intense solo career and you’ve also been part of many bands, like Honey Bee, Sweets Tankentai and Doutonbori Divers. How are you able to do all of that?

YURIA: I consider all those groups you cited to be part of my solo career. There is a specific producer behind each of these groups, and so I have to follow directives. For Honey Bee, the producer wanted us to make a girl band, and he called some of my musician friends. I composed a lot for that group. I formed Doutonbori Divers with musicians originally from Osaka, like me, and I’ve had many occasions to work with them again, more or less by chance. We understood each other well and started composing together. But we were all busy with our respective careers, so we didn’t play together often. I’d say, once or twice a year. Sweets Tankentai was another formation directed by the producer of Honey Bee, within which we made songs for games and anime. I did quite a few things for that group, and we did a lot of concerts.

On your website and blog, we can see you seem to be very involved right now with PDP. Is this band where you find yourself working the most?

YURIA: PDP is not a band behind which there are commands linked to work. We formed it independently of our other activities, to make us happy, and to make rock music. We are free to do whatever we want. So it’s quite different from what we’ve done before.

Are the fans of PDP people who have already been following you for years?

YURIA: Some of them are, yes. There are others who enjoy our music without knowing my other work.

Only one year after forming PDP, you’re doing a European tour with Râmen Events. How did you come across this opportunity to export your music, and what did you think at the time?

YURIA: Râmen made the first move, sending a friend request on MySpace. Then, we met to discuss together in Japan, with a common friend, Ryo Fujimura. That autumn, we played at the Metal Female Voices Festival in Belgium, and then decided to do a tour and release a CD. Since the creation of PDP, we’ve always intended to perform abroad. We are so glad we’ve been able to make it happen!

Do you think PDP will continue its activities abroad? For example, will you always release your CDs in Japan and Europe?

YURIA: Of course! We want to play in Europe more! Put out more albums! Last year we didn’t have the chance to come, so we wanted to do it even more this time.

Have you already gotten invitations to make songs for anime and video games as PDP? If not, are there any you would like to make songs for?

YURIA: No, we haven’t gotten invitations for that. We just make the music we want, and if someone asks to use a piece that already exists, that’s fine. There’s already a PSP game that has our song 1, 2, 3, GO!

Is there a band or artist in particular that you’d like to collaborate with, and why?

YURIA: Yes, with AC/DC, Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Motörhead…because they’re cool!

Is there still a type of project you’d like to work for?

YURIA: No. I found everything I want with PDP.

What do you hope for in PDP’s future?

YURIA: To keep touring in Europe. Then the rest of the world.

Do you have a final message for our readers?

YURIA: PDP is a group with a super groove and positive lyrics. Anyone who hears us will be happy! And that’s what makes us happy. We love you!


JaME would like to thank YURIA, as well as Râmen Events and Social Alienation for this interview.