The extreme musical fireworks by Melt-Banana will undoubtedly be one of the very highlights of this year’s Ilosaarirock Festival. For almost twenty years now, this noise tornado from Tokio has made ceilings crumble in clubs and venues all over the world. But what is the one place which Melt-Banana wants to visit while in Finland? Vocalist and lyricist Yasuko “Yako” Onuki answers.
‘Melt-Banana’ is certainly an interesting name for a band. Yako reveals that it is based on the works of a certain famous pop artist.
– When we tried to find a name for the band, we wanted a “pop” name. And first we picked up the word “banana” because we remembered the artwork of Andy Warhol. And then we just added “melt” in front of it. I don’t know why, but I thought it would fit.
The inspiration for the band originally came from the more alternative music of the 1980s.
– When we started playing in a band, we were listening to punk music and alternative music. And when I first listened to a compilation called No New York (editor’s note: an album produced by Brian Eno in 1978, featuring a number of alternative bands from New York), I was so amazed by that music, and I strongly felt that I wanted to play something unique and original, the kind of music that people could recognize immediately – that at the instant they heard it, they would know it is Melt-Banana.
An average rock music fan does not necessarily know anything about Melt-Banana yet. However, describing the band’s music is not easy for Yako either.
– Hmm… it is difficult to put it in words… And that’s the reason why we express it as music. Maybe it is like a roller coaster?
Melt-Banana has played with names such as John Zorn and Mike Patton, and has only fond memories of the co-operation.
– It is really great to work with people who we respect. We did a lengthy tour with Mr. Bungle, and also we toured with Fantômas several years ago, and we had great time. We did some improvisation with them in some their shows too. It was excellent experience, and also we learned many things from touring with them.
We put out live album MxBx 1998/13,000 Miles at Light Velocity on Tzadik, a label managed by Mr. John Zorn, and when we recorded it he came to help us. He speaks good Japanese. At that time we were too shy to ask him play the saxophone for the album, and I still regret it.
Yako is also responsible for the lyrics in Melt-Banana’s songs. But does the music have any actual message in it?
– My lyrics have no particular message, if you compare us with bands who sing about political issues or something similar. What I write is not like that, and I am not trying to send any strong message. I just write down what I see and what I feel. Some people say that it makes no sense, but it makes sense since I write real words, and it is not a non-existent tongue. I guess it depends on people who read them. Maybe some people find some meaning or are able to get a message, and some people just don’t.
The j-rock and visual kei bands now so popular even in Finland are not something Yako relates to.
– I am not so familiar with those kind of bands. Some bands seem to be all right and they have good songs, but some bands are quite awful, I guess.
During its long career, Melt-Banana has played in dozens of countries and seen the backstages of numerous venues. But where is the best audience for Melt-Banana?
– It is difficult to choose! Wherever the audience likes our music and enjoys themselves, it is a good place. And there are still many countries where we have never been so far.
Ten years ago, the band’s concerts in Japan were much wilder than abroad, but according to Yako, the difference is not so great any more.
– It was very different ten years ago, but these days, I feel it is more or less similar everywhere. Now it more depends on the type of the audience. When we play at a punk show with punk bands, people jump around and mosh and dive. When we play with bands that belong to the alternative or noise scene, people are more likely to listen to the music too.
Melt-Banana was booked for Ilosaarirock Festival in 2009, but then the band had to cancel their entire European tour. Finland is one of the countries where the band has never played so far.
– We have toured in Europe many times but this is our first time in Finland, and we are looking forward to it and are very excited about it. And because it is also a big festival, we are looking forward to seeing other bands and enjoying the festival itself too. It will be fun, I’m sure, Yako says, clearly enthusiastic.
Yako reckons that people who are coming to see Melt-Banana at Ilosaarirock Festival do not need any special instructions.
– Actually nothing. You don’t have to prepare yourself for it. Just come and enjoy the music!
But the band has got one more wish for their trip to Finland.
– We hope to have a good show now that we’ll be in Finland for the first time, and hope that the Finnish people will enjoy our music too! And besides the show, we hope we will have enough time to visit the Moomin World! ^o^
The extreme musical fireworks by Melt-Banana will undoubtedly be one of the very highlights of this year’s Ilosaarirock Festival. For almost twenty years now, this noise tornado from Tokio has made ceilings crumble in clubs and venues all over the world. But what is the one place which Melt-Banana wants to visit while in Finland? Vocalist and lyricist Yasuko “Yako” Onuki answers.
‘Melt-Banana’ is certainly an interesting name for a band. Yako reveals that it is based on the works of a certain famous pop artist.
– When we tried to find a name for the band, we wanted a “pop” name. And first we picked up the word “banana” because we remembered the artwork of Andy Warhol. And then we just added “melt” in front of it. I don’t know why, but I thought it would fit.
The inspiration for the band originally came from the more alternative music of the 1980s.
– When we started playing in a band, we were listening to punk music and alternative music. And when I first listened to a compilation called No New York (editor’s note: an album produced by Brian Eno in 1978, featuring a number of alternative bands from New York), I was so amazed by that music, and I strongly felt that I wanted to play something unique and original, the kind of music that people could recognize immediately – that at the instant they heard it, they would know it is Melt-Banana.
An average rock music fan does not necessarily know anything about Melt-Banana yet. However, describing the band’s music is not easy for Yako either.
– Hmm… it is difficult to put it in words… And that’s the reason why we express it as music. Maybe it is like a roller coaster?
Melt-Banana has played with names such as John Zorn and Mike Patton, and has only fond memories of the co-operation.
– It is really great to work with people who we respect. We did a lengthy tour with Mr. Bungle, and also we toured with Fantômas several years ago, and we had great time. We did some improvisation with them in some their shows too. It was excellent experience, and also we learned many things from touring with them.
We put out live album MxBx 1998/13,000 Miles at Light Velocity on Tzadik, a label managed by Mr. John Zorn, and when we recorded it he came to help us. He speaks good Japanese. At that time we were too shy to ask him play the saxophone for the album, and I still regret it.
Yako is also responsible for the lyrics in Melt-Banana’s songs. But does the music have any actual message in it?
– My lyrics have no particular message, if you compare us with bands who sing about political issues or something similar. What I write is not like that, and I am not trying to send any strong message. I just write down what I see and what I feel. Some people say that it makes no sense, but it makes sense since I write real words, and it is not a non-existent tongue. I guess it depends on people who read them. Maybe some people find some meaning or are able to get a message, and some people just don’t.
The j-rock and visual kei bands now so popular even in Finland are not something Yako relates to.
– I am not so familiar with those kind of bands. Some bands seem to be all right and they have good songs, but some bands are quite awful, I guess.
During its long career, Melt-Banana has played in dozens of countries and seen the backstages of numerous venues. But where is the best audience for Melt-Banana?
– It is difficult to choose! Wherever the audience likes our music and enjoys themselves, it is a good place. And there are still many countries where we have never been so far.
Ten years ago, the band’s concerts in Japan were much wilder than abroad, but according to Yako, the difference is not so great any more.
– It was very different ten years ago, but these days, I feel it is more or less similar everywhere. Now it more depends on the type of the audience. When we play at a punk show with punk bands, people jump around and mosh and dive. When we play with bands that belong to the alternative or noise scene, people are more likely to listen to the music too.
Melt-Banana was booked for Ilosaarirock Festival in 2009, but then the band had to cancel their entire European tour. Finland is one of the countries where the band has never played so far.
– We have toured in Europe many times but this is our first time in Finland, and we are looking forward to it and are very excited about it. And because it is also a big festival, we are looking forward to seeing other bands and enjoying the festival itself too. It will be fun, I’m sure, Yako says, clearly enthusiastic.
Yako reckons that people who are coming to see Melt-Banana at Ilosaarirock Festival do not need any special instructions.
– Actually nothing. You don’t have to prepare yourself for it. Just come and enjoy the music!
But the band has got one more wish for their trip to Finland.
– We hope to have a good show now that we’ll be in Finland for the first time, and hope that the Finnish people will enjoy our music too! And besides the show, we hope we will have enough time to visit the Moomin World! ^o^
