I heard the Bloc Party record Japan before it came out in the UK as they are on the V2 record label. I think it has a great vibe and has great songs. I also think the Kings of Leon are right up my street.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
First off, I don't want anyone to think I'm this huge thing in Japan. Every group from here that's made any records over any length of time - even indie bands - have a Cheap Trick effect in Japan.
Well, in Japan, I have got a group of musicians that I have worked with a lot, that concentrate just on the hardcore stuff, say, that Naked City has been working on. We have like a repertoire of sixty songs now.
The Ting Tings have been a huge hit in my family. I have two young daughters, and both of them love that record, so I pretty much have to listen to that ten times a day.
The level on which Japan seems to have picked up on my music seems to be on a more abstract level.
My favorite album would have to be Rocket To Russia. I feel this album has the most classic Ramones songs.
I think now, more than anytime I can remember, bands are sounding pretty similar whether they're English or American, from Manchester or London... or Leeds or Welsh or Irish.
Sigur Ros make beautiful music. Bloc Party are fantastic and exciting and innovative.
There's a focus that hasn't been there for ages and ages and some American bands are sounding quite English like they did in the late 70s and early 80s.
Japan has really great fans for all kinds of music. I think they're keeping metal alive.
I like that band Get Hustle. They're cool live. I haven't heard their records, though.