Thanks again to Hiroshi for another interview! Not too long ago Hiroshi and me talked about his previous band, The Korova Milk Bar who has just released a new 10″ which you can order from the Blue-Very Label and Sweet Nuthin’ Records. It is a great record that we should all get!
After The Korova Milk Bar Hiroshi went to be in the fantastic Johnny Dee, who got much more attention and got to release many records in the 90s. They got inspiration by the best indiepop from the UK and it clearly shows in their songs, that have perfect taste and many should be considered indiepop classics! So yeah, so excited to do this interview!
++ Hi Hiroshi! Thanks so much for doing a second interview! This time let’s talk about your most known project, Johnny Dee! My first question has to do with that, why do you think Johnny Dee got more attention compared to The Korova Milk Bar?
G’day, Roque-san! Nice to see you again.
I think that is because so called “Japanese Neo-Aco” stands for Neo Acoustic has penetrated in Japan 1990 onwards. When we were The Korova Milk Bar in late ‘80s, it had not penetrated and only limited space. Also, in case of Johnny Dee, because was able to release on vinyl.
++ How was your town at the time of Johnny Dee? Where there now more pop bands? Perhaps more places to play?
At that time, I lived in Fukuoka, the city in western Japan, and there were some such guitar bands and club scene. Besides us, Instant Cytron, etc. We also played several times in Fukuoka. Originally, since Fukuoka was popular for rock music and great rock bands, so was called “Liverpool in Japan” Therefore there are some places to play in this city.
Fukuoka’s band called “Mentai Rock”: e.g., Sonhouse, Sheena & the Rokkets, The Roosters, The Rockers, The Mods
++ How did you all meet? How was the recruiting process?
Most of us were ex-The Korova Milk Bar. After that, Tsuyoshi and Sho joined the band as new member. We met through music or friends.
++ What about the other members of Johnny Dee, had they been in other bands previously?
They belonged to other bands. I and guitar, Yusuke had been in the same bands.
Actually Asako Koide-san from Eikoku Ongaku(英国音楽) wrote our family tree in a liner notes inserted in the 10” vinyl of The Korova Milk Bar will be released the end of May in 2021. Please kindly refer to it if you possible!! (sorry, in Japanese though …)
++ What instruments did each of you play in your songs?
Members other than me were able to play most of instruments. I was in charge of the vocal melody and lyrics. When recording, the songs wrote themselves were played by themselves. Tsuyoshi and Yusuke were good at so called “Neo-Aco”. Seiji wrote some anorak songs.
++ How was the creative process for you? Where did you usually practice?
Before the gig, we were in studio, but sadly we lived in different city, so couldn’t practice much.
++ What’s the story behind the band’s name? I suppose you liked Johnny Dee’s fanzines and The Chesterf!elds?
Exactly. Named after the writer of Melody Maker magazine. He’s sung by The Chesterfields, right?
++ Did you ever meet them?
Yes we did. We’ve done a gig with The Chesterfields and TV Personalities in Fukuoka in ‘90s. Then we played TVP’s “Part Time Punks”. Although I changed to the title “Part Time Mods”. The Chesterfields members were so bright people and nice guys.
++ Who would you say were influences in the sound of the band?
It’s a lot of bands. About Johnny Dee, The Smiths, Orange Juice, Aztec Camera, The Go-Betweens, Friends Again, Lotus Eaters, EBTG, Max Eider, Prefab Sprout Andy Pawlak, and The Hit Parade. Of course, we were influenced the other obscure UK bands.
++ And I also was wondering, do you prefer English or Japanese for your songs? What comes easiest?
I believe English is more suitable for such sounds. Because it made from the UK and US.
And either languages are very difficult for us.
++ Your first releases came out on the fine label Vinyl Japan. How did you end up signing with this label? And how was working with them?
I gave them our demo cassette tape. They immediately liked it and released a 7” single.
At an event of Vinyl Japan, we did two gigs those days. One is TVP’s & The Chesterfields, the other one is Saturn V and Carousel. So, two years ago, played with The Monochrome Set and The Catenary Wires. At this time, we had Mayumi Ikemizu, Three Berry Icecream (ex-Bridge) play accordion and chorus. It was very fun. We all were very nervous though. (lol)
++ Your first release was the “Motorbike Loves You… EP” that came out on vinyl and CD. I guess this is a question I ask often, but do you have a preferred format for music?
I absolutely prefer vinyl. Such as old vinyl coating, flip back, and the smell of record jacket particularly. In a nutshell, we were definite a vinyl geek.
++ I enjoy this record a lot. All the songs are wonderful. You produced the record yourselves. How was that experience? And where were these songs recorded?
That’s right. It’s self-produced. Recorded at members home and mixed by the members.
We didn’t have enough time because the release date was approaching.
++ I feel the song “Goodbye My Favourite Girl” is like a 2nd part of The Hit Parade’s “My Favourite Girl”. Is that what you were trying to do?
Bingo! I was listening to The Hit Parade well and was keen on their sound.
++ Oh and who took care of the art for your records on Vinyl Japan? They all look so cool, bold, very pop!
It’s Seiji and I. We had a lot of cool records, so influenced by them.
By the way, regarding “Motorbike loves you”, I was inspired from BAUHAUS “Telegram Sam” and The Flatmates “Happy all the time” with Twiggy.
++ It only made sense that you would release a split CD with The Chesterf!elds in 1994. That must have been exciting. I have two questions about this release which is on my wishlist for years…. one is that you thank Psycha-Go-Go. Who were there? And second there’s a song called “I Wanna Bang on the Drums”. I am right to think you were into The Stone Roses then?
First of all, Psycha-Go-Go are Seiji’s band who were members Johnny Dee and The Korova Milk Bar. My brother also was this band. Secondly, of course I pretty loved The Stone Roses, but probably aimed anorak sound like The Vaselines. In terms of lyric, I quoted from Tot Taylor. I believe you are super maniac because even I forgot about this song.
++ Then you released the wonderful album “Love Compilation”. I love how you keep showing your love for your heroes. Like in this record you have a song “Why I Like Max Eider” for example. I have to ask what other musical heroes you have. If we were to do a top 5?
It’s David Bowie, Paul Weller, Ian McCulloch, Morrissey and Roddy Frame.
++ You covered The Go-Betweens on this record too, “Bachelor Kisses”. Such a beautiful song. I wonder did Johnny Dee also do other covers normally? Maybe when playing live?
We covered in live such as ‘Falling and Laughing” Orange Juice. “Start a War” The Pale Fountains, As mentioned earlier, “Part Time Punks (Mods)” TV’s, and “Big Pink Cake” Razorcuts. Two years ago, when we were at live with The Monochrome Set, played ”Alphaville” intro～”My face on fire” Felt.
++ One thing that always confused me is the title of the album, why “compilation”, is it in any way a compilation?
Good question! Because it’s not total album. Songs with different tunes are mixed in the album. Thus, It’s a compilation. I wish I could release a total album someday.
++ Many years after, in 2001, Sofa Records from Hong Kong, released the “1995 Unreleased EP”. Why did those song remained unreleased until then? And how come a label from Hong Kong picked this release up?
I’m not sure, but Bruno-san, Sofa Records offered us about this. They are so maniac label like you and was very kind. Speaking of which, we provide our unreleased song to Shelflife Records in US.
++ Also one thing I notice is that in this EP Johnny Dee is just you and Tsuyoshi. How come the band were just two people at this point?
I don’t remember well, but because the other member moved the other city.
++ And lastly two songs showed up in 2019, on a new 7″ released by the Blue-Very label. These songs were “Hey, Gentle Girl” and “The Blue Girl from North Town”. These were previously released songs, right? How come it was decided to re-release them and on vinyl?
You are quite observant. As for “Gentle Girl”, I wanted to release as a second single in those days. So, released 7” with “Blue Girl” like the most at Johnny Dee’s numbers.
++ I am familiar with most of the compilations you appeared on but one called “Future Chic” released by Automatic Kiss Records. Do you have any info about this label or this release?
This is our the first recording. Automatic Kiss is an indie label in Fukuoka I live. They were exploring local and international bands. Label owner, Habu was friends of mine. After that, he moved to Germany. They were involved in obscure label, Leamington Spa.
++ Are there more unreleased songs by the band?
Not so much.
++ I think my favourite song of yours might as well be “Motorbike Loves You’”, wondering if you could tell me what inspired this song? What’s the story behind it?
What I remember is that regarding guitar, maybe inspired by Johnny Mar, Rody Frame and Paddy McAloon. Bass sounds like obviously Andy Rourke. Girls chorus melody inspired by Tracy Thorn. About song title probably inspired by “The Girl on a Motorcycle”.
++ If you were to choose your favorite Johnny Dee song, which one would that be and why?
It’s ”Motorbike loves you” or “Hey, Gentle Girl” . We may not be able to make more than these two songs anymore.
++ What about gigs? Did you play many?
I think we’ve played about 5 times. Two of them, we did support acts for international bands.
e.g., Saturn V & Carousel, TV’s & The Chesterfields
++ And what were the best gigs you remember? Any anecdotes you can share?
Unfortunately, It’s nothing. We don’t have much fun memories because we were always so nervous.
++ When and why did Johnny Dee stop making music? Did you continue making music with other projects?
We were offered from two major labels, but it didn’t work well. After that, I formed The Palm Songwriters with Seiji (ex -Psycha-Go-Go). Tsuyoshi formed 101 Dalmatians.
I and Tsuyoshi also formed Johnny Johnny and released 12” by the Bananafish records.
++ What about the rest of the band, had they been in other bands afterwards?
Tsuyoshi, Sho and Seiji had been in some other bands.
++ And then there’s been some reunions, right?
In terms of Johnny Dee, had just one gig in Tokyo two years ago by Vinyl Japan.
++ Was there any interest from radio? What about TV appearances?
I’ve appeared on radio, but I was not keen on either.
++ What about the press? Did they give you any attention?
There were some interview on magazines.
++ What about from fanzines?
We had some interviews from fanzines. In those days, there were many indie fanzines in Japan. Especially “Eikoku Ongaku” (英国音楽) in ‘80s was the most important fanzine in Japan. I believe, thanks to “Eikoku Ongaku”, Japanese NW indie scene has accelerated and transformed obviously.
++ Looking back in retrospective, what would you say was the biggest highlight for the band?
That is the release of 1st single, “Motorbike Loves You”.
++ You were telling me that aside from music you like fashion. Was wondering if you ever considered or worked in that industry? And if you were, what sort of thing would you like to do?
I’ve never worked in the apparel industry. I’ve been working at international IT company.
I love the new wave fashion anyway, but I’ve never ever thought of working in the at Apparel industry. I think it’s just better as hobbies. Like we used to imitate Punk from Johnny Rotten, Mods from Paul Weller, Ska from Jerry Dammers, Goth from Robert Smith and ‘50s used fashion of Morrissey.
++ And one random question about Japanese culture, here in the West many people are fans of manga and anime. Are you too? Do you have any favourites?
Unfortunately I’m not interested in anime, but I’m keen on “Attack on Titan(Shingeki no Kyojin) and “Kingdom” nowadays. I absolutely recommend this two anime !
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Listen
Johnny Dee – Motorbike Loves You
