1. In ZZZs’s official website, you associate your music with the music genre/tag like post-punk, no wave and noise. In the late 1970s, there is the rising transformation or adaptation of the punk rock music in that period of “post” punk rock, like the scene of no wave punk. Can you explain how these genres or the period of punk rock music influence you.
On the assumption for explanation of that influence for us, we always demand "new" sound. We don't prefer to put our genre to the place existed before. Actually the history of music is full of "imitation". We guess this word "post-" means "imitation", and also it's to include "DNA". As you said, those period around 70'-80' post-punk scene was so interesting for us. Because the way of interpretation for the existing music was totally crazy. Of course, it might depend on the situation and society in those period, but we were inspired by their way. Even if we could get their influence,
it's just the way of interpretation. As like this, we have their "DNA".
2. Do you think there is any difference between western-oriented punk rock and eastern punk rock? For example, in your experience, What is the difference of reception in punk music between American and Japanese audience. In your music, we can hear the legacy of western-oriented post punk/No Wave. Does that also work in Japanese audience?
We don't know the difference. Also we don't care about the nation and reaction of audience.
We just wanna explain and play what we wanna do. Then we hope it works to all of the people.
3. We learn from your biography that you have toured around America with so many performances. What makes you to take the adventure, spending lots of time and money in tour. What is your feeling during the tour with the uncertainty for the first tour in america.
Only our passion for the music makes us to go around the world. During our first tour in America, we were feeling uneasy because no people who know us there.But finally, we became happy. Our first tour in America was so excited.
4. In your music, it seems like you have absorbed many elements of no wave bands like DNA and Teenage Jesus and the Jerks. We also can see some gothic elements of your dress in your picture, that is also perfect for post punk, too. Can you talk about what kind of feeling you want to create in your music?
What do you imagine to “black"? Black never changes by other color. For example, everybody wears black dresses in the funeral in our country. Also in the wedding party, the family of bride and groom does the same. Black color includes the meaning of "panoply". It looks stoic and solid.
When we play music on the stage, we want audience to feel those elements from our sounds.
Minimum is equal to maximum. That's why we prefer to wear in black dresses.
5. ZZZs is an all-female punk band. It may remind us some of great punk bands with extraordinary female figures like The Slits, Sleater-Kinney and The Raincoats. Female punk rock shows a completely different side of the traditional male-dominated Rock & Roll. Some of the female bands convey separately political or aesthetic view on gender issues. What is your ideal female punk band like?
It's very difficult question. The best things is fair. But it's not real. Of course,we like the Slits,Sleater-Kinney and The Raincoats,Malaria!..etc. And we respect their music and ideas. But we hope nothing is difference of gender on the stage.
6. Can you talk about how you meet with Thurston Moore on the street, and how the interesting thing happens?
That was the biggest happening in 2012. Nobody knew we can meet him on the street in Miami. It was miracle!
We were touring from NY to Miami. The tour was so hard for us. 'Cause drive long way by van and sometimes the show was cancelled suddenly. We were freaking out before we arrive to Miami. We felt it was the worst tour. When we arrived to Miami,we walked around looking for the laundry. On the way, we got empanada then we met him at the restaurant.
We talked to him and explain our situation that we didn't have a show at the night and we needed to play. He attended to us as artist and set up our act before he play. That was awesome night. At DIY warehouse, no bass amp, small drum set, too much audience in the room. The tour in Miami changed the most important experience for us from worst experience. It's totally drama! Right?haha
7. We also know that BEAK, formerly band member of Portishead, invites you to their curated event in Sonic City Festival. In that event, there are also some amazing bands like Savages, Pharmakon and Dirty Beaches. Can you describe the experience of the day ZZZs performed in the event.
Yes,it totally was crazy lineup.
Before we play the show, we were very nervous. Nice venue,stuffs, sound system and many audience ...we were so confused but also excited! We didn't remember well about our show 'cause it felt very quickly. After show, we enjoyed all of artists' show. All bands is professional and real. We inspired a lot from them. At the artist room, we talked many artists. Especially, we talked a lot with Savages. After that, we did each tour support in each country. About BEAK, we couldn't contact them at the event. But we met them and talk at the hotel in the breakfast time next day. Haha
Anyway, It was good experience for us. We are proud to play many nice artists there together.
8. ZZZs have already released two eps “Magnetica” and “Prescription”, which show the appealing charm of choatic, mysterious and somewhat pathological images you have conveyed. What is the ZZZs’s next project that you want to achieve with specific concept or image?
We just finished recording next EP. Well...everything is coming soon!
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