©Imari Tones
Can you tell us a bit about how you all became Christians and decided to form a Christian rock band?
It's a long story but it happened in 2007-2008. We were just a "normal" rock band based in Japan, but we decided to "dedicate our music to God". We met this particular Christian singer/songwriter and that person inspired us. Soon later the drummer back then left the band because he could not agree to the "religious" direction the band was going. One thing I want to emphasize is we didn't became a Christian rock to play boring music. We became a Christian rock band to play more exciting, more awesome rock music. We believe that "Faith" is very important to heavy metal music. It's all about what you believe in.
How has Imari Tones evolved since the formation of the band?
This band started as my (Tak - singer/guitarist) personal project. I recorded some music just by myself. In 2004 we actually became a band, consisted of 3 persons. Back then we were more like Japanese alternative band. Somewhere between Japanese alternative, hard rock, and J-pop. We made some awesome music but soon later the band broke up, I mean almost broke up. However, somehow we were found by some famous Japanese producer and they took us to Germany to record an album. That's when we started to sing in English, aiming to reach for an international market. Also that was when we started to play "classic hard rock" like 1980's style, which was our musical root. In spite of making an album with famous producer(s), we could not get signed to any major label. The band members gone and I considered quitting music. But eventually I started the band again, real small with local boys. I was not thinking about going big at all. But that's when we met this Christian singer/songwriter and I think we found the reason to play music. After that, we have been trying to make this "Japan-Metal-Jesus" music, which no other band is able to make. We are not commercially successful or anything but it does not matter, because that's not our purpose anymore.
You have performed in America before, any plans of coming back?
We'd love to come back to USA and play. It's almost 3 years since we visited USA last time. At this point, we are talking about the possibility of going to Nashville TN next year, to attend a Christian music meeting called "The Objective" in May. We hope we can book some shows around that area.
You seem to be very successful here in America. Is targeting the American audience very important to you?
Somehow our musical direction, musical taste is more suited for international audience. But that's not something we planned. We just happened to play that kind of heavy metal / hard rock. (You probably know the difference between Japanese domestic music market and international music market. Japanese music scene is very unique and different.) Also it was our "homework" to go out and reach for international audience after our Germany/USA experience in 2006/2007. At the same time we have been trying to reach Japanese audience. It may sound funny but it is easier when you have some success in USA, because people now see us differently and they will appreciate our hard rock style even though we are singing in English. Things are getting better in Japan and more and more we are able to reach Japanese people. We will write more in Japanese language in our next project.
What are some routines you do before a live performance? Do you pray before going up on stage?
We occasionally pray before stage, but not every time. We do it less often than we used to. Throughout the years it became more of "trusting each other and trusting God" and things became more natural. However, at weekly band rehearsal we do some prayer before practice. It's really "casual", though. If we play some "big shows", yes we will pray. Because we certainly will get nervous. Other than that, we make sure we had enough cup of coffee before shows.
How important is it for you as a band to share a positive message with the world?
All of us, we always loved "positive" music, rather than "darker" bands. They were not necessarily Christian music. For me, it was Van Halen. For our bassist Hassy, it was Mr.Big. For our drummer Jake, I don't know, he is really a mysterious guy. But he is really funny. We love playing positive music, because we need hope to live and we need it ourselves badly. No matter what kind of music we play, we love to entertain and our goal is to make people smile.
Can you describe in your own words the meaning of "Faith"?
Wow that's a really difficult question. Let me put it this way. There are so many things in this world. So many styles of music. So many people and so many opinions. For example, because I'm a guitar player, there are so many guitars out there. So many styles and so many sounds. However, you can pick just one and say "This is mine. This is my style. This is me." How can you do that? It's incredible. How can you choose one from millions and say "This is it!"? There is no doubt, no regret and no distraction. Our life is pretty much the same. So many people, so many life. But you can choose your own life and you say "This is my life. This is my mission." I think that's the power of Faith, and there I believe in God's guidance.
In your biography, you have mentioned you would like for Japan to become a better country. What are some changes you would like to see in your own country?
This is another difficult question. Japan is a good place. But we need just a little bit more of "freedom" here. Freedom of mind, soul and spirit. Also we need some more courage to say right things. Other than that, well, maybe we need less Pachinko places and instead we want more churches. Good, Christian, Churches. Also we need more churches where we can play rock music. Most churches in Japan, we can't play loud music!
You have performed at clubs and churches before. Can you describe the difference between playing in front of a church VS playing at a regular show?
Playing churches: Getting up in early morning.
Playing clubs: Coming home in early morning.
What song would you say has a special meaning to you?
We have so many songs and all of them are special. However, at this point, I mention this particular song called "Unknown Road". It's a song from our new album "Revive The World". It has a special message. We are living in a world where things are so uncertain. Nobody knows what the future holds. Even more so in Japan after 2011 nuclear power plant disaster. I think each day each moment is miracle and this is a song about living this unknown future.
What projects are you currently working on?
We soon will release the new album titled "Revive The World". We recorded it last year and finally we are ready to release, in September 2015. We are now working on the next project called "Jesus Wind", which is a concept album about Japanese history. We are already playing a couple of songs from that album at our local shows. We probably will record it next year. After that, actually we have already written all the songs for our "next next" project. That will be more "Japanese traditional" direction in musical style. Language wise it will be half Japanese and half English. It will be a challenge for us, musically speaking. But we can't wait to work on those songs.
Can you give us a message for your fans?
Thank you very much for finding us. We are just a small independent band in this big world. But we are trying to do something special and something to make you happy. Every person is special, no matter who you are and where you are from. We are just some ordinary Japanese boys but we have found this "Japan-Metal-Jesus" music we can make. I believe God has a plan for all of us. So God bless you and keep on rocking!
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