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Join the Purr Mailing List: Happy to be part of the Independent Promoters Network Also part of
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mika
bomb It's just after nine thirty on Thursday the 8th of March. I'm sat with four members of Mika Bomb - Lead Singer Mika (1), Guitarist Agi, Drummer Ergi, a London boy I'm surprised to find and Bassist Mika (2). In about two hours they'll go on stage to a rabid Bath audience for the second time in the space of a few months. I'm here to find out what makes them so special and what we can expect to see from Mika Bomb in the near future... TPT: I was watching Channel 4 this morning and noticed that they've used "Heart Attack" (the first single) on a trailer for a new comedy/drama series called "As If", did you know it was gonna be used? All: NO WAY! Ergi: Not at all, that's quite cool Mika(1): That's excellent!! Can they use it without our permission? Agi: Fucking hell! TPT: When's the album ("The Fake Fake Sound of Mika Bomb") due for release? Mika(1): June, available on CD & Vinyl! TPT: You've been releasing material like the "Heart Attack" and "Hey Man" singles and giging extensively for a year, why has this album taken so long to come out? Mika(1): The music business is always so slow TPT: Yeah, I understand you've had some problems with record labels? Mika (1): We've had a lot of crap Ergi: Well, they're assholes. The business people in charge, it's their fault! Mika (1): We expected maybe six months but a year? No. TPT: So will the album be coming out on Zubi Zaretta? Mika(1): No, it won't be Zubi Zaretta but maybe Damaged Goods I think. TPT: So are you happy at the moment with the direction that Mika Bomb is going both musically and professionally? Mika(1): I don't know, we've been pretty fucked up. We've been waiting for ages and ages but now we're playing it's getting better. TPT: You do strike me as a band more at home on the stage than in the studio. Is that the case? All: Yeah! Mika(1): I think we have to play gigs we love playing live. Mika (2): That's what makes us happy Ergi: Definitely Mika(2): I hate playing in the studio Ergi: Just playing the same song over and over again... Agi: ...And screaming "I can't do it!!" Ergi: We have loads of fun on stage TPT: From hearing you play you can definitely hear influences like The Clash and The Ramones, but who were the first bands or musicians that made you want to do what you do? Ergi: For me it could be anyone from John Bonham to Siouxsie And The Banshees Agi: I love The Dammed Mika(1): Iggy Pop, he's so cool!! TPT: It's obviously not been easy dealing with the music industry in the UK since you've been here, how have you dealt with the culture change? Mika(1): It been interesting. It is difficult because some people are racist and some people don't like a Japanese voice. They must think everyone has a high pitched voice in Japan! Mika(2): But a lot of the punters are Japanese and Asian, it can be an attraction. TPT: So do you find that people treat you differently because you're seen, mainly, as a female Asian band? Agi & Mika: Yeah sometimes. Mika(2): I remember once a boy was pretending to y'know... (She shakes her hand in a very familiar way...) TPT: Wank? Mika(2): Yeah Ergi (laughing): no way! Agi: Oh yeah, where was that? Mika(2): Oxford I think. TPT: Yeah there's a lot of wankers in Oxford, how did you deal with those kind of situations? Ergi (still laughing): that's fucked up!! Mika(2): Just ignore them and keep playing! Agi: They can do what they like, play on! Mika(1): But when we play we don't realise we're in a Japanese band, it's only after. On stage we're different. TPT: Yeah, you do have a distinctive look and sound I can't think of many predominantly female punk bands there are on the UK scene, maybe the Donnas... Mika(1): Don't compare!! TPT: I understand that you've been disappointed with crowd reactions in London do you have any idea why you haven't attracted larger, more responsive audiences? Mika(1): London's tough people don't dance, there are more fake people in London. I think that in places like Bath and Manchester people are different, they just enjoy their music. Mika(2): People are just waiting for a band to come and play and then they just go crazy. People are ready to enjoy themselves. TPT: I understand that you've recently finished touring with now former label mates Rosita, did you enjoy it? All: Yeah! Ergi: They're excellent, good fun. Agi: It was about seven dates I think, we had a great time. TPT: Who are the best band you've ever played with? Ergi: Definitely Rosita TPT: There were rumours that you've played with the Foo Fighters and the Beastie Boys... Mika(1): No, that's not true Ergi: Definitely not, I wish we did! TPT: Which band and/or musician really excites you at the moment? Ergi: Nobody really Mika(2): The scene in England's pretty dead Ergi: I like King Adora, they're good. TPT: All of you're music's very upbeat and happy, is that a fair reflection of the personalities in the band? Agi: Most of the time we're pissed off!! Ergi: But we don't want to be like Coldplay, Jesus I thought Radiohead were miserable!! TPT: So aside from the new album can we expect any more material to be released, maybe another single? Mika(1): Yeah probably, we'll have to see how "Hey Man" does. TPT: Are you going to be touring? Mika(1): Yeah I think so but there aren't any dates set yet TPT: Do you enjoy touring, are you a party band? Ergi: Oh yeah we enjoy playing but... Mika(1): Yeah we enjoy playing but we don't go crazy afterwards. Ergi: We don't cause havoc and smash up hotel rooms or anything. TPT: Have you ever thought of taking the band back to Japan and trying the scene there? Mika(1): No way, we want to stay in the UK but if the record does well I'd love to play in Japan. TPT: One final question have you got a website? Mika(1): No Ergi: We've talked about it. Agi: I think it's important now. Mika(1): But not yet not unless you'll make it for us... It's at this point I turn and run. They want me to pass on one more message: "Simply enjoy our music!". They're as energetic and as much fun as their singles and for that alone I wish them all the best. Mika Bomb, check them out. big ed, trailer park trash (thanks to lee and ed for letting us use this interview) back to interviews>>> |
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