Interview and photos by
Pushead
Translated by Robert Stiles
Lipcream hail from Tokyo,
Japan, one of the largest cities
in the world. To be precise, it's
enormous. Amongst the dense
population exists an ever-
growing hardcore punk scene.
This scene is not like its
counterpart in America; there is
a different attitude, as well as
different fashions and a different
sound, a sound that is influenc
ing bands across the world
today. Hardcore is popular in
Japan to the effect that the
music press acknowledges it
and covers it regularly, literally
making pop stars out of some
bands. Which, in turn, angers
some punks, who feel that they
are being "stabbed in the
back" by their peers who have
"sold out." Gigs are usually
held in small halls, and the
crowds are quite enthusiastic,
doing a smash forward pogo-
type dance, with fewer fights
than are typical in the U.S.
scene. The fun factor still.
prevails in Japanese hardcore
circles.
Lipcream is a band that has
been pumping out hardcore for
a few years now. By playing live
dates around Japan and putting
out a continual barrage of
recorded material, they have.
gathered quite a following in
their homeland. Along with
bands such as Gism, The
Execute and Outo, Lipcream is
recognized as one of Japan's
raging powerhouses, with a
worldwide cult following that
continues to grow.
Lipcream consists of Jha Jha,
23, on vocals, Minoru, 24, on
bass, Naoki, 23, on guitar and
Pill, 26, on drums. Together they
blend an intense drive of
chaotic thrash that flails with a
speedy desire and surges forth
with quick sensations of raw
energy that's electrified to the
hilt.
With lyrics in their native
Japanese as well as English
(which is a bit broken), Lip-
cream compose some creative
wailers that they thrust all their
aggression into. Whether it's
love, hate, happiness, sadness
or confusion that they are trying
to express the emotion comes
out quite sincerely and in keep-
ing with their character. Up front
Jha Jha is a red-faced shriller
with eyes shut, mouth pushing
out the words as he holds the
mike stand tightly, body moving.
sometimes frantically about the
stage, his long hair flowing
88
behind him. Dressed in black,
Minoru kicks back, fingers the
bass loudly and with distinct
thumps, ferociously cranking
out a deep rumbling sound.
Naoki grinds out the accel-
erated chords in a crazy
fashion, making the melodies
tight and tuneful, shoving the
L
MINORU
mayhem to insanity. Hidden
behind the drum kit is Pill,
smashing, bashing, crashing,
continually plunging the sticks
down against skins and metal,
and kicking the beat to an even
faster pace. This outfit hauls
fast and clean, crazed and
vicious. A bullet train of chaotic
power
The members of Lipcream
are dedicated to their craft.
They also work and have fun.
Their reputation across Japan is
good-a mention of Lipcream
draws big smiles and
statements such as, "Radical
stuff" and "They like to drink
sake and (Japanese) beer, too."
My stay with Lipcream was an
enjoyable one. They are some
of the most hospitable people
I've ever met and true friends. If
you ever get to see Lipcream, it
will be an intense affair, and if
you ever get to meet them,
you'll probably think they are
some of the nicest people
you've ever met.
The following Lipcream inter-
view was conducted with Jha
and Minoru.
P
What made you form a hard-
core band and call it
Lipcream?
Jha Jha: We started a hardcore
band because of the rawness of
hardcore. The music itself is
very energetic and has a lot of
impact. Minoru named the
band. Believe it or not, he got
the name from his dream.
Minoru: The first time I heard
punk/hardcore, I was really
amazed with the sound. Also,
I've told myself that punk is the
only way. The name Lipcream:
really came out of my dream.
How does the Japanese scene
accept you?
Jha Jha: When the punk move-
ment started here in Japan, a
lot of new, great bands ap-
peared and, of course, the au-
dience grew as well. But at the
same time, a lot of stupid, ig-
norant punks appeared as well.
Minoru; I still see some of the
same faces that I saw at our
first gig, and sometimes I see
faces that only come occa
sionally. The worst part of it all
is that a lot of people here.
come to shows but because
they come to shows they heard
JHA JHA
C
from somebody that there's
going to be a "hardcore/punk"
show. The scene here is small
compared to Europe or the U.S.
The punks here aren't really.
close to each other. It's like
everyone is a stranger.
Do Lipcream songs have
messages?
Minoru: Most of our lyrics deal
with individualism. But the
audience does not really com-
prehend that. I believe that
everyone should be an in-
dividual. We should do what we
want to do, not something that
we don't want to do.
Jha Jha: Yes, we have a
message. All our lyrics come
from our deepest feelings. We
do not try to force our
messages on people. That to us
is fascist. It's up to the people
to decide what's good and bad
for themselves. It doesn't matter.
If you agree with us or not, but
we would like people to be
open-minded.
Does Lipcream feel their
music should reach a world
audience, or just a Japanese
audience?
Jha Jha: We are singing to the
world.
PILL
Jha Jha: Yes, very much.
Misfits, Bad Brains and Crucifix
are a few of our influences.
Right now we are thrilled by
Final Conflict. We don't have
their style, but I like it very
much.
Minoru: A lot of foreign bands
are great. We always try our
R
E
Minoru: We want to be heard as
far away as possible. Even if
everyone in the whole world
reads our lyrics, we are not
going to change our music style
for people to be pleased with it.
Does Lipcream put a lot of
effort into a live show?
Jha Jha: Yes, we put a lot of
effort into our shows. We play
about two or three shows every
week. If it was possible, we
would live to play everyday. Our
longest tours last for about a
month. We tour from north to
south of Japan. And, yes, we
are active on stage.
Minoru: Onstage we try to
express ourselves in ways that
we are unable to on a record or
talking to people.
Does hardcore from outside of
Japan influence you?
A
best in writing music and lyrics.
Lipcream features a fast pace.
Why did you choose this.
style?
Minoru: There is no actual
reason why we play fast. It just
ends up fast. We like our music,
but we are especially pleased
with our latest material. I'm sure
It will even get a lot better.
How does Lipcream survive in
Japan? Isn't it very expensive
to exist in Japan?
Jha Jha: Yes, it is very expen-
sive living in Japan. To rent a
studio is also very expensive.
We all work to survive.
Minoru: Yes, it's expensive to
live in Japan, especially with a
band. But there's a way to do it
cheap.
What jobs do you hold?
Jha Jha: I am a carpenter, but
now I work at a TV studio
making stage sets. Minoru is a
carpenter, Pill is an actor, and
Naoki is currently unemployed.
Minoru: When I'm not working
with a band, I work as a
carpenter. I also spend a lot of
time playing TV games.
Are all of you friends?
Jha Jha: Yes, we are all close
NAOKI
M
friends. We live near each other
because Tokyo isn't all that big.
We also drink together.
Who writes the music and
lyrics?
Minoru: Naoki and I write prac
tically all of the songs. Pill also
writes some songs.
Jha Jha: Eighty percent Minoru.
How come there is not much
merchandising of bands in
Japan? Would you want this
for yourselves?
Jha Jha: Yes. We've had almost)
no merchandising. I believe that
merchandise is important
because it really can spread the
name of the band. In fact, we
all want a Lipcream t-shirt of
our own.
Minoru: But it costs too much to
make one
What is a rock/pop star to
Lipcream?
Jha Jha: It is like being a
doll no! I really want to know
what the audience thinks about
pop-idolism.
Minoru: I think rock stars are
just plain nothing. But I think
Hokuto No Ken (weekly prime-
time TV animation character) is
a star. Discharge and Misfits are
a few of my influences, and I do
Inot consider them stars or idols.
What does Lipcream think of
bands like Laughing Nose,
who were supporting the
punk scene, but now use a
punk approach while playing
pop music?
Minoru: Laughing Nose is not
punk at all.
Jha Jha: Bands like that are just
lying to their audience. Not only
is Laughing Nose doing it, but
bands such as Kenji and Star
Club are also backstabbers.
Doll, Takarajima and Fool's
Mate (major Japanese zines)
are all hell. I'd like to drop them
in hell. They all rip everyone off.
What does Lipcream think of
face make-up and metal-the
current fad in Japan?
Jha Jha: Stupid! Only cool-
looking people should put on
make-up. For some reason, a lot
of Japanese males look stupid 1
in make-up.
Minoru: I hated make-up before.
But now, I sort of believe that
make-up can express strong
thoughts to people. But if it is
just for attention, then I believe
it is stupid.
Does Lipcream want to tour
the U.S.A. and Europe?
Both: Yes, definitely!
Any last comments?
Minoru: I really want to play and
also put out records in foreign
countries if that is at all pos-
sible. Would you care to listen
to our music?
Jha Jha: For info, write to: Jhal
Jha, c/o Komatsu, Chateau
Ogikubo 402, Amanuma
2-33-11, Suginami-ku, Tokyo.
Japan.
Lipcream Discography
7" Ep "Lonely Rock" Hold Up
Records
7" Ep "Night Rider" AA
Records
Lp (compilation) "Hardcore"
Unlawful Assembly" AA
Records
Cassette/book (compilation)
"The Punx" JICC
Cassette "Kill The IBM"
Lp "Kill Ugly Pop Captain
Records
Lp (compilation) "Thrash Til
Death" Selfish Records
Video "Lipcream Live"
12" Ep "Nine Shocks Terror"
Selfish Records
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