SKANEWS Webzine - TOKYO SKA PARADISE ORCHESTRA

TOKYO SKA PARADISE ORCHESTRA (casually called 'SKA-PARA' or 'TSPO') arrived on the scene in 1989, with analog 12-inch vinyl. They made a debut to the major scene in 1990 with the album "SKA-PARA TOUJOU" (meaning 'Here comes SKA-PARA!'). They are one of the leading super live bands giving all of its energy to hyper and upper sound with chivalrous ska rhythm.

Since their debut they had led and stimulated the Japanese music scene. They have released 7 original albums, and performed more than 700 gigs in Japan and abroad. Their tough live performance embodies both tight professionalism and brave indie-ism. Also being not only a bunch of musicians but also keeping busy as DJ, they are releasing many dance floor corresponding sounds through the label called "JUSTA RECORDS", SKA-PARA's founding label.

Their brandnew album 'Full-Tension Beaters' has been released by Avex in Japan and will now be released for Europe through Grover Records (GRO-CD/-LP 046). For the first time ever, TSPO will present this album live all over europe on their forthcoming tour in December 2000.

Atsushi Yanaka : "All members have different background. Some have jazz background, reggae, rock all kinds of music. We are a bunch of music lovers. How we met ska music...Some of us started to hang out in a club/bar called "A.K.A." in Harajuku, Tokyo around 1989. The original percussionist and the founder of TSPO, Asa-chang and the drummer Aoki, who's passed away last year, wanted introduce this marvelous music to the rest of the members."

Atsushi Yanaka : "During the 60s and 70s, there were many big bands in Tokyo. We wanted to carry on the sense of those big bands and yet play ska music in a full band. We wanted to include "Tokyo" because it sounds cool at the same time uncool."

Atsushi Yanaka : "Due to lack of budget, it was recorded, mixed and masterd in 2 days. It is the most emotional and insane piece. Still remains one of our favorites."

Skanews : "I just havae an album from 1990 with covers of "Hit THe Road Jack" and "Baby Elephant Walk". Why is it hard to find your records in Europe?"

Atsushi Yanaka "We never released records in Europe. That is why. Now Grover Records are putting out our newest album "Full-Tension Beaters". You can check it out."

Atsushi Yanaka : "We suppose, you have to go to record shops/chain stores where they carry imported CDs or records."

Skanews : "You play in Europe in 1991. What are your memories about such tour? Do you remember your concert in Paris in a venue called "The New Morning"?"

Atsushi Yanaka : "Yes, it was a while ago, but we very much enjoyed it. The audience was all difference everywhere we went. It was such a feed back for us. We remember very well about our show are New Morning. We very much enjoyed how the Parisians were enjoyig and dancing to Ska. WE were very excited to feel the music with the audience. We are looking forward to our show on December
>21st this year to see them again !"

Skanews : "It is very hard to find your records but you are very popular in Europe. Some Japanese people in France told us that you are also very popular in Japan. Can you tell me about this?(radio& tv appeaarance,s hows etc...)"

Atsushi Yanaka : "We appreciate those more fans in Europe who are supporting us. We have been around for more than 10 years and have been very active both in the underground music scene of Japan and in the overground music scene. We appear in any programs in any midia as long as it interests us and excites us. Some of us DJs and we play in big clubs and small clubs."

Atsushi Yanaka : "Yes, we have released several videos. The must recent one was released in the Spring of 2000. This video basically shows our Spring tour 1999 as well as our way of loving music and life."

Skanews : "You have a lot of instrumental tracks but I know that you also have vocal tracks. Can you tell me about thelurics of your songs. Do you have certain messages to tell to the public?"

Atsushi Yanaka : "It varies. Sometimes, we would like to convey lyrical messages. Sometimes, we express our philosophy of living as men with passion."

Skanews : "You are Skatalites fans. Have you met this band? iF yes, what are your memories with this band ?"

Atsushi Yanaka : "Yes, we respect them very much, The last time we met was when we performed at a festival in Tokyo. They were the best musicians with the best mentality. They were so energetic and very upper. We cannot put any words into them."

Atsushi Yanaka : "We want to keep ourselves active in Japan's underground scene. We lounched this label to put out the kind of stuff we cannot put out on a CD format. A lot of times, great music come from club scenes/DJs/musicians. We can realize what no one else can do. Sometimes, it is a sketchbook and sometimes it is a cambus. Justa Record is distributed through Avex."

Atsushi Yanaka : "They are the biggest independent label in Japan. We are quite happy with them."

Atsushi Yanaka : "We wanted to go back to the authentic ska at the same time wanted to try something else. Unlike Archestra, our previous album, we wanted to make full instrumental tracks and we feel very happy with how the album came up with, We are very happy."

Atsushi Yanaka : "No, the second mini CD is contains a bonus track and double CD was only manufactured as limited edition in Japan."

Skanews : "Full-Tension Beaters will be released by Grover Records early December. How did you meet with this label ?"

Atsushi Yanaka : "It was always our interest to release our records in Europe but we never really work on getting deals. We've always respected Grover for what they are releasing. We are very hornored to be included in their line-ups. It started when Avex approached Grover and got an immediate interest from Grover side as well."

Skanews : "Is it hard for ska band to write new song with the ska rhythm after 7 or 8 albums?"

Skanews : "Can you tell me about your forthcoming tour in December in Europe. Is it true that a Japanese TV crew will accompany your tour ?"

Atsushi Yanaka : "The first show is December 20th at a club called Underworld in Camden, London. Then, we are coming to Paris, Brussells, Amsterdam and 6 cities in Germany. We are playing new year's eve in Berlin. Yes, we have a TV crew covering our tour for broadcasting."

Skanews : "Have you heard a cover track of your first album by an US band called Insteps ?"

Atsushi Yanaka : "We didn't know. How flattering! Please let us hear their music."

Skanews : "Can you tell me about ska scene in Japan ? (Kemuri,Rude Bones , Ska Flames)"

Atsushi Yanaka : "There are many ska bands now. We are releasing new Japanese ska bands through Justa Record next year. You should check them out!

Atsushi Yanaka : "Check out our tour and our album "full-tension beaters". We want to enjoy with you. Looking forward to get inspiration from you on the stage!"

"Full-Tension Beaters", the brand new TSPO album is great ! Hot brass section, very good tune (some are "speed" instrumental Ska, some are more "cool" as Skatalites style. You can also find on this record 2 good Dub tracks ! One of the best Ska album of the year ! Absolutely !
You can also find the brand new C.D. TSPO single featuring 3 tracks (with 2 unreleased Dub versions) and a vidéo-clip.

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
European tour 2000

12/20 - UK - London / Underworld
12/21 - F - Paris / Espace Michel Berger
12/22 - B - Kontich / Lintfabriek
12/23 - NL - Amsterdam / Melkweg
12/25 - D - Münster / Jovel
12/26 - D - Jena / Kassa Blanca
12/27 - D - Lahr / Universal D.O.G.
12/28 - D - Erlangen / E-Werk
12/29 - D - Wiesbaden / Schlachthof
12/30 - D - Hamburg / Logo
12/31 - D - Berlin / Pfefferberg