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We, the fujirockers.org, are constantly changing and growing. Well, this is the reason why you can find this article now in this section which was originally found in a series called "Around The Fest." I just thought it makes more sense to put this here as this is more for an introduction of an artist to you all rather than talking about their involvement to the festival.
The Parkinsons is relatively unknown here in Japan and our staff, ORG-jason, did a phone interview to introduce them as they will be appearing for FRF this year. As you know, there are hundreds of artists appearing for FRF but not all are well known. And we, fujirockers.org, are thinking that we should introduce them someway somehow.
We guess, for lots of people from overseas coming for the fest., the main attraction should be internationally known bands and artists from the West, but not only in Japan but all over in Asia and non English speaking world, there are countless numbers of great talents we have never been come across... We feel we should help those relatively new talents appearing for the fest. here so that you might have a change to find something incredible at the festival.
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 When The Parkinsons take to the stage at FujiRock this year, they are sure to raise more than an eyebrow, since raising HELL seems more their specialty. In their short career (around a year and a half), this punk/rock n' roll outfit have torn a path straight through the UK music scene.
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This is due in no small part to their live act. The Parkinsons are notorious for maniacal performances: stripping naked, demolishing equipment and leaving the crowd soaked in beer, sweat and high anxiety. When we spoke to Parkinsons vocalist Alfonso last week, he said he's psyched about their descent on Japan next month. "Going to Japan has always been a big dream for me," says Al, "I've always had a big curiosity about Japanese culture." This curiosity was fed with manga magazines, anime' and footage from Japanese punk gigs. He has run into a lot of Japanese in London, as well, he says. And if they are any indication, then FujiRock "…is going to be absolutely mad."  "I have to be honest with you", he admits.
"The music festival thing" isn't his preferred choice.
"Most of the festivals in Europe are just a big sign of apathy," he says, "most people just want to get drunk, get stoned, talk about peace and love, all that hippy shit. What we want is to turn up the volume and wake those people up. " Although small, dingy basement clubs are his favorite venue, Alfonso says that playing at FujiRock alongside artists like Patti Smith and Television is the opportunity of a lifetime. "I can't believe I'm going to play on the same stage as Television," says Al. So who else does he want to see? Along with Television and Patti Smith, the Skatalites, Sonic Youth and the Butthole Surfers make his list. But as for the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, "They can take it up the arse.
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Make sure you tell them that, ok?" he sneers, his snide grin emanating over the phone line.  He's not afraid to air his beef with BRMC, the White Stripes or other bands the Parkinsons have had dubious comparisons to. "They're boring," he exclaims, "They just stand there, stoned off their heads, playing their guitars. Who wants to watch that shit?"
Well, I do, but don't tell Al. One thing he's right about, however, is that he and his fellow Parkinsons definitely exert more energy on stage than almost any other act on the bill.
Whether or not you consider the way they exert themselves entertainment, Al says, is up to the individual. "Whatever you think of us, you've got to see it for yourself," he states, "and I don't mean to sound pretentious or anything, but people will be blown out of their minds." Their FujiRock performance has the potential to blow more than few minds, especially those who have never experienced the intoxicating one-two punch of a good punk-rock show. With searing guitars, howling vocals and drums that sound like a waterbufalo stampede, the Parkinsons' aggressive delivery of stripped-down rock n' roll is enough to get any crowd frothing at the mouth like a Bangkok street-dog. So what are the ingredients for a good show?
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 "There's no recipe for a great or shite gig," he muses, "Just come with no pretensions, no pretensions at all." One ingredient that does help, however, is feedback from the crowd. That gets them going, he says. And when they get going, "We go fucking mental."
"Every time we go somewhere different, we know we have to perform better, we have to give them action, because that's what they want." So what does Al and the Parkinsons want from the audience? "We just want them to join us in the party that rock and roll truly is." I'm sure they will, Al, I'm sure they will.
Reported by ORG-jason??(June 10, 2002)
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