Around the Fest.3. featuring Fumio of KEMURI

There are many musicians, managers, media people and all-around music fans who are involved in FRF. For this reason, we decided to start the "Around the fest" series. We are trying to interview as many of these people as we can, and look at the FRF from each of their different perspectives. This time we interviewed Fumio, the lead vocalist of "KEMURI", one of the leading ska-punk outfit. KEMURI performed at FRF in 1998, 2000, and 2001. Last year, right after an amazing performances at Field of Heave, he mentioned to us "Fuji Rock is some kind of a "revolution" whic was a thrilling phrase we heard on the fetival.

Usually, chances to interview the musicians themselves are slim, but when we asked Fumio that this was for "fujirockers.org", he responded straight away and said "Ok. No problem." (Thank you Fumio.)

We had this interview on February 24, when he performed at a small reharsal studio as a guest band for a show of their friend's band. Packed like a rush hour train in Tokyo with s small sir conditioner in a such a tiny studio, such an explosive band like KEMURI produced an amazing and extremely powerful show which had no difference with their massive show at a big venue....

"We have never experienced this tight show!" were the words we headr right after the gig and it was far too obvious that Fumio was ever so exhausted, but still took the time to speak about FRF with us.

-----------

A lot of memories cross my mind during the .25 minute-performance in 1998.

I first heard about FRF in 1997, which was our debut year. I just couldn't outright accept this festival because of my rather sarcastic personality. (laugh) I was just jealous, really. I wanted to perform rather than just go there. When heard the Red Hot Chili Peppers or Green day were performing, I dreamed of performing at festivals like them. One of the reasons that I started playing music was "Artists Against Apartheid (a massive benefit show to demand "Free Nelson Mandela" )". I was thrilled by this big event and really wanted to perform for Fuji Rock Festival.

In 1997, the second day was cancelled due to a typhoon. At that time, a lot of people were complaining about FRF (I had the same feeling though...). But I thought that they were just jealous, and I wanted to say " Why don't you try and do it?!"

A lot of things crossed my mind and I was saying a lot like how expensive the ticket was, but I wanted FRF to keep going on. I wanted to say: "We haven't performed yet, please don't give up!

In 1998, when were asked to perform at FRF, we were so happy. It was after our American tour and before "77 days", the 2nd album, was released. We still remember it. Sasha (a well-known stage-hand. We want Sasha to be interviewed for fuji rockin' people as well.) who was the MC and introduced us as 'currently the most powerful band". The MC was great but my voice was hoarse, and after I sang one chorus of the first number, "New generation" or "Player", I am not sure about now, I thought "Oops. My voice..." The weather was so hot! Well, it was 11 a.m. and still luckier to play then than the afternoon though.

I was thrilled when I came on stage. A lot of things crossed my mind. About my previous band, they loved music more than me. They had knowledge and techniques more than me, but some of them are not playing music anymore. So why am I standing here now? It was really a strange feeling.

We hadn't performed on such a big stage, but a lot of people knew about us. We were surprised and wondered why. We usually saw the same people at our shows. It was a bit uncomfortable at first when we realized that we didn't know them but they knew us. We were afraid that might change us in the future. We only performed for about 25 minutes, but it meant a lot to us.

Wow, this is what FRF wanted to do!（FRF '02）

At last we finally realized it. Everything was a surprise at FRF. I think in the past, people used to enjoy music outside. Outside festivals are really close to traditional fairs. More than that, it is great that people use their knowledge and energy to enjoy the festival. I always think that the audience should be like that rather than just opening their mouth like a baby bird waiting to be fed. Don't wait or expect things, but find the way for you to enjoy it on your own. That's why I've been doing all by our own way, (DIY), and thought FRF is similar to us. Without relaying on anything or making a fuss, but just go out and do it! That's the attitude.

　You can't enjoy the festival if you're not there. Every little thing means a lot by joining the festival: how you get there there (transportation) is like a journey, isn't it? What you feel, who you meet, etc... But at the same time, it's a pity that it all fades with memory. Fall, winter, and Christmas all come, and then I realize that FRF was 3 months ago. I feel in some ways that FRF turned out to be my basis. How was I enjoying music before? FRF made me consider the concepts of "music" as "real music", and not as "business music". Well, still people say a lot about FRF and it hasn't changed yet.

We get so tense when it's time for Fuji Rock and we don't have extra time to think about how we can perform as such. We just perform recklessly. Especially me."

We were so nervous when we performed at the Green Stage last year. We have performed many times at FRF, but we're still not satisfied with it. Not yet... (last year's performance at Feild of Heaven's stage was great, I said) yes, everyone says that, but still I'm not satisfied. (laugh) There were a lot of situations, but I still don't like it when the audience left for the Green or White stages while we were performing. My regret is that I might have performed better at the Green stage and caught their heart. Still lot to do....

"I've seen KEMURI before, so I'm not gonna see them again." I think a lot of people thought this way. Well, a big artist was performing at the Green stage, so... but I still think that I could have done more than that. That's why we got so excited. Everyone pays money to see us, so we should put on a great show for our audience.

Comparing FRF '98 with the recent FRF

I'm sure there is a big difference. The audience in Naeba is cool. They have guts. They come a long way to Naeba and many sleep in a tent. There are many people who look cool in the streets in city, but when they come to Naeba they turn into a weak person. FRF have a good facility for the musicians but still not enough for the audience. Enjoying 3 days is really tough, I guess. But at the same time, they are trying to enjoy it the best they can. They line up to buy their favorite band's T-shirts for a long time, and they all try hard and has a positive attitude. Maybe that's why I think theye so cool!

Favourite spot of the festival? I like Field of Heaven and Avalon. I went to see a lot of bands there, and Heaven is a place you can relax and lay back but still enjoy the stage. Nice atmosphere, a lot of interesting things to give it a "magical" feel..

We've been playing at other festivals too. We played at the Rising Sun, Nagasaki, and Osaka. (What's the difference between FRF and other festivals?) It's totally different. I wonder if the other festival staffs researched FRF on the scale or ideas? A true festival is not only doing something outside. But a lot of festival organizers can't think past that point. They can't think of what they should do between the performances or what to do when there is no music on. I think they don't think about it too seriously.

The audience enjoy when the bands are on stage, but once it's finished, it seems like they have nothing to do. There is a limit to what they can do or eat. Hot Dog or Fried Noodle? All junk food, aren they at those so-called festivals? But at FRF, everyone seems to be having fun all the time. (laugh) FRF knows how to entertain people. Their entertainment is to make the audience have fun, it's clear which band is going to play, and at other places, DJ's are playing. FRF is not only music but enjoying the sky, the scenery, etc. Everything is entertainment.

(What part do you want FRF to improve? After thinking about it carefully...) The merchandise tent. The lines are too long. I know everyone wants to buy their favorite artist's goods, but it needs to be improved. Someone said they stood in line for 3 hours! I think it's crazy, but at the same time I understand why they line up to buy their favorite artist's T-shirts, etc. It's a positive attitude to enjoy the stage by buying and wearing the artist's T-shirts. Another thing to improve is the tent site. It will be better if they can set it on a better surface. Not on the hillside.

All I wish for FRF is that it continue. Neil Young came once, and if he came again, it wouldn't be fresh anymore. It's hard to make it fresh every year, but I really want FRF to keep going on.

(Which band do you want to see?) I want to see Bruce Springsteen. He is something, you know, but I don't really want to see reorganized bands. It's not interesting. Well, this is not rock but perhaps like Trinidad's Steeldrum Orchestra? Or Malavoi from Martinique? I still like Gypsy Kings, and the Japanese bands that I play with. There's a lot of bands I want to see.

And the artists who have pride as a professional artist are interesting. We enjoy them even if we have different tastes in music. (On the other hand) I'm not interested in half-baked artists. Even if they are popular and selling well, they seem to be misunderstanding themselves and lack a hard core. There are a few artists like that. However, people come to see those artists. (laugh)

----------------------

Not only my music-related friends but my other friends are saying that they are going to FRF this year. Everyone said that they had fun last year. Whether we can perform or not, we're not planning any schedule on the last week of July. (laugh)

We (ORG staff) have no idea if KEMURI is going to perform at FRF this year, however it seems like Fumio will come either way - as a performer or as a spectator. After this interview, we talked about other things on and on. Thank you for spending your time with us and hope we can see you at Naeba.

reported by ORG-master, translated by yuko with a help of Jason  (March 14, 2002)