We started "Around The Fest." to highlight the wide variety of people involved with Fuji Rock: the musicians, agents, media people and others. We hope this helps you view the festival from several different angles as well as know some bands playuing there.

This time we interviewed a brand new, to us at least, band from London called the Perkinsons, who will be perfoming for FRF this year. Out staff, Jason, did a phone interview to introduce the band to Japan.

I guess there are lots of bands and artists playing for FRF as usual and we feel we should catch some of them to interview with so that you would not miss something wicked at the festival. As well as a lot of big names, there are quite unknown but great up and coming artists appearing which we believe is a charm of FRF. It would be great to introduce those for you in this series.

comment by ORG-master  (June 10, 2002)

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. 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. 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? "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)