Post by HARD ROCK UNIVERSE on May 17, 2006 22:57:23 GMT -5
The Savoy Truffle
Interview by Nightwatcher
May 22, 2005
The Savoy Truffle are undoubtedly the finest Southern rock band ever to come out of Japan. Come to think of it, they're probably the only one, but that doesn't change the fact that the band plays some great, authentic, southern fried rock n roll. The band's latest 'Roadhouse Boogie' (Big Stone) is a great blend of Gov't Mule styled power rock, 70's heavy rock, with a healthy dose of Allman Brothers influenced jamming, and would be a welcome addition to your Southern rock collection. Special thanks to Ray Carver at Southbound PR for coordinating, and The Savoy Truffle for doing this interview for Rock N Roll Universe!
Rock N Roll Universe : Japan isn't generally known for Southern rock bands. How did you come to begin playing this style of music?
The Savoy Truffle : We like 70's American rock music. It suits us, so that's what we play.
RNRU : If you were to encounter a stranger, and they asked you what kind of music you play, how would you describe it?
ST : Our music is more hard-edged than American Southern rock. We are influenced by 70's British rock, too. Our vocalist left recently, and the remaining members are in the process of adjusting to this change. We are adapting and growing now.
RNRU : How is the response to your music in Japan, and how does it compare to the response you've received in Europe and the U.S? Are there any other bands that play the same style of music that you do in Japan, or are you the only ones?
ST : We don't know of any other Southern rock bands in Japan. At our shows some people scream and dance and get excited when we play, but others just stare. Half of our audience is young, half is middle-aged. The middle-aged people know 70's music, so our music is familiar to them. Younger people aren't familiar with the original genre, but they become interested in it when they hear us play.
RNRU : If you had to pick a track off of 'Roadhouse Boogie' that you'd consider a favorite, which one would it be?
ST : Our manager thinks "Lowdown Blues" is the best. Our bassist likes "Until you can feel," because that song's bass is very good. Our guitarist likes "Too real to feel," because that song had a moody feel. Our English teacher likes "I'll never know."
RNRU : English is not your native language. Yet you couldn't tell it by listening to your music. How difficult is it singing and writing in a language that is not one you normally use everyday?
ST : Monji, the vocalist, has quit. His American friend always checked his lyrics and pronunciation.
RNRU : What are some of the albums and bands that have influenced your music?
ST : When we had two drummers, we always sampled 'Eat a Peach' by the Allman Brothers, but now we can include Frank Zappa, Gov't Mule, the Beatles, Zeppelin's 'Physical Graffiti,' the Rolling Stones, Santana, The Grateful Dead and more among our influences.
RNRU : If you could play with any artist, which ones would you love to play or share a stage with?
ST : Jimi Hendrix, but we have to wait until we get to heaven. In truth, we learned a lot from touring with Gov't Mule in 2000, about musicianship and working together while on stage.
RNRU : You played the Sweden Rock Festival, how was that experience?
ST : We stayed in a log cabin for 5 days. It was a nice experience. The forest surrounded us. We were on opening day, so a lot of people came to our show. We started own gig at 11:30 p.m. and finished at 1a.m. After our show it was before dawn. As for on the stage, it was freezing!
RNRU : What would you say has been the most memorable moment in your career so far?
ST : Playing at On The Bricks in Atlanta's Centennial Park. It was huge. We played in front of 20,000 people. Or perhaps our last European tour. People there knew about us and traveled to come to our shows. We were delighted.
RNRU : On the flip side, have there been any embarrassing moments, or any that you'd care to share?
ST : We appeared on a Czech Republic TV show. Maybe it was that. We were flustered by the beautiful newscaster. She could only speak Czech.
RNRU : You've had the opportunity to tour the U.S. How was that, and are there any plans to return in the future?
ST : Great experience!! We hope to, but we don't have a plane now.
RNRU : What are the differences between audiences here in the U.S. compared to the ones you play to in Japan?
ST : The U.S. audience was very responsible. We enjoyed playing in the U.S.A. a lot.
RNRU : What albums would someone find you listening to at the moment?
ST : Jazz albums, for example Herbie Hanc*ck, Victor Wooten and Blues albums.
RNRU : What's next for The Savoy Truffle? Where would you like to take your music in the future?
ST : We are looking for a new vocalist now. We keep getting better and better as a team. After we get the new vocalist, we'd like to take our music to the world.
RNRU : This space is yours. Is there anything that you'd like to add to your fans, or anyone curious about your music?
ST : We'll be back as a more powerful band , stay tuned!
For more info, go to the Official Savoy Truffle Website at www.live-indies.com/savoy.html
Interview by Nightwatcher
May 22, 2005
The Savoy Truffle are undoubtedly the finest Southern rock band ever to come out of Japan. Come to think of it, they're probably the only one, but that doesn't change the fact that the band plays some great, authentic, southern fried rock n roll. The band's latest 'Roadhouse Boogie' (Big Stone) is a great blend of Gov't Mule styled power rock, 70's heavy rock, with a healthy dose of Allman Brothers influenced jamming, and would be a welcome addition to your Southern rock collection. Special thanks to Ray Carver at Southbound PR for coordinating, and The Savoy Truffle for doing this interview for Rock N Roll Universe!
Rock N Roll Universe : Japan isn't generally known for Southern rock bands. How did you come to begin playing this style of music?
The Savoy Truffle : We like 70's American rock music. It suits us, so that's what we play.
RNRU : If you were to encounter a stranger, and they asked you what kind of music you play, how would you describe it?
ST : Our music is more hard-edged than American Southern rock. We are influenced by 70's British rock, too. Our vocalist left recently, and the remaining members are in the process of adjusting to this change. We are adapting and growing now.
RNRU : How is the response to your music in Japan, and how does it compare to the response you've received in Europe and the U.S? Are there any other bands that play the same style of music that you do in Japan, or are you the only ones?
ST : We don't know of any other Southern rock bands in Japan. At our shows some people scream and dance and get excited when we play, but others just stare. Half of our audience is young, half is middle-aged. The middle-aged people know 70's music, so our music is familiar to them. Younger people aren't familiar with the original genre, but they become interested in it when they hear us play.
RNRU : If you had to pick a track off of 'Roadhouse Boogie' that you'd consider a favorite, which one would it be?
ST : Our manager thinks "Lowdown Blues" is the best. Our bassist likes "Until you can feel," because that song's bass is very good. Our guitarist likes "Too real to feel," because that song had a moody feel. Our English teacher likes "I'll never know."
RNRU : English is not your native language. Yet you couldn't tell it by listening to your music. How difficult is it singing and writing in a language that is not one you normally use everyday?
ST : Monji, the vocalist, has quit. His American friend always checked his lyrics and pronunciation.
RNRU : What are some of the albums and bands that have influenced your music?
ST : When we had two drummers, we always sampled 'Eat a Peach' by the Allman Brothers, but now we can include Frank Zappa, Gov't Mule, the Beatles, Zeppelin's 'Physical Graffiti,' the Rolling Stones, Santana, The Grateful Dead and more among our influences.
RNRU : If you could play with any artist, which ones would you love to play or share a stage with?
ST : Jimi Hendrix, but we have to wait until we get to heaven. In truth, we learned a lot from touring with Gov't Mule in 2000, about musicianship and working together while on stage.
RNRU : You played the Sweden Rock Festival, how was that experience?
ST : We stayed in a log cabin for 5 days. It was a nice experience. The forest surrounded us. We were on opening day, so a lot of people came to our show. We started own gig at 11:30 p.m. and finished at 1a.m. After our show it was before dawn. As for on the stage, it was freezing!
RNRU : What would you say has been the most memorable moment in your career so far?
ST : Playing at On The Bricks in Atlanta's Centennial Park. It was huge. We played in front of 20,000 people. Or perhaps our last European tour. People there knew about us and traveled to come to our shows. We were delighted.
RNRU : On the flip side, have there been any embarrassing moments, or any that you'd care to share?
ST : We appeared on a Czech Republic TV show. Maybe it was that. We were flustered by the beautiful newscaster. She could only speak Czech.
RNRU : You've had the opportunity to tour the U.S. How was that, and are there any plans to return in the future?
ST : Great experience!! We hope to, but we don't have a plane now.
RNRU : What are the differences between audiences here in the U.S. compared to the ones you play to in Japan?
ST : The U.S. audience was very responsible. We enjoyed playing in the U.S.A. a lot.
RNRU : What albums would someone find you listening to at the moment?
ST : Jazz albums, for example Herbie Hanc*ck, Victor Wooten and Blues albums.
RNRU : What's next for The Savoy Truffle? Where would you like to take your music in the future?
ST : We are looking for a new vocalist now. We keep getting better and better as a team. After we get the new vocalist, we'd like to take our music to the world.
RNRU : This space is yours. Is there anything that you'd like to add to your fans, or anyone curious about your music?
ST : We'll be back as a more powerful band , stay tuned!
For more info, go to the Official Savoy Truffle Website at www.live-indies.com/savoy.html