Interview by Marisa Brickman
Photography by Coley Brown
The experience of seeing Boris live is completely mind-bending—an energy that spreads through your entire body. The sheer enormity of their music and the intensity of
the sounds they make is the ultimate musical body buzz.
It’s rare to be blown away by the sheer intensity of a sound—a sound that is heavy and noisy, but at times also beautiful and even melodic. Armed with a gong, a double-neck guitar, another bass, angelic female back-up vocals, a howling drummer, and righteous riffs, Boris will affect you. Whether it’s in a sweaty club in Tokyo, a holiday park in England or a park in Austin, TX, Boris’ intensity is infectious. You may need to take a seat.
Since the band first formed in 1992, they have released over 17 albums, with each album unique in its own right. In terms of heavy music, Boris have created nearly every kind of hard music—hardcore, noise, metal, doom, drone, experimental—and each time done it brilliantly. If you need a clue as to what album is what, the spelling of their name may be a small clue. BORIS in all caps will most likely be heavy rock and boris in smaller caps indicates a more experimental side. Depending on your taste you may want to warm up if you don’t think you can take the heat.
Some musicians are made for the game and others are just made to rock. Boris are made to rock.
It took us a long while to track them down, but we got there in the end. ’SUP caught up with Atsuo (drummer since 1998) and this is what he had to say. There’s a bit of a language barrier, so please give all parties a little grace.
I was at the ATP you played and seeing you Om and Earth on the same day was one of the best days ever! I was completely mesmerized and spellbound the entire time. The sheer intensity of your music is infectious.
Thanks very much.
Tell us about your experience playing at ATP last winter? Was it any different than other gigs? Or more special?
Very much so, whenever we played for ATP everything was special because we didn’t know what could happen. I remembered the show you saw. During the Sunn O))) live set two full stacks of guitar amplifiers were fallen down. It was an accident and I felt sorry about that when I saw it.
What happens when you play live? There is an electric feeling in the air and it almost seems like you are in a trance.
Well, we usually lost our memories after the show. Looking like a conversation without any words in extreme condition.
Do you think about what you’re doing when you’re playing or does it kind of come naturally?
Let me say it comes from not only incidents on stage but also every situation, mood and atmosphere which surround us. When audience gets excited so do we then act. Honestly
I don’t understand what is ‘natural’ here. Everything must be reciprocal action between audience and the band.
What does HEAVY mean to you?
Being real.
You’ve been a band for so long and released nearly 20 albums.
What makes Boris work?
We just react to sounds or phenomenon in front of us and want to keep doing so and simply won’t stop.
How much of your time is spent touring?
In 2008 we did 100 shows in a year, which was the most intense. Touring is really hard for us but we are always grateful to see our fans and sharing fruitful time with them everywhere. Also we always get stimulations and imaginations during the tour.
Gong or double-neck guitar?
Gong is one of the most classic elements in rock music I think. As far as double-neck goes, Takeshi is more guitar player than bass player, and some of the songs’ atmosphere requires more guitar without bass. That has led more possibilities during our play.
What is the most intense experience (musical or just in life) that you’ve ever had?
No comment, sorry.
How do you spend most days when you’re not on the road?
Keep recording and editing. We really have no idea what taking break means.
When did you realize your music transcended the Japanese hardcore scene? Was there anyone else in Japan making more droney-sounding rock at the time?
We never realize that we transcended the Japanese hardcore scene, just do whatever we think ordinary. Of course if concept of hardcore would get more popular or normal that would be great though. Are you saying pure drone artist? There are in Japan for sure, I guess the bands like SUNN O))) would be increasing since many people think that drone music is very easy to create or write.
Who would you consider pure drone?
Diesel guitar.
What music do you guys listen to in the van when you’re on tour?
Basically I don’t hear any music in the van during the tour, just sleeping as I am usually exhausted. Other members may listen to with headset though, there is no music being played in the van with speaker.
How did you go about collaborating with Sunn O)))?
Just did whatever we thought cool or we tried to make everything cool each other. No language or actual conversation needed because they have had so many musical languages. Usually there are many things that we can’t see or hear on SUNN O))), and those are more important than actual phenomenon like sound or words.
What do you find inspiring?
Everywhere, every time. Mostly from non-musical things.
What is your favorite thing about Japanese culture? What do you miss when you’re away?
I personally grew up in ‘otaku-culture’ and I realized otaku culture influence is huge thing especially in Europe. Perhaps non-Japanese people don’t understand exactly what it is, that is pretty awful thing. Beware, otaku culture could be very dangerous to western people.
How is Otaku culture dangerous?!
Without thinking it is right or wrong, Otaku culture abuses and consumes someone’s pleasure then it has been increasing in whole world. Before considering it is right or wrong many consumers support Otaku culture. In general mass means right or win. Comparing present situation with the one 20 years ago, a sense of value of normal and unusual completely turn around. Probably they keep increasing from now on. Even if something is not right, Otaku people tends to think, ‘That is fine since it is unreal and delusion’. I think there is no border between reality and delusion actually.
How does Japan differ musically from the rest of the world?
Looking like another planet, so the world can’t ignore Japanese culture hereafter too. It is crazy that Miku Hatsune (vocaloid, you’d better to learn if you would like to know current Japanese culture) sells many CD copies and get in high position in music chart.
That Music like Miku Hasune is very tech-heavy and not very natural; is it even music?
Probably you can’t enjoy Miku Hatsune at all if you would take it as music. It is kind of phenomenon, and I really enjoy its substance of this phenomenon. For Japanese Otaku people need natural or reality just in their own, not require from outside of them then they just want some signals which can lead reality inside of them. So called musical value is not required by them at all. Miku has been spreading through user-generated content, both creator and consumer has shared and grown Miku together on the same level. Then this
phenomenon gets huge influence to general Japanese music industries. I understand Japanese Otaku culture is unusual so easily guess it is very hard for western people to understand and get what Miku Hatsune means. Her existence is very complicated even for Japanese Otaku, as they may just be abusing and consuming.
How do you think people perceive you as a band and how do you perceive yourselves? We have been trying to photograph you and interview since Pink came out and you are definitely hard to get a hold of! Is this on purpose?
Upon hearing Miku Hatsune, I have guessed that Western people take Boris music as strange thing. Nihon-jin tries to play sort of rock music and it is weird or unusual (laughs). If they would enjoy our music that is much appreciated though.
I know press may seem like a total waste of time because of the language barrier—we just really LOVE Boris and want to share you with all the other people we know would love you too!
I understand. Thank you.
If you curated a festival who would play?
Of course Miku Hatsune!
