Akabane Vulgars on Strong Bypass: 20 Years of Noise, Grit and Independence.

Rokku Sokuho (RS): After more than 20 years together, why was Homecoming the right title for your new record?

Akaban Vulgars on Strong Bypass (AV): Actually, this wasn’t a new song written specifically for the 7-inch. We wrote it around seven years ago. We really wanted to release “Homecoming” on 7-inch vinyl, and that is what led to this release. The title “Homecoming” reflects our feeling that, in a world where so many things are happening, we do not want to lose sight of the place and the values we believe in.

RS: Why did you choose a seven-inch record for Homecoming in the streaming era?

AV: We love listening to music on vinyl, and we felt that both our music and the song “Homecoming” would suit the format very well.

RS: Was releasing it for Record Store Day part of the song’s meaning?

AV: At first, we actually did not know about Record Store Day. When we were preparing the 7-inch release, someone recommended that we take part. The timing also happened to coincide with our release through a Swedish label, so it felt like the perfect opportunity, and we asked that person to help us participate. It was a lot of fun to be involved.

RS: How does the “Imaginal Cell version” of “2049” differ from the original?

AV: The mix is different. We had the chance to work with a very good engineer, and by leaving the mix in their hands, the atmosphere and world of the song became much stronger and more distinctive.

RS: Why was “2049” the perfect B-side for “Homecoming”?

AV: We felt they were songs with completely different characters. Even though they are very different from each other, we think both songs clearly show our identity as a band.

RS: Your live album contains 18 songs. What did that Flowers Loft performance capture about the band?

AV: This one-man show marked the band’s 20th anniversary. We went into it with a very clear idea of what we needed to accomplish, and we were able to carry it through. I think it gave the three of us a clearer sense of what we can do together from here.

RS: How have Yumi’s guitar, Miki’s bass and Kei’s drums learned to leave space for one another?

AV: We keep playing together until we can feel what the others want to do. We have had the same members for 20 years, so I think we have naturally developed an understanding of each other’s intentions and the direction we want to take.

RS: You discovered Reverend instruments during your first American tour. What did they change in your sound?

AV: Bass: I switched to Reverend because I liked its aggressive, grinding sound. Combined with the powerful drum sound, I think it helps create the huge, roaring sound of the band.

Guitar: Even when I change guitars, the sound I want to create does not really change, so I do not think switching to Reverend changed things dramatically. However, the guitar has a thick and persistent quality in the low-mid frequencies, so it may have added more texture to the songs.

RS: What has kept the original three members together since 2005?

AV: Because we are good friends. Laughs. I think we also have very similar values.

RS: You have described your career as a search for where your music fits. Did Sweden provide part of the answer?

AV: Yes. I feel that discovering even one part of that identity can give us a clue as to how we can make music in an even more authentic way in the future.

RS: You played three shows here at Live at Heart last year. What made you want to return to Örebro?

AV: Because the audience was amazing. We felt a real chemistry with them.

RS: A young Swedish fan asked you to sign a skateboard covered with “Girl Empowerment” stickers. What did that moment mean to you?

AV: Interacting with that fan was a wonderful experience. We were also very happy because it felt as though we had been able to contribute, even in a small way, to female empowerment.

RS: Do audiences outside Japan listen to the band with fewer expectations about gender?

AV: Of course it varies from person to person, but relatively speaking, I feel there are fewer in Sweden.

RS: The band name originally had no particular meaning. Has “Akabane” gained a meaning after 20 years?

AV: It is our point of contact with the world around us. I feel that Akabane’s songs have documented the way we have viewed the world over the years.

RS: You run TRI-Tech TOKYO café together as well as playing in the band. Has working together in a café changed your chemistry as musicians?

AV: It has not changed. If anything, it feels more natural now than it did when we were not working together.

RS: After Homecoming, where does the band’s search take you next?

AV: This is not a journey where we have already decided the destination. First, we will release the single “Hare Coursing” in Japan on September 13. After that, we want to keep searching for our next direction while closely watching what is actually happening in the world around us.

RS: Thank You. ( Handing over a special made Dalahorse as a gift ) Hope it will find a place in your café.