STONE LEEK - Skate To Hell ! (Japan - Melodic HardCore- Interview with Akira).
- Hello - Can you introduce yourself and tell us how it all began for you - your encounter with this musical universe, what appealed to you, what fascinated you and what made you want to get into music?
We're STONE LEEK from Kyoto, Japan and skatepunk / melodic hardcore band. We have been active since 2001.
I started listening to Greenday when I was 16 and started listening to Hi Standard, NOFX, No Use For A Name, etc. Until then I had been listening to Japanese pop music and the Beatles. I already had a longing for the guitar since I was about 8 years old. By the time I was 20, I was completely hooked on PUNK ROCK and wanted to live a band-centric life.
- Tell me about the band... How you met - the current line-up - past experiences - and above all - WHY the need to form THIS band?
We've had members change several times. We were each in different bands, and when they broke up, I invited them to join STONE LEEK. It was right around the time that STONE LEEK had a member quit. We repeated the process several times and became the current members in 2014.
We've done countless tours. Japan, Europe, USA, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan. I don't know why I had to form STONE LEEK. I think the members are helping me with the music I want to do.
- Describe your sound and explain why I should listen to YOUR band at all cost ?
Our music is fast. And it is mostly in a minor key and intensely emotional. There's no reason you should listen to our music. We hope you will meet us somewhere, become interested, and listen to us. As loud as possible.
- Lyrical and musical inspirations/influences ? How important are the lyrics for you ? Are there any specific messages or thoughts you try to develop and share through your lyrics ?
I was influenced by many Fat Wreck Chords bands like NOFX, No Use For A Name, Strung Out, etc.
I care about the sound and tone of the lyrics. What I want to convey in my lyrics is something like don't give up hope.
- About your latest release ?
The latest release is the second album "REVIVAL", released in 2022 on the Canadian label PEOPLE OF PUNKROCK RECORDS. This week, a limited edition of 100 vinyl copies of the album was released. Physical copies of it can be purchased from the PEOPLE OF PUNKROCK RECORDS online store. Subscription of it can work on any platform.
- Future plans ?
As for the future, we're going on a European tour next month in June, playing 19 dates. We are planning to go on tour in Europe again in 2026. We are also working on a few new songs. We hope to release our third album as soon as possible.
- Your most insane dream with the band would be ?
Our craziest dream is to sign with a world-class label like Fat Wreck Chords and tour the world.
- Your BEST & WORST concert - as a band - and why ?
I think the best concert was playing at the festival KNOTFEST organized by Slip Knot in Mexico in 2019. It was the biggest crowd I've ever played to. And it was the most exciting show I've ever done.
I think my worst gig was when we played in Osaka about 20 years ago. The reason was that there was really no one in the audience.µ
- Next live-appearance(s) ?
Our next show will be a warm-up show for our European tour on May 30 in our hometown Kyoto. And a week later, the European tour begins
- Some words on your local scene - bands you're friends with and you'd like to name ?
The skatepunk scene in Kyoto is very small. Because it's just us. There is a huge J pop punk scene singing in Japanese, but no one hears skatepunk singing in English. All the bands I was close to broke up. SCREAM, F.I.B, MISLED BALDS, DUMPLIRONGER.
- Last word is yours..
Thanks for reading to the end. We hope you enjoy our music. And we really hope to see you at the venue someday.
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