Interview with Young Parisian, August 2006

NB - Please introduce yourself.
YP - My Name is Tsuneglam Sam, I'm the singer of Young Parisian and the love child of Wayne & Jayne County.

NB - How did Young Parisian start? Did you play in other bands before?
YP - This band started about 4 years ago. We were kinda crews of the great Japanese band, MAD3. Met each other at their show. I played in a band called Hindoo Hurricane, but that's already 10 years ago and we were nothing(and not GLAM!). The 2 guitarists and the bassist have never ever played in a band before Young Parisian.

NB - Why name Young Parisian?
YP - There was a British band called Japan and also a Finnish band called Hanoi Rocks. So why not a Young Parisian from Japan? Actually we took it from an early Adam Ant song. It sounds so neat and fake. Doesn't it suit us well?

NB - You seem to be a big Marc Boland fan. What are your other favorite glam rock bands and artists?
YP - Thank you! Beside Marc Boland, it will be David Bowie, New York Dolls, Jobriath, Cuddly Toys, Mott The Hoople, Slade, Sweet, Gary Glitter, Sparks, Alvin Stardust, Mud, Alice Cooper and Roxy Music... I love almost every band which were called glam. Do you know a Dutch band called Catapult? They are awesome.

NB - Young Parisian is the first glam rock band from Japan I heard. Was therea glam rock scene in 70s in Japan? Are there more new bands in Japan who are influenced by glam rock? Can you recommend some?
YP - Yes, Japan loved glam rock in the 70's, but it never turned into any kind of scene. Although there were great bands like Rouage, who were influenced by New York Dolls, or Benitokage, who turned into a Punk band called Lizard (Benitokage is "Red Lizard" in Japanese). And also Performance, who made only one single... You can't call'em glam, but you should not forget Sadistic Mika Band, who toured with Roxy Music in UK. It's easier to find more glam bands later in the 80's or 90's, but they were only influenced by the looks of Hanoi Rocks or Poison, you know. You can also find some nowadays, but most of them are only trying to look like glam and we'd rather part ourselves from such bands. We identify with amazing bands like Sister Paul, who play speedy and decadent glam punk, or Akima & Neos, who you could call Japan's Marc Bolan. They should win worldwide recognition.

NB - Do you play lot of gigs and what kind of audience comes to see you? Are there lot of glam rock fans in Japan?
YP - It seems like punk fans, who are listening to obscure punk or power pop dig our sound the most. Even more than who call themselves glam. And most of our audience are such punk people. And there many garage punk/Rock'a'billy fans either. But that's because glam is still underground and we play mostly in front of other kinda people.)

NB - Are you planing to come to Europe?
YP - I would die for! I am collecting every glam rock vinyl from any country. Would it be hard to to find Kayak or Lemming stuff?

NB - When can we expect new album?
YP - I hope next year. We are still writing new songs.

NB - 3 things you like:
YP - Record Hunting?Record Collecting?Record Listening.

NB - 3 things you hate:
YPReggae?Ska?TV.

NB - Your favorite movie?
YP - Phantom of the Paradise?Pink Narcisus?Black Lizard?Scorpio Rising.

NB - Your favorite food?
YP - Chocolate. Wow, I love your "idol-questions".

NB - What do you like about Japan and what do you hate about Japan?
YP - I could only be proud of our old temples here in Japan. I hate the society, trend and most of the major scene's music. But I love the bands around us. Underground, but truly great.

NB - Anything you want to say to No Brains Zine readers?
YP - Thanks for reading this interview! And let's listen to Catapult everybody!