USGKZ Interview Chapter6. Fading into the IdolPunch
▶ SK8NIKS and LARGE400 have been consistently active, with their frequency of activities aside, but in my mind, IdolPunch feels like you joined them at some point without me realizing.
USGKZ: Yeah, it's like a fade-in. I started by filling in as a guitarist for IdolPunch when Zillow, the guitarist of IdolPunch, couldn't make it to a live show. I was asked to step in for him. Then, for the 10th-anniversary album "Relax Action," I was invited to contribute and played guitar on the track "Telephone Grand Prix." I believe my name was even credited for that. There was a time when Zillow couldn't make it to a gig in Yokosuka, and Racco-san(the vocalist of IdolPunch) came to pick me up. In the passenger seat, there was a small guitar amp. I asked what it was for, and Racco-san said he wanted to work on a new song. So, while Racco-san was driving, I played guitar in the front seat, and by the time we reached the live venue, we had created a whole song. That became that track.
▶ Wow!
USGKZ: Then, in 2007, when they were going to create their new album “Black Diamond”, they invited me again for recording.
▶ Did you play a lot of guitar on that album?
USGKZ: I played guitar throughout the album, and I even played bass a bit (laughs). We were working on it in a really short time span, and Masao-san, the bassist, was getting overwhelmed. By the last track, he said, "I can't take it anymore!" That's why I played bass on "My Way."
▶ So, at this point, you were still considered as a help rather than an official member.
USGKZ: I was still considered help. When they were planning the release of Black Diamond, they told me that we'd be doing a tour in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka with the lineup that included myself. I said, "Alright, got it." It really felt like I was fading into the band.
▶ The recent activities of IdolPunch have seen some changes in the lineup, right?
USGKZ: Yeah, the drummer is A-chan from the band LAGITAGIDA, and the bassist alternates between Hama from LEARNERS and Kohshu(光舟) from THE BACK HORN. Lately, it's mostly been Hama.
▶ You are a consistent member who plays guitar for IdolPunch's live performances?
USGKZ: Well, when it comes to playing live with IdolPunch, if there's a prior commitment with another band's live show, I give priority to that. So, there are times when I have to take a break. Also, for the Tokyo shows on weekdays, due to work commitments, I can't always participate.
▶ During those times, do you perform with just one guitar?
USGKZ: Yeah, during those times, Kohshu plays bass, and Hama plays guitar. It's usually something like that.
▶ IdolPunch has been active for quite a long time, too, right?
USGKZ: It's been around 24-25 years, I think.
▶ And both LARGE400 and SK8NIKS have also been active for over 20 years, right?
USGKZ: Yeah, so if someone asks me what I'm doing with all these bands, I usually list them in the order of formation: LARGE400, SK8NIKS, IdolPunch, and then USGKZ&The equipments.
▶ Are you also a member of Slapping Bikini?
USGKZ: I'm a help for Slapping Bikini. Similar to IdolPunch, there have been times when I've been asked to support various bands. I've played as a support drummer for Slapping Bikini, as a guitarist for Razors Edge, as a drummer for Burl, and as a guitarist for Spanner, a techno-rock band. There are probably more examples, but those come to mind.
