Pleased To Meet Me: Angel Face
Angel Face
Introduce yourself… (Where are you from, what band do you play in etc..)
Hercules (Vox): Hi, I’m Hercules. I named myself before my first stage performance, because I wanted to be a strong guy. I’m from Osaka, moved to Tokyo in 2020 to join Angel Face as a singer.
Toyozo (Bass): I’m Toyozo and I play bass in Angel Face and in another band called The Fadeaways. Born in Nagoya, Aichi, and moved to Tokyo in 2002.
Rayco (Drums): I’m Rayco and I play drums in Angel Face.
Why do you play music?
Hercules: Playing punk rock is the best way to better understand what punk is and a way to blow off my frustrations.
Toyozo: ‘Cause it’s the only way to blow my mind, especially since rock and roll already did.
Rayco: Because I like music.
What was a major influence on you as an Artist/Band?
Hercules: FIRST ALERT! I learned every aspect of punk from this band, such as how to be cool without spiked hair and a studded leather jacket.
Toyozo: All '60s garage bands.
Rayco: Modern Minds, Little Bob Story, Lew Lewis, The Knack, Eggs Over Easy, Nate Smith.
What’s a favorite book or film?
Hercules: Book / 1984 - Film / Shellshock Rock & The Last Pogo.
Toyozo: Pulp Fiction
Rayco: Chaplin, The Terminator 2, Billy Elliot
Do you prefer the recording process or performing live?
Hercules: I like both. But they are very different. I can’t manipulate the equipment for the studio recording. Live performing is a crucial thing. That a moment. Most people fixed the images of the band at first sight. So, I picked out my stage outfit earlier than entering the band as a member.
Toyozo: Performing live. I’m never satisfied with recording, never.
Rayco: I prefer playing live.
Describe a favorite album.
Hercules: The first album from The Boys, but every band’s first release is good. It’s condensed of what every artist wants to do.
Toyozo: #1 Record/Big Star, Loaded/Velvet Underground, Count Five/Count Five, The Psychedelic Sound of../13th Floor Elevators, 1st /The Chesterfield Kings.
What's your favourite local haunt?
Hercules: Shimokitazawa’s own Poor Cow. Fink’s brother runs this local bar, and it’s the only place for me in Tokyo where I spend time playing the best music with drinks.
Poor Cow Bar
Toyozo: Fukuraimon! That’s a Chinese restaurant in my neighborhood.
What's your strangest experience while performing live?
Hercules: Two days before the 2023 Halloween Ball, Fink’s mom passed away. We were worried he’d be reluctant on stage, but he said, “I’m OK. Hercules, you come out from the coffin on the floor with that face.” Fink is superb.
Toyozo: When I played at a Mexican bar in Los Angeles with the Fadeaways, I tried to pick up my guitar pick from the stage floor and got electrocuted. I couldn’t take my finger off from the floor!
What are some of your favorite aspects of being a musician in your city here?
Hercules: If I was not a musician, being an ordinary person, I could have a better life, but I would be missing something. I always feel a blank that never fills my mind, so I will fill it with something to do. If I had not joined this band, we would meet, talk, and make something together.
Toyozo: We can see and share the stage with many great musicians from overseas.
Has the current COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine influenced your creative process?
Hercules: Looking back, that was the strangest period. People all around the world were living in fear of an invisible enemy. One day, I realized the enemy was in my mind. So, I decided to defeat my weakness and escape the situation.
Toyozo: It had given me too much frustration and made me write many songs about feeling trapped.
If you weren’t playing music in (your city here) where would you be ?
Hercules: I’d be in the UK, especially Northern Ireland—all of my favorite groups are from there. I used to live in the Osaka prefecture. Even though I live in Tokyo, I continue to play in another band with old friends.
Toyozo: Bored angler.
Any sage advice for young musicians?
Hercules: Don’t regard the genre, but thoroughly stick to something you want. And collect the records and dig the vinyl trench ‘til you’re dead!
Toyozo: Don’t care about the old fart!
Angel Face’s debut album is out now on Slovenly Records, and it is rad.