Interview: Boris

Boris are a unique entity in the world of heavy rock. Their sound is constantly moving forward and taking unexpected twists and turns. Now the prolific Japanese giants are soon to play Thekla on a co-headline tour with Amenra. We caught up with guitarist and bassist Takeshi ahead of the show.

With more than twenty albums to your name, how do you stay inspired and express new things each time?

In order to update myself I always try to reach out to all kinds of art like paintings, movies, theatre pieces, novels, and of course music, because they all inspire me a lot. Sometimes I could find an idea from casual conversation with my friend, and I am inspired by touring too. The most important thing is to face everything with a neutral mind and absorb something new from there, then I try to connect it to my own expression through the music.

There are lots of melodic vocals in your music and all of the band members sing. What do you think of the voice as a musical medium and what does it express that another instrument can’t?

My major influence is from metal, new wave, punk and hardcore because these were shocking to me at a young age. Way before that I was unconsciously into theme songs of cartoon film or Japanese pops that had lots of melodies. With that said melody is inherent in myself, so that this is one the most crucial parts of me.

You’ve experimented in a lot of different genres when most will try and stick to only one. Was this a conscious choice or did it impose itself? 

Well many people think Boris play lots of different genres, but to me all songs Boris play is heavy rock. It varies what is ‘heavy’ so we try numerous ways how we describe it in new way. We don’t deny we would bring some texture or taste from some specific music with following current mood of us, but it is more unconscious stuff not as seriously aimed target.

The word ‘psychedelia’ has lost a lot of its meaning these past few years. It has become more of a sound definition than a artistic aesthetic. Do you consider your music to be psych music?

I definitely like psychedelic music but also am into whole psychedelic culture like movies and novels. The meaning of psychedelic in Western countries seems to be wider and well accepted as culture among people than in Japan. I feel grateful if Boris are accepted in psychedelic culture scene.

You are about to tour with Amenra. At first, this can almost sound like an odd collaboration as both bands are really different, musically as well as aesthetically. What made you decide to go on tour with them?

The most important thing of touring partner is how much both bands can share the same value and aesthetic together, surface or different sound style won’t be a big deal. Amenra have had their own thing and I am very looking forward to playing with them and seeing what kind of chemistry we can have there. Boris played with their guitar player Matthew’s solo unit in Russia a few years ago, he was amazing.

Is there another band you’ve seen playing recently and has blown your mind? 

Torche, we toured together once again in US last year. They have been long-time friends and are a great live band, their sound made from physical strength blows me away every time, so I tend to play harder after them because I do not get knocked out by them.

Boris play Thekla on February 14. Tickets are available from www.alttickets.com