The first time I ever met vocalist Atsushi was in Shibuya, in a tiny bar in an even tinier karaoke room. He was incredibly friendly and charismatic and though I had never seen NSDP before, I remember thinking that someone who spoke with such conviction about music had to be about something real.
After all, that amount of confidence and dare I say, cockiness, has to have some legitimate foundations right?
Almost a year after our first meeting, we stopped by Ruido K2 to take a peek at their "I HAVE A DREAM" show. Here's what the ever international rockstar had to say about their first U.S. performance in Hawaii, Mr. King, and their upcoming performance at A-KON.
Since this is our first time doing an interview with you guys, can you please introduce yourselves?
Hey, we’re NSDP! What, you don't know? We’re awesome. Really awesome. You must be late to the party.
For those just finding out about NSDP, can you describe your band to us in three words?
HOT HOT HOT. We’re fucking hot as hell. Oh, sorry. Did we burn you?
“I have a dream” is powerful and potent phrase made famous by Martin Luther King, Jr.’s eponymous speech. Can you tell us why you picked this for your event?
I was definitely inspired by Mr. King’s words but in their essence they seem pretty simple right? “I Have a Dream”, I mean.
Being a musician is basically like selling your wares, right? I think it’s like selling sounds.
However, no matter what you're selling, I want to sell dreams and wishes along with it. In short, “I Have a Dream” is like our “dream store”.
“Come on down to I HAVE A DREAM! Dreams, we got ‘em! Buy ‘em up, buy ‘em up."
Last year you had your first overseas performance in Hawaii. Can you tell us some of your impressions?
Hey Hawaii! How you guys doin’? It’s ASH! Thanks for last year! You guys were awesome!
And, well that’s really all I can say.
“YOU GUYS WERE AWESOME!”
Music really does transcend words, language and race, doesn’t it? It made me really happy.
You will play at A-KON in Texas in June of this year. How did you secure a second stateside performance so soon?
BABEL ENTERTAINMENT, who brought us over to Hawaii, pushed for us to play at A-KON. They’re an incredibly reassuring partner, amazing friends, and our brothers. We’re really so thankful to them. And to A-KON for having us.
Being your second stateside performance, do you have any kind of special setlist planned? Or are there any places you particularly want to see?
Our shows are always special. Nothing will change. For the sole reason that we're confident and we believe in ourselves. We’ll do the same intense performance that we’re always doing in Japan the same way in Texas. That’s it.
As for things to see, to be honest I don’t really know a whole lot about Texas. Other than that it’s the birthplace of Erykah Badu, who I really respect. Although I really wanna try BBQ so I can eat to my heart’s content (laughs).
All the members of NSDP have some pretty amazing musical backgrounds. Can you tell us a little more about them?
Our bassist KURO is from SOPHIA. Our guitarist is YUI from Cyntia. Our drummer SHUE has played in the backing bands for Tomoyasu Hotei and Brian Setzer. Our keyboardist KEIJI is one of Japan’s foremost sound producers and has composed for anime like Prince of Tennis.
And I, ASH, am the incredibly charismatic Heisei Rockstar (laughs).
Unfortunately our bassist KURO can’t make it to our Texas show but the amazing Ryo-Hey will be supporting us in his place. He’s a ridiculously awesome bassist. He has some mad Kung-Fu moves! (laughs)
For the Nagoya edition of “I HAVE A DREAM” you played with exist†trace. Since exist†trace will also be performing at A-KON could you please tell us how you met them?
We were introduced to exist†trace by Torii-san of the event company Fluo Light Arch. He also goes by DJ U☆Z.
We played together after he introduced us and my God, they were good. They’re a really amazing girls rock band. Especially guitar-vocal miko-chan. I can’t even handle how much charisma that girl has. The girls are simultaneously beautiful and strong. Plus they have a very “Japan-esque” sound and a high degree of originality. I’m really looking forward to playing with them again.
Lastly, can you give us a message to your fans waiting in Texas?
I love cute girls. I love handsome guys.
But most of all I love girls and guys and who throw down when it’s time to throw down. People who can rock when they want to rock.
You guys in Texas ready? Our shows are pretty tough. Let’s make it legend.
