Meet infectious Alternative-Rock outfit RADWIMPS

Having been ensconced in the studio recording material for their new album “ANTI ANTI GENERATION” (pronounced “an-T, an-tie, Generation”) due later this year, Japan’s foremost alternative-rock outfit RADWIMPS (Yusuke Takeda / bass, Yojiro Noda / vocals and guitar, Akira Kuwahara / guitar) will pre-empt its release with a stunning visual for ‘Sokkenai’, once again portraying the band’s knack for an infectious melody and emotive delivery.

If you dont already know who these guys the time is now- we go one on one for an Exclusive chat!

Q. So to KICK it all off who are Radwimps? in three words only

Akira Kuwahara: Not so cool but cool… (that’s five words…)

Q. Who did you grow up listening to and what are you listening to right now?

Yojiro Noda: Growing up, I listened to Radiohead, Bjork, Elliot Smith, The Flaming Lips, John Frusciante, Ringo Sheena and Chara. I tend to get influenced by female singers. I think it’s because it’s something that I cannot be. Also I like neutral, genderless voice and music.

Akira Kuwahara: I was influenced by Red Hot Chili Peppers and Oasis but I like all bands. Personally, I was a fan of Mr. Big. I admired how they played their instruments so fast!

Yusuke Takeda: Red Hot Chili Peppers! When I first started playing bass, I listened to all music that bass part stood out like Jaco Pastorius and Marcus Miller.

Yojiro Noda: Right now, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, popular American rappers like that. And Japanese hip-hop is getting really interesting nowadays. I collaborated with a guy named 5lack, and he’s an interesting one. There’s so many great artists. There are so many people, maybe not the same as us, but R&B artists trying to combine many different elements into their music. Like Anderson Paak. He’s an influence for me.

Q. If you could work with any other Producer/ Rapper/ Singer on a record who would it be and why?

Akira Kuwahara: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Coldplay and Mr. Big. I hope to work with them someday!

Q. Tell us About the new album “ANTI ANTI GENERATION”

Yojiro Noda: There’s an idea of being “anti” to the world, to society in general, that has been around for many generations. Long before we were born. Anti-war, anti-everything. But with all of that, has things changed? What does being anti do? Will that change anything? For the better? Basically, I believe in love. We need to love one another, and be by one another’s side. When I mention something like this, I get misunderstood a lot, but I still need to say it, because it’s what I believe. Especially in Japan, talking about those politics…it’s so weird that you can’t speak out loud. Only because of those differences, people hate one another. I think it’s so stupid.

Akira Kuwahara: Emotionally, I think it is almost like a rollercoaster when I listen to it. There are so many feelings touched on in one album. So I hope the listeners find the best way to experience for themselves. They can listen to it alone, or with friends, or at a party. I think it’s a very good album.

Yusuke Takeda: I hope it can reach a lot of people. It’s a very eclectic album, and every listener can probably find a song that can reflect the day they are having from this album, something that will match their feelings. I think it can really give color to their lives.

Q. Your videos have had over 190 million plays-how does that feel?

Yusuke Takeda: I think the number of views mean that so many people from around the world listen to our music, so it’s a big honor..

Q. How important is ‘image’ to you when putting together your music videos?

*Question was little too vague to answer…

Q. We have a few easy questions for now- Pick two Celebrities to be your parents- Who?

Akira Kuwahara: Warren Buffett for father and Stella McCartney for mother.