Explosive Japanese band King Brothers are returning to Australian shores for the first time since 2016 this month. A mix of blues and outta control ‘90s garage, King Brothers are an example of a band that take two genres with deep roots and manage to make a sound that sounds original. 

With a reputation for loose and rowdy shows, this run of gigs by the band from Nishinomiya City are a must see.

Lead singer and guitarist Keizo spoke to Matt Ryan via email.

Tell us about the New LP “Hell Oh! Oz”, that’s coming out to support the upcoming tour? How did you choose the tracks to put on it? 

Keizo: The first King Brothers album was released in 1998 on an American indie label called BLUB Records. From then until now, we’ve been performing these 12 tracks live for years, and we’ve released them as a greeting to everyone in Australia. That’s why the title is a play on the greeting 'Hello! OZ.'.

This album was created with the goal of capturing the raw energy of a live performance on record. We recorded the vocals simultaneously with the instrumentals, and the track order and transitions were also recorded in real-time as we progressed. 

I believe this album will give you a taste of the latest, rawest version of King Brothers, as we blast through 26 years of music in one go. 

What memories did you have of your last Oz tour back in 2016? 

Keizo: The venue must have been experiencing some kind of electrical fault due to the intense heat, because when the strings of my guitar came into contact with the metal fence set up next to the stage, sparks flew. I remember thinking that I might have died if I had grabbed it with my bare hands.

In Japan, the voltage is 100V, so I was impressed that Australian bands are always performing live with death right next to them. In 2016, as well as in previous Australian tours, I remember there being quite a few chaotic moments.

Any Australian bands you consider favorites? 

Keizo: I’m very interested in C. W. Stoneking, whom a friend recommended to me. I plan to buy as much of his music as I can find in Australia. I’m planning to stay in Australia for a few days after the tour, so it would be amazing if I could catch a live show by chance. If anyone has any information about it, please let me know.

You’ve been described as a mix of punk/Hardcore and blues, is one genre more important to you then the others or do you like all the same? 

Keizo: As for what led to the formation of King Brothers, the existence of the Japanese band Guitar Wolf and the New York band Jon Spencer Blues Explosion was crucial. From them, we learned not only about music but also about attitude as a band and as rockers.

This might not directly answer your question, but for me, musical style or genre isn’t what’s important. What matters is being simple, powerful, overwhelming, and innovative, and that’s what we strive for.

How was it playing at Goner Fest in the USA a while back? 

Keizo: Thanks to the support of the Guitar Wolf, we had the opportunity to headline, sandwiched between The Mummies and the Oblivians. However, we were so excited that we lost track of time, and the show suddenly started without us being prepared at all. Maya, our guitarist, ended up jumping into a huge trash bin and rolling around the venue. The show ended without us really knowing what was happening, but Goner Fest is definitely one of the best rock festivals in the world.

How many shows do you play a year in Japan, and what size venues do you play at? 

Keizo: We play shows almost every weekend. The venues vary in size, ranging from a capacity of 100 to 1,000 people.

Unlike overseas, many live houses in Japan operate on a system where bands pay the venue to rent the space, which means local promoters in regional areas often don't function well. As a result, we actively bring bands from overseas to Japan and take them on tour across the country.

Is that true you guys have been banned from some venues due to your high energy shows? 

Keizo: When you search for King Brothers, you might find many articles saying we've been banned from various places. That might be true, or it might be a joke—you’ll have to see us live to find out the truth. We always intend to play in a gentlemanly manner, dressed in elegant black suits with ties, but somehow, our suits end up torn and our guitars get broken.

Can we expect any chaos when you tour or have you guys mellowed out? 

Keizo: Of course! You can definitely expect the most chaotic rock 'n' roll experience in the world. And don't forget to scream the important word, 'Nishinomiya,' along with us!

Which other punk Japanese bands should be aware of? 

Keizo: They may not be punk bands in a musical sense, but there are a few you should check out: Rumdumb from Hokkaido, Penpendonpee from Fukushima, Black Mekon from Birmingham in the UK, and Cindy from New Zealand. They’re all friends of ours, and they all have a punk mindset.

What’s coming up next?

Keizo: After successfully completing this Australian tour, we hope to resume the European tour that was canceled due to COVID-19, and also do a tour in the United States. Personally, after this tour, I'm looking forward to seeing the Interceptor car from “Mad Max”, which I heard is displayed somewhere. 

Anyway, please come and see King Brothers live! And make sure to take home the 12-inch vinyl HELL OH! OZ that we recorded for this tour, so you can rock 'n' roll all year round. Thank you!

04 September – The Old Bar in Fitzroy, Victoria
05 September – Barwon Club, South Geelong, Victoria
06 September – The Bearded Lady, West End, Queensland
07 S Sydney – Marrickville Bowlo, Marrickvillle, New South Wales
08 September – Shotkickers, Thornbury, Victoria