An Interview with Ryukyu Kingdom Band ROACH

author: Ruka, Kay, and Cynthia

© Maverick

The Okinawa-based band, ROACH is one of Maverick's--label of popular bands such as MUCC and SID--newest additions. Combining culture and music from the Ryukyu Kingdom, they provide an exquisite mix for their listeners home and abroad. ROACH discusses their origins, hopes of a new release, and even mention their stay at a haunted hotel.


Please introduce yourselves to our JaME readers?

ROACH: We are ROACH from the Ryukyu Kingdom; Ta-ma♪ on vocals, Kubocchi and Masashi on guitar, Katsuya on bass, and Misaki on drums.

Let's begin with the band's origin, which was in 2003. How was the band originally formed? Please share with us how ROACH has reached its current point.

ROACH: When we started the band we had seven people rather than the five we have now plus electric drums and chorus. We wanted to try something different. Naturally, we ended up with only five people because of the sound we were going for.

How did you come up with the band's name? Why "ROACH?"

ROACH: We haven't told anyone why we chose this band name, and we don't have any plans to.

You are based in Okinawa, one of Japan's islands, which is known for its rich, unique culture, history, and its tropical climate. Has growing up on the island made an impact on your music?

Ta-ma♪: Even though our music is Screamo/Distorted, Okinawa's culture has influenced my mind to create a warm feeling in our music.

Okinawa is known for the American army base that resides there, but it is also part of the Ryukyu Kingdom. How has the mix between the Ryukyu culture and American contemporary music influenced your own music style?

ROACH: We're not sure, and we don't know how to explain it. However, it has been a comfort with this mixed culture of music.

Taking the road to become a musician requires dedication to reach your goal; why did each of you decide to become a musician? Why did you choose the instrument you play or the role you took in the band?

ROACH: We all thought that becoming a musician was cool. Coincidentally, some of us were neighbors or previous band members. It was by nature that we started to play together.

Ta-ma♪: I followed my heart and was looking for something fun. I decided to become a singer and then made this band.

Kubocchi: I chose the guitar because I thought it was brilliant and cool. I couldn't really focus on any other instrument.

Masashi: I don't know why, but I chose the guitar because it was cool and thought it was number one.

Katsuya: Ever since I was interested in music I have been interested in the bass. I think it looks and sounds better than the guitar. I have played bass ever since I have been interested in music.

Misaki: My first band didn't have drums, so I chose to play them and have loved it ever since.

Your music is very interesting; it combines heavy rock with some traditional Japanese sounds. How would you describe your music to a listener who hasn't listened to your music yet?

ROACH: Lequiosu (Okinawan) Rock. Lequiosu means Ryukyu.

Ta-ma♪, sometimes you sing in a very traditional Okinawan style, which seems very difficult for most rock vocalists to do. Did you have formal training for that, or was it something you just picked up by hearing?

Ta-ma♪: Of course technique is important, but I did not do any special training. I felt it was about the emotions I placed into the music that were important.

Do you sometimes use Okinawan words in your lyrics? If not, do you think you might in future releases, or do you think it will be too difficult for your mainland fans to understand?

Ta-ma♪: I don't use Okinawan words in my music. However, I want to use them some day. The best way to think about it is, as if it was a foreign language. Even the new generation of Okinawan people have a hard time understanding it.

Continuing with a bit more about lyrics, you occasionally use English in your lyrics, but mainly during much heavier parts, or in the case of now I know, the whole song is in English. Why did you decide on this, do you feel English is more suitable for expressing the heavier aspects, or is there another reason for this decision?

Ta-ma♪: English is easier to explain and more straightforward compared to Japanese. It has more rhythm and I think it's cool, but I also need help sometimes. Even my friends helped me with this interview.

From our previous question, it seems you're very good at English; do you feel equally comfortable composing lyrics in English, Japanese, and Okinawan?

Ta-ma♪: I want to say, "of course," but I am not a native speaker. However, I can speak English better than Okinawan. I need to study more.

Thus far, your CD releases state that Ta-ma♪ writes the lyrics while ROACH does the music arrangement. What is the writing process of both and when you mesh the two together? Have you ever found it difficult to match the lyrics with the music?

Ta-ma♪: I do write the lyrics and melody, this is the base of our music. We all get together in the studio and create the sound. Some of the members create a sound on the PC and then bring it to the studio. Either way, we end up meshing the sounds together for the end result. The hardest part is trying to destroy and construct my opinion, what I pursue, and my reputation.

To your fans who don't speak Japanese, what are some of the themes in your songs?

ROACH: Our theme is about our dreams, love, the band, aggravation, how we live, sadness, and we (including our fans) can find a relaxing place.

A couple of years ago, for the punk rock battle royal 4 compilation album, you covered one of Nakajima Miyuki's songs, Chijou no hoshi. Why did you choose this song by this artist?

Ta-ma♪: During this time I liked this sound and asked the band, which they were okay with.

In 2006, you performed at Danger Crue's (now known as Maverick) Christmas event along side bands such as MUCC and girugamesh. How was it performing in front of such a huge audience?

Ta-ma♪: When I got on stage the fans took my anxiety away. Though, while I was waiting to get on stage I was really uncomfortable, the whole time I was thinking about how to perform well.

To promote your album MIND OF THE SUN, you held a nation-wide tour last year. What were some memorable moments and experiences from that tour? Would you please share with us anything that stood out from that tour whether it was positive, negative, or just interesting?

Ta-ma♪: When we went on tour, the hotel we stayed in was haunted. Electricity and lights would go out. I wish I could have met the ghost because then I could have told the fans about it before I started singing.

ROACH has only released one full-length album and one single in 2007. You have mentioned in your blogs that you've been working on some new music; could you please tell us more about what your fans should expect?

ROACH: Until the next album is complete we can not say anything about what it will sound like. We try our best to be a cool band. Please expect good music from us.

Your audiences are different from Okinawa to the mainland; how does the atmosphere differ when you perform in front of these crowds?

ROACH: Okinawan audiences are very shy but hot!! Mainland audiences are very enthusiastic.

If you could give a concert anywhere overseas, where would each of you most like to go? Have either of you been abroad before?

Ta-ma♪: Everywhere, if you invite me! I've been to the States, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Kubocchi: I want to go to the States; I've never been abroad.

Masashi: I want to go to Europe; I've never been abroad.

Katsuya: I want to go to Germany; I've never been abroad.

Misaki: I want to go to the States; I've never been abroad.

For someone who is going to visit Okinawa, what would each of you suggest the person should do such as places to visit, food to eat, etc?

Ta-ma♪: Looking up at the night sky from beach. It's the best place to see a lot of stars!

Kubocchi: The landscape of the southern part of Okinawa.

Masashi: "Yanbaru Shokudou" (restaurant) in Naha city.

Katsuya: The sea of the northern part.

Misaki: "Saikyou Shokudou" (restaurant) in Tomigusuku city.

Getting a little personal, could each of you say something about your fellow band members?

Ta-ma♪: Let's get along well with each other.

Kubocchi: Everyone is weird.

Masashi: I have nothing to say anymore. I already gave up on them.

Katsuya: I'll try not to be late anymore.

Misaki: Don't be late, guys.

Just for a bit of fun, if each of you could re-do one of ROACH's songs into Okinawan folk music, which song would it be and why?

ROACH: now I know; we think there is no way to arrange that song, but if we could, then we'd feel fulfilled.

Could each of you please leave a message for all of your overseas fans?

Ta-ma♪: Hope to see you at a concert venue! We'll go to your country someday!

Kubocchi: Let's mosh together!

Masashi: See you someday!

Katsuya: Enjoy everyday!

Misaki: Come support us when we visit your country!

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Many thanks to Maverick for making this interview possible and to ROACH for taking time to answer our questions.