JaME questions punk band milktub's vocalist bamboo about music, anime, and everything in between.
Lantis Festival Las Vegas was a two-day "anisong" (anime song) spectacular held as part of Otakon Vegas. Sponsored by famous "anisong" label Lantis, droves of popular artists gathered to perform in front of their American fans. JaME were on the scene to catch up with bamboo, vocalist of punk band milktub, about music, PC games, and marrying body pillows.
First of all, please introduce yourself for our readers who may not know your work.
bamboo: I'm bamboo, an "anisong" singer and CEO of the visual novel company OVERDRIVE.
What is the meaning of the name milktub?
bamboo: A tub... full of milk. Like, from a guy's balls...is the image we're going for. I guess that's not very mature, is it?
milktub's music is overflowing with humor. What do you think is the strength of making people laugh through music?
bamboo: It's fun. It's just nice to have fun.
Your performances are so energetic. Where does all the energy come from?
bamboo: Ah, thank you. First of all... I eat a lot of meat and good food, then convert that into music. You've got to eat, you know?
You have said that you're influenced by Japanese punk bands. What exactly drew you to the style?
bamboo: It's got an impulsive sort of image. That really inspired me.
What do you think Japanese music offers that American music does not?
bamboo: In America, music sort of naturally melds with everyday life. I think Japan's different. In Japan, music is something that flows through the individual. It's not like I'm really well-versed in American music, but in Japan we have genres like enka and whatnot that are meant to touch peoples' hearts. I think that's the uniqueness of Japanese music. Anime songs are especially unique.
You have collaborated with a variety of different artists. With what mindset do you approach working musically with others?
bamboo: When making songs with milktub, I try and draw out the particular vocalist's best qualities. For example, in the past I've worked with Masaaki Endoh, and for that collaboration, I thought of him as more of a rock and roll singer than an "anisong" singer. So I tried to bring out the "rock and roll" Endoh when composing the songs.
Do you have any advice to people who want to stay musically active as long as milktub has?
bamboo: Hmm, it's just the two of us... when you fight, you should make up soon afterwards. Hm, what else? ...Well, you need to talk to each other often. Really, you just need to have the willpower to do it... so much that you think "if I stop doing this, I'll die."
You are also the CEO of an eroge (adult PC game) company called OVERDRIVE. Does your music ever interfere with your game work, or the other way around?
bamboo: (laughs) I've been operating this way for a long time now, about 15 years, making games in addition to music. Back then I wasn't singing the songs, but since I was making them, there was a lot of control. There have been times when the two interfered with each other, but it's a job, so...
To many American anime fans, a trip to Akihabara would be a dream come true. As an anime fan from Japan, is there anywhere in America you'd like to visit?
bamboo: Well, my favorite cities here are Seattle and Los Angeles. My family comes to America often, but there are a lot of places I haven't been yet. I want to go around the whole country. ...I want to eat a T-bone steak in Texas! A real one.
You started an event called the Dakimakura Kisai (Body Pillow Festival). Please explain this event to our readers.
bamboo: It's a festival that I've been able to have in Japan, where everyone brings their wife... their body pillow, you see, and they can enjoy a show together. It's a ground-breaking event that milktub could only hold in Japan. It's surprisingly fun!
Since Lantis Festival is an anime song event, do you have any anime you'd like to recommend?
bamboo: Of course I recommend "Uchouten Kazoku" and "Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu", but personally, I'd also like to recommend "Gundam Unicorn", which I watched recently. I also like "Ghost in the Shell". Oh, and this one's pretty legendary, but "Creamy Mami" is good, too. And "Dirty Pair", because I like Yuri.
If there were such a thing as a "bamboo starter kit", what would be included?
bamboo: bamboo starter kit? (laughs) First of all, a body pillow. Then one of my games, one of my albums, and... Tenga. That's what I'd put in there.
Lastly, please give a message for our readers.
bamboo: milktub has a Facebook, so if you're interested, please give it a look. Also, I'm part of the visual novel download site mangagamer.com, so please check it out if you want to enjoy some Japanese eroge.
JaME would like to thank Lantis, Otakon Vegas, RESONANCE Media, Amuse USA, Lynks International, and bamboo for this interview opportunity.
