First of all, could each of you introduce yourselves?
ASH: Hello, my name is ASH (said in French), I’m the vocalist. Thank you for having us today.
WANI: I’m WANI, the drummer. Nice to meet you.
Sato: Hi, I’m Sato, the bassist (said in English), pleasure to be here!
Dhalsim: I’m the DJ, Dhalsim. Happy to be with you.
Over the past two years, ASH DA HERO has been rising in popularity. You've had many opportunities, including performing overseas in countries like the USA, South Korea, Argentina, Hong Kong and Taiwan. You’ve also played numerous festivals across
Japan. However, during this rise, you had to deal with your guitarist leaving the band. What went through your minds when you decided to continue?
ASH: It was a difficult and challenging time. At first, we considered looking for a new guitarist. However, we already had an overseas tour scheduled, and there simply wasn’t time to bring a new member onboard. The only way to keep moving forward
was to continue with the remaining members. So, we made the decision to carry on as a four-piece.
How did your creative process evolve after that change?
ASH: Our way of composing completely changed. Without the guitar—which is usually such a central instrument in rock—we had to rethink everything. That’s when our new theme emerged: “guitarless rock.” For example, we really focused on transforming
the bass sound—tweaking it, updating it—so it could take on melodic or harmonic roles usually filled by a guitar. Rock bands without guitars are rare, even globally. We took inspiration from groups like Royal Blood or Nova Twins from the UK. But our unique
twist is having a DJ in the band, which adds a whole new layer and creates something truly fresh.
What challenges and opportunities did this new setup present?
Sato: For me, the change was huge. My entire approach to bass had to evolve. I changed all my gear—from amps to effects pedals. I even switched from fingerstyle, which I used to prefer, to using a pick for more attack and presence. Since our
guitarist left, my way of playing and building grooves has completely transformed. It was intense work, but also very exciting. It pushed me to reinvent myself as a musician.
WANI: As a drummer, performing as a four-piece made the connection and synchronization between bass and drums even more vital. With one less musician, our overall sound is more open, and each instrument stands out more. Rhythmic precision and
the unity of the bass and drums became crucial. It’s now a core element of our music. Another interesting path we explored was enhancing the interplay between the drums and ASH’s vocals, creating new and unique textures and dynamics.
Dhalsim: My role is heavily focused on creating sounds and atmospheres on a computer for our live shows. The biggest challenge was reproducing live the energy of tracks that were initially conceived without a guitar. How do we convey the power
and texture of the studio recordings on stage? It took a ton of work and collaboration with the other members, especially ASH. It took time to faithfully and impactfully recreate these new compositions live, but it was a crucial step to bringing our new
sound to life on stage.
You’ve chosen to begin a new chapter—a fresh start for the band. Can you tell us more about what this “new ASH DA HERO” represents?
ASH: This New Chapter (a reference to the title of their latest album) represents several things. First, our current sound: this guitarless rock, which is quite unique. It marks a new era for ASH DA HERO. But beyond that, it symbolizes our ambition
to reach a wider international audience. We don’t want to limit ourselves to Japan anymore—we want to connect with fans in France, Europe and all over the world. Our goal is for our music and sound to connect with people directly, even if they don’t
understand the lyrics in Japanese. We want listeners to hear us and say, “Wow, this is really cool!” no matter the language. That’s the heart of our New Chapter.
Your new album New Chapter was released in early February. Can you tell us about the creative process behind it and the main themes you explore?
ASH: This album is closely tied to our recent history. We went from five members, including a guitarist, to four. At first, we considered creating an album entirely with the new four-member setup. But in the end, we felt it was more important
and more honest to share our journey with our fans and listeners. That’s why the album is structured like a story: the first three tracks still reflect the sound from when our guitarist was with us. From the fourth track onward, the true New Chapter
begins. The album as a whole tells the story of this transition and our evolution as a band.
Your music blends rock, punk, hip-hop, and other genres. Each track on the new album seems to explore a different style. How did you decide which genres to include? Were there any musical influences for this New Chapter?
ASH: Strangely enough, not having a guitar gave us more freedom to explore different genres. Pure hard rock or metal is harder to pull off without a lead guitar, but we could more easily integrate electronic, hip-hop or funk elements. In terms
of influences, Daft Punk and French music in general inspire me a lot, especially their artistic and sonic approach. Human After All is a big reference for me.
Dhalsim: I personally drew a lot from early 2000s hip-hop. I wanted to include scratching elements that support the dynamics of the songs, and I was inspired by French DJs like DJ Netik and DJ Fly.
WANI: My roots are in melodic punk rock, with influences from English-speaking bands like Blink-182, Green Day and Lostprophets.
You seem to really appreciate French culture!
ASH: Absolutely! France has so many interesting artists. I love Daft Punk, but also Gojira. Outside of music, many of the anime we grew up with are inspired by French culture, like "The Rose of Versailles."
How did you become interested in all of this?
ASH: I got interested in France through football! I follow Paris Saint-Germain and admire the diversity in French teams.
Your recent singles Wrangler Beat, VANDALISM, Break Free and BOTANICAL DANCE CLUB were very well received. How did that feel?
ASH: It’s incredibly rewarding and we’re really happy! Getting messages from fans in different countries saying they feel the energy even if they don’t understand the lyrics—that’s the greatest reward. It proves that music really can transcend
language.
Your new songs cover themes such as personal liberation, self-empowerment, rebellion against conformity, affirming identity through music, breaking social barriers, and rejecting superficiality. Could you tell us more about that?
ASH: Absolutely, these themes are at the core of what we want to express. Rock music has always been a form of liberation for us. Whether at a rock festival or an anime convention, people express themselves, dress up, let loose—moshing, crowd
surfing… It’s an energy you don’t usually find in everyday life, like in an office, where people often have to hold back. Our music is meant to channel that energy, to help people release their daily frustrations and anxieties. Rock encourages you to
be yourself, to rebel against conformity and superficiality, and to find your own path.
Burappa is an anthem for letting go and partying, carried by a frantic and euphoric energy. Would you say this song reflects the band’s new mindset?
ASH: Thanks for picking up on that vibe! Maybe it does, but it wasn’t intentional. Originally, we just wanted to add a fun and catchy track to our album—a “party song” that would get people moving during live shows. To do that, we blended a sound
inspired by the American hip-hop group George Club with rock music. That hybrid combination gave birth to this danceable track.
The title BOTANICAL DANCE CLUB is intriguing. It’s an explosive track that expresses a rebellion against superficiality. Why did you choose such a title?
ASH: (Smiling) Yeah, the title is deliberately a bit odd! The idea partly comes from our use of katakana in Japan—our writing system for foreign words. We often see the word “botanical” on things like shampoo bottles. For us Japanese people, it feels
like a familiar word, even though it’s originally English. By combining “Botanical,” “Dance,” and “Club”—three words that don’t logically connect—we created something unexpected and puzzling, especially for those who don’t speak Japanese. That was the
whole point: to spark curiosity and make people ask, “What the heck is this?” Musically, it’s also unique because the chorus isn’t driven by my vocals, but by the instruments. I shout “BOTANICAL DANCE CLUB!” but the real power comes from the groove behind
it.
If each of you had to summarize your latest album in just one sentence, what would it be?
WANI:New Chapter! (laughs)
Sato: A major and exciting shift that helped us reveal our true selves.
Dhalsim: A one-of-a-kind hybrid genre!
ASH: An album that aims to write a new chapter in the history of global music.
You’re continuing strong with more upcoming concert announcements. One show is even scheduled as part of a tour from INORAN, the guitarist of LUNA SEA. You’re surrounded by many well-known mentors, such as HYDE. What kind of support or advice have
they given you?
ASH: We’re incredibly grateful to have the support of such iconic figures. We’re on the same label as HYDE, so it’s easy to stay in contact. He’s a true Japanese rockstar—a legend. But when we’re together, he doesn’t act like a teacher. He’s
more like a family member: very approachable and kind. He’s shared his experiences with us, especially about touring internationally, which is super valuable and inspiring. It’s a huge privilege to learn from someone with a career like his.
After your successful collaboration with the anime "Blue Lock," are you considering future projects with other anime or media? Is there a dream series you’d love to write a song for?
WANI: Absolutely! I’d love to do "Dandadan," "One Punch Man," or "Mashle!" That mix of action and humor really fits us.
Sato: For me, it would be "Gachiakuta!"
Dhalsim: Continuing in anime would be amazing, but I’d also love to do music for a drama or a sports show—like baseball!
ASH: If "Blue Lock" gets a sequel, we’d be thrilled to keep working on it—especially since the story introduces a team inspired by Paris Saint-Germain! And why not a theme song for a French movie released in Japan?
You like French movies?
ASH: Very much! I love the aesthetics, the colors, the vibe of French cinema—it’s stylish and unique compared to other countries. Especially action films.
How have your recent international experiences influenced your vision of the global music scene and your future goals?
ASH: It made me want to learn foreign languages—to use more English words, for instance, to reach a broader audience. I’d even love to write a song in French before performing in France. At the same time, I’d like us to create music that makes
Japanese sound cool too.
After your February 1st concert, you announced a world tour and a new album for the fall. Can you tell us more about that?
ASH: Yes, the album is scheduled for September! We’re in the middle of the creative process now. It’s going to be big—with tracks from New Chapter and lots of new ones as well. We’re also hoping to collaborate with both Japanese and international
artists in the future. This album will kind of be our business card to help make those collaborations happen.
Where do you see ASH DA HERO in five years? Are there any dreams you still want to achieve?
ASH: That’s basically tomorrow! (laughs) It’s hard to say exactly, because things move so fast.
WANI: I want us to keep performing overseas. And in Japan, one of our big goals is to play at the legendary Nippon Budokan.
Sato: I can only see the present moment. (laughs) Planning ahead is tough. What matters most is to keep having fun playing together.
Dhalsim: I want to tour all over the world, even in countries we haven’t visited yet. I’d also love to come back and headline shows in places where we’ve performed at events or conventions.
ASH: In 2030, the Winter Olympics will be held in France. It would be amazing to do something related to that event—like writing a support song for Japanese athletes, or organizing a European tour that coincides with the Games. We want to be
that bridge between Japan and France.
Do you have a final message for our readers?
ASH DA HERO: A huge thank you for this interview and to all our readers, wherever you are in the world! We are deeply grateful for your interest. We truly hope our music helps you get to know us better—and through us, discover more about Japanese
culture, which we’re proud to share on the global stage. Our biggest wish is to come play live in your countries as soon as possible. We can’t wait to share those intense moments with you and to explore your cultures! Our goal is clear: we’re here to
make the whole world rock! We are ASH DA HERO, and we’re counting on your support to keep this amazing journey going! Thank you so much!
JaME would like to thank the members of ASH DA HERO for the time they dedicated to this interview, VAMPROSE, Bandai Namco, as well as Philkun for his help with the translation and photography.
