–How do you all know each other? and why did you decide to play in a band together?
Originally Ryo-suke(Vo), Hero(G), and Rosy were a colleague in the same company. When we find that we play musical instrument each other, and met to play in a studio session one day. That was the beginning. 8-9 years later after we met for the first time, Ryo-suke started to recruit members from among his friends to form a band with powerful and the most direct method of rock music . You know, Kudo is the third bassist for VACK’S. He is experienced and practical Bassman who perfectly matched to our needs.
–Why is the band named “THE VACK’S”? any reason why you named the band like that??
The meaning about that “go ‘back’ to basics” then we change the 1st character to “V”. Another meaning, we named “VACK’S” in a parody of the pronunciation “Bakuon（爆音）” (laugh).
–What was the reason why you decided to play POWER ROCK’N’ROLL music?
We can find any amount of smart or skillful player around us but we want express more
straight sound beating someone’s heart or kicking asses. We know it’s an old style, but that’s THE VACK’S(laugh).
–What are the biggest inspirations for the music of THE VACK’S?
We can’t express in one word the roots of the VACK’S sound. When you come right down to it,it’s an old style of Japanese Rock ‘n’ Roll, hard rock or a sort of garage, punk rock.We have a different musical background. Please see our official web site for more details (laugh).
–Your first mini-album “Working Man” was released in 2013. Please tell those who don’t know THE VACK’S a bit more about this mini-album. Also could you tell us a bit more the meaning behind the lyrics? Is there any lyric we really should look at?
Around three years after we found VACK’S, we decided to record our songs due to many requirements for our listener. By then, we have had experiences of live performance in Tokyo or Kyusyu area, we have had decent original songs and sounds were getting well-organized. There are lots of number about motorcycle ’cause Ryo-suke is a biker. As for the rest, ordinaries of life song, work song, and so forth. They are getting-off our emotion in our normal life or in working.
–Your first album “FREEWEEL” was recently released in June. Its an amazing album again. It’s again cool ROCK’N’ROLL. What was the biggest inspiration for this album and is there any cool message behind the lyrics?
About two years and a half after the releasing of 1st mini album, Kudo joined us and our sound changed more deep and heavy and quality has been improved we think. We took conscious to try for all one is worth and line up a variety of numbers.
There are songs of variety, one of them is straight rock number should be called for “That’s the VACK’S”, one is an old school rock’n roll, hard rock taste number, and one represent an emotion about when we met an extraordinary natural phenomenon, and so forth include the number exist from the establishment of the band. We offer such a wide variety of songs never get tired of listening to.
–The song “FORTY <40>”. Isn’t it inspired by the song “After’45” by 石橋凌(Ryo Ishibashi)? I really like the vibe of the song. Please tell us a bit more about it?
This song is very touching to a lot of our fan (bitter lough). Although we love and respect a great musician Ryo Ishibashi and his famous number “After 1945”, we did not get an idea from this song to make up a song “Forty”. It’s not a feeling of nostalgia. “Forty” is, say “hymn to myself, ourselves, and our company” who remain largely unchanged from childhood.
–What’s the future goal for THE VACK’S? Any big plans?
We will remain basically unchanged for years to come. We would like to keep the heat on as a “tour-based band”. Needless to say, we will also book various live gigs and events at our home Tokyo & Yokohama. So please check out our schedule frequently!
–Is it hard to have a daily job at a company and being in a band? How does it work? Since you are working man.
Yeees! it’s very rough and tough (lough). Each of us is a hard working man. So we have a lot of difficulty to settle a schedule for rehearsal. But we do put forth our whole energy on the stage even though we are so groggy due to hard work. That is actually cool style we think. It’s a really dry stuff that the person taking life easy play just for the fun of it, isn’t it?
–How do you prepare for a live gig?
We have no particular plan. We have rehearsals as per usual.
As for live booking, it’s from by the connection of each member, invitation call from our
acquaintance for 対バン（tai-ban: on stage with each other）, or appear as “repeat”.
–What is your favorite song from “THE VACK’S”?
We cannot limit our favorite number to one, but the title number of each album “Working Man”, “FREEWHEEL” is the signature piece of VACK’S no matter how you look at it and represent our trademark.
–What’s your most memorable live?
Every member is different, but for “VACK’S”, it’s our debut live at Hakata Livespace ZERO. We appeared to a long-run event called 「Ossan wo Namerunayo!」 lasting more than 20 years. We wondered whether our songs and performance will be suitable for the event. Anyway we went to Hakata with taking our several original songs. It was exciting and was a good medicine to us. (laugh)
–You recored very recent a music video. How did that go? any difficulties to record one?
This PV was recorded in concept with the releasing new album. Since it was the first
experience for us, it was a new and we really enjoyed taking movies. Naturally a sound source was already completed, all we need to do was act (gesture) to the sound of BGM.
It was a good chance to express what we usually think. We want more people to watch the
movie ’cause it’s sooo cool with built-in bike picture!
–In which country would you love to play and why?
Under the right circumstances, we wish to go anywhere. The problem is time and money. (laugh)
–What advice can you give to the musicians, who starts to play now?
Never too late to start. Middle age around fifty older than us still keep playing
in the field more powerfully. It’s a clear answer, isn’t it ? No excuse! Do it!
–Which other bands do you love?
For us, a band survive with original songs, every band is a rival and associate.
They have so much to absorb. We are so involved in the activities of MMS recent years.
–Your message to your fans!
We VACK’S would like to continue to go to more different places taking ”Vakuon” & ”Vack’n Roll” and perform like crazy. Follow us and support THE VACK’S all the way!!
Thanks and love,
THE VACK’S