Interview with Electric Eel Shock

Electric Eel Shock are returning to Vietnam after their earthshattering performance at last year’s GoGoJapan! Festival. Only this time, they’re headlining. Catching an angler is no mean feat, but CAMA managed to briefly stroke rods with frontman Aki to see how Japan’s finest have been getting on.

CAMA: You played CAMA’s GoGoJapan Festival in Hanoi last year – how was that? What were the audience like?

Aki: Yeah, it was great. I’d heard Vietnam is not great Rock’n’Roll place from someone, but it was not correct. Audience has high level skill to enjoy the concert, and also have good manners. They were one of best audiences in the world. You know, we have already played over 30 countries, and we say the Vietnam audience is in the top 5!

CAMA: What are you looking forward to about coming back to Hanoi?

Aki: I am crazy for fishing, so I’ll go on a short fishing trip also this time. And of course Vietnam’s great food is top enjoyment.

CAMA: Last year you blew everyone away at GoGoJapan! How would you describe an EES live show?

Aki: Vocals&Guitar fights with guitar, bites and holds, then lifts up the guitar in his mouth; Naked Drummer grabs 2 drum sticks with each hand; Bassist climbs up wall and bass amp. But we are not only a crazy band, we also have great classic music. Crazy performance and great songs – why are we smaller than Metallica?

CAMA: I thought Metallica might be one of your musical influences?

Aki: My blood is made of Black Sabbath. Our music is not only heavy rock, but it is based on 70’s and 80’s heavy rock.

CAMA: Did you go to music festivals when you were younger?

Aki: Yeah, I went some Japanese festivals, but Japan is a very expensive country for festivals and gigs. When I was in high school, I would choose one or two concerts in a year – I had to be careful about the price but I always went to Ozzy’s [Ozzy Osbourne] show. It’d be better for rock’n’roll education if gig fees were cheaper. My experiences would have been richer…

This Year’s CAMA Festival is taking place on Saturday 2 June at the American Club, 19 Hai Ba Trung. A limited amount of discounted advance tickets are on sale now. For a full list of locations to buy tickets and information on all the performers at the festival, visit www.camafestival.com.

Video of Electric Eel Shock’s performance:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8mzp9fmub4[/youtube]