Awww, Freak Out: Melt-Banana

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THE NOTION OF JAPANESE culture and music may conjure poppy, cartoonish and childlike sounds. But the Japanese noise-rock band Melt-Banana turns that notion on its head, making music that's frantic, energetic and loud.

Melt-Banana's extreme sound has earned it a dedicated legion of followers, including the legendary British radio DJ John Peel, but homeland love is tough to come by. The band tours extensively throughout Europe and North America, yet its shows in Japan are scarcely attended. But the disconnect goes both ways, said vocalist Yasuko Onuki: The group first formed in 1991 because "we did not like music from Japanese radio."

Onuki, also known as Yasuko O., and guitarist Agata began playing together, and the duo soon added bassist Rika Mm' and a rotating cast of drummers. The band first performed as Melt-Banana the following year in Tokyo.

"We could find records of the bands from U.K. or U.S.A. when we started music. Those bands influenced us at first to start playing music, and when we started playing at small clubs, we played with many noise or punk bands," Onuki said.

Melt-Banana's original sound caught the ear of noted producer Steve Albini (Nirvana, The Pixies), who recorded the band's first album in Chicago.

While Melt-Banana had to look west for musical influences, Onuki said she hoped that bands in Japan will look to them for inspiration. "We met many bands who said they liked our music, which is very nice. And sometimes they ask us to play shows in other countries, like U.S.A. or Europe."

Melt-Banana's albums are one thing, but its live shows are what set the group apart. Screaming, thrashing and nosebleeds are typical aspects of its frenzied shows, and Onuki says the band performs at the same level of intensity every night.

"We don't need to try to keep up [our energy] because playing music is kind of fun thing for us to do. It is like you don't need to keep your energy up to play your favorite shooting game," Onuki said. "But, of course, bringing equipment or luggage makes us tired."

In the land of rock 'n' roll, where many musicians turn to alternative means for energy and enlightenment, it's even more unusual for the band to abstain from the normal vices: alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs. "I don't think I need it now," Onuki said when asked about the band's almost straight-edge lifestyle.

Although Melt-Banana is headlining at the Black Cat on Tuesday, the band is currently touring with prog-metal rockers Tool — an unusual pairing at first glance, though the two groups do seem to complement each other in creativity and volume alone. "This tour is our first time to play with Tool," Onuki said. "Usually, it is kind of hard to open for big bands because opening bands get booed, or the audience yells, but Tool audiences seem to be musically open-minded, so we get nice reactions. Well, of course, some people [boo], though."

When it comes to touring, what happens offstage can be as important as what happens onstage. "We are having fun and the Tool guys and crews are all very nice people," Onuki said. "And we eat very well because they are with very good cooks."

» Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW; with Hex Machine, Tue., 8:30 p.m., $12; 202-667-7960. (U St.-Cardozo)

Written by Express contributor Katherine Silkaitis

Photos courtesy A-ZAP Records