Interview: Cherry Mie Taketani (Hell Sakura)
by Rafael Karasu (rafael@karasukiller.com)
Photo: Jozzu
originally published in DOLL (Japan) #244
11/07

Hell Sakura marks the return Cherry (Ex-Okoto) to the rank of vocal guitar and through a rock made with its better essences, right-hander and rectum.With influences of the bands as Motorhead, L7 and Ramones, the HELLSAKURA comes to show to the public the one that came and of what is capable through an only noise. The band is formed by Cherry (V) (G), Napalmer (B), Bart (D) who in will say a little to them on the band will be the vocal Cherry (Nikei Burajiru Jin).

1- Can you introduce the band to us, Japanese readers, and explain the meaning of the name, Hellsakura?
Hi, the name means something like “cherry from hell”, or “shoyu from hell”, some kind of manga inspiration mixed with something lethal, something kawaii but not really... watch out!

2- Tell me how this band got started and what the main influences are.
It was about time I got back with a band, playing guitar and singing, like post-Okotô... and the bass player, Napalm, was also responsible, after all, besides encouraging me to it, he has lived and been a part of similar moments in the São Paulo alternative rock scene. And the drummer, Bart, I was already observing him because we played in a drum orchestra here, and besides he was coming from a punk rock band! Our biggest influences are Motorhead, Ramones, Black Flag, L7 and female vocals are very important to me!

3- Does everyone in the band have a day job, or do you live solely on the band? Do you play a lot there?
Unfortunately we don't live solely on the band here in Brazil, this is a country where “culture” isn't valued, but we still have a strong alternative scene, thanks to the bands and other alternative means. I work with music and production at Hangar 110, a notorious punk rock/hardcore venue here in São Paulo, Napalm is a graphic designer and illustrator and Bart “freelances” with other bands. Hellsakura has played in all possible rock venues and I hope that with the CD release through Karasu Killer we can expand much more! What we like the most around here is to play live and then just rest!

4- Is the song “Gabba Roll” dedicated to Joey Ramone? Tell me about this song.
The lyrics came from a very cool experience I had with another band I played in, called Elektrobillys (a psychobilly band), we opened for the Misfits and Marky Ramone had come with them on drums, in fact, it was my white Pearl drum kit on the stage at the time, that, plus Marky's “little dance” and other crazy stuff from my head ended up fitting a base that Napalm had shown to me.

5- Tell us about your lyrics, what's the message you want to convey?
So, as I was saying (laughs) I want to convey anger, rebellion and indignation, but also cool things through “surreal” lyrics or even things that happen on our everyday living here in São Paulo.

6- I know you came to know KAMISORI through a demo that was released in Brazil, how did you come up with the idea of recording a split with them?
Was it a Karasu idea? Or mine? Can you believe I don't remember it? Well, I need to refresh my memory… I'll be right back! Their sound is awesome! It's fast, like a very speedy Motorhead. And what about that bass, huh?

7- Do you think it's possible to start up a Brazil-Japan connection? Is it possible for us to one day organize Japanese band tours in Brazil and Brazilian band tours in Japan?
I've dreamed about that ever since I can remember, but I think this connection already exists naturally, right? The ideal would be that we had more resources to be able to tour. Brazilians get interested in bands from other countries, but few bands have come from Japan to play here, I remember Vivisick, Robin and Guitar Wolf... and the opposite isn't impossible, after all, Mukeka Di Rato has recently gone on a big tour there!

8- The split with Kamisori will be released in Brazil and will have Japanese distribution as well. What can we expect from the split?
The CD is a way of registering the songs and I hope we get a better promotion for the band in Nihon and that people get to know our songs and of course, we're able to tour Nihon.

9- How is the punk rock scene in São Paulo?
Many new bands are mixing punk rock and other genres like grunge, post-punk, but I've been listening to the classics around here, like Cólera, Vírus 27, Juventude Maldita. What I see is that the number of bands influenced by psychobilly and rockabilly has increased considerably and I love this mix. The rising of new bands is very important, but it's hard overcoming the obstacles to move forward, not all bands manage to stick together to go through that.

10- Cherry, you're from Japanese descent; tell us about your relation to the Japanese culture.
I always look for some inspiration, roots to hold on to and move forward, be it through music, food, cartoons, books, or even something my okasan has said. Brazil is a country full of differences, I like it here but I'm aware of my origins, and I value that because I believe it's a way of doing good things in life! Listen Rafael san, I'll even take a Sakura tree from here to the house in moving into, can you believe that? I would love if its roots could walk around the streets of São Paulo by themselves (laughs).

11- Next year, in São Paulo and in many other cities in Brazil, there will be celebrations because of the Japanese Immigration Centennial (1908-2008). How will that be? Will you be a part of it?
The media will surely cover the subject, and the split with the Kamisori boys will, coincidently be a bonus! I would love to, of course, if I was invited, I don't know the scheduling, but I would love to be in on it!

12- Nowadays, about 300 thousand Brazilians live in Japan, most of which are dekasseguis. The Brazilian community in Japan is the third biggest outside Brazil, and the third biggest immigrant community in Japan, behind only the Korean and Chinese communities. What do you know about Japan? Would you like to know the country, or even live here for a while?
Yes, I would love to, and even valuing the Japanese culture since I was a child, I might feel shocked, but I heard that there's a lot of discrimination from Japanese towards dekasseguis and that revolts me. But still, it would be thrilling! Wait for me, I'll go straight to Harajuku Station, turn on my amp and guitar, and then I'll go for some tea in Nagoya with you and your okasan!

13- Leave a message in nihongo日本語for the Japanese readers of DOLL!
Watashi wa a no punk rock hardcore dai suki desu

De wa “lets rock” shimashô!

“Doubutsu tati o aishite kudassai”

“Shizen o taisetsu ni shite kudasai”

“Sakê oan mari nomanai de kudassai”

Kyotsuketê né dja odaijini

Arigatô

Cherry (nihongo namae = Mie)

Contacts:
www.myspace.com/hellsakura
www.fotolog.com/hellsakura
cherrymt@terra.com.br