Let me introduce you to a new band from Yokkaichi of Japan, Switch Trout. "Where the hell is Yokkaichi?," you'd probably ask me before anything else. Well, you're not the only one with no idea about the city's geography, but I bet you'll be glad to know why I'm so excited about this undiscovered band from the small city you've never heard of. Yokkaichi is located in the southwest side of Japan. The city got a lot of attention a few decades ago when industrial pollution in the region became a big social and health problem. That region, Chukya, is a center of Japanese industry along with the Tokai region, where Estrella 20/20 is from. We all have seen great Japanese garage bands like Teengenerate and the 5-6-7-8's from Tokyo, or Mach Kung Fu from Osaka. Switch Trout is not in the bunch with other major city bands. But now, I say you should look out for the bands from outside of Tokyo and Osaka - for bands like Gasoline, Antonio 3, and Estrella 20/20. For the first time, Yokkaichi offers these tough new bands, and that's really exciting to me 'cause it reminds me of the time when a bunch of great bands came out of Detroit. While Tokyo and Osaka still claim to be the biggest, garage freaks from all over the world should get ready for this. Check out the records by Switch Trout and other bands from Yokkaichi and its surrounding regions. These guys are the shit!

1. How did you decide to start an instrumental band?

We started Switch Trout 'cause we loved the intense, aggressive guitar. I Don't like the typical use of fuzz and reverb, and I wanted to play it a bit different to express the out-of-the-ordinary world of the sound I love.

2. What's the appeal of the instro Rock 'n' Roll to you?

The early punk drive it's got. When I covered the bands like the Astronauts and the Ventures, I didn't think the songs were weak or sweet, like some people might say. On the contrary, I felt there's the destructive stuff in it, sort of similar to the Ramones and the Clash.

3. Did you want to form a 3 piece band? Tell me what you like and you don't like about being a 3 piece.

We decided to be a 3 piece band because we figured we had everything we needed to start a band. I think more 3 piece bands out there start out like us. We enjoy being a 3 piece now, but if we decide to look for a bigger range of expression, we would probably need more instruments. On the other hand, bands that are in it for the style are probably more conscious about having exactly 3 people in a band.

4. What do you think of the surf/instrumental bands that come out under the influence of the Pulp Fiction soundtrack?

I think the good bands will survive and continue playing after that soundtrack is no longer fashionable. I hate the fuckin' summer surf comps that Japanese major labels put out every summer! That stuff is all garbage, and we don't belong there.

5. What are your influences?

Link Wray, Davie Allan, Dick Dale, the Astronauts, the Ventures, Wilco Johnson, Television, Sex Pistols, the Kinks, the Who, the Yardbirds, Booker T. & the M.G.'s.

6. How do you decide on the covers you play?

I like doing covers of instro songs by my favorite 60's bands 'cause I think these songs are cool! We also like to arrange songs with good hooks and melodies into instrumentals. We don't play a lot of "classic" surf covers.

7. How did you start your label Geard?

There used to be a club called Born Machine in Yokkaichi, and bands like us, Gasoline and Antonio 3 used to hang out there. In 1996, we wanted to make a compilation of these bands, and that's when we started the label. We want to continue putting out the comps, but we haven't because of the schedule and financial problems of each band.

8-1. Tell me about your home town. Do you think where you are from effects your sound?

I don't think living in Yokkaichi by itself affects our sound.

8-2. Some fans claim Yokkaichi and its surrounding areas have a bunch of undiscovered, great garage bands. Do you think you're part of the new movement?

Yokkaichi, in particular, has no place to play. As a result, bands from this area don't have a lot of contact with bands from other places 'cause no one comes to play here. I guess bands from my home town influence each other even more because we're the only ones playing here!

8-3. Who are your favorites now?

Gasoline, and Antonio 3. It'll be cool to see more younger bands with their own, original stuff come out.

9-1. Your new album is coming out from Estrus, and some other material is being released from an English label. With regards to playing live, you're going out of town a lot more now to play gigs. What keeps you going?

I just love going crazy on stage and have fun. I also like playing and making records, and have a good time with our fans who buy our records.

9-2. How do you feel about this current situation where many people are interested in your band?

I'm really happy about it. I'm glad to have met so many people who're crazy about music, including label staff, promoters, writers, and other musicians.

9-3. What do you think of other Japanese bands who go touring or release records in foreign countries?

I think it's a good thing. When I go to tour in foreign countries, I want the audience to know that we're a Rock 'n' Roll band with no frills attached. I don't wanna be judged by where I'm from...