Diary

Damo Suzuki with The Lunar Dunes: Ian Blackaby (Bass), Adam Blake (Guitar), Saul Eisenberg (Percussion), Hami (Drums) Krupa Pattni (Synth, Vocal) and Larry Whelan (Keyboards, Saxophone)

Took early flight, next day Back to home. Cologne London is such near, depend on flight and weather, it takes between 45 minutes to 55 minutes. It’s much near than fly to Berlin on air kilometers. This is reason why London is the city in Europe I perform mostly. And not bad place for my kind of music. Now a days there are many cheap flight as well in all over Europe. Sometimes no charge, just pay airport tax. Lay down on sofa at Gerald and Sylkes at Crouch End for few hours. Seldom to perform West London, people here are different from East and North London. Today’s special is my friend Gerald do DJ.

I saw attractive girl walking down the street from the balcony of the venue (the venue has a pub) and after I found she is sound carrier too. Opening band is something very special, they’re boys between 13 17 years old and they brought some girl fans, they’re around 12-14 years old. What kind of music they play? …..you can try to answer three times…. But, I’m sure you never find right answer. They don’t cover any of those young age heroes. Instead they performed experimental music…can you imagine? At that age? Sweet thing is that they asked me how I think about their music in interview manor with recording after their performance. They were happy to hear my opinion about their music. I have opportunity to experience such situation with could-be-possible grandson generation.

The Lunar Dunes perform regularly in this venue or somewhere around west London. Hami visited me at an another London performance two weeks before just for short time. He contacted me a couple of months before that they were willing to perform with me. So, there were positive energies.

London is international city..but, public transportation in late night is not that good for huge city like this. There is night bus, but it takes long time slalom through city and as foreigner its quite complicated. But, still better than Tokyo. In Tokyo, last train is something like 11:30PM or even earlier depend on where you go. There is no public transportation even there are many pubs, night clubs open and thousands of drunken zombies wandering…….

Damo Suzuki with The Whole: Member (Bass, Electronics), Stolle (Guitar, Electronics) and Christian Wolf (Drums, Electronics)
http://www.cellarium.de/

Kosmik Klaus is the guy who make fantastic Light Show…a couple of years before I worked together with him in Wurzburg. This time He invited me to South Germany…exactly…Knittlingen..its near to Karlsruhe and Stuttgart. He and his pal Andreas picked me up from Stuttgart airport.

Early morning flight, I had to leave Gerald and Sylkes at short past four AM riding bus to get first train to Stansted. Unfortunately, bus didn’t move as engine was broken. Had to wait for next bus. When I arrived Stansted..it was early enough…but, already passengers making long line. Nice to be in this part of Germany. Baden Wurttemberg. Here you can eat best in Germany. People speak here with accent..when female speaks kind of cute….something charm to me..Maybe because I had been spend a month at this area long time ago when I survived from hard day cancer operation. Also here is warmest part of Germany. Specially Freiburg area is very warm.

And this part of Germany, you can find many traditional farm, Restaurant, houses. This part of Germany houses were not bombed at WW2 ..this is very comfortable and richest part of Germany. Its my favorite area in Germany if you visit Germany, remember!!!! Klaus and Andreas brought me to hotel then I can sleep for some hours… The Whole is trio from Frankfurt, today I perform with them for 3rd time. They’re easy and we don’t have to discuss anything…this is how instant composing should have to be.

The venue is old wine cellar, fantastic ambient. Elke came a bit later by her car brought merchandise. Audience is rather older generation and some of them came from quite far distance. I found Jurgen from Frankfurt and Horst from Wurzburg as well. Jurgen is sweet he booked room in same Hotel like us. He went home early in the morning.

Way back home we visit one of those world heritage Monastery Maulbronn which is oldest of this sort at north of Alps from middle ages. Now a days there are many world heritage stuff…guess some 800 all over the world. It might be not bad as many people are visiting all these places and good for local economy….But, I feel like too much places now.

Damo Suzuki with Agaskodo Teliverek: Miki Kemecsi (Guitar), Tomi Szabo (Guitar), Pharoah S. Russell (Drums) and Man From Uranus : Phil Baerwalde (Moog, Sampler, Theremin)

Arrived last night, Gerald and Sylke come back from their holiday in Germany, so we had appointment to meet at Stansted Airport. They waited for me about half hour. Crouch End, they’re living is kind of village…I mean London is kind of united village city and you can find many different spots…This might be one of charm of this metropolis. On the Broadway there is Fish shop just few steps from their house. An another shop I go when I come here is organic shop round the corner front of clock tower, get vegetable and tofu, etc…

I cooked fish for Lunch, we have enough time, just relax and went to the venue. This venue I perform for 2nd time. New York’s Skeletons I met in Coventry few days before showed up, they will support tonight. And my set with Agaskodo Teliverek and Man From Uranus they going to join. I have enough time to hang around. Mostly outside on the street with many other people. Small bottle of tequila in hand.

Met a female English teacher who is getting my E-Report regularly. She said my English is all right and enjoying to read EMail. At same moment opening artist starts. Hami, sound carrier from next London show two weeks later came with flyer of forthcoming show with me. Also he is interesting what will happen.  Akiko Matsuura…a crazy young Japanese girl from Osaka lives in London, she has solo project this night, singing, drumming, DJ.ing, etc….with her energy.

I feel tonight a bit different audience than last time I performed here. Agaskodo Teliverek is a Hungarian band based in London. This is first time (I guess) I perform with Hungarian sound carriers. Later joined by Skeleton guys. After show we were invited by Akikos which is just few steps from the venue. Her small place with many people…she cooked me noodle for hungry father…..She wanted me to be her father….

Here is view from the show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwYa0xie4-M&gl=HK&hl=zh-HK http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3QuI9ERvOI&feature=related

Damo Suzuki with Chris Allen (Bass), Chris McCorry (Mandolin), Gavin Mullan (Guitar), Kasey Peters (Drums), Simon Porter (Drums), Steven Rainey (Guitar, Bass), Phillip Quinn (Guitar) and Conor Scullion (Bass)

Rich and Sarah brought me to Birmingham airport. Fly to Belfast….first time in Northern Ireland. I had been in Ireland. but, only in Republic of Ireland. My friend sound carrier from LA Tommy come from here and told me about this city. Now a days cheap flight company ask you to pay for your baggage. so sometimes cheap flight company is not that cheap. Addition comes on flight costs…service charge, off course tax….

More than one hour waited at Belfast airport as promoter promised me someone will pick me up..Is there one more airport in Belfast? Or he didn’t see me? Nobody appear. Anyway I have to go to city center even I don’t have hotel address, neither from the venue, I perform tomorrow. . Now you can find me not professional enough. Next time I will check all information I need before I start tour. I went to internet café, check address of the venue. Its OK, with this kind of move-to-where-wind-goes action.…If everything goes smooth, it’s kind of boring, isn’t it?.

I asked Taxi driver how far is it? He said anything like 20 minutes by walk 6 or 7 blocks from here. So, I decided to take good old British box taxi…short after I found it was right thing I did, as it was really long distance on that day with my suitcase.

Arrived at Black Box, people were preparing for show tonight with three bands. Then I found one of organizer of festival and claimed that no one appeared at airport carry me to Belfast…bra, bra, bra…..He was kindly enough to buy me Guinness …Oh, I was so thrust …it disappeared so quick..then he brought second one. I found bunch of musician, members of Airiels from Chicago they are touring with London living German electro music artist Ulrich Schnauss. They invited me to come tonight for their show. I promised I come after fish dinner.

Went to Hotel stayed for a while and left for dinner..I asked lady at reception where I can eat fish in this city. Belfast is so close to sea there must be some fish restaurants I thought, She introduced me two restaurants, so I went to one of them which was more interesting than another one.. Unfortunately it was all reserved. I wanted to go to venue to listen music of young sympathetic musicians even I was hungry. My stomach is not really flexible, if I think „fish I have to eat fish, already as imagination I am eating fish in my brain. I walk around to get something alternative. But, nothing was really interesting also its bank holiday in UK, many shops are closed. So, I decided not to eat and ….instead full up my stomach with music and drink.

When I arrived there music was not started yet and I had time to communicate with young Americans of the band. They are second to go. Third set is Ulrich Schnauss. After Airiels performance, they asked me if I have interest to go on stage with them and Ulrich. Its Saturday night a lots of party people and beautiful girls. Even I´d been drinking Jameson, I said yes. Result, see this YouTube stuff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BukKUs_6NHg

They brought me back to hotel which had a lots of thing going on that street…I was so hungry…I get Fish and Chips, what else at late at this time…anyway there are only few answers. If I don’t eat I cannot sleep or I dream badly like big fish going to bite me, eat me.

Next morning, Took Lunch at Hotel instead breakfast…was too late it’s already noon…outside is constant rain, looks ugly…I was short out of Hotel , just opposite I found fake Japanese restaurant. Its bank holiday. The restaurants are also closed. Yes, I wanted to tell you about the city. Belfast has population of anything like two hundred seventy thousands. But, I feel lot more bigger city. Also, there is many old good looking buildings exists…and I didn’t find anything like conflict between catholic and protestant…May be I was not right area. Irish camera team from Dublin had contact before I come to Belfast, they showed up before sound check. Sound carriers showed up slowly one by one….they are all from different bands. mainly they perform/see for first time each other. They are all so young..twens. Three drummers. and other sound carriers share quite tight stage. Photos of the performance:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fizzybenilyn/sets/72157604883994686/ by Stephen
Also http://www.flickr.com/photos/fizzybenilyn/2466731137/

Once upon a time in 1969 one August day, there stands a boy with long hair traveling with guitar and small bag, it was hippy time..he was hitchhiking somewhere near Le Havre, Normandy France. He was waiting for long time car to bring him somewhere on hot dusty road under dull sun which seems to melt sky. He had no particularly place to go, he was meaning just anywhere. Two Irish sisters begin to hitchhike at same road. They were Elizabeth and Ann Murphy. This boy asked them where are they going to.. They answered „Ireland. „Ireland?”; Elizabeth asked Have you ever been in Ireland?”; No…Id never been there….”; Do you have any interest to come to Ireland?, my parents have farm. He didn’t think twice, answer came directly after the question „Yes, yes… This is beginning of relationship to Murphys then I stayed there for around half year. Helping farmers, working at Chinese restaurant in Wexford… Their mother Mary treated me like if I am their real son even she had, Jack, Michael, Eugene, Barry 4 boys and Elizabeth, Ann, Clair, Aideen 4 girls.

Since then I lost contact with them for 39 years…… Until 2008, few months before Belfast show, a 18 years old young man named Peter mailed me, saying I know you stayed at my grandmother Marys in end 60s…. I’ve got performance in Belfast, then after I have break for two days, so this time finally visits them in New Ross, Co. Wexford. I mailed him back. Peter arranged very-necessary meeting nearly 40 Years (!!!) Took train Belfast-Dublin. was journey to yesterday…was exciting to see Tom and Mary Murphy and their children. I arrived Dublin. Peter find me waiting for him, I didn’t see him before, so I had no idea how he looks like. Exactly he looks like his mother Aideen he have same curly hair. We had enough time to take bus so went to drink wine at Hotel nearby. Arrived Enithcorthy after around two hours. A middle aged man was waiting for with his car ….he is Barry….Marys youngest kid…..last time I saw him he was just beginning of his life..3 or 4 years old and having short pants curly hair in hand his puppet. He is now running Marys and Toms farm.

The car drive on nostalgia road, memories are replaced in my head. Arrived at the farm I spend my last teenage year Do you remember me?”; Old lady with grey hair, asked me, She’s Mary. She never lost her friendly face. I said No…”; as stupid joke. Sure I can remember …It was emotional moment. for all those years, which went so quickly. Then Tom appears. Peter showed me farm place…some places I can remember, it was huge place and still it is. Walking through fields, like time trip, suddenly I was in end of 60s. Many memories come through my brain like shadow theater in Asia.

In the night all Marys and Toms boys Jack, Michael, Eugene, Barry joined with their wives, their daughters Clair, Eugenes daughter and boyfriend and off course Peter, the young man who arranged everything that we all had opportunity to meet for first time since almost 40 years. It was emotional moment. We were teenagers living in other situation like now. Everybody’s life is very interesting how they processed and experienced all those days. Mary and Tom seemed to be very happy. I feel very thankful that I met them in my teenage period. They’re all really amazing persons. We had drunk together Irish Whiskey and others. Talking about old days…This and that… Next day, I waked up in good mood, sit under the beautiful sun at Mary and Toms backyard. Maurice, Peters father came, Peter wanted to show us the guy from Netherlands who lives in old power station with his organic garden a bit miles from here. He was fantastic guy, living here for 15 years and he have to move out of here. Because council want to make Hotel for tourism. Even he bought his ground he have to move. He was really angry about this for years, told us. Still, he was nice enough to show us his fantastic gardens and house of alternative, many with his ideas. He told us he still can get around 80KW power a day from this old power house. In the garden, I had to take care of his donkey might kick my ass. The Dutch guy invited us for home made Beer, Champagne…. A fantastic do-it-yourself guy. When we came back from short visit by Dutch man, Lunch was ready on dish. Mary and Tom cooked together for us…. When I was here end of 60s, Mary was cooking for 5, 6 farm workers everyday, used every materials from their farm. Then I left Mary and Toms……Even for a day I was really happy to see them and great emotional 24 hours. Hope they stay so healthy as they are for long long years. I’m sure I will come back and see them again in near future…I should, yes, I should do this. Maurice drove me to his house. He is a French man come from Normandy, since middle of 70s living here, married with one of Murphy…, Aideen. He was chef in Monte Carlo, one day he come here for vacation, met Murphys and continued to stay since. He says they are really nice people, I agree. Maurice was wondering why I came so early to Ireland. Situation in Ireland is totally changed since then. yes, absolutely. When I was here, Ireland was one of most poor western European country, many Irish went out of the country to get job. Now, 21 century Ireland is one of high living standard country in Europe as good as all those rich Scandinavian countries. He is like most French people, speak English with French accent which I find very cute. We spoke many things and we both found were quite same in our philosophy. He says this part of Ireland everybody has huge house lived by only two person in house and told me there is a hotel which costs 800 euro for a night….incredible…because I know their poor period and now.

In the evening Aideen come back from Liverpool, this year European cultural city share together with Stavanger, Norway. She was really surprised find me in their house. Now she is a teacher in school, she says. I know her only when she was 13 or 14 years old. Now she is herself mother of three children. Except Peter two other children are living in Dublin and they’re much older than Peter. Peter is visiting school for photography. His wish is to be a photograph. For his 18 years he is much adult…is trustable and respectable man. We had dinner that night, which made me feeling at home, eats black bread, cheese, sausages and salami from Germany…. Maurice bought this house middle of 70s….. plenty rooms. This building is from 16th century or so. When he bought this house it had been empty for four years and nobody wants to buy. Now this house (with additional house, he use for chicken and his work tools and huge beautiful garden) costs 10 times more. Yes, this is also how Ireland expanded. Next day, Peter and Aideen went to school, Maurice took me to beach, I had been there end 60s. He said here in Ireland people eat not that much fish even its surrounded by sea, I agree…England also…they mainly eat only Fish and Chips. Maurice has cabins for Bees, his friend visited him with this special protect dress. Finally Maurice cooked for me fish which he caught, he is passionate hobby fisher. He was professional chef, so he can cook really in good timing and his movement is smooth…even I didn’t have not that much time, short before shuttle bus leave to Dublin. He made food in time.

Arrived at Dublin airport, there are many constructions around airport even here you can find success story of Ireland. I have enough time to relax and for Laptop work.

Damo Suzuki with T.B.I.
http://www.thetinangel.co.uk/

Sarah, small cute lady who is working at the venue picked me up from Birmingham Airport. Coventry is not so far from this airport. Arrived quite early…enough time ..almost whole day free …due to airplane schedule. So, it wasn’t really matter she showed up herself a bit later at airport.

She brought me to Tinangel, the label she is working too and they have beside shop café. She invited me for a early day Guinness then second one and also small snacks. Rich who runs label and the venue showed up and we went to his place where I stay tonight.

Coventry is most far English city from sea and has population of around three hundred thousands. Coventry had hard attack from Germans during WW2 and most of building here was built after the war, explained me Sarah when we drove through the city. 2nd time I perform here in 8th largest English and 11th largest Britain city.

Supporting band Skeletons from NYC, they are touring Europe for 4 weeks, this is their 7th concerts or so. Then the band I performed with come on the stage and they did their set which is to absolutely another world than my sound making anyway. But, show went well even the band themselves was surprising. I found known-friendly-face there in audience. Hey Ian, what are you doing here?; Ian is a guitarist of Bristol based Fuzz Against Junk, last time we performed together at ATP Festival, last December. While I stay in Bristol, I stay by him. Yeah, I originally come from here….”; Was really nice to meet him not expecting. He was in good mood and he enjoyed the show.

Damo Suzuki with Chinos Libres: Brak (Guitar), Bux (Saxophone), IIpsofacto Perez (Bass), Kleiber (Drums) and Mrs. BIAnca (Theremin)

To get out of Mexico City is hard duty. just get out took more than three hours…what a city. Most of the people in the van were tired from last night and sleeping, dreaming and set them somewhere else. Only wake person was beside driver (must be), Richard. Click joined this trip were Carlos, Julian with his girlfriend, Richard and Orlando, who is expert of wrestling, a kind of typical Mexico stuff and they hired van and driver.

It took so long time. around 6 hours of driving…. we arrived there around midnight, could hear loud sound from the venue, Carlos said I can go on stage whenever I am ready and sound you can hear now is the band perform with you tonight. I am creating time and space of the moment, and there is no rehearsal, but I don’t like to miss sound check, This is basis for sound making. This night I had no such time.

Sound on stage was… not must be kind if sound. I heard almost no guitar, drums are not that loud enough. High build-up stage was some time shaking like earthquake feeling like next moment brake down. Anyway 2nd show and last show in  Mexico had done.

Tomorrow is just touristy day….they invited me to go to see pyramid. After show went to street selling Tacos, which was best Tacos I ever had. Its remind me of Japanese „Yatai (Street selling food). This and tequila (here drink man Mescal) is really good combination. Cheap, good taste and good quality….We’re also invited to come to an another venue with DJ music…but, I wanted to have silence more I stayed for not that long and went back to Hotel which has nice Mexican ambient and very comfortable. Hotels foods are very cheap and good next morning (was not interesting to eat breakfast ate already lunch)….Mexican has cool soft drinks…one I had this morning was soo good…green soft drink ….day was already getting hot so this was really fits together like Mexican with Ponchos. One by one of us showed up at Restaurant. as usual group travels, you know. Some of them cannot hide hangover from last night and still moving like zombie.

Anyway we even then went to Pyramids on Mt.Alban….what a place, walking through. you feel souls of ancient, worm wind blows tenderly. This kind of place you can get time traveling. Then sightseeing, Carlos and Orland stayed at hotel, they seems to be very tired and not presence. Rests went to the city by walk and had good time, through market, sit at cafe/bar at square drink dozen of Mescal each and eat snacks, watching people, hear street music and street sounds. nice atmosphere, you might able to imagine of Mexico. Richard who reminds me of my old German friend Miki (strangely both runs venue) has friend here in Oaxaca just opened Mescal bar. It’s tinny place but, what they have is really good quality Mescal, we tried this and that…Oh, I cannot remember how many Mescal I had this night together….may be 20? or more….. Way back Hotel in dark silence street worm wind attend us… Next day, back to Mexico-city. way to Oaxaca I couldn’t see landscape that well as it was already dark. Way back to Mexico City, I enjoyed to see land space which presenting new kinds experience. Mountains are not covered with trees, here covered by meter high cactus. In the night I went out with Julian, he wanted to bring me to good Taco Restaurant…unfortunately, it was closed, so we found alternative near that restaurant which wasn’t that good.

Oh, my days in Mexico are already counted. tomorrow I have to leave here…it was an amazing experience, I can tell to everybody. Carlos, Julian and young sweet guy (sorry I forget your name), who lives in Europe took me to airport. Before, for goodbye we went to restaurant last meal together. To say goodbye is small death. I miss all of them…

Unfortunately KLM canceled my flight, so I had to change my flight instead via Amsterdam, via London with British Airways then to Cologne with Lufthansa. At this point if you did online checking I could go back to Europe much earlier with next flight which was in only 4 hours from canceled KLM flight with Air France via Paris. So, I recommend if you travel far, it make sense to make online checking, if you do you may served as first. If you just come to airport without online checking you are served after. So, I had to stay an another 20 hours in my new favorite country as option. I had good international hotel which is paid by KLM with 2 meals, internet access for free charge. Julian and Richard (who gave me Mescal as souvenir) call me up, Carlos had contact with me too…but, I didn’t go back to the city.

I have to work out many things happened in this few days here in Mexico…….

Damo Suzuki with Jay de la Cueva (Bass), Carlos Icaza (Drums), Julian Lede (Guitar), Carlos Navarrete (Keyboards), Alexis Ruiz (Drums) and Martin Thulin (Keyboards)

A couple of months before when I got this invitation, I was really curious and found I have not that much knowledge about Mexico. Tequila, Maya culture, Pyramid, Tacos…Yes, I know Mexican music. early sixties. Trio Los Ponchos was quite often in Japan.

Last year I performed in San Diego and found many Mexicans in audience. Now I know quit bit more of this country and I have to shout … What a country!! What a fun!!! You can drink best tequila here for sure, is origin country. Mexico City : Population 25 million. the biggest city on this planet. 10 million cars and half million taxis make part of sound and smog of the city. 2000 meter high from sea level….

Carlos and Julian picked me up from airport which seems to be quite middle of the city. This was First Impression, Airplane from Amsterdam landed here. Both guys seemed to be too much respect on me or if a monster is arriving . They didn’t know what to expect. Then they saw this tinny shaman..Grey long haired hippy museum man, then their last on shoulder fades away.

They brought me to Hotel in the middle of city, area called Historical Centrum. Hotel is my thought typical Mexican style, around the garden is rooms in several flats high. Mexico city don’t have much high building, so surface of the city is huge ..endless.. even from airplane. Later joined by Ricardo who had been in Japan and able to eat Natto…sticky, stinky soy bean topping for rice. I know many foreigners in Japan, they live here for more than 10 years and so, they loves Japanese food but, they cannot eat Natto… But, Ricardo is only first time there he said and he really loves this. Anyway Carlos is an artist, run label, Julian is a musician has solo project he said it sound like kind of living theater but one man project and Richard run very beautiful venue I’ll perform in two days.

We went to opera, because I wanted buy some postcards, there is book shop in opera theater which is very gorgeous. Front of it is square; many people are hanging around in hot loud air. Carlos was buying something there, later he presented me is book about art and culture of Mexico in English. It was nice gift I like books and I like to have books. (At the moment I am reading about Japanese history, I am getting old and find myself missing something…..last time in Japan I found that actually I don’t know many thing about my native country. So, I begin to read.)

Richard stayed there for Opera, Rest three of us went to old pub/restaurant, then I had opportunity to try „real tequila for first time. Tequila Classico!!! Tequila has been my love for sometimes. Normally in Europe you drink tequila with salt and lemon. Here is a bit different, beside glass of tequila serve peppered tomato juice in same sized glass like tequila. You put bit salt on between fat thumb and point finger, lick it then tequila into your thirsty throat then bite lemon then drink peppered tomato juice. This is the culture. I love this ceremony and its healthy way to drink alcohol for sure. You are losing Vitamin C (Hum. there was song like this in last century, humm…) when you drink alcohol. So, this is practical you bite vitamin to support. Then this peppered tomato with much substance…..I LOVE IT!!!! 🙂

Everywhere I go I am curious about domestic foods (already you realized), This is one of enjoyable reason for travel, isn’t this? ….so I wanted to order something special. Julian helped me to order meat in chocolate souse, he said it’s specialty here….Sometimes I use chocolate to prepare souse when I have stake….I use a small block of bitter chocolate. But, this souse here I saw front of my eyes is used sweet chocolate and much of it….sorry, it’s Not my taste really. ( A couple of days later I tasted same souse in Oaxaca, it was far better taste, anyway I tell you later this local city has better tasted than this crazy monster city.) As usual I had jet lag, but tequila was soooooo Gooood!!! So, I had to order more and more…when time pass by more fun….its makes you surely drunken, but different…so refreshed and next day you never have hangover even you’re much fit…my body said keep on going. Command center in my brain is captured by this small attractive liquid.

Later Ricard showed up with some people and took place at beside our table. Then, Alex. Who was helping for advertisement form first ever performance in the monster city, came with gift. First day in first time visit in Mexico was really amazing, nice company of these nice Mexicans (Julian is born in Argentine) and kind of culture shock with better moods. Next day was an interview day, I, Carlos, Julian and Alex went to modern part of Mexico city (drive took quite long in middle of traffic jungle) with very interesting modern architecture…this is DNA which make me curious about buildings …my father was an architect.

Three radio interviews found the place in modern private university. Afternoon other three interviews at cafe near to my Hotel. Between morning and afternoon interviews, Mexican sound carriers came together and played some music at one of their rehearsal room ..but, played together with mainly sound carriers who don’t perform tomorrow. There was positive energy and recorded as option to one of morning radio interviews. All went to for lunch and it was fantastic restaurant, looked so traditional ambient…I ordered fried fish…appetizer was nice too. I felt I am getting into this nice country and at this stage I’m really sure what will be tomorrow at the performance…..MUST BE only positive things happen.

It is naturally with surrounded by such fantastic people nothing goes wrong. Here tequila, there tequila. many told me I have to try Mescal when I go to Oaxaca….Sure, I will do. I am already curious about this magical word, it stamped on my brain already. And they explained me Oaxaca is just opposite to Mexico city, quiet and small and heard about Pyramids on Mt.Alban. But, already Mexico get me…deeply. Axel told me, tomorrow is only one interview, but what kind of….. Third day I wake up and not hang over, I drinking quite a lot tequila after tequila since I entered his country. (Even this E-report smells like tequila!!!) With Interview guys, interview guy and cameraman, who is writing for cultural forum for financial paper. we spend afternoon together sitting at street cafe comfortable, watching people go under dull sunshine, having an another party. Interview man told me that this financial paper has good cultural part…In Germany too there is financial paper called Frankfurter Allgemeine, they bring also very best cultural pages.

Later joined by two middle aged musicians, One of them was singer handed me a CD saying “Please listen to this…Also, there come another interview man. Later I invited them to my hotel room for continue relaxing different way.

Time for sound check comes, party is good but, I have to be clear main reason I came to Mexico is performing. I went the venue, strong looking historical building. Already sound check with all these Mexican sound carriers were remarkable, so just looking forward to the performance. After sound check went to eat Mexican food in old ambient with round table for 8 people. After yummys with stomach satisfaction…DJ music as support…the DJ from Spain who lives in NYC, I met once in Palma de Mallorca, he introduced me at the restaurant.

In Venue is already good filled up with young people. At entrance some young people clapped their hands when they saw me. Nice welcome gesture…but, I am quite shy fort his kind……Quick steps to backstage. Performance itself I don’t have to explain how it was….it was just like what I experienced last three days here…..just positive.

Great reaction in audience, after show everybody has smiles on their faces, many photos here and there.

Damo Suzuki with Ishiatama-Zizo: Katsunori Akutagawa (Guitar), Tetsuya Akune (Guitar), Yuji Takagi (Bass) and Toshiro Usui (Drum)

Soundcheck is at 12:00 midnight….Humm so, late? Show time is around 2AM…oh, what kind of place is Kumamoto? So, I had enough time.

Kawamura wanted to me to stay in Oita and enjoy myself and take good vibe from this city. he is a great host, we drove to soccer stadium which is just made for 2004 World championship which is too expensive for this part of Japan and after they don’t use it. Many places in Japan you can find such project like theater any kind of cultural buildings which looks so luxury but not really used. Wasting of money he said to this soccer stadium with all possible luxury, remove able roof and so on. We took breakfast near by at shopping mall which is looks like standard US shopping mall with all these ugly fast foods. but, in Japan you can find still something interesting things to eat. …after we drove to Usuki-city (which is impossible to read in Japanese Kanji letter : Chinese letter equally) famous for Old Buddha figures from ancient Japan. from  6 century, very first time Buddhism enter to Japan. I’m not Buddhist, but I’m very interesting in history. Also I wanted to go out of the city to nature. He seems to like drive, such old Buddha figures smells of 1,500 years. This time in Japan I found many things. So, I decided to travel top to bottom of Japan one day……I will make it in year 2010. I discovered Japan. This is the land where I was born and glow up…..I should have known better. Can remember, One foreigner artist said Japan is so small country, but in this tiny space you can find many interesting thing, culture, foods, local to local so different, every inches you can find something curious….I totally agree. Italy is also similar.

Travel to Kumamoto is better with bus than take train. So, beautiful landscapes through Aso national park. Aso is very famous for it’s volcano tourism . I was there once when I was a school boy. Bus reached Kumamoto a bit late. At bus terminal, three members of Ishiatama-Zizo (Ishiatama means stone head, Jizo is kind of Buddha figure which is not that huge, standing quiet on path, you can find it in China and Japan but not in India.). Akutagawa is contact person, who organize alternative music performances in this local city Kumamoto, normally run his record shop. Kumamoto has one of three most beautiful castle in Japan beside Sendai and Himeji called Kumamoto-Jo also there is Aso national park, Amakusa, a bunch of Islands as touristy attraction. Historically very heavy weight in Japanese history and supporter of new Japan system at end of Syogun period. Foods here are famous “Basashi” horse meat Sashimi. We had much time to sound check, so I wanted to go to eat and taste this Basashi…Sure I can eat it in Tokyo as well. But, look when I saw dish friendly old woman brought. No compare to Tokyo’s tinny slice here they serve much wide slice and taste better. Yummy. And this could be local horse meat. Mainly Japanese import horse meat come from Australia..Basashi, you can get in Tokyo must be imported goods…anyway I have to research. It’s fits really good with Uronhai(Uron tea, Rice snaps mix which is my favorite drink in Japan)…Good food and good drink ..What I need more?…Just good performance will be done!!!

Stacia, once was dancer of Hawkwind in 70’s, now she is visual artist staying in Kyoto for a while visited me this performance from such a distance by train she said she took something like 5 hours or so. So, this is first time I saw her since early 70’s. She contacted me as she was flying from Dublin to Berlin, seat beside her was one of my Irish sound carrier friend….I guess Robin, so anything on conversation Damo and his Network story was fall down from his mouth, he gave her my mail address. again such a small world we are living in!!!!…isn’t it nice?

Kumamoto is local city far south from Tokyo, still here I found foreigners in audience and next day in the city. After the performance is ” Uchiage” Members of Ishiatama Zizo wanted to go home as they don’t drink and they cannot drink if you drive. But, anyhow I let them come also Stacia did. The Izakaya was newly opened. three days old…very noisy place. Everybody is shouting…much energy. We were after concert and maybe quietest group of that pub. Fortunately I had one day break. Maybe Akutagawa wanted to show me a bit of Kumamoto. Unfortunately weather wasn’t good ..Constant rain..

Breakfast we took at noodle restaurant. Kumamoto has famous ramen (ramen is Chinese noodle soup in Japanese flavoured style and this is one of most popular food beside curry rise on kind of fast food field,) This was yummy and so deeply cooked pork bone souse. Actually Akutagawa wanted to drive me to Amakusa and Aso National Park area. but, weather wasn’t good . If we’re there we couldn’t see nice view anyway and also we slept to early afternoon. so, Day is shorter also it’s in March. Went to Kumamoto-jo. This castle is really amazing and huge than I thought. It’s strong looking. There was not that much tourist..it was tool late and we couldn’t get enter “Tensyukaku” (Main building of castle) We walk through park, you can feel silence of souls who lived here and fight against enemies . Some small foreigner tourists group were there surp rising and enjoying at same time. After we went to Chinese tea house which Akutagawa’s friend own. This kind of place you never come alone if you’re a stranger. It’s at side street 5th floor or something in building. But, this might be good for owner, then comes only special people this way to drink very special Chinese tea served in tiny teapot put this into cup upside-down and take bit of Chinese warm snacks…

Next day Akutagawa brought me to Kumamoto airport. we ate there traditional Japanese breakfast. Then back to Tokyo, Haneda airport. This was my last performance trip this time in Japan. I went to “Syojin-Ryori” restaurant, retrospective my travel. This time I found many good things in Japan and I’m happy that I was born here in such an amazing country. It’s so strange, I was in Japan so often, but this time I had good vibes through. Also I saw (thought with “Gaijin’s” (Foreigners) perspective too as most of the time Elke attended. If you go to eat together with friends, we felt Japan is “Luxury for everybody” you can enjoy and tasty quality food for that cheap and we share. Love-san asked me to go to “Izakaya” he found. It’s tiny space bottom of dead end street. 1st floor for 8 people and it’s very tight and 2nd floor for 8 people, but this place was something special.

That day late in the night owner was working alone cooking, serving in one person. We’re some sound carriers and wives. Love-san drove me to airport like last time. We had enough time at Narita airport…buy souvenirs and off course eat!!!

Damo Suzuki with Kento Adachi (Guitar), Yasushi Egami (Guitar), Emoto (Drums), Isami (Drums), Kengo Kato (Sax), Hiroshi Kawamura (Drums), Hiroki Misawa (Bass), Hiroshi Ogasawara (Bass) and Tomokazu Takeda (Guitar)

I had enough time in Haneda. I use to arrive airport earlier. Now a days security check takes long and quite stress and uncomfortable. In Japan you can bring only one lighter in airplane not more than two. Haneda airport is like Narita, there are many shops and restaurant, so I can hanging around quite comfortable, Took late breakfast…curry rise and beer. Curry is very popular in Japan…but, Japanese curry taste. not like Indian or Thai. This curry is everywhere quite standard taste and every place you can find it so often like noodle restaurant. Kinda Japanese fast food. Always nice feeling to travel to place I have never been.

About Oita I don’t know anything. Once I came to Beppu which is also in Oita-Ken. Kawamura, booker of tonight’s show and sound carrier picked up me from Oita airport told me that Beppu is Economically not good like before. Beppu is famous, in her glory time she was one of three most popular hot springs in Japan. Went to venue at first, sound guy was already preparing, Kawamura took me to Japanese style restaurant. Were in private room. If you come far from Tokyo, you find many different things….Lady’s are much naturally and has her own beauty. Even here you can find foreigner…

A young guy met at my performance is British. There are many English teachers from foreigner countries in Japan. Specially from UK, New Zealand and Australia. Two sets with different sound carriers. After show, with some sound carriers went to Izakaya, owner is a jazz fan, as usual small place, but very family good atmosphere. Kawamura knows this Izakaya very well, so owner just cooked for us some thing he thought about. not on menu. One of sound carriers is working for biggest local bank, One of sound carriers runs construction and building company, so, we talked a lots about economical matter. The bank guy remembered his composition “Fukuda no Baka” a protest song against former Japanese prime minister Fukuda when he was young. Song is “Foolish Fukuda” Was funny to hear his young age composition, he sing with guitar. Singer songwriter stuff.

Night was deep, this is local city almost nobody on the street at 3 in the morning when we left.

1st Set: Damo Suzuki with Dead Pan Speakers
2nd Set: Damo Suzuki with Astro (Analog Synth), Jyunzo Suzuki (Guitar) and Tomo (Hurdy-Gurdy)
3rd Set: Damo Suzuki with kazuhide Yamaji (Guitar) and Leningrad Blues Machine: Mitsuru Tabata (Guitar), Masahiko Shimaji (Bass) and Yasuyuki Watanabe (Drums)

One day Love-san took us for driving to Oku-Tama area of Tokyo to see plum-tree, it’s before cherry blossoms season. Between February to March, people go to see before cherry blossom season. On the hill was a lots of Ume tree…sea of plum flowers in pink and white color. This is small local fest. but still thousands of people visit, make picnic.

Oku-Tama is wonderful place, it’s very difficult to imagine this a part of Tokyo. Totally in nature. Tama is name of a river run through Tokyo..on the way we had amazing local landscape. Last night we had appointment with my Canadian sound carrier friend Cal, was cooking and made empty bottles and had a bit hangover, so I wanted to eat MEAT…as late breakfast at Korean style steak house. We visited also Sake manufacturer’s garden and tried local Sake in beside Tama-river. In the evening went to one of nicest chain restaurant enjoyed Japanese food. (This E-report is means not Electric report now…Eat-Report, ha, ha….)

An another I went to my uncle’s grave. He died early this year… after visited his widow, it was emotional moment that my tears didn’t stop. but, it’s doesn’t matter ..just let my feel go if I could see him alive….My father died when I was 5 years old, since then my uncle was just like my father to me, he advised me, gave my job at his company until I left Japan. She put her man’s photo on chair. He looks so happy and like together with us if he is alive.

Then after spend 3 days in Kyoto, one of my favorite cities in this planet!!!!. East and west of Japan foods taste different. East (Tokyo, Yokohama) taste stronger taste, West (Osaka, Kyoto) make it tender, soft taste…much tasty to me. Highlight of this tour department foods were “Syoujin-Ryouri” I experienced at Arashiyama, a bit outside of Kyoto city, a silence meditation area. Syoujin-Ryouri is zen-buddism food, so it IS veg food..but, in Japanese traditional sense. I love food which you can enjoy material pure without oil or butter even I enjoy just any kind of food, you know. It’s crazy good to my tongue then my body and soul, you feel something healthy things rules your body and soul, so a couple of days later I bought 2 Syoujin-Ryouri cooking books. I have many cooking book at home. really many. As usually I visited many temples. my favorite temple is “Ryoanji” famous for its rock garden. This place I visit every time whenever I come to Kyoto. Meditative place. I could sit there and watch rock garden for whole day. Kyoto has also nice downtown and foods shopping market which is like street of mouse, small shops are tight together if you are not too late, you can try many different Japanese traditional foods. snacks and drink sake here and there.

Naturally we went to many different touristy spot as well…Kiyomizu-Temple, Nijyo-Jyou Castle, Kinkaku-Ji Temple…Sure if you are in Kyoto, don’t forget to go to Gion area where Maiko’s in Kimono, you can find ..also here is THE heart of Kyoto. Performance day, Elke went back to home.. Sakamoto is my school mate, runs the venue in Shinjyuju “Uruga” Shinjyuku area is one of most busy area in Tokyo day and night. At day time full of business people and shopping people, in the night change her face to pub, night club goers , also a lots of criminal efforts…

This is 3rd time I perform at my ol’ pals venue…he has always 3sets for me. Tabata is funny lovely guy, once I disappointed him as I said him there is no aliens in this universe… There are many story about him, he is very respected from many people so does my Canadian sound carrier friend Cal live just close to this venue. After show we hang around in the venue for a while, Sakamoto booked Hotel close to here in Kabuki-cho as I have to take airplane from Haneda, inland flight (also to China and Korea) airport in Tokyo, I fly to Kyusyu, southern island. Kabuki-cho is heart of Shinjuku area, one of highlight in Tokyo specially deep in the night…Night clubs, restaurant, telephone bar, bars…place for adult…imagine Reeperbahn in Hamburg. Sometimes people are fighting with knives, siren of police cars, etc…..

Tsujimoto is interesting nice guy who is kind of poet, musician. who releases monthly CD magazine called Hermitage. I met him this time at an another performance as well. Each time he brought me snacks he was meaning after show I have to eat small bit…Normally he is working at Japanese car industry. He came to my performance, he stayed until late so he missed his last train and tomorrow he have to wake up so early…I had space in my hotel room, he slept there… When I wake up..he was already away.